mary1967

My jaw hit the floor..............still can't believe it.............thought you'd never get it

AshyB

Charming!

mary1967

I aim to please

Kaitlin

Guess what...

We got the PRE-GRANT LETTER today

Such a relief! FINALLY we can move on with our lives. Thank you all for listening and wish all Dec people would get their visas soon.

We'll be heading to NZ tomorrow then for almost two weeks for validation holiday before hubby starts work.

I also got my QLD driver license today so am starting to feel at home here

Now to bed. Been a busy day since we got the letter arranging the flights, carrental, accomodation and so on...

Kati a proud owner of a pre grant letter

Daan

Congratulations Kati! That's good news.

Oh wow, you are the same as us: a 175 visa lodged on 21-12-2007 and all docs frontloaded. Could this be good news for us as well....

We'll see.

Daan

Fly Away

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At long last!!! Well done!!! So pleased for you!!!!

Kitten24

Hi,

I've been reading back and am so pleased for everyone that has their visa's already. We applied for our 175 visa on the 14th December and received it on the 13th of August. Really chuffed! We are busy doing all our packing and sorting at the moment and will be leaving in November. (Via South Africa for an extended holiday)

Has everyone started sorting out drivers licences, banks and accomodation yet or are you waiting to arrive before doing so? I'm a bit nervous about leaving so many things till the last minute and would prefer to sort as much as possible now, so would love to hear who has done so already and how they went about it.

Thanks, and good luck to everyone still waiting. Fingers crossed it wont be a long wait.

mary1967

Brilliant News Kati!!!!! .

Sounds like you've settled in well already, makes me feel less nervous

abcn

Hi: we are the same date same visa aswell!! we get CO and requested add doc Form1101, so, hope you hear the good new soon

abcn

I am also a person who nervous all things till last minute. althought we just have CO, but I am starting to pack my things, and hope can move NOV. we just plan to bring clothings, doc, few children favourite toys(as shipping fee would be more expensive than buy new one) . so I am packing the things which "don't want to bring" now.
bank can consider :http://www.westpac.com.au/internet/p...igrant+banking
accomodation is the thing to worry, although can found a lot of house to sale or rent at the website, but no idea about the environment, so we are thinking to rent a apartment for 1 month to given time to find a suitable house and school.
our driving licences can apply to international driving licences for few months.
The timing is hold on CO's hand, hope everything go soon and can move at Nov on time to arrange then children start school end of Jan 09.

mary1967

You sound really organised!!!! It's taking ages to sort stuff out and sell what we don't want, so i'd definitely recommend doing it now.

We've opened a westpac account, which we'll activate properly when we get to Oz, basically you can put money in, but you can't take it out unless you get your own bank in the UK to fill a form in to identify you.

Our shipping fee is £2,150 and that includes most of our big items, like sofa's, beds, american fridge freezer etc. The marine insurance was just £104 with Letton Percival.

Good luck with the packing, hope you hear about your visa's soon.

tiger222

I'm with you. We're not bringing much. I've been purging a lot of stuff - got the basement, 1st floor and loft done, have 1 more floor to go - but I don't have much more energy at the moment.

We're hoping to do the same as you - go in November. But until we get a CO and the MEDS clear, we cannot tell the Renter Yes. So STUCK.

Good luck to you in your preparations. Hope it all comes together!

JohnandDiana

Hi Mary,

I've not been on this forum for long but find it very informative.
I'm curious to know which shipping company you use and if that included packing as I have been quoted £3,500 for a 20 foot container from Stockport - Perth.

abcn

Thanks Mary & Tiger! take a rest and start to pack again! now is our job. POOL THING
our Form 1101 arrived to sydney today (by DHL to our friend then he help us send to ACT would be faster), so hopefully Australian Federal Police Department is not too busy at this period .

Basty

Hi we have been quoted £3K for a 20ft from Southampton to Perth - I don't think Mary has a full container though - Mary am I right