Australia

[queenofthestoneage]

Goin down under for a year soon, any advice/views/stories?

[thegillabbeygowl]

Pubs stay open for 24 hours:mrgreen:

[Superdave]

Many things can eat you.

[Captain Planet]

could anyone shed some more light on how you go about getting your visa etc and what to do before hand and all that. any web sites would be helpful. cheers

[bundyv1]

Watch out for the Dingo's tho

[thegillabbeygowl]

could anyone shed some more light on how you go about getting your visa etc and what to do before hand and all that. any web sites would be helpful. cheers


Just go to a travel agents and you will get a phone call when you apply.
They give it to you after asking you a few questions, Pending you answer them correctly.

[Captain Planet]

Just go to a travel agents and you will get a phone call when you apply.
They give it to you after asking you a few questions, Pending you answer them correctly.

thank you

[jimmy magee]

eat lots of cheap fruit.. drink lots of cheap wine.. get out of Sydney asap.......

[thegillabbeygowl]

eat lots of cheap fruit.. drink lots of cheap wine.. get out of Sydney asap.......


Agreed, You will hear of this magical drink called goon.
Tis 4 Litres of wine fr 6 Euro.
Can't go wrong.
Things are generally cheaper here than at home.

[Eoin]

www.visafirst.com

[bosco]

Don't bother giving your hard-earned money to travel agents for your visa or any other 'essential services' they try and sell you.

All the information you need can be found here:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/index.htm
And you can apply online there too. Pay by credit card, then have your visa label put in your passport when you arrive, either in the airport at Sydney or in a government office in other cities.

For general travel info try these sites:
http://thorntree.lonelyplan et.com/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Australia
www.virtualtourist.c om

Aside from that, everyone's advice will vary depending on what they've done, where they've been and what they consider a good time. My main advice would be to spend a week or two in a big city when you arrive, just long enough to get your phone, bank, tax etc sorted out but no more. Then hit the road and do any travel you want to do. Talk to other backpackers in the hostels to get an idea of where's good to go. Then you just have to decide whether to buy/rent a car/van or to take busses or flights or a spin with other travellers. Peter Pans travel agents in the cities are good if you like someone in the know to book everything for you and set out a complete itinerary, but they'll try and sell you expensive packages too.

Just don't land in a city and go on the piss til your money's gone. Better to get out and spend your money while travelling and seeing the country, then when you've had enough or are broke you'll have an idea of where you want to stay and work.

[cdwyer]

maroubra i miss you 2035!My brothers keeper!

[Steven]

im looking to set up a bank account before I head over in december, anyone done this before? could yee recomend a bank/site please.

[Eoin]

im looking to set up a bank account before I head over in december, anyone done this before? could yee recomend a bank/site please.

that visafirst site I put up do this.

[thegillabbeygowl]

It's easy to do it here.
Just walk in.
National and Commonwealth are good.

[Ravie Dee]

You Need 3 Grand In The Bank To Get A Visa...do What I Did Borrowed 3 Grand Put It In The Bank Waited 2 Days Asked For A Bank Statment Got It...took Back Out The 3 Grand And Gave It Back..boom No Need To Save 3 Grand...

[Captain Planet]

You Need 3 Grand In The Bank To Get A Visa...do What I Did Borrowed 3 Grand Put It In The Bank Waited 2 Days Asked For A Bank Statment Got It...took Back Out The 3 Grand And Gave It Back..boom No Need To Save 3 Grand...

but would you not kinda need the 3k anyway, for living and accommodation etc. i wouldn't want to be over there living like bear grylls rummaging for maggots in undergrowth

[bundyv1]

but would you not kinda need the 3k anyway, for living and accommodation etc. i wouldn't want to be over there living like bear grylls rummaging for maggots in undergrowth

Bushtucker Trials!!!!

Sure isnt that one of the main reasons to go to Oz!!!

[Steven]

You Need 3 Grand In The Bank To Get A Visa...do What I Did Borrowed 3 Grand Put It In The Bank Waited 2 Days Asked For A Bank Statment Got It...took Back Out The 3 Grand And Gave It Back..boom No Need To Save 3 Grand...

I got my working holiday visa online, and never had to prove how much money I had in my savings.

[Captain Planet]

I got my working holiday visa online, and never had to prove how much money I had in my savings.

but how much money did you need?

[Eoin]

but how much money did you need?

Its 5000 dollars which is roughly 3000 euro but I didn't get asked for proof of that at all and anyone I asked before I left had never been asked either.

[Captain Planet]

Its 5000 dollars which is roughly 3000 euro but I didn't get asked for proof of that at all and anyone I asked before I left had never been asked either.

ah ya, but what i meant to ask was, how much did you actually need (to survive etc) when you were over there? I'm thinking that you'd nearly need the €3000 if you were planning on doing a fair bit of travelling.

[Eoin]

ah ya, but what i meant to ask was, how much did you actually need (to survive etc) when you were over there? I'm thinking that you'd nearly need the €3000 if you were planning on doing a fair bit of travelling.

We're planning our travelling round at the moment now, and for 7 weeks non-stop its gonna cost us roughly 7000 dollars each which is around 4000 euro to do Alice Springs/Queensland/Sydney.

If you can drive though, you could probably hire out a camper van and drive places for a lot cheaper than using buses/trains/planes.

If you were doing the working/travelling/working type thing though, then 3000 is loads.

Took the girlfriend 3-4 weeks to sort out a decent job in melbourne, once I got off my arse and started looking took me a few weeks as well.

All depends on what kind of work/how much of it you want to do.

[Steven]

but how much money did you need?

have not gone yet, heading to asia for 2 months, have money for that, should have enough money for a month in sydney over xmas, then gonna start working in the new year,

can anyone advise a good hostel/guesthouse in sydney?
not too expensive,
been looking myself but finding it hard to find somewhere

[Captain Planet]

it seems you don't have to prove you have money in your account alright. a friend of mine got his visa online and was never asked either..which is kinda handy.

[thegillabbeygowl]

have not gone yet, heading to asia for 2 months, have money for that, should have enough money for a month in sydney over xmas, then gonna start working in the new year,

can anyone advise a good hostel/guesthouse in sydney?
not too expensive,
been looking myself but finding it hard to find somewhere


Kings cross is a must, Only for a few day though.
Stayed in Kenga off the main street, Was the cheapest but it's dirty and stinks like rotten food.
Bondi is full of Irish, so stay AWAY.
:D

[bosco]

We're planning our travelling round at the moment now, and for 7 weeks non-stop its gonna cost us roughly 7000 dollars each which is around 4000 euro to do Alice Springs/Queensland/Sydney.


Is the 7 grand including budgeted spending money or did you spend that much on transport and tours? Few of us doing the same rough route but over 4 weeks, for about 3k.

[Eoin]

Is the 7 grand including budgeted spending money or did you spend that much on transport and tours? Few of us doing the same rough route but over 4 weeks, for about 3k.

Ah thats budgeting spending money as well, adn since we're going to be in queensland aroudn christmas, the prices are massively inflated.

[Steven]

have not gone yet, heading to asia for 2 months, have money for that, should have enough money for a month in sydney over xmas, then gonna start working in the new year,

can anyone advise a good hostel/guesthouse in sydney?
not too expensive,
been looking myself but finding it hard to find somewhere

i've changed my flights, not gonna get to sydney now until start of January, staying is se asia for xmas and new years instead, hostels in sydney prices are double/triple the normal price,

[Eoin]

i've changed my flights, not gonna get to sydney now until start of January, staying is se asia for xmas and new years instead, hostels in sydney prices are double/triple the normal price,

Steve, I'm gonna be in Sydney in january for a week, we'll have to meet up for pints.

[Steven]

Steve, I'm gonna be in Sydney in january for a week, we'll have to meet up for pints.

cool boy, i'm arriving on 9th of January, and should be there for the remainder of the month, will you still be around?

[Eoin]

cool boy, i'm arriving on 9th of January, and should be there for the remainder of the month, will you still be around?

I'll be arriving around then as well, leaving on the 19th.

[Derek B]

Give me a shout when yer here lads, I should still be around I'd imagine..

[Eoin]

Give me a shout when yer here lads, I should still be around I'd imagine..

Nice one derek, I figured you'd be gone at that stage. Did you get sponsored or something??

[Steven]

a proc party in sydney, sweet, ill go to that one alright

[Derek B]

Nice one derek, I figured you'd be gone at that stage. Did you get sponsored or something??

Yeah the application went in last week so hopefully should get word over the next while...2 of the lads I came over with are sponsored already so I'll saty over for a while anyway and see how it goes! Couldn't face going home yet anyway..still haven't seen anything of Oz either embarrasingly enough!!

[Eoin]

Yeah the application went in last week so hopefully should get word over the next while...2 of the lads I came over with are sponsored already so I'll saty over for a while anyway and see how it goes! Couldn't face going home yet anyway..still haven't seen anything of Oz either embarrasingly enough!!

