moving to melbourne!

[its me]

Hi just need some info. My husband currently works for an Australian bank in london and it has come up that there could be a move for us to Oz.
We are just abit scared. The most important thing to us is how the move will affect our son, who at the mo is in mainstream primary school, but is being accessed for aspergers syndrome. So firstly schooling, do mainstream schools cater for children with special needs or learning differculties or will he have to go to a special needs school?
What are the best areas to live in, as we've never been to Australia, it's abit differcult to know where's best to live, also buying or renting pros and cons to both would be great. If we do go my parents and sister would want to come too, how strict are immigration to letting the whole family emmigrate. And anything else that anyone can add.
I know that long term our lives could be fantasic, but it's taking that leap.

[kaz101]

Hi Itsme,

Have you taken a look at the "PLEASE READ...." and "Thinking of emigrating" posts? They cover some of the things you are looking for.

I can't help you with schools since I don't have kids.

Best areas depend on what you are looking for. It's hotter up north and cooler down south. Sydney is the most expensive State city whereas Adelaide is the cheapest.

If you get a permanent visa then you can buy when you get here, if you get a temporary visa you can still buy but you need Foreign Investment Board (FIRB) approval (see link in "PLEASE READ...." post).

You can check the visa types since I'm not sure about whole family migration. We came over on a skilled independent visa and my parents are still trying to decide whether they want to move over or not.

Regards,
Karen

[Dolly]

Originally Posted by its me

Hi just need some info. My husband currently works for an Australian bank in london and it has come up that there could be a move for us to Oz.
We are just abit scared. The most important thing to us is how the move will affect our son, who at the mo is in mainstream primary school, but is being accessed for aspergers syndrome. So firstly schooling, do mainstream schools cater for children with special needs or learning differculties or will he have to go to a special needs school?
What are the best areas to live in, as we've never been to Australia, it's abit differcult to know where's best to live, also buying or renting pros and cons to both would be great. If we do go my parents and sister would want to come too, how strict are immigration to letting the whole family emmigrate. And anything else that anyone can add.
I know that long term our lives could be fantasic, but it's taking that leap.

Hi there,

I've found a few websites that might be of help.

Asperger Services Australia : History of Asperger Services Australia

Autism Victoria - About Autism Victoria

Asperger Syndrome Support Network (Vic) Inc - Clubs, Associations & Groups - Community - Melbourne Guide - Only Melbourne

Hope there is some useful info for you. Have a look at the forums, you'll probably get the answers there.

Re your family coming over as well, as Karen said, have a look at the sticky at the top of the page "please read.....", on the DIAC link you'll find all the visa types and their requirements.

Any other questions, please just ask.

Dolly

[Tiffani]

Hi, I'm an American living in Melbourne right now (no advice on schools, sorry. We don't have kids) but I can say that having lived in the UK, the US, and Australia, there's nowhere I'd rather be right now than here. I love all three countries, but Australia has a quality of life that is unbeatable. I hope you can get the answers you're looking for re: Asperger's.