A list of things you need to do before you emigrate - Parts 1 to 2

[twinkle-toes]

haha... no comments! *huggies*

[kenneth]

thanks, for ur reply dolly,what is the time difference between ireland and aus,is their any slow down in the construction side off things in melbourne?do u have kids or no any one with kids?would it be hard to get into schools over in aus?

[Dolly]

At the moment Ireland will be 9 hours behind Melbourne.

Can't say for certain if the construction business has slowed down but it's been discussed on the forum in the past, do a search and see what you come up with.

We have 2 boys (15 and 17). It's not hard to get into schools (it will be if there is a waiting list for some of the more popular schools).

Dolly

[kenneth]

hi dolly you have been very helpful with the last few emails cheers. one major question that my partner and i have, as we are hoping to go to aus at the end of the month our major concern is our four year old daughter. in Ireland she would be due to start school this coming september, but now that we are traveling to aus she wont be. i am wondering do you know anything about schools in aus? what do you need for the child to attend school and get into a school in aus? would we have problems? what is the age for children starting school? sorry for all the questions, but its our main concern , and would be gratfull if you could answer these questions or know somebody that might...... hope to here from you dolly

[Dolly]

Hi kenneth,

Totally understand about your concerns re schooling. It was our major concern to.

As your daughter is just starting school you don't need to take anything with you, just a copy of her vaccinnations (it may not be asked for but it's good to have just in case). The new school year starts in February 2010 so as you will be moving over at the end of the month it would be wise to enrol her into kindergarten/pre-school.

I always think this website is good, if you click on the "at school 5-18" it details the relevant stages at school.

The best thing to do is check out the schools in the area you are going to live in and contact schools that look promising. The school will then tell you exactly what you will need to enrol your daughter, and other things such as school uniform, books etc.

What area are you thinking of moving to?

Any other questions, just ask away. I'm more than happy to help as much as I can.

Dolly

[richie colton]

hi kenneth, im currently waiting on state sponsered visa , im just wondering what visa did you get and how long did it take? when you got your case officer did it take long? thanks!

[gin]

Originally Posted by Dolly

Prescriptions

Get enough medicine to cover until you can see a doctor in Australia.

Be aware that some destinations en route may have restrictions regarding bringing certain medications into the country so check this beforehand.

Collect hand-over files from doctor, dentist, optician, schools etc.

Arrange some private health cover for Australia if required/desired

Pay off any outstanding debts

Close any surplus bank accounts and destroy unwanted cards

Shred and dispose of any personal records you are not taking

Ensure all your relevant paperwork is in a travel file

CANCEL: Ask for refunds where applicable
Car insurance: Get a letter confirming No Claims Bonus
Car road tax
Standing Orders/Direct Debits: make sure they are cancelled with the bank as well as the company
All utilities (gas/electric/telephone/community charge) cancel in writing
Broadband
House insurance
Car Insurance
Sky TV
Newspapers
TV licence

Request references from credit card companies, banks & mortgage lender; request up-to-date statements
(financial statements useful when going for a rental)

Sort out family allowance

Buy currency for the trip

Ensure that your possessions are on their way

Check in with the shipping company to ensure that everything is going to plan

Organise transport to the airport

Take final gas/electric meter readings and send details to suppliers

Get PHOTOCOPIES of:
Birth certificates
Marriage certificate
Passport bio pages including visa page (handy for employers)
Mortgage statements
Driving Licence
Utility bills for the last 6 months (to show regular payments) – will help in rental search to show good payment
Savings accounts
Bank statements

Then scan onto a stick

Arrange for a NATIONWIDE credit card: no fees for international purchases (remember, you won’t be able to get an Australian credit card until you have a job)

Get an Australian bank account sorted

Get a school report file together

Sort out Ambulance cover before you go: (this will depend on which state you go to. Some states have a levy, some states have an annual fee. Here’s the link for the Ambulance Service in Victoria Membership Home - Metropolitan Ambulance Service

Make a note of useful UK telephone numbers, i.e. bank customer services etc (the International number)

Set up an independent email address (Hotmail or Gmail etc) and transfer your existing address book over before we move) – also save to stick. Remember that if you’re with, say, Pipex or Virgin you won’t be able to use that service in Oz therefore all your contacts and stored email will be lost.

Arrange a rental car for when you arrive (but NOT from the airport as the cost is extortionate). A taxi into Melbourne city is around $50 and pick rental up from a regional office. Check out Europcar,.they are normally the cheapest rental from the airport.

Info Pack for rental

• If you have a relative in Australia ask them to write a character reference
• Copy of bank statements/utility bills/mortgage statements
• Get a reference from UK estate agent stating how well our house has been maintained and what kind of people you are
• If you have a rented, ask the estate agent for a character reference stating that you paid rent regularly and on time every month
• When applying for a rental, write a covering letter explaining why you currently don’t have a job (i.e. just landed). Mention in it you’ve had a mortgage for ‘X’ years and you have PR/or you’ve rented for ‘X’ years etc
• Take passports with you
• Front up with cash for 3 months advance rental (we did, but it wasn’t needed). There are usually quite a few people going for the same property so offering to pay in advance may clinch it for you

PO Box or other Postal Address for the first 4 months (visit a Post Office to do this)

This is a bit of a catch 22 situation! You will need a long-ish term postal address in Australia to be able to setup your Bank Accounts, Medicare, Centrelink, Drivers License, etc. If you have a friend or relative, ask them if you can use their address. PO Boxes can be used for general mail and are available in most post offices but they are like gold dust. NOTE: You can’t set up bank accounts, Centrelink etc with a PO Box as your address.

Now, take a few deep breathes...... !!!

This is intended for guideline purposes only (and comes from my own personal experience).

GOOD LUCK!

Dolly

I am currently working my way through this list at the moment - don't know what I would have done without it!! Just wanted to ask though - you advise to scan onto stick bank and mortgage statements etc - do I also need to take the originals with me or is this in place of. If don't need originals wil leave them as already struggling for space and only got 30 kg limit on luggage. did you require originals at any time? thanks gina

[Dolly]

We scanned all our docs onto a stick and I carried the originals with me in my carry-on bag and guarded it with my life. Do not put original documents in your suitcase as the suitcase could get lost in transit never to be seen again!

When we rented the real estate company wanted to see our passport but the other documents (bank statements etc) were OK as a copy.

Dolly

[gin]

Originally Posted by Dolly

We scanned all our docs onto a stick and I carried the originals with me in my carry-on bag and guarded it with my life. Do not put original documents in your suitcase as the suitcase could get lost in transit never to be seen again!

When we rented the real estate company wanted to see our passport but the other documents (bank statements etc) were OK as a copy.

Dolly

thanks for reply. Thought that may be the case - have got them all ready in my hand luggage and I will also be guarding it with my life. Its quite scary considering some of the very important docs I will be carrying! Thanks again dolly - this list has been a massive help

[Dolly]

No worries......

Yes it is very scary carrying all your most important documents with you.....just keep hold of the bag with grim determination and you'll be fine I never put my bag in the overhead locker either, I wanted to be able to see it at all times!

Dolly