Info for when we get there!!

MMPD · #1 (**permalink**) 12th January 2008, 10:53 PM

On final stage of visa application, completed medicals and police checks etc - just waiting to hear from Australia now, but need some answers to a few questions that would help us prepare for the move, any help is appreciated.

* Eldest child starts school in Australia Jan 2009, hopefully in Calloundra, Queensland - have emailed them for forms over a week ago to no avail, how does it enrolment work there?
* Youngest should start kindergarten soon after arriving but need email contact to put his name on the list.
* Roughly how much does it cost for white goods (washing machines, fridges)there - can you give me names of some big shops so i can do searches....not too posh

OR should we maybe just bring our own?
* Is electricity and bills included in accomodation rental charges?
* Where is a good, leafy area, family oriented area in Calloundra - they all sound quite similar???? Husband is a computer programmer so should really be nearby the city of Caloundra and Brisbane.
* Are there alot of mosquitos there? Should we bring bed nets etc???

Thanks in advance for your help.

kaz101 · #2 (**permalink**) 13th January 2008, 01:32 AM

Hi MMPD,

Welcome to the forum.

I've moved your post to the Aussie section so you'll get more answers (it was in the USA section).

I can't help with schools since I don't have children and I'm not in Queensland.

Most of the big shops aren't online properly yet in Australia. Some of the websites point you to your local store or ask you to order a catalogue.
I found one website that does lots of catalogues online which might help
Retail Catalogues for your Back to School needs, Sales, Bargains | Catalogue Central.

I'm a landlord here and the tenant usually pays for the electricity and gas but sometimes the landlord pays part or all of the water bills.

Are you going the furnished or unfurnished? Even in our unfurnished places we still provide the basics such as fridge/freezer, cooker etc. Not sure if that is standard or something that we do. It may be worth calling some letting agents and asking.

Anything electrical that you bring will need different plugs put on them, and the phone system is completely different sockets too although you can get them to work with adapters.

Regards,
Karen

mblack977 · #3 (**permalink**) 13th January 2008, 10:54 PM

Hi MMPD

im an Aussie living in the uk and im a teacher so i may be able to help you with your education questions.

Schooling is state run however enrolment is through the individual schools. Its not like england where if you dont live in teh right area you cant go to a particular school. If you dont hear anything back my advice would be to call the school in february (school holidays atm) or when you get there.

In rented places youhave to pay for electricity, gas and sometimes water the owners usualy pay land rates (from my experience anyway)

dont bother bringing white goods check out the harvey norman or Bing lee, retrovision web sites for prices on white goods....i remember harvey norman doing a package deal for me

dont worry about the mosquitos or bed nets all houses are fitted with fly screens and unless you live next to a swamp your not going to get worried by mosquitos (not saing that they wont be there though)

lastly its a great city brisbane im sure you will enjoy