7 months in WA

[Guest juno1]

Hello everyone,

After several months visiting this excellent website, I thought it about time I registered and gave an account of our relocation to Australia. Two 40 something adults, two dogs (aged 5 & 6) : Western Australia

It all started in August 2006 when hubby and I decided after 20 years in Southern Africa it was time to move on. Originally from the UK and not wanting to return there (too cold and too many people), we knew it had to be Australia. And we knew we had to do it now as we are both in our 40's and the longer we left it, the more difficult we thought it would be for hubby to get a job. Anyway, to all of those reading this who also think you are too old. Think again!

The first thing we did was job search on the Internet. We had already decided it did not matter where in Australia the job was located. It was more important to find a job. All seemed to go quiet, then two months later hubby was having telephone interviews. He was invited across to Australia in November. Job offer followed two weeks later and application for 457 work visa submitted beginning of December. We thought nothing would happen over Christmas and New Year, however, the four year work visa was granted first week of January 2007!

Once we knew the visa had been granted, there was no holding us back. We have no children. We were ready to go. Our house in Joburg was put on the market and our two Siberian Huskies booked into quarantine kennels. By the end of January, our flight was booked. Our entire household contents was wrapped and packed, cars sold, and the house sale left in the hands of our estate agent. Used to spending annual holidays in kennels, our Huskies happily settled into Kookaburra quarantine - their home for the next six months. Knowing we would be applying for Permanent Residence once in Australia, we applied for our police clearances before leaving South Africa. We arrived in Perth on 14 February 2007.

Arrangements had been made for us to stay in a furnished apartment in Perth until our house contents arrived. From the airport, we were able to get a taxi and go straight to the apartment. By the end of our first week in Perth we had opened a bank account, found our way around the shops, and obtained WA driving licenses. The driving licenses arrived in the post, much to our surprise. The efficiency here still amazes us.

Our new home (once the house contents arrived) would be 500 km south of Perth. Hubby flew to site during the week, leaving me all on my own. It is the first time in years I have felt comfortable being on my own. Normally I have the dogs for company. This time I was completely alone! However, I happily wandered around Perth, caught the train to Fremantle, visited the zoo, walked to Kings Park several times, jogged around the Swan River - all on my own without any fear whatsoever. I must have caught up on several years sleep with no sirens, gun shots, house alarms and dog barking through the night.

Our UK passports were due to expire in August 2007. I decided whilst in Perth it would be wise to get them renewed. Forms completed and sent off to Canberra. New passports arrived in the post three weeks later!! I took the passports to the immigration office to get our visas transferred. Thinking I would be there the whole day, I was not looking forward to it. You will not be surprised when I tell you how amazed I was when I walked out the office fifteen minutes later with visas inside new passports.

We accepted an offer on our Joburg house in March. House contents arrived in April and we moved down to our new rental home. Collected new car the day before we left Perth. Didn't need the car whist staying in Perth because public transport is so good. We are now living in a small coastal town and apart from it being windy (living in Joburg, we are not used to Cape Town wind!!) we are extremely happy and very settled. The Australians are incredibly friendly and we have been made to feel really welcome. We have super neighbours. Hubby is happy at work and I have met lots of people through my Reiki (alternative healing). I practice from home and slowly building up a few regular clients. I applied for an Australian Business Number on line and received it by return email. As I said earlier, we continue to be amazed at the efficiency in Australia.

With the backing of hubby's employer, application for PR was submitted in June. A friend in South Africa collected our police clearances and couriered them to us. PR was granted in less than six weeks. We even received the original police clearances back in the post. Receiving PR was a huge milestone for us, bearing in mind hubby turns 50 this year. Remember what I said earlier about thinking you are too old?