Yeah, I haven't seen anything outside of melbourne either, but I'm heading to Adelaide, Uluru and the east coast in december. Western Australia will have to wait for another time.

[thegillabbeygowl]

Yeah, I haven't seen anything outside of melbourne either, but I'm heading to Adelaide, Uluru and the east coast in december. Western Australia will have to wait for another time.


I'm on the east coast at the moment.
Tis class, WA is better though.,

[Eoin]

I'm on the east coast at the moment.
Tis class, WA is better though.,

Yeah, I'd lvoe to be able to do both, but time/money is an issue. I'll be back to it at some stage though.

Can't wait to do the east coast though.

[GreaseMonkey4Life]

I have a flight booked for Melbourne from Heathrow which shall stop off in Kuala Lumpur(KUL), Malaysia for 4 hours.

I already have a 1 year workin holiday maker visa bought for Melbourne,
I was wondering do i need a seperate visa for Kuala Lumpur to leave the airport?
Is it worth my while gettin one or would that be a waste of time and money?

[Superdave]

I have a flight booked for Melbourne from Heathrow which shall stop off in Kuala Lumpur(KUL), Malaysia for 4 hours.

I already have a 1 year workin holiday maker visa bought for Melbourne,
I was wondering do i need a seperate visa for Kuala Lumpur to leave the airport?
Is it worth my while gettin one or would that be a waste of time and money?

for 4 hours? you wouldn't see shit in 4 hours given you have to get out of the airport and be back at your gate for the next flight. KL airport is 75k from the city anyway. get yourself a beer and a bowl of noodles boy!

[koka noodle]

for 4 hours? you wouldn't see shit in 4 hours given you have to get out of the airport and be back at your gate for the next flight. KL airport is 75k from the city anyway. get yourself a beer and a bowl of noodles boy!

as i will be following greasemonkey4life a month later i know what he is on about...he means does he need a visa for leaving so he can get on the plane to oz. nothing about travelling. i said no because they are connecting flights, and you'll have your visa for australia. thats what i think anyway.

[koka noodle]

All the information you need can be found here:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/index.htm
And you can apply online there too. Pay by credit card, then have your visa label put in your passport when you arrive, either in the airport at Sydney or in a government office in other cities.



did you by any chance apply via this website for your visa? I did, and it has gone well passed the 48 hours now...about 6 days over. I sent an email to them, but I got no reply. I'm thinking I should ring the embassy number in London they have listed.

When I applied there was site maintenance undergoing on the 13th Oct that said if you hadn't lodged your application then it would not exist afterwards. I did lodge and submit mine on the 10th...I'm getting quite anxious now. what to do, what to do?

[gandhi]

If your staying in sydeney and are looking for a hostel. You should check out indys backpackers in Bondi. Without a doubt the best hostel in australia, non stop party in there

[thegillabbeygowl]

If your staying in sydeney and are looking for a hostel. You should check out indys backpackers in Bondi. Without a doubt the best hostel in australia, non stop party in there

Bondi, Bah, Full of Irish boggers.

[PaulC]

Bondi, Bah, Full of Irish boggers.

Yeah County Bondi as it is known. Better off going somewhere else thats not full of Irish!!!

[koka noodle]

where's the best place to go in melbourne? out of curiosity leek

[Eoin]

where's the best place to go in melbourne? out of curiosity leek

To do what? Live? Eat? Drink? Beach?

[bosco]

did you by any chance apply via this website for your visa? I did, and it has gone well passed the 48 hours now...about 6 days over. I sent an email to them, but I got no reply. I'm thinking I should ring the embassy number in London they have listed.

...


I did yeah, and I got the email saying I was approved within 24 hours. That was 9 months ago now though. Try ringing the number if you're still worried. The last time I had to contact them it took about 2 hours worth of frustrating phone calls and runarounds.

As for Melbourne, if you mean where to stay... a lot of backpackers go straight to St Kilda and stay there. I did that first but when I came back I've stayed nearer the city. If you're looking for recommendations for a hostel, then I'd say the Greenhouse (Flinders lane, google it) -- the location is great and it's a decent place too. Bit expensive for a hostel though so if you're looking for something cheaper but still in the city, try Bev & Micks or the Elephant. Sure fuck it, there's tons of them around anyway.

If you're wondering where's best to get an apartment or house... again it's each to their own, but I'd go for the northern inner suburbs... like Carlton, Fitzroy, Richmond, North Melbourne etc. On my way to go view a place there now as it happens.

[koka noodle]

To do what? Live? Eat? Drink? Beach?

well mainly to go out and drink, and a few clubs aswell. I actually asked some random malaysian fella last night and he brought us to bubbles which was pretty good. hardcore dance stuff. gonna check out the Q bar (I think) soon enough aswell.

[koka noodle]

I did yeah, and I got the email saying I was approved within 24 hours. That was 9 months ago now though. Try ringing the number if you're still worried. The last time I had to contact them it took about 2 hours worth of frustrating phone calls and runarounds.

As for Melbourne, if you mean where to stay... a lot of backpackers go straight to St Kilda and stay there. I did that first but when I came back I've stayed nearer the city. If you're looking for recommendations for a hostel, then I'd say the Greenhouse (Flinders lane, google it) -- the location is great and it's a decent place too. Bit expensive for a hostel though so if you're looking for something cheaper but still in the city, try Bev & Micks or the Elephant. Sure fuck it, there's tons of them around anyway.

If you're wondering where's best to get an apartment or house... again it's each to their own, but I'd go for the northern inner suburbs... like Carlton, Fitzroy, Richmond, North Melbourne etc. On my way to go view a place there now as it happens.

I was actually staying in Coburg, but it's a very family orientated area. Decided to look to South Yarra for an apartment...but for the moment it's a hostel in St Kildas. I'm kinda looking forward to it though cos I've heard good things bout st kildas.

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Quite a few oz based proccers. In Sydney myself.

[thegillabbeygowl]

Yeah County Bondi as it is known. Better off going somewhere else thats not full of Irish!!!


Went to that awful Irish bar about 3 weeks ago and they were having a jersey day.
We left promptly.

[thegillabbeygowl]

I was actually staying in Coburg, but it's a very family orientated area. Decided to look to South Yarra for an apartment...but for the moment it's a hostel in St Kildas. I'm kinda looking forward to it though cos I've heard good things bout st kildas.


Two dollar pints in Traffic on a tuesday and thursday, Can't bate that.

[thegillabbeygowl]

Quite a few oz based proccers. In Sydney myself.


Where you staying?

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Where you staying?

City centre. Not too far from central station and near a club called purple sneakers if ya know it.

[Derek B]

City centre. Not too far from central station and near a club called purple sneakers if ya know it.

I'm working a stones throw from you down at Broadway/Chippendale

[koka noodle]

Two dollar pints in Traffic on a tuesday and thursday, Can't bate that.

job! i'll look out for it, nice one!

[thegillabbeygowl]

City centre. Not too far from central station and near a club called purple sneakers if ya know it.


Not an iota, where is it near?

[POL]

do people still go to the living stereotype that is Australia at this stage? every mucksavage in Ireland must have passed through the Cock n Bull at this stage

[thegillabbeygowl]

do people still go to the living stereotype that is Australia at this stage? every mucksavage in Ireland must have passed through the Cock n Bull at this stage


It is a disgusting palce, Full of the ultimate Irish drunken bogger.

[Nawful_Niff]

You'd be so surprised at how many people go over there, work in Sydney for 10 months visiting all the usual Irish shitholes, then travel up the coast for 3 weeks, and return home proclaiming to everyone that they loved every bit of Australia.

[thegillabbeygowl]

You'd be so surprised at how many people go over there, work in Sydney for 10 months visiting all the usual Irish shitholes, then travel up the coast for 3 weeks, and return home proclaiming to everyone that they loved every bit of Australia.


Tis shocking alright, some amount of them though.

[POL]

You'd be so surprised at how many people go over there, work in Sydney for 10 months visiting all the usual Irish shitholes, then travel up the coast for 3 weeks, and return home proclaiming to everyone that they loved every bit of Australia.11 months of getting pissed in the sun, doing something "mad" like a bungee jump in the last week for the sake of it, then away home again

[Derek B]

Tis shocking alright, some amount of them though.

The worst thing is there's very few 'normal' Irish people around, from what we've seen...they all seem to be the most unintelligible pikeys from wexford/fermanagh/other random shit county who wear nothing but GAA jerseys tucked into jeans

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

I'm working a stones throw from you down at Broadway/Chippendale

Nice one. Are there many other proc folk in Sydney. I am up for a few quiet pints anyway. Send me an oul PM if ye are interested.

Doing my best to avoid said jersey wearing louts, met up with a buddy from home there who was telling me his Irish housemate has been in Sydney for 8 months and has only ever gone out in Bondi junction.

Yer man is proud of that fact.

[Derek B]

Nice one. Are there many other proc folk in Sydney. I am up for a few quiet pints anyway. Send me an oul PM if ye are interested.

