Originally Posted by moneypen20

Damned if I can see how you do anything with your arms pinned together You looked fairly normal last time I saw you

Originally Posted by moneypen20

Seriously Paul, I really hope the sale holds together and you get out here. If DIMIA gave visa's for effort etc you would be at the top of the list.

Get through the winter there - hope everything is good with Nic - and get planning. If you want a recommendation for shippers I would suggest John Mason - they have been fab. Excellent packing in Harpenden and the people they use here are Wridgeways who again have been brill.

If you want anything doing this end, feel free to shout.

Penny

Originally Posted by Paul2004

You don't know how much I needed this ...
Well we're on a mission now!

Yesterday we accepted an offer on the house, and now the fun begins! ...

Not too sure who knows our plans, so will give a brief rundown.

We want to go give Australia a go and have looked into for prob 2 years. Done the Reconnaissance trip (never know how to spell that bloody 'reccy', 'reccie' word and this came up ...lol). Now unfortunately London Cabbies aint in demand over there ... and I don't have bundles of dosh to stuff into brown envelopes, so our ONLY route into the country is to study!

Now this I've looked into to the best of my ability, and there is pretty much one occupation that stands out as 'the best chance of success' so myself and partner will both be studying it for upto 2 years when we arrive.

What is it?

Well, I considered motor Mechanic, Carpenter, Plumber, (most trades) as I have a 'basic' understanding of most, BUT!! ... I broke both my arms 2 years ago and they're pinned together etc, and still give me trouble. I was advised to be very 'cautious' of what line of work I do in the future, as they're basically crap and the slightest bit of work and I suffer.

Anyway, so Paul is gonna be the next Vidal Sassoon! ...

Now can everyone please pick themselves up and read the rest ...
Without boring you, if you study in Oz for 2 years, Cert III qualification or higher, can 'keep' yourselves, and with 'most' trades you will also need work experience too! Then you can apply for PR after.

(I better throw this bit in)

'Study to PR' is VERY risky. If criteria changes along the line, and we cannot meet it, then we will simply be turfed out of the country once the Student Visa expires! As I say, it's a VERY risky gamble, but all 4 of us have discussed this loads, and the kids both know and understand the task ahead, but we ALL want to give it a shot! ... and we will!

The way we see it, the absolute worst case scenario is we simply have to leave. We will not get thrown into prison, or be fed to the Kangaroo's ... we will just have to go. Ok, it WILL be a massive prob as we'll obv be all settled and stuff, but we'll be returning to the UK to gain whatever it is we're missing for the application and once obtained we'll be trying to get back asap.

We WILL have 2 years in Oz, and to be honest we've all left our hearts there and need to go back to reclaim em. It's gonna be a good 2 years of our lives if nothing else!

Anyway, Student Visa's don't take long to obtain, and we're hoping to be out in Oz hopefully for March / April.

Can't bloody wait I say!

Please wish me luck!

Originally Posted by Issie

Good luck and best wishes Paul..it's sounds as though you are a really determined family and willing to ' give it a go '...life is too short !!!!!!)

Originally Posted by Issie

Well i am sure you will get hundreds of clients for your hairdressing......and if that goes tits up you could always sing ( i thought it was very good)

Originally Posted by Margaret2

Good luck, you all have balls and do you want to cut my hair

Originally Posted by Ransi

I dont think his missus will agree.. ...

Originally Posted by WendyC

Hope all goes well for you. Have a good xmas

Wendy

Originally Posted by lionheart

Best of luck Paul, hope it all works Sasooner rather than later

BTW, what's the story behind your arms, that's got to be a post in itself???

Originally Posted by claire33

Congratulations Paul and family!!

I put in my application for my student visa today, dont know if you know but we are now classed as assesment level 1 so can apply online and they say that you should have an answer in 5-10 working days, which is great.

So fingers and toes crossed that ours comes back as a yes and we too will be leaving in March.

Claire

Originally Posted by Paul2004

Hi Claire, I was goin thru DIMIA's Study section yesterday, but must've missed that.

I'm gonna go have a read up now, but that seems handy! ...

Timing again tho as we need to renew passports and get the medical yet. I spose I shoulda sorted these by now, but didn't wanna start shelling out till we at least had the buyer!

We're gonna need to show about £50k when we apply and that's gonna be fun obtaining! ... ... but we'd like to get the Visa's before 'complete' in an ideal world!

It's gonna be a busy January, that's all I know.