[quote=hungrytiger;10752]Hi,
Long time reader , first time poster...

I have received a job offer in Melbourne and am in the process of accepting it. There are a couple of things that I would like some feedback on, if any of you have experience:

1. My wife is pregnant and we may well get out to Oz before she gives birth. We're unsure about the cost implications of this as regards hospital fees etc. I know we cannot get insurance for this as its too late (have to be at least 12 months before birth). I'm sure there must be other people that have been in this boat, since it usually young couples/families that emigrate. Any advice?


2.Cats. We have two and have costed getting them out there. However, the famous aussie wildlife is a cause for concern. One concern is that they can bring lethal stuff into the house (and presumably we're not talking a small mouse!) and secondly is it feasible to let them roam free like they do in the UK? If it makes any difference then we would be planning on living outside the city in a semi rurual area.

TIA

As far as i know depending on what visa you have (we will have the skilled independent visa) so when you arrive in oz you are covered by Medicare and can attend a public hospital and be covered for your antenatal care and delivery check with the Australian web site to see if your visa covers you for Medicare and that
Medicare Australia
Family Payments & Allowances - australia.gov.au How much Child Care Benefit do I get?

as far as i know you will be entitled to the baby payment when your baby is born in Australia its meant to be $5000.
A good web site to find the hospitals near to were you'll be living is PicoSearch: Cataloging Your Corner of the Web: Results
when you arrive make sure you have a copy of your wife's medical history and you register with a doctor and book in to a hospital or a birthing center.

as for bringing pets we have soul searched long and hard and decided not to bring ours mainly because of all the health risks for them there ild be afraid they want to kill a snake and get bit them self's plus the different parasites they can get thats why we have decided to leave them behind with family members. but ive have seen other people have brought their pets over and they are grand so i guess its just weighing up the pros and cons to that.

hope that info has helped good luck and congrats