Doing my best to avoid said jersey wearing louts, met up with a buddy from home there who was telling me his Irish housemate has been in Sydney for 8 months and has only ever gone out in Bondi junction.

Yer man is proud of that fact.

Jeez..Cock n bull and Tea Gardens, I'd rather slit my own wrists thank you very much..no matter how good someone might think something is surely it would get boring after a while?!?!

Wouldn't say no to a few beers at some stage alright, if there's a mini proc gathering happening..steven & eoin are here in jan for a bit so maybe then? Now probably isn't the best time for most people with Christmas parties going on etc..

[thegillabbeygowl]

Nice one. Are there many other proc folk in Sydney. I am up for a few quiet pints anyway. Send me an oul PM if ye are interested.

Doing my best to avoid said jersey wearing louts, met up with a buddy from home there who was telling me his Irish housemate has been in Sydney for 8 months and has only ever gone out in Bondi junction.

Yer man is proud of that fact.


Have you tried goon yet?
Oh it's delicious.:(

[oddoms]

was on bondi beach last saturday and a trio of jackeens girls plonked themselves behind myself and the missus. although they were right next to each other they felt the necessity to shout to each other about how drunk they got from random nights in the c'n'b and teagardens and scruffys. then one of them got a phonecall from home and proceeded to involve the whole beach on the conversion with the level she roared into the phone. she had great stories about getting drunk in the cock'n'bull.

[POL]

was on bondi beach last saturday and a trio of jackeens girls plonked themselves behind myself and the missus. although they were right next to each other they felt the necessity to shout to each other about how drunk they got from random nights in the c'n'b and teagardens and scruffys. then one of them got a phonecall from home and proceeded to involve the whole beach on the conversion with the level she roared into the phone. she had great stories about getting drunk in the cock'n'bull.some craic wha? 11 and a half months drinking in the cock and bull and an obligatory bungee jump should be mandatory at this stage for all Young Irish people, GAA/Premiership jersey optional

[Nawful_Niff]

was on bondi beach last saturday and a trio of jackeens girls plonked themselves behind myself and the missus. although they were right next to each other they felt the necessity to shout to each other about how drunk they got from random nights in the c'n'b and teagardens and scruffys. then one of them got a phonecall from home and proceeded to involve the whole beach on the conversion with the level she roared into the phone. she had great stories about getting drunk in the cock'n'bull.

*shudder*

[mushypea]

whats the cheapest airline to go on? half thinking of going for 3 months....

[Beaty]

Fuck it, looking at this thread has got me all goeey inside.

I have 2 weeks off in March.

I'm off to Oz.

I went for a week before, it can be done.

S

[Nawful_Niff]

You went to Australia for a week?!

Your going out there again for - 2 weeks?

Dear God.

Have you seen most of the place at some time in the past on a longer holiday?

[sooz1]

whats the cheapest airline to go on? half thinking of going for 3 months....

I booked a flight home yesterday for April with KLM, about €1400 all up and not bad connections either, no 12 hour waits or anything.
I booked mine through an Oz site though.

Seems like all the PROCcers are in Sydney...bummer.
Now that Oul Doll has left I must be the only one left in Melbourne.
Was up in Sydney for the first time for New Years and even though I loved it up there I don't think I could live there.

[Derek B]

Where did you go for New Years Sooz?

Have a look at these for flights:

http://www.sidestep.com/
http://www.cheapflights.com .au/
http://www.directflights.co m.au/

[sooz1]

Where did you go for New Years Sooz?

Have a look at these for flights:

http://www.sidestep.com/
http://www.cheapflights.com .au/
http://www.directflights.co m.au/

We had an apartment on Liverpool St that overlooked Darling Harbour so we watched those fireworks and had the bridge ones on the tv.
There's no way I was paying anything from $200-$600 to go on a boat and I definitely wasn't sitting out in the sun from the early morning to get a good spot anywhere else.

[koka noodle]

leaving melbourne soon for brisbane...not hearing too many good things bout it though. has anybody got any recommendations for hostels there anyway. i'll probably just work there for a while to make some money.

[Steven]

Wouldn't say no to a few beers at some stage alright, if there's a mini proc gathering happening..steven & eoin are here in jan for a bit so maybe then? Now probably isn't the best time for most people with Christmas parties going on etc..

hi lads, ill be in sydney on wednesday )9th of jan) morning, plan on being in sydney for 2 to 3 weeks if people are still up for meeting up,

later

[thegillabbeygowl]

leaving melbourne soon for brisbane...not hearing too many good things bout it though. has anybody got any recommendations for hostels there anyway. i'll probably just work there for a while to make some money.


There is a good one by Central station, Probably called central backpackers.
The downunder bar is below it and there is a jobshop inside in it.

I satyed out in The valley, Tis where most of the nightlife is, In the Prince Consort backpackers.
There is loads of them by the bus station as well, They are about 5 minutes from the city centre.

[koka noodle]

There is a good one by Central station, Probably called central backpackers.
The downunder bar is below it and there is a jobshop inside in it.

I satyed out in The valley, Tis where most of the nightlife is, In the Prince Consort backpackers.
There is loads of them by the bus station as well, They are about 5 minutes from the city centre.

thanks for that...I checked out reviews there on the prince consort backpackers, majority of people said it was smelly etc. and there's renovating going on now, so i'll probably give that one a miss.

[Beaty]

You went to Australia for a week?!

Your going out there again for - 2 weeks?

Dear God.

Have you seen most of the place at some time in the past on a longer holiday?

The whole 'cant go to Oz for less than a month' vibe is a myth.

Just go.

I have at least 40 years left on the Orb. I'll be retireing there at 60 also.

No rush, what's the rush?!!

S

[thegillabbeygowl]

thanks for that...I checked out reviews there on the prince consort backpackers, majority of people said it was smelly etc. and there's renovating going on now, so i'll probably give that one a miss.


Was there well over 2 months ago and they were supposed to be doing it then, Room i was in didn't smell.


Bunk is another hostel near there, New i think with a bar in it.

[Beaty]

We're staying in Surfside Backapackers in Coogee for 2 nights and then in Bondi for 2 nights...

Then Byron Bay, Nimbin, Surfers (funnily I never made this part of Oz in my trips)

Any idead for:

Byron Bay - where to stay, must do's
Surfers Paradise - where to stay, what to do

B

[oddoms]

we stayed in a placed called aussie way koka noodles and it was a really nice place. its about 5 mins walk from roma station and there are some good pubs nearby. try and request the rooms down at the back near the pool.

[Eoin]

We're staying in Surfside Backapackers in Coogee for 2 nights and then in Bondi for 2 nights...

Then Byron Bay, Nimbin, Surfers (funnily I never made this part of Oz in my trips)

Any idead for:

Byron Bay - where to stay, must do's
Surfers Paradise - where to stay, what to do

B

I'm in Byron at the moment staying in the arts factory, its cool, full of crusties though, and definitely a bit over-rated, but its nice. The food in the restaurant there is fantastic though. The Backpackers by the beach(I think its called) is meant to be decent as well. Do a skydive. I did one on saturday with Skydive Byron Bay and it was amazing. 14,000 feet, 70 second freefall. Jump alone is $300 or you can get different photos/video packages as well.

As for Surfers, the place itself is fairly tacky but the Theme parks are brilliant, I did them all alst week. If you've got limited time, then just do MovieWorld and Wet'n'Wild, which are the best. Dreamworld and Whitewater World are both decent as well though, but not as good as the others. I didn't bother with Seaworld.

Don't stay in the YHA in surfers, its shite. Not sure of any other good places there to stay.

Also, for anyone going to Brisbane, check out the ANdy Warhol exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art. Very interesting.

[thegillabbeygowl]

I'm in Byron at the moment staying in the arts factory, its cool, full of crusties though, and definitely a bit over-rated, but its nice. The food in the restaurant there is fantastic though. The Backpackers by the beach(I think its called) is meant to be decent as well. Do a skydive. I did one on saturday with Skydive Byron Bay and it was amazing. 14,000 feet, 70 second freefall. Jump alone is $300 or you can get different photos/video packages as well.

As for Surfers, the place itself is fairly tacky but the Theme parks are brilliant, I did them all alst week. If you've got limited time, then just do MovieWorld and Wet'n'Wild, which are the best. Dreamworld and Whitewater World are both decent as well though, but not as good as the others. I didn't bother with Seaworld.

Don't stay in the YHA in surfers, its shite. Not sure of any other good places there to stay.

Also, for anyone going to Brisbane, check out the ANdy Warhol exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art. Very interesting.



I did none of that and stayed in the YHA in Surfers.:D

[bosco]

We stayed in the Dive Centre Inn in Byron Bay, which seemed to be a converted flat with some bunk beds above the dive centre. The hostel (and the town) was full of crusties and stoned surfers. Twas grand though.
Not much to do in Byron that you can't do anywhere else really.

