Naomihome Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 We plan to move to Aus or anywhere else in 2-3 years.By we I mean family with 2 kids and 2 dogs.After reading a lot I still cant make sense of the Visa applications.If I apply for the skills visa(permanent residence), can I at the same time apply for visas for my family? Which visas will I need?What do you do with your preschool kids in Aus when both parents work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel-B Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Hi, when you apply for the Permanent residency visa you include your kids and spouse on the application.Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsta Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 (edited) Yep, Aussie doesn't like to break up families Dogs are a little bit harder. You will have to put them into quarantine for 6 months. You can do that in South Africa or here as long as the quarantine facility is approved.So, you have to ask yourself if its fair on your dogs. I am sorry for the bad news..but that's how it goes in a big Aussie city... You land up making lots of compromises, so everyone gets along.So always keep your big picture in mind when you have to make tough decisions ☺ Edited November 18, 2015 by monsta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 @ Monsta, you are wrong, pets do not go through that long quarantine period any longer, there has been a whole checklist and many messages about that for the past year!@ Naomihome, may I say welcome to the forum, I am sure you will get plenty of answers from our forum members to assist you. With regard to the children, there is childcare centres, but for two kids it would be pretty expensive. The best would be if one of you were home with them, or if you got an au pair. As I have never needed this, I will leave it to the other forum members to answer for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsta Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 My apologies, I guess I missed the conversation. It seems you guys have picked a good time to apply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomihome Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 If we have a combined income of approximately 165k (which is on the low side considering our qualifications/experience) before tax per year could we still not afford daycare?The thing is I want some level of educational daycare not just someone watching my kids destroy stuff while trying to kill each other.I'd like to hear from people who tried daycare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Naomi, even Family Daycare (like a day mom in RSA) over here is "educational daycare". The lady who looked after my son HAD to have childcare qualifications by law, no ou Tannie looking after kids at her home. The minimum qualification is a Certificate 3 in Childrens Services. They are managed ,and checked up on, by the council. The syllabus they used as a play/teaching guide was clear to see, and the paperwork had to be in full view of the parents when picking up and dropping off. They can have a maximum of 4 children at a time and the facility has to meet very strict requirements. No popping kids in front of a DVD while the lady does her laundry scenario. https://www.careforkids.com.au/ Use this website to get your head around fees. If you have PR, and work/study/volunteer at least 15 hours a week, you can get government rebates on your childcare fees. This is capped at $7500 per child per year. You will probably be looking at Long Daycare. How old will your kids be when they come over here? Remember that they go to school at around 5 here, then your fees will drop to about $250 per child per years in one of the excellent state "primary schools" (called "public schools"). No need for private schools, definitely not in the primary years. If you look on that website, and zoom in on the details of a Long Daycare, you will see that the older the kid, the lower the fee. There are also Long Daycare centres with "a pre school program", you might have to ask about it specifically. Giving you the school readiness and educational play needed, but also the longer hours. You will probably not be able to access "standard" pre schools, because their hours are normally 8:30 - 3:30. They are only for kids from 3-5 and in my opinion amazing institutions. The government has been cutting their funding!!!! Idiots! So, many of them have had to extend their hours or pull a rabbit out of a hat to stay open. My son's pre school is closing end of this year, with him having another year before school! But, he has a space at another great pre school close by. Dont know where you will settle, but as a rule, childcare spaces are hard to come by with waiting lists in certain areas long. It will be especially difficult to find full week spots for 2 kids. Get on the waiting lists early. Australian workplaces are normally quite accommodating when it comes to parents with young kids. Many people I know have arrangements where say, the husband drops the kids off at childcare, so gets to work later and the mum goes in to work earlier, but then picks the kids up earlier. I dont live in the city centre, but many who live around me have to decide if they want their kids in childcare close to where the parent works or closer to home. Childcare costs in the city is typically higher and places are harder to come by. Or you could use a combination of a few types of childcare with say a nanny pick up your kids at childcare and taking them to your home till you arrive. This seems to be $25 per hour, irrespective if you have one or two kids. These local arrangements seem to happen more on facebook groups for mums in your area. You will have to figure this out later. I think you have enough to digest for the time being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I looked on that website I gave you. Making my own assumptions about your family here......In Sydney city centre (arguably the most expensive in the country), most of the Long Daycare centres charge $140 per day for kids over two. So, $140 x 5 days x 52 weeks = $36,400. Then $36,400 - $7,500 rebate = $28,900 per child per year out of pocket. Since the same rebate cap applies if you work 15 hours a week or 60hours a week, you may benefit of working out your work hour "sweet spot". In tradional pre schools the 3 year olds go 2 days a week and the 4/5 year olds go 3 days. Most mums work part time before the kids start school, as to spend some time with their kids and making the most of the rebate. My neighbour works 3 days and her husband 4 days a week. You will find less rigid traditional roles here, much more flexible. Maths is not my strong point, but I hope this gives you some food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomihome Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Thankyou that was very informative. I also got about 36400 pa.PR = ? Permanent Resident?I'm not that hectic on educational stuff like teaching colours/shapes etc, I like free play, but in a nice environment with lots of things to keep them busy and stimulated. My boys will be 2yo and 4yo when we go, and boys need activity, running, jumping, climbing over stuff.I'll do some more research.Before we go one of us needs a job offer, and we'll settle in whichever place the offer is.We will prob opt for suburbs and longer travel times to the cbd. Ideally we'd eventually want to settle in a smaller town even if its for less income. We dont really like city life and prefer somewhere between nowhere busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 PR-correct.(like a 189 or 190) maybe some more I don't know about...I know it's scary to think of not having work, but just be mindful that you don't sit this side for 5 years waiting to get work, while your visa runs out. Sometimes couples go one a time if they really need the financial security and are in a hurry. Just keep in mind that although it is possible to get work from outside Australia, it is very very difficult, and it might take longer than you thought. While the same applicant would have much better chances once onshore. Just something to keep in mind.Unless you have a rare skillset, then people tend to do fine.Just get the ball rolling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomihome Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I dont know if I'm that rare. I'm a Civil Designer (in Aus terms). My husband is an Entomologist who specialises in pest control research in agriculture. I dont know if either of us would get sponsorship.I'm on their SOC with 10+ years experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 No, in the years before school, the gentle process of learning is definitely not hectic, but its also not babysitting. In Aus they use play based learning and I am a big fan. I have a 4 and 5 year old, and in that time have used: occasional care, family daycare, 2 different pre schools and now have my eldest in primary school. All I can say is that it works. Dont worry too much. Here is a link. http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-publications/every-child-magazine/every-child-index/every-child-vol-16-3-2010/play-based-learning-free-article/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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