oooooooooh you gonna make me cry! thanks f or all the lovely comment - helping others only serves to help me too so thankyou all very much too. I am more than happy to chat and talk to anyone who needs an ear to bash, having been there myself i understand completely where us single parents are all coming from

Still feeling scared but so much better. Have sent off my application to nursing board now. As rental seems expensive now wondering about moving slightly further out of Sydney to Newcastle. Anyone know anything about it? esp re nursing jobs!

Sorry can't help re Newcastle but just wanted to say good luck

Havent read the whole thread so sorry if I'm duplicating - but you will only be entitled to some benefits including the Childcare tax rebate, on some visas (mainly if you are PR). You might get here quicker on a 457 but you then arent entitled to benefits or support....

Hi Jane, just read your initial thread, and thought I'd written it in my sleep as you sound like me!!
I'm a single mum of 2 boys, I'm a nurse and moving to Sydney in Jan!
My ex has just signed the consent that the immigration people wanted from him to allow the kids to come with me. Medicals are booked for next week and just sorting removals and lookin at rentals.
Luckily I have a great support network in Sydney as I lived there 9 years ago working in the same hospital I will be next year. I have about 4 really good friends all but one of them have kids and will be heping me sort schools and a home etc etc.
If you want to message me then feel free - we can do the single mum thing when we get there! (whatever that is!)
Good luck and if we can do this we can do ANYTHING!!
Helenxxx

Think you have answered my prayers! Thanks for responding. everyone else on here seems to be going elsewhere in the country! Have sent in my nursing stuff but have not got any further yet. So will be a bit behind you. have so much to ask you dont know where to start! My son is 11. Where do you live now? Where you going to work? live? etc Jane xxx

Thanks. Am applying for permanent residency. Others have told me I may be entitled to something. Will wait and see when I arrive. If it ever happens!
Am scared that some nursing papers are stuck in post. Posted them 2 weeks ago and not arrived with migration agent yet. If I wasnt blonde, think I would be grey by now!!

hello all us single mums - how you doing either over here or still over there waiting to get here I have now been in my own house for 2 weeks and looooooooooving it!! GIRL POWER!! my update and couple of pics are on my update thread if you need any reassurance that you will be A ok!!

Glad it is going well. Thanks for all your support. It is still going to take ages. Just cant wait to get there now. The summer here has been awful. Am sure I will have more questions to ask later if thats ok. Just waiting for acceptance for registration by nursing council. Takes 10 weeks! xx

Hi - thank you for all your encouraging words - i've only been on here a couple of times and there is a real mix of opinions - so thanks for the positive ones! Im going to Brisbane as a single parent on a 457 visa - got the visa and a job - strangely they seem to have been the easiest things to get! Just sorting out selling the house this end now, going to get an aupair for the first 6 months as I'll be working shifts (Im a Midwife). Beginning to feel as though I'm stalling the whole process now - its terrifying, so just wanted to say 'thanks' for being so positive!
While I'm here, are there any other single parents in, or heading to, Brisbane? If I pull myself together and stop panicking about all the potential problems (that will probably never happen) then I should be out early in the new year (2009). Also, whilst I'm here, does anyone know if you have to pay tax or some kind of equivalent for an aupair? I shall be using savings to pay for their wages so hopefully not. Im hoping that after 6 months I shall have sorted a better (and cheaper) form of childcare. Any hints or tips from anyone in Brisbane about schools, areas to live etc?
With many thanks, Helen

Hi - we are going to Brisbane in the new year (hopefully) - visas are through and have got a job with a great relocation package. But.... Im terrified - but working on the ideas of positive thought! My biggest concern is childcare (Im a midwife who will be working shifts) and im on a 457 visa so I know I wont get any state financial help, but Im planning on getting an aupair for the first 6 months whilst we get settled and using my savings to pay their wages. Just wondered how you were progressing with the whole thing, any nearer to getting out there?
Also im sure you probably know anyway, but just thought I would let you know that i get the impression that some states dont take too much notice of the general nursing council approval and that you still have to go through the 10 week waiting period for individual states - that is certainly the impression I got from the Queensland Nursing Council - who I am proud to say I am currently registered with. If I have got that wrong Im sorry but just wanted to make you aware.
Good luck with it all! Helen

On a PR Visa you will be entitled to Child Benefits, called FTB here, from the day you arrive.

You may also be entitled to some rent assistance.

Well its moving on at last. My 175 for permanent residency was lodged yesterday, I have been offered a job and I have won 2 flights. Things are looking up!!! Still scared but very excited!!!

Go girl, the Karma is with you Reading the support from you all to each other brought a tear to my eye and gave me goosbumps...virtual moral support can't beat it. Good luck hunnie

fab news - you will be fine