In Brisbane I stayed at Bunk. Grand hostel, nothing special -- grand for a bed to sleep in if you're staying for a night or two, but I'd recommend anywhere else if you're staying longer. Prince Consort if I recall correctly was home to a semi-permanent crowd of jackeen pissheads like what's described a few posts back. I stayed in Tin Billys for 2 nights before moving into a house; the room had no windows, the bar was full of jackeen and nordy pissheads and my food was robbed from the kitchen. Brisbane City Backpackers seemed like a decent spot, near the transit centre and a short walk from the city centre.

I'd heard different opinions about Brisbane... some saying it's boring and some saying it's great. It's pretty much a bit of both. There's no where near as much variety or activity in night life as in the bigger cities, but it's a very liveable city... probably more suited to travelling couples than party animals. Plus the weather's good all year round. And compared to Melbourne, it's easier to find work, the pay is generally better, and the cost of living can be cheaper (except rent).

Sooz- a lot of people I know here have fucked off to Sydney but I wouldn't bother... it's a nice city for a few days but just doesn't appeal to me as a place to stay a while.

Mushy- I booked return flights to come back out here at short notice (2 weeks) a few months back. 1180 euro on ebookers.ie , and it's one of the only sites that lets you choose different cities to fly in and out of Australia.

Now I think my next destination will be Western Australia... has anyone any dos or don'ts they'd like to share?

[Nawful_Niff]

Ya I stayed and worked in Brisbane too. I thought it was great. Great weather, cheaper than Sydney, nicer people, more laid back and a nice small city.
Luckily enough too in Brisbane I didn't come across too many of the usual gombeen GAA heads or filthy jackeens that you usually find infesting every nook and cranny in Sydney.

[thegillabbeygowl]

We stayed in the Dive Centre Inn in Byron Bay, which seemed to be a converted flat with some bunk beds above the dive centre. The hostel (and the town) was full of crusties and stoned surfers. Twas grand though.
Not much to do in Byron that you can't do anywhere else really.

In Brisbane I stayed at Bunk. Grand hostel, nothing special -- grand for a bed to sleep in if you're staying for a night or two, but I'd recommend anywhere else if you're staying longer. Prince Consort if I recall correctly was home to a semi-permanent crowd of jackeen pissheads like what's described a few posts back. I stayed in Tin Billys for 2 nights before moving into a house; the room had no windows, the bar was full of jackeen and nordy pissheads and my food was robbed from the kitchen. Brisbane City Backpackers seemed like a decent spot, near the transit centre and a short walk from the city centre.

I'd heard different opinions about Brisbane... some saying it's boring and some saying it's great. It's pretty much a bit of both. There's no where near as much variety or activity in night life as in the bigger cities, but it's a very liveable city... probably more suited to travelling couples than party animals. Plus the weather's good all year round. And compared to Melbourne, it's easier to find work, the pay is generally better, and the cost of living can be cheaper (except rent).

Sooz- a lot of people I know here have fucked off to Sydney but I wouldn't bother... it's a nice city for a few days but just doesn't appeal to me as a place to stay a while.

Mushy- I booked return flights to come back out here at short notice (2 weeks) a few months back. 1180 euro on ebookers.ie , and it's one of the only sites that lets you choose different cities to fly in and out of Australia.

Now I think my next destination will be Western Australia... has anyone any dos or don'ts they'd like to share?


WA is the best part of Australia, I travelled most of the coast and spent 1 month going from Perth to Dawin.
I can't think of any don't, Go see Fremantle if you can.
Tis just outside Perth, I lived there for 4 months and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
The nationl parks are stunning, Monkey Mia is very overrated.
It's worth going to Wolf Creek just for the experience, Make sure you watch the DVD before, they say you need a 4x4 but we went in a campervan.

[U-Mass]

Spent two years in Oz, home for 6 months and have decided to head back there long term...Best advice on this thread is to do your travellling first instead of just blowing your money in the big cities.

I ended up settling in Bondi for 18 months and as long as you stay away from the cock n bull and the tea gardens in Bondi Junction it is a great place. Most of the muck savages that frequent those two shitholes never venture down to the beach anyway. Many a great night were spent in BB's, Bondi Hotel, Beach Road Hotel, Bar Bunga.

Had some great nights out in suburbs like Cronulla, Paramatta (Roxy Hotel is class), Manly & Dee Why. There is a place newar Dee Why called the newport Hotel which has the best beer garden in Sydney with outdoor big screens....Just thinking about it now is getting me excited about going back there!!

[koka noodle]

we stayed in a placed called aussie way koka noodles and it was a really nice place. its about 5 mins walk from roma station and there are some good pubs nearby. try and request the rooms down at the back near the pool.

i eventually went to yellow submarine backpackers. tis a small oul spot. not as lively as home travellers motel in melbourne, but its grand sure. now its a case of makin money fast in brisbane. went out in the valley on saturday night....does seem like the place to be at the weekends alright.

[katiec82]

stay the hell outta sydney is all i can say..!! its like walking down pana
living in brisbane over 2 years now & loving it..far nicer city than sydney and a way better place to be located for trips away...byron only 2 hours south and noosa only 2 hours up..its great! plus the weather is brilliant all year around..sydney is like being at home in winter..freeeeeeezin g!!

[Derek B]

stay the hell outta sydney is all i can say..!! its like walking down pana

Each to their own and all that, but obviously it depends where you live/work/socialise etc..as a city it's definitely one of my favourites - so much going on all the time, never stuck for something to do.. Brisbane is a nice place too but I prefer Sydney

[Steven]

ya, sydney's class, could be the best city ive been too, although i was only there for a week, saw all the mucksavages in the shit bars, but they can easily be avoided,

in melbourne now, another great city

[Eoin]

ya, sydney's class, could be the best city ive been too, although i was only there for a week, saw all the mucksavages in the shit bars, but they can easily be avoided,

in melbourne now, another great city

I definitely prefer Melbourne anyway. ALthough I was only in Sydney for a week, I just couldn't warm to it. Could have been the weather as well though, it lashed for 4 or 5 days we were there.

[RedCityKid]

Living in Sydney for the last six months and love it here. Am living in Manly which imo is one of the nicest places a person could live. Gonna look into getting pr in the next few weeks. Have an aussie gf for the last five months but would prefer to do it through work sponsorship.

[Nawful_Niff]

Ya have to be living together for a year anyway before you even think about applying for a spouse visa.

[k974]

living in brisbane a good few years, keep away from syd and county bondi and all that shite! smaller nicer city here with perfect climate and loads to do around here. nighlife isnt great tho. and no daylight savings in queensland is a draw back alright!

[thegillabbeygowl]

Oh Australia, how you have taken nearly every Irish person in at some stage.

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Is there any forum like the PROC for Sydney or even just good aussie forums in general?

[Beaty]

No, but I'll be there in 2 weeks!


nice one


S

[Woohoo_Doh]

Im heading over to Australia at the end of June for the year, maybe 2, planning on buying a car and driving all over the place, can anybody tell me the positon with regards driving licenses over there?? Will I need an International Driving Permit?? I asked a girl in sayit and she wasnt 100% sure.

[Savoy]

Yes you will. you get them from the AA office on south mall as long as you have a full licence. Enjoy the trip

[Derek B]

You can just walk into the RTA and I think they'll give you an Aussie licence with just a regular full licence from home for around $45

[koka noodle]

You can just walk into the RTA and I think they'll give you an Aussie licence with just a regular full licence from home for around $45

i heard that if you head to some outback place, or remote enough spot, you can hand in your provisional licence and they will just give you your australian licence unaware that you did not hand in a full irish licence. if this is the case i will be doing it. although the cities are intimidating to drive in if you ask me.

[katiec82]

lots of one way roads in Oz so just be careful!

dunno bout the rural areas and getting a full ozzie license..ive been in oz 2 years & have never needed to provide my irish license..you dont really come across a lot of checkpoints...any checkpoint I've been through was drinkdriving breathiliser but theyve never once asked for my license

thats not to say you dont need one like!

[Maw Maw]

yeah just stay away from Redfern or Bankstown and those places, some rough boys around there

[Derek B]

yeah just stay away from Redfern..

I get the train there every day, and it's just got a group of homeless aboriginals who seem harmless..don't think it's as bad as it's made out to be!

[Maw Maw]

yeah try it at night time Derek

[sooz1]

Living in Sydney for the last six months and love it here. Am living in Manly which imo is one of the nicest places a person could live. Gonna look into getting pr in the next few weeks. Have an aussie gf for the last five months but would prefer to do it through work sponsorship.

You need to be living together , not just going out together for at least 12 months before you can apply for a spousal visa and they want tons and tons of proof that you're a, together for all of that time and b, that you intend to stay together in the future.

It takes longer to get a spousal visa and it costs nearly $2,500 including medical expenses but it's definitely the better option if you can manage it. You're entitled to use the public health system and after 2 years you get permanent residency.
A work sponsored visa is faster and cheaper to get but you're tied to one employer, you get no public health cover (except in emergencies) and if you lose your job you're not entitled to any social welfare and have 4 weeks to find new sponsorship before they kick you out.