Our Huskies flew to Perth beginning of August. They quickly settled into Byford and we are so looking forward to being reunited with them some time in September. We have not visited them as do not think it is fair to get them all excited and then leave them behind again. The six months they spent in Kookaburra kennels went incredibly quick. Probably because we were busy getting ourselves settled. We received regular updates from Kookaburra and knowing the dogs were in good hands, had no reason to worry. If you can afford it, I would not discourage anyone from putting their dogs into quarantine. It's a huge adventure for them and I am quite sure they have nice chats with all the other dogs about where they are going.

Outstanding issues : Transfer of funds (house sale / pension) from RSA to Aus. Took a while to get tax clearance, despite having a very good tax consultant. This is where you have to be patient. Slowly getting there. Transfer may even take place before Christmas!

I am also one of the growing number who has written to the SABC (included copies of air ticket, etc) and never had a response

Last week we attended our first concert in Australia. We saw Bob Dylan in Perth and have to say, the Aussie concert goers are a lot more civilized. They are not constantly up and down during the concert. No ringing cell phones. No pushing and shoving to get out the doors at the end of the concert. Everyone standing patiently in queues to board buses and trains. The cost of the ticket included free use of public transport. We have tickets to see The Police in Perth in February 2008. Also have my parents visiting in February 2008 so lots to look forward to.

Very, very happy to be here.

[Camper]

Thanks for the info, where about have you settled now, we are still undecided on Perth or Quennsland.

Thanks

camper

[Debra]

Hi there

Glad to hear it all went so well. We are on a simular route. Our 457 is 2 thirds done. Nomination and sponsorship approved, Medicals ect done and will be attaching remainder of doc's tonight. Just hope it goes quicker now. We are on our way to Gladstone Qld. My husband was offered a job and he did not think twice. To me is was not the best offer but as he says at least our foot is in the door.

Me on the other hand .... the nervous wreck, i am looking at all that could go wrong. My son 17 and us in our 40's are going to have to start all over again. But then i surpose it can be done. Could you assist with the PR section as yours seemed to go rather quick and we have been told it will take 2 to 3 years for us to get it.

Really wish you all the best.

We are sadly going to have to leave our 3 dogs and cat behind as Schalk refuses to pay so much and i feel it is unfair to have to choice. At this point this could make me want to stay.

Debra

[The Parsons Family]

It is so good to hear stories like yours.

Please keep posting your thoughts and progress, we love hearing how other people have done it.

I am sure your "babies" in quarantine are happy and healthy. I was impressed when arriving at Byford early for a visit, they had the radio on and all the dogs were sitting quietly as if listening to the conversation which funnily enough was about pet dental hygiene . I am sure my two were not thinking that was something we should get done....

Which town are you staying in???

Enjoy your visit from your folks, mine arrive in December and I can't wait

Gaille

[Guest juno1]

Thanks for the info, where about have you settled now, we are still undecided on Perth or Quennsland.

Thanks

camper

We are 500 km south of Perth on the coast, in a very small town where husband's job is located. I see you are from Durban, in which case Queensland weather may suit you better. I am only going by what my aunt tells me. She lives in Brisbane. I have not visited yet. She says it gets very humid in the summer. Where we live is similar to the Cape. VERY WINDY! I always said I could never live in Cape Town because it is too windy. Probably why we ended up here! Yesterday we got sandblasted trying to walk to the beach. We have now been told the wind is stronger in the summer. We were in Perth from Feb to April and I am sure it wasn't as windy there as it is here. Anyway, go with your instinct. Don't sit and ponder too long. If Perth feels right, then go for it. If it's Queensland, then go for it. Trust your gut feeling. It is always right.

[Mikej]

Hello Juno1

Are you in Albany?

We are going to Albany and I hope it is not too windy.

If you are in Albany it would be really nice to hear more about it.

Thanks

Michael

[Guest juno1]

Hello Debra,

I have read a couple of your previous postings and you seem to be a nervous wreck at the moment. That is understandable but just remember, you are not the only one. There are lots of people out there going through the same process and their emotions constantly up and down because of it. I encourage you to keep using this forum as there is always someone able to offer advice and encouragement. I also think it a good idea to check out the Funnies section when you are feeling down. I've had a good laugh at some of the postings on there.

