Cats and babys

hungrytiger · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd January 2008, 10:30 AM

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
Al

kaz101 · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd January 2008, 11:15 PM

Welcome Hungrytiger,

1. Are you coming over as a permanent resident? If so for costs check the Medicare website About Medicare - Medicare Australia since I think they will cover some of the costs.

2. I know very few people in Melbourne and none of them have cats.

Regards,
Karen

michelle.ritchie · #3 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 01:58 AM

Hi there guys,

I am a Relocation Agent living in Gold Coast Qld, we moved out her over a year ago with our cats, if you need any help, give me a shout. Things are very different, we keep our cats indoors, they were outdoor cats in uk but its more about things that can harm them, like cane toads! They have just been bought leads! which sounds very strange but alot of people use them, and they are fine with that. Also, its too hot for them to be outside, our cats start panting so if we are at work all day, they cant cool themselves down. We leave fans/ air conditioning on for them on hot days.

Hope that helps?

Michelle Ritchie

hungrytiger · #4 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 10:33 AM

Thanks
Kaz - I'm hoping its a permanent visa, in which case it looks like we would get medicare assistance. Its a very slow process though (as reading experiences on this forum attest to) so perhaps she will have given birth before we get there. In that case just hope you're not in the seats next to us for the flight...

Michelle - yes that is just a bit different to what we're used to here! TBH I'm wondering whether its worth the stress (the cat's) and the money to get them over, but my other half wouldnt hear of leaving them behind. Out of interest, how much did it cost you in the end?
ta
Al

Baby75 · #5 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 10:45 AM

[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

michelle.ritchie · #6 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 11:12 AM

hungrytiger,

it cost us about 3000 pounds to bring our cats out here, but then you have to pay for quarantine also. to be honest i do not recommend leaving your pets behind because its amazing how at home they make you feel when they are here! the whole hassle was well worth it! and you hear so many horror stories that are so far fetched, just dont listen to any of them. they have doggy parks here where you go and train your dog, people do this on weekends, which is weird, also people walk with their dog every morning, so really its just like england.

hope that helps!

Michelle

Baby75 · #7 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 11:33 AM

[quote=michelle.ritchie;10801]Hi there guys,

I am a Relocation Agent living in Gold Coast Qld

well that explains alot! should of mentioned that before Michelle

hungrytiger · #8 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle.ritchie

hungrytiger,

it cost us about 3000 pounds to bring our cats out here, but then you have to pay for quarantine also. to be honest i do not recommend leaving your pets behind because its amazing how at home they make you feel when they are here! the whole hassle was well worth it!
Michelle

Wow thats quite steep - I was thinking more of about £2000 including flights and quarantine, based on what I've read. Will need to get a formal quote.

hungrytiger · #9 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 11:38 AM

Thanks Baby75 - will have a look at all that stuff this evening, looks useful

Baby75 · #10 (**permalink**) 3rd January 2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hungrytiger

Thanks Baby75 - will have a look at all that stuff this evening, looks useful

your welcome pm me if you like im in the same boat . if its a perment visa you will be entitled well so ive been told any way good luck with it all

we were quoted 6000 euro for our boxer if we wanted to bring her from Ireland its expensive all right!