[Nawful_Niff]

It takes longer to get a spousal visa and it costs nearly $2,500 including medical expenses



Is it not 1300 dollars + medical expenses roughly?

[sooz1]

Is it not 1300 dollars + medical expenses roughly?

Nope, I got mine in October last year and it was $2000 to apply for it plus $300 for the medical and I already had x-rays done the year before so I didn't need to pay for them, otherwise it would have been another few hundred on top of that. And I had to pay to have an AFP check done.

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

I think i might have a job sorted before i head over.

Its in Chatswood in North Sydney.

Whats Chatswood like in general, easy to get to?

Will prob be living not far away from work, what would it be like to live?


Thanks.

[Derek B]

I think i might have a job sorted before i head over.

Its in Chatswood in North Sydney.

Whats Chatswood like in general, easy to get to?

Will prob be living not far away from work, what would it be like to live?


Thanks.


It's a decent enough area...some nice paved streets and a big Westfield shopping centre...in terms of transport it's north of the bridge on the train line (which can get very busy at peak times), about 8 or 9 stops from Town Hall in the CBD...not sure about living there, it's a bit far away for nightlife etc but wouldn't be that expensive for rent, cab would cost a fair bit though I'd say

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Do you know roughly how long it takes from townhall to chatswood?

[Derek B]

Do you know roughly how long it takes from townhall to chatswood?

ON the train? About half an hour I'd say

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Thats perfectly do-able. Reckon i have a job there but all my crew are in the city centre.

I really fucking hate commuting and promised myself i would do anything possible to try and avoid it. But anything under an hour is perfectly fine.

[Derek B]

The trains here are pretty good too so it's not a bad commute really..coming back into the city too in the evenings you'll be on the train before the crowds at North Sydney station so you won't have to stand much I'd say

[Woohoo_Doh]

Any advice on opening Australian Bank Accounts???

Will be looking to transfer money over shortly and want to do it to a decent bank.

Cheers.

[sooz1]

Any advice on opening Australian Bank Accounts???

Will be looking to transfer money over shortly and want to do it to a decent bank.

Cheers.

They all suck.
Most of them charge you $1.50 for using an atm that's not there's, they have ridiculously high fees if you go overdrawn without an approved overdraft.
In fact all their fees are ridiculously high.

Only one bank, I think it's NAB allow you to use other atms but I'm sure they screw you in other ways to get the money back.

[Wotalanger]

They all suck.
Most of them charge you $1.50 for using an atm that's not there's, they have ridiculously high fees if you go overdrawn without an approved overdraft.
In fact all their fees are ridiculously high.

Only one bank, I think it's NAB allow you to use other atms but I'm sure they screw you in other ways to get the money back.

yup, sooz is right!

I'm with ANZ, I find them ok but they charge me $2 for every non ANZ-ATM transaction I make..this is including just checking an account balance, not even making a withdrawal

If you are overdrawn you're charged with a $35 fee, but they'll ususally leave you off your first couple of times if you're nice and polite when you call!

$2 for every non ANZ transaction adds up to be a hefty amount on a quarterly basis if you're not vigilant about it

[scrumpy]

Folks thinking of heading out there in the winter after I finish the masters and graduate maybe around Jan 2009 or so. Only problem is the girlfriend of almost 3 years wont be able to go as she still has 2 years of college to go! so thats a problem there anyone whos gone experienced similar probs?

any recommendations about planning routes, i wanna go to south africe for the cage diving first asia is only a small part for me on the way over. has anyone gone out there alone I think its best to travel with someone especially at the start

[Wotalanger]

Folks thinking of heading out there in the winter after I finish the masters and graduate maybe around Jan 2009 or so. Only problem is the girlfriend of almost 3 years wont be able to go as she still has 2 years of college to go! so thats a problem there anyone whos gone experienced similar probs?

any recommendations about planning routes, i wanna go to south africe for the cage diving first asia is only a small part for me on the way over. has anyone gone out there alone I think its best to travel with someone especially at the start

travelling solo is the best way to go..meet more people, inclined to see and do more things when you're put in the situation by yourself!

And yes I left a relationship of 6 years to travel to Oz...best thing I ever did...relationship didn't work out but I haven't looked back for a second!:p

[Nawful_Niff]

Folks thinking of heading out there in the winter after I finish the masters and graduate maybe around Jan 2009 or so. Only problem is the girlfriend of almost 3 years wont be able to go as she still has 2 years of college to go! so thats a problem there anyone whos gone experienced similar probs?

any recommendations about planning routes, i wanna go to south africe for the cage diving first asia is only a small part for me on the way over. has anyone gone out there alone I think its best to travel with someone especially at the start

If the relationship is good and strong then it'll stand the test of time. No point in staying home just because you think your relationship is doomed if you go.

As for traveling by yourself it depends on the type of person you are - do you like traveling by yourself? Keep in mind that it can get a tad lonely at times no matter how outgoing you are. I did alot of traveling by myself and while you can go and do everything you want, it's nice to have at least one mate to go for a few drinks with, share the experiences with, doing activities together etc.
And if your into diving I'd definitely recommend parts of Asia for it. Much cheaper and alot nicer than the Barrier Reef believe it or not.

[scrumpy]

Well i've never travelled by myself so i dont know. i think i'd prefer a couple of friends to go with me. as for the relationship well i'm undecided on how to approach it but fuck it like its only a once in a lifetime opportunity. I've a big trip planned taking in a bit of africa asia south america and north america. most of the time in oz and new zealand. have to catch an all blacks test match though!

[scrumpy]

anybody taken some of those organised trips that the websites like Real Gap and Gap Year promote?

[sooz1]

Yeah, I did one through South America in 2006 and one last year from Darwin to Alice Springs and Uluru.
They were great, the trips did lose a bit of the sense of 'adventure' and spontaneity I always associated with travellinga but it made things so much easier, especially in South America where we didn't speak the language and there was so much to see.
With the Darwin-Alice Springs trip we had guides who really knew their stuff and took us to places a bit off the beaten track which was class.
They're really good as well if you're travelling by yourself because you get to meet in a similar situation.

[dotty]

Yeah, I did one through South America in 2006 and one last year from Darwin to Alice Springs and Uluru.
They were great, the trips did lose a bit of the sense of 'adventure' and spontaneity I always associated with travellinga but it made things so much easier, especially in South America where we didn't speak the language and there was so much to see.
With the Darwin-Alice Springs trip we had guides who really knew their stuff and took us to places a bit off the beaten track which was class.
They're really good as well if you're travelling by yourself because you get to meet in a similar situation.

was thinking about doing an organised trip while in oz using a company like contiki,anyone go on one?

[scrumpy]

never heard of them have they a website?

[Eoin]

was thinking about doing an organised trip while in oz using a company like contiki,anyone go on one?

Do not do an organised trip in Australia, its a waste of money. Everything is ridiculously easy to do by yourself. Invest in a lonely planet and use that.

[scrumpy]

how ya mean a lonely planet? these organised trips seem like a good idea though you get everything organsied and sorted for ya! whats the story with renting a camper van i'd say 3 months and you'd get to see an awful lot with one of them

[Eoin]

how ya mean a lonely planet? these organised trips seem like a good idea though you get everything organsied and sorted for ya! whats the story with renting a camper van i'd say 3 months and you'd get to see an awful lot with one of them

A lonely planet book about australia

www.lonelyplanet.com

You're paying someone to do something thats incredibly easy to do yourself, plus you're stuck to their timetable, what if you really like somewhere and want to stay?

By all means do the organised trips in each place, they're excellent. But doing the whole thing in an organised trip is stupid IMO.

[delzer]

brother just back from oz

he said sydney was headwrecking full of muppets in kerry and dublin gaa jerseys

he said melbourne was fantastic loads of work there and a beautiful city

[Eoin]

brother just back from oz

he said sydney was headwrecking full of muppets in kerry and dublin gaa jerseys

he said melbourne was fantastic loads of work there and a beautiful city

He's not wrong. Melbourne is far superior to Sydney IMO. Much more relaxed, much nicer people.

Weather is shite in the winter though!

[Nawful_Niff]

brother just back from oz

he said sydney was headwrecking full of muppets in kerry and dublin gaa jerseys

he said melbourne was fantastic loads of work there and a beautiful city

Why, oh why do people feel the need to wear their county jerseys over there? Clowns.

[Eoin]

Why, oh why do people feel the need to wear their county jerseys over there? Clowns.

Yeah, I've no problem with them wearing it if they're giong to the pub to watch a hurling/football match from home, but jesus seeing lads down the beach in a mayo jersey is laughable.

And I even saw one lad wearing his club jersey. MUst have seen every county at some stage I'd say.

[scrumpy]

I've no prob with people wearing club jerseys if they want or the county jersey sure what harm is there in it!

Anybody have any info on the hiring the camper van idea for 3 months and taking a tour around the place?