Regarding the PR process, we were fortunate in that my husband's employer uses a migration agent / solicitor for the work visas. The same person handled our PR application which is why it came through so quick. The company was also willing to sponsor the application and husband received good references from three of his work colleagues. I consider ourselves extremely fortunate as I know a lot of people are doing the whole process themselves and it takes a lot longer. However, once in Australia, it is worth approaching your employer asking if they would be willing to sponsor your PR. You won't know unless you ask.

I can understand your heartache regarding your animals. To bring them here is a costly exercise and the only way we were able to afford it was from the sale of my car. I am now trying not to think about the bill which we still have to pay for their short stay in Perth Do not let your animals stop you from coming to Australia. Will your daughter be able to take care of them?

It is good to hear that your 17 year old son will be moving across with you. He will certainly have more career opportunities here. A friend of mine in South Africa did not even think twice when her only child was offered the chance to study in Australia. Yes, she was sorry to see him go but she knows he will have a far better future here and is looking forward to visiting him early next year.

Try not to think about the negative. Stay with the positive. And there are LOTS of positive reasons for moving to Australia. Here's a simple example. The house we are living in has huge windows with no burglar bars. It is the first time in over 20 years I have lived in a house without bars. The unobstructed view into the garden is wonderful! Our patio door is unlocked and has been unlocked since husband left for work at 6:30 this morning.

Take care,

[Guest juno1]

Hello Juno1

Are you in Albany?

We are going to Albany and I hope it is not too windy.

If you are in Albany it would be really nice to hear more about it.

Thanks

Michael

Hello Michael,

No, we are not in Albany. Albany is 400 km west of where we are living. This is getting to be quite a mystery as I have still have not revealed our exact location. However, lots of people from here go to Albany for the weekend. The shopping there is apparently very good. Albany also has a South African food shop. We have yet to visit but I do believe Albany is a beautiful place. If it is windy here, then it is probably windy in Albany. However, that should not put you off moving there. If the wind is the only thing you have to worry about, then it certainly pales into insignificance compared to living in South Africa. I only moan about the wind because coming from Joburg, we are not used to it. And believe me, we do have beautiful days here when the wind does not blow, the sun is shining and the turquoise sea is flat calm.

[Guest juno1]

Hello Juno1

Are you in Albany?

We are going to Albany and I hope it is not too windy.

If you are in Albany it would be really nice to hear more about it.

Thanks

Michael

Hi Michael,

Check out www.abc.net.au/greatsouthern/ for news and weather details on Albany.

[Camper]

Are you in Esperance.

[The Parsons Family]

Maybe you're in Hopetown....

[Guest juno1]

Are you in Esperance.

No, but we do go there for shopping and movies. 200 km from here.

[Guest juno1]

Maybe you're in Hopetown....

HOORAY Well done. Yes, we are in the small coastal town of Hopetoun.

I shall try the mock citizenship test to see if I do as well as you!

[Camper]

HOORAY Well done. Yes, we are in the small coastal town of Hopetoun.

I shall try the mock citizenship test to see if I do as well as you!

Interesting the way it is spelt, what is the main industry there.

Cheers

Camper

[Mikej]

Hello Juno1

Thanks for that ABC website for news and weather.

And the news headlines make my heart ache, so deliciously boring and peaceful. Sigh.

Here they are.

Wagin expecting arrival of new GP

Poor turnout for dry season workshops

Voices of the Wheatbelt project to share in federal funds

Police welcome training extension

WA shires enforce stricter recycling

I wont even begin to compare these headlines with our local news here in South Africa.

I cannot wait for our visa to come through.

Michael

[The Parsons Family]

Okay, so I figured out you were in Hopetoun (Pity about my spelling). It must be lovely down there, we haven't had a chance to venture south yet, will be doing it soon

Mike

When we arrived in Australia, one of the main stories on the news was the high price of bananas, we killed ourselves laughing, but what a feeling to know that those are the sorts of things you need to worry about