OK Thanks. Will give you a look!

Thanks.Am planning on applying for permanent residency. so thats reassuring even if I have to wait. Have had to forsake maintenance for my son in exchange for his dads permission! B******D! Janex

Thank you Sarah and Vicky for your kind words and encouragement. This forum is making me feel SO much better. It is great to know I am not alone and my feelings and worries are normal. Jane xx

Hi Jane

Just noticed your thread. I'm sure you will be fine, there is so much support on here, as you've already seen...

It's not all bad news though Jane, when i contacted the CSA about my payments they have told me that i would not be able to go through them once in Australia but the Australian family courts can do much the same job as the CSA. This is what i've been told from one representative from the CSA though so it may or may not be correct.

Good luck on your application though

I moved to Townsville, Nth QLD in January as a single mum. Although as my "baby" turned 18 2 days before we left it's not like I have to worry about childcare but it was still daunting, as daunted said to be just me and him. Anyway although he's had a couple of wobbles in the last 6 months I can say it's the best decision I ever made.
I just wanted to say that even though he is 18 because he's at school (doing Y12) we get family assistance which has a single parent element too it. I get $154 a fortnight. I'm on a permanent resident visa. I know that if children under 18 they look at child support too and you get a child care payment but don't know much about it as I don't require it. I can get family assistance until he's 24 if he stays in education!
Hope this may help a little

Oh Thanks. Thats great to know. Every little bit will help. You get to rely on the child benefit and child tax credit dont you. Glad to hear you have no regrets. Jane x

How far have you got with the application process? I am just waiting to hear back from the ANMC re skills then hope to apply for my visa. i am not using an agent which i am now panicking about but i couldn't afford one.

Am only just collecting papers for the ANMC, so not very far. Am using an agent cos I panicked too! But you are right it is costing a fortune, but she is being helpful. Where are you planning to go?

Ah the big question. I was sure i wanted to go to Perth until i started looking a bit deeper into it and now it's wide open as melbourne and Brisbane also look good prospects. Not sure whether to find an area and then a job or get a job that suits me with regards to childcare etc and then choose an area locally. What about you.

On the CSA subject I can confirm that the Australian CSA assess absent parent and the fact that you have moved to Oz DOES NOT affect your entitlement. I also have to say that the Oz CSA are nothing like my experience of them in the UK. They actually seem like human beings and were very very fair and efficient. You can also stick to any agreement you have come to with an ex but if you are to get the full entitlement of Family Assist you must give details and have an assessment done. THis happened to me. Me and the ex had come to an agreement of maintainence, the CSA insisted on an assessment but have still accepted our agreement of payment, with the knowledge that if he does not pay at anytime they are there with all the info in place to kick his butt

Hey Sals - was only talking about you today! hope all is going good

Did anyone have to courier documents to oz? Have been quoted £55 by DHL for one envelope. I will be bankrupt by the time I get there!

Am heading to Sydney, have been there twice now and loved it. But if it doesnt work out have promised a nursing friend that I will try Perth before going home.

That sounds like a good price to me, they quoted us £70 to couriers our medicals back in January (we actually sent them international signed for which was absolutely fine although we couldn't track them)

good luck