[Eoin]

I've no prob with people wearing club jerseys if they want or the county jersey sure what harm is there in it!

Anybody have any info on the hiring the camper van idea for 3 months and taking a tour around the place?

www.wickedcampers.co m.au

[scrumpy]

checked that eoin - anyone have any ideas whats the amount of time needed to travel around in a campervan?

[thegillabbeygowl]

how ya mean a lonely planet? these organised trips seem like a good idea though you get everything organsied and sorted for ya! whats the story with renting a camper van i'd say 3 months and you'd get to see an awful lot with one of them

We rented one out for a month, All we needed was a full Irish driving licence.
It's much better than a bus, You have to stick with that.

[sooz1]

checked that eoin - anyone have any ideas whats the amount of time needed to travel around in a campervan?

How long is a piece of string??

It depends on where you want to go and what you want to do.
It's a very, very big country so the more you want to do the longer you'll need.

[scrumpy]

Campervans do seem like the job to get the old sightseeing over and done with. Was thinking of booking one for 70 days or so I was thinkin that was long enough to circumnavigate the whole place and see everything worth seeing. Only problem is finding someone I can put up with for 70 odd days!!

Picking the ideal time to go is difficult too has anyone got any tips on that?

[sooz1]

Around Christmas you get all the Summer crowds and it can be unbearably hot up north.
Winters are nothing compared to an irish Winter, it's generally mild and dry down south and warm up north so anytime between April and October would be grand.

[Eoin]

Around Christmas you get all the Summer crowds and it can be unbearably hot up north.
Winters are nothing compared to an irish Winter, it's generally mild and dry down south and warm up north so anytime between April and October would be grand.

I did it in the Summer and didn't find it too bad up north, it was hot but not unbearable. OF course we got pissed on for half of queensland and most of NSW, so we were unlucky.

[scrumpy]

I did it in the Summer and didn't find it too bad up north, it was hot but not unbearable. OF course we got pissed on for half of queensland and most of NSW, so we were unlucky.

Thats depressing! I'd like to be there for the summer to enjoy the good weather while its cold and shitty here!

[Eoin]

Thats depressing! I'd like to be there for the summer to enjoy the good weather while its cold and shitty here!

Yeah, weather was very poor for the bottom half of queensland and Byron and Sydney in NSW.

We even had a thunderstorm at Uluru, but I'm not complaining about that cos it was spectacular.

[scrumpy]

i'd have to have the sun!

I'm slowly getting my head around what I want to do. I'll need a good bit saved up for it though. Like the 3 month camper van trip will take a bit of € and I'd like to get a quick run through Africa and Asia before getting to Australia! I'd love to do the cage diving in south africa

[gandhi]

Another option you may want to look into is buying a van and then selling it on again when you are finished. Myself and 3 people I met over there bought a van together and travelled up the coast for 4 months and sold it on in Cairns for 1000 profit. Travelling with wicked campers can get expensive if you are going to be travelling for a while. Another place I reccomend going is Agnes waters/Town of 1770, really scenic, really friendly and everything good value. I only planned on staying there for a day and ended up there for 3 weeks

[scrumpy]

Another option you may want to look into is buying a van and then selling it on again when you are finished. Myself and 3 people I met over there bought a van together and travelled up the coast for 4 months and sold it on in Cairns for 1000 profit. Travelling with wicked campers can get expensive if you are going to be travelling for a while. Another place I reccomend going is Agnes waters/Town of 1770, really scenic, really friendly and everything good value. I only planned on staying there for a day and ended up there for 3 weeks

cheers man thats not a bad idea i suppose the risk is buying a crock of a van as I have no knowledge of engines/mechanics

[sooz1]

I did it in the Summer and didn't find it too bad up north, it was hot but not unbearable. OF course we got pissed on for half of queensland and most of NSW, so we were unlucky.


Well, Summer is the rainy season up north and apparently Sydney gets the most rain per annum out of all the capitals cities.

Anything over 35 is unbearable for me but that could be because my current house has no air-conditioner and heats up like an oven.
My next house has cooling throughout the house so really hot days will be a lot nicer!

[Eoin]

Well, Summer is the rainy season up north and apparently Sydney gets the most rain per annum out of all the capitals cities.

Anything over 35 is unbearable for me but that could be because my current house has no air-conditioner and heats up like an oven.
My next house has cooling throughout the house so really hot days will be a lot nicer!

I actually found the summer in Melbourne to be more unbearable Sooz. Got up to 40 a good few times last year. The summer up north was grand. Was in or around 30ish most days.

[Nawful_Niff]

The last time I was there, it was 45 degrees in Sydney on New Years day. Women screaming. Babies crying. Pensioners jumping into fountains. People melting.*
Hell.












*May not be entirely accurate.

[scrumpy]

Is the pensioners jumping into fountains accurate???!

[Nawful_Niff]

Is the pensioners jumping into fountains accurate???!

Pushed would be a more accurate description.



Oh how we laughed.

[scrumpy]

has anyone got concrete plans to travel out there or am i the only one making tentative plans for it?

[sooz1]

I actually found the summer in Melbourne to be more unbearable Sooz. Got up to 40 a good few times last year. The summer up north was grand. Was in or around 30ish most days.

It was worse this year, we had over a week of temperatures in the 37-42 range. I really thought I might die.
Even teh air conditioners at work were struggling so there was no relief from it.

[koka noodle]

It was worse this year, we had over a week of temperatures in the 37-42 range. I really thought I might die.
Even teh air conditioners at work were struggling so there was no relief from it.

ya i remember one or two days last summer it hit about 42. jesus you couldnt move it was so hot, like an oven. and that was just the shade.

[Eoin]

It was worse this year, we had over a week of temperatures in the 37-42 range. I really thought I might die.
Even teh air conditioners at work were struggling so there was no relief from it.

Yeah, I heard around new years was awful.

[scrumpy]

i think that'd be brilliant!! makes a change from the freezing cold of here!!

[sooz1]

Nah, it's too hot to do anything, you can't go out in the sun cos you get roasted alive and unless you have air con at home you can't stay in because it's like being in an oven. You can't sleep at night because there's no relief from the heat.

I was in Sydney for New Years last year so I missed the really hot weather in Melbourne. Sydney was pretty toasty too but nothing compared to Melbourne.

[scrumpy]

after the week i've had i'm sold on fucking off away from this shithole and the rat race. picking fruit never looked so appealing

[Nawful_Niff]

Fruit picking isn't appealing. It's shit money and when you get to many of the farms you're not even guaranteed any work every day.

Be wide.

[scrumpy]

Fruit picking isn't appealing. It's shit money and when you get to many of the farms you're not even guaranteed any work every day.

Be wide.


I was offered a job with shit money here anyway as you'll see in another forum! I only used fruit picking as an example. I'd imagine I'd get office temp work given my qualifications

[Eoin]

I was offered a job with shit money here anyway as you'll see in another forum! I only used fruit picking as an example. I'd imagine I'd get office temp work given my qualifications

Office temp work is fairly handy to get down there alright Scrumpy. Money's not the best though, but its alright. I was lucky only had to do it for a couple of months either side of a 4.5 month IT contract.

Register with a load of temp agencies and you're bound to get something.

[dotty]

Yeah, I heard around new years was awful.

42C on new years eve in melbourne,peaked at 44C in mildura i think it was,hot alright,walked the ten minutes or so down commercial road as far as safeway and dan murphys by prahan market and nearly died,shedded a few lbs in sweat easily i reckon,the cbd was unbearable apparently later that night,i opted out and went to a house party with air con..:D

[Eoin]

42C on new years eve in melbourne,peaked at 44C in mildura i think it was,hot alright,walked the ten minutes or so down commercial road as far as safeway and dan murphys by prahan market and nearly died,shedded a few lbs in sweat easily i reckon,the cbd was unbearable apparently later that night,i opted out and went to a house party with air con..:D

I was in teh Gold coast with a fucking tropical storm on new years!

[scrumpy]

Office temp work is fairly handy to get down there alright Scrumpy. Money's not the best though, but its alright. I was lucky only had to do it for a couple of months either side of a 4.5 month IT contract.
Register with a load of temp agencies and you're bound to get something.

I'd only want to be paying the bills and providing a bit for more travelling like no need for paying off mortages!

[sooz1]

I'd only want to be paying the bills and providing a bit for more travelling like no need for paying off mortages!

Yeah but you'll usually spend more than you think you will because you end up going out and seeing/doing things around whee you're living.

Especially in Sydney, from what I've heard it's difficult to have a decent social life AND save money for future travels when you live there.

[k974]

lad your at nothing pick fruit or working temp in office 20-25hr! go on the sites you'll make between 1-2k labouring if you get in with the right crowd

[thegillabbeygowl]

42C on new years eve in melbourne,peaked at 44C in mildura i think it was,hot alright,walked the ten minutes or so down commercial road as far as safeway and dan murphys by prahan market and nearly died,shedded a few lbs in sweat easily i reckon,the cbd was unbearable apparently later that night,i opted out and went to a house party with air con..:D



Mildura *Shudder*
Never again.

[scrumpy]

care to devulge more gillabbey??

[Derek B]

Especially in Sydney, from what I've heard it's difficult to have a decent social life AND save money for future travels when you live there.

I can attest to that, there's literally too much on that you can't even afford to do everything you want here not to mind travelling!! Although I've got a job interview next week and if it goes well I could be almost doubling my salary so that would be a nice help..

[Derek B]

care to devulge more gillabbey??

Meant to be a hole alright, whatever you do don't go to Bev & Micks...heard some horror stories!

[PigCapitalist]

YFaDwfLi85M

[darkman]

YFaDwfLi85M

Spam!

[thegillabbeygowl]

care to devulge more gillabbey??


Irish backpacker+ 39 degrees+shit money+lazy bastard+field=two days and a one way ticket back to Melbourne.

I imagine it would be a good experience if you acutally wanted to stay for another year but 3 months?

[scrumpy]

Irish backpacker+ 39 degrees+shit money+lazy bastard+field=two days and a one way ticket back to Melbourne.

I imagine it would be a good experience if you acutally wanted to stay for another year but 3 months?

on par with gillabbey st so?!:p

[Derek B]

Anyone know anything about changing employer when on a 457? Easy, difficult?? I'm sponsored but going for a new job willing to take over my sponsorship...

[Wotalanger]

Anyone know anything about changing employer when on a 457? Easy, difficult?? I'm sponsored but going for a new job willing to take over my sponsorship...

I think it's a pretty straight forward process once you find an employer to take over the same conditions as your 457

You will probably go on a bridging visa during the 'swapping' over process

[k974]

Anyone know anything about changing employer when on a 457? Easy, difficult?? I'm sponsored but going for a new job willing to take over my sponsorship...



ya not too bad lad, i did it a few years ago. When you leave your current employer you've 28days to leave the country. get you rapplication in the day after you leave your job and the new one should be approved in time, you wont need new xrays provided your last ones arent too old.

dont go believing all the things you here in pubs about residency etc most irish lads are talking thru there hole, also just because you've already been sponsored doesnt make it easier to swap jobs like some say. it wont make it any harder and its easy once your qualified,

its easier for if the employer has sponsored before as they are then approved and you only need to be approved. so there is less time. first company that sponsored me also had to be approved themselves, when i changed jobs company had a few 457's so it was a few days to approve me.


i'm not 100% certain if you get a briding visa tho like you do when you lodge from a working holiday thats the only thing you have to check i'm nearly certain you do tho, i left australia to go on holidays so i never looked into it. if you dont it'll only be a matter of leaving till its approved but i'm 90% certain u get a bridging visa. its no bother anyway 457's are easy to get as there temporary its the 175 etc are the harder ones

i went for the job while working at the old one, told em i had a month off booked so left first job cancelled the first 457 visa and got email when outside of the country to say 2nd was approved but i think they lodged mine while still empoyed by the first company. you just have to make sure you go to the office get the old lavel cancelled and the new one in your passort

[Derek B]

ya not too bad lad, i did it a few years ago. When you leave your current employer you've 28days to leave the country. get you rapplication in the day after you leave your job and the new one should be approved in time, you wont need new xrays provided your last ones arent too old.

dont go believing all the things you here in pubs about residency etc most irish lads are talking thru there hole, also just because you've already been sponsored doesnt make it easier to swap jobs like some say. it wont make it any harder and its easy once your qualified,

its easier for if the employer has sponsored before as they are then approved and you only need to be approved. so there is less time. first company that sponsored me also had to be approved themselves, when i changed jobs company had a few 457's so it was a few days to approve me.


i'm not 100% certain if you get a briding visa tho like you do when you lodge from a working holiday thats the only thing you have to check i'm nearly certain you do tho, i left australia to go on holidays so i never looked into it. if you dont it'll only be a matter of leaving till its approved but i'm 90% certain u get a bridging visa. its no bother anyway 457's are easy to get as there temporary its the 175 etc are the harder ones

i went for the job while working at the old one, told em i had a month off booked so left first job cancelled the first 457 visa and got email when outside of the country to say 2nd was approved but i think they lodged mine while still empoyed by the first company. you just have to make sure you go to the office get the old lavel cancelled and the new one in your passort

Cheers for that man. The funny thing is that I actualy haven't even got the original label in my passport yet, was on a bridging visa for 3 months and it was only approved a month ago..the interview is in the morning, but they're a massive company so will have sponsored before so should be just a case of me applying again with the new job details (if I get offered the job!)

[bosco]

42C on new years eve in melbourne,peaked at 44C in mildura i think it was,hot alright,walked the ten minutes or so down commercial road as far as safeway and dan murphys by prahan market and nearly died,shedded a few lbs in sweat easily i reckon,the cbd was unbearable apparently later that night,i opted out and went to a house party with air con..:D

I worked that night (in the CBD). And Paddy's night was just as hot. Lost about 3 stone in sweat I'd say but great laugh.
That's Melbourne's only real downfall-- the temperature extremes. 42 degrees one day and when it's down to 20 two days later you're freezing. Which makes it even harder coming back to Ireland.

[dotty]

ok lads im off on my travels around oz in a few weeks,not taking everything with me,want to travel light,just wondering could i get some feedback from the proc on a few issues i have.

gonna get me a rucksack for my travels. (never bought one before)

how big
what should i look out for when buying one
where best to look (if possible a recommended retailer in melb)as i said ill be travelling relatively light,what essentials should i bring?
looking for things here i may overlook but would prove invaluable.

also debating whether i should bring my laptop,the argument for is two fold insofar as internet connection and general communication plus as a storage device for photos videos.

is it too much of a luxury?


thanks in advance lads.

[Steven]

id bring the laptop, invaluable for finding places to stay and sorting transport,
some places seem to have free internet connection from what i've seen, and its usually very expensive to use their internet,

what to bring? dunno, stock up on medication, nothing worse than been ill in the middle of nowhere,

enjoy your travels, just got to perth myself from melbourne, weathers great over here still, lovely place,

[scrumpy]

What amount of clothes do you bring? i always wondered how much clothes you bring with you and whats the story with laundry services and stuff?

[bosco]

ok lads im off on my travels around oz in a few weeks,not taking everything with me,want to travel light,just wondering could i get some feedback from the proc on a few issues i have.

gonna get me a rucksack for my travels. (never bought one before)

how big
what should i look out for when buying one
where best to look (if possible a recommended retailer in melb)as i said ill be travelling relatively light,what essentials should i bring?
looking for things here i may overlook but would prove invaluable.

also debating whether i should bring my laptop,the argument for is two fold insofar as internet connection and general communication plus as a storage device for photos videos.

is it too much of a luxury?


thanks in advance lads.

It all depends on what your travel plans are... i.e., will you be constantly moving on and travelling for weeks/months, or are you flying to a city and planning to stay there for a while.

If the former, don't bother with the laptop. More hassle than it's worth. You may find free wifi here and there, but the risk of losing/damaging/breaking your laptop, having it stolen, the hassle of carrying it around, keeping it safe, and worrying about it... I'd forego that at the expense of a few quid here and there at internet cafes. When you spend a night or two in a backpackers hostel you can always befriend one of the dozens of Germans/Canadians/French that always seem to lug shiny notebooks around with them and bum off their facilities.

For storing photos and stuff, bring a portable hard drive.
http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/813142/art/western-digital/passport-essential-160-gb.html
160GB for €64, smaller and lighter than a book -- way better than carrying around a laptop. Half fill it with music and movies before you head off, so whenever you're stuck somewhere with nothing to do but have access to a computer you can keep yourself entertained.

For the rucksack/backpack, I would recommend getting a decent big one -- you don't have to stuff it but if you happen to accumulate a lot of gear along the way then it's great to have the spare capacity. On the other hand, if you can't control yourself when packing and are determined to fill the bag, get a smaller one so you can force yourself to pack light.
Try and get one that opens down the side, which makes it easier to access. If you're moving on all the time and living out of your bag for weeks or months on end, it helps not to have to dig through everything to reach something on the bottom.

And... you may choose to ignore this as depending on the person it can be more weight than it's worth... but I'd recomend loads of rechargeable batteries (for camera, mp3 player, any other gadgets) and a charger of course. Spare/extra battery for your phone can be handy, or if you have an old shit phone that still works, stick it in your bag and it could come in handy if your phone gets lost/broken/stolen or even if the battery is gone and you're days away from somewhere to charge it. If your camera, mp3 player, phone, shaver, etc etc all take different types of batteries and chargers, it might be worthwhile investing in one of those multi-function charger yokes that saves you from carrying 5 different power bricks/adapters.
http://www.mobileplace.co.u k/product/1655.html
http://www.callpod.com/products/chargepod

Or just bring a book, don't bother with anything electronic and you've less to worry about.

[bosco]

What amount of clothes do you bring? i always wondered how much clothes you bring with you and whats the story with laundry services and stuff?

2 shorts, 2 jeans, 2 hoodies, 2 towels (beach towel and shit but small camping towel), 7 tshirts, 1 or possilby 2 respectable shirts, 8 pairs socks/jocks. Comfy, light shoes & trainers. Light rain jacket. Hats.

That's probably too much.

Doing laundry once a week isn't too bad, and if you're stuck wash stuff in a sink at night.

[koka noodle]

my laundry was so expensive there at one stage that i ended up just buying new jocks and socks all the time. i eh gave the clothes an oul hoors shower (spray of lynx). i have the money to do washing again though.

also to add....i think the laptop would be handy out. pain in the arse paying so much for the web out here. that is all.

[thegillabbeygowl]

What amount of clothes do you bring? i always wondered how much clothes you bring with you and whats the story with laundry services and stuff?


Have you ever lived away from home?

[Steven]

What amount of clothes do you bring? i always wondered how much clothes you bring with you and whats the story with laundry services and stuff?

least amount possible, learned this the hard way, carried about 20 kg's around se asia for 3 months, wont make that mistake again, aim for about 10-12 kg's max, or less cos you'll find loads of cool clothes on your travel's

[kon]

Have you ever lived away from home?

hah, I thought the exact same thing :)

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Hmmm.

I'm in a bit of a pickle so i said i would ask the good folks on the PRoC for their 2 cents..

My 1 year working visa expires in November.

I applied for a pretty good job in the industry i work in. Done the interview, everything went well.I am keen to work there, they seem keen to hire me.
The only stumbling block is my visa.
I really wouldn't mind holding on here in oz for 3 - 4 years and have told them so.

I have brought up sponsership to them and they have said that in the rare occasions they have sponsered people, its been when that employee has been with them for quite a few months.

I am meeting with their HR dept on monday to discuss any "options" we may have.

So i am wondering what kinda options i do have.

Would it advisable to offer to pay for half of the sponsership fees myself?

Should i apply for a 2'nd year visa and go away and do the fruit gig or whatever then come back to this crowd in a few months time?

Should i just convince them i am worth investing their time and money in and assure them i will be here for the long haul?


I am not really sure what to say to them to be honest. Bottom line, i really want this job. Any help or advice is apprecaited.

[k974]

Hmmm.

I'm in a bit of a pickle so i said i would ask the good folks on the PRoC for their 2 cents..

My 1 year working visa expires in November.

I applied for a pretty good job in the industry i work in. Done the interview, everything went well.I am keen to work there, they seem keen to hire me.
The only stumbling block is my visa.
I really wouldn't mind holding on here in oz for 3 - 4 years and have told them so.

I have brought up sponsership to them and they have said that in the rare occasions they have sponsered people, its been when that employee has been with them for quite a few months.

I am meeting with their HR dept on monday to discuss any "options" we may have.

So i am wondering what kinda options i do have.

Would it advisable to offer to pay for half of the sponsership fees myself?

Should i apply for a 2'nd year visa and go away and do the fruit gig or whatever then come back to this crowd in a few months time?

Should i just convince them i am worth investing their time and money in and assure them i will be here for the long haul?


I am not really sure what to say to them to be honest. Bottom line, i really want this job. Any help or advice is apprecaited.

tell them to put you on the 457 sponsorship visa, its cost $500 plus $100 for the xray, once ya do them yerself and the 457 forms are straight forward and easy presuming they have sponsored before they will already be approved making it a speedier process as only you will have to be approved. once you have any sort of a qualification its easy to get. by law they are supposed to pay for your medical costs if there concerned about this organise insurance if you dont have it. other than that they have no other obligaitions and fire/let you go when they want like any other employeee. you then have 28days to leave the country or organise another visa.

apparentyl at present there longer going thru than they were bout 3 months but you get a bridging visa anyway so you'll be grand.

one thing to remeber the bigger the company the stricter they are you can spend your full 12 months with the one company i did and no one will know once you dont put it on your forms if its on your forms thats you out as you've broken a visa, in my line work most the employers didnt even know about the 6months with one employer but the big banks etc i know do and they enforce it

[koka noodle]

cant you just get a skilled migrant visa? im not sure as to whether you can or not like, but must be an option.

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Thanks for the info.
Right what i was looking for. I am in the IT industry, which might not work in my favout but i am a little bit more clued in now.

Thanks.

[dotty]

anyone know is it possible to extend your visa by as little as a week.

mine expires 2nd last week of october but just want to extend it until the end of the month.

quick search reveals i can get a tourist visa for something like 3/6 months but costs $200+ if applying while in oz,thats a no go.

just want to extend mine for another week to 10 days max.

suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Derek B]

Otto, why don't you just work there on the 417 til November to 'prove' to them you're worth sponsoring? I'm in the IT industry here too, having english as a first language and a degree/diploma will help the process...as you know there's a shortage of skilled IT here so if you're specialised and they'd struggle to get someone better you're laughing..the fees involved aren't much so shouldn't put a burden on most companies, but if you feel it may help you should offer to pay (maybe salary sacrifice) - shows how keen you are and they hedge their bets by you paying the fees..I just transferred jobs (both sponsored me) and the application took 6 working days to be approved - that said they'd do transfers quicker as can't get bridging visa..when I initially applied I was on a bridging visa for 5 months! There's minimum salary requirements for 457's aswell, think it's about $43k in IT but most pay well above that with any experience...if it comes to it you could try a management company like Free Spirit..best of luck with it, you'll always find another company willing to sponsor if that one doesn't work out

[Derek B]

Dotty what visa are you on now??

[sooz1]

anyone know is it possible to extend your visa by as little as a week.

mine expires 2nd last week of october but just want to extend it until the end of the month.

quick search reveals i can get a tourist visa for something like 3/6 months but costs $200+ if applying while in oz,thats a no go.

just want to extend mine for another week to 10 days max.

suggestions greatly appreciated.

As far as I'm aware the only way to do that would be to leave the country for a few days when your visa expires and come back on a holiday visa.
They might get a bit suspicious if they see you doing that though and refuse you a holiday visa so you'll have to decide if it's worth the risk for the sake of $200.

They might have more info on immi.gov.au or at the very least have a number you can call to find out.
Be prepared to be on hold listening to 'land down under' for ages though.

[sooz1]

cant you just get a skilled migrant visa? im not sure as to whether you can or not like, but must be an option.

Skilled visas are relatively easy to get if you're in IT, tehy're expensive though, over $2k to apply I think.
The benefit is that yu're not tied to one employer and I think it allows you access to free health care too.
One of the conditions of a business visa sponsored by an employer is that you have comprehensive health insurance because you are only entitled to emergency health care. My health insurance was about $170 a month before I got my spousal visa, now as a resident it's $110

[scrumpy]

Is a month long enough to tour around OZ in a camper van and see the whole show?!

[dotty]

Is a month long enough to tour around OZ in a camper van and see the whole show?!

nope.

i only started travelling about 3 weeks ago and so far ive only made it to brisbane,still have all of queensland,darwin,WA ,SA and tassie to see.

why do you only have a month?

must remember australia is roughly the same size as the US..

[thegillabbeygowl]

Is a month long enough to tour around OZ in a camper van and see the whole show?!


A month, Not a hope in hell.
You could spend a month in any state if you wanted.

[sooz1]

Is a month long enough to tour around OZ in a camper van and see the whole show?!

Ahahahahaha...good one.
Maybe if your camper van had a jet engine on it and you didn't want to stop and look at anything. You might get from east to west or north to south but you wouldn't have much time in any one place and you would spend most days driving on endless straight roads through the bush which gets very boring after a while.

[scrumpy]

Ahahahahaha...good one.
Maybe if your camper van had a jet engine on it and you didn't want to stop and look at anything. You might get from east to west or north to south but you wouldn't have much time in any one place and you would spend most days driving on endless straight roads through the bush which gets very boring after a while.

Ok i was only saying a month cos I was planning on taking a holiday there this winter before I go back to college in February! I dont want to see every little place like i think maybe a trip along the south east would be cool enough in a month or so?

[sooz1]

Ok i was only saying a month cos I was planning on taking a holiday there this winter before I go back to college in February! I dont want to see every little place like i think maybe a trip along the south east would be cool enough in a month or so?

Yeah, like someone said earlier you could easily spend a month in one state and not see it all.
You'd easily manage a trip around the coast of one state in a month though if you're not fussed about stopping at every little town along the way.

[k974]

if your looking for a months hols go cairns to whitsundays my car/bus fly to brisbane from whitsundays go to fraser and byron and surfers from brisbane, fly from byron to syd and fly home from sydeny.


fair enough you wont see the "real" australia but you'll see most of the main sites and as you've a month you have to compromise

[Steven]

Lads,

Anyone know what the story is for applying for tax back here in Oz?

End of Oz tax year is June, so should I apply for tax back for the time spent working before end of June now? And apply for tax back for working after June when I am leaving the country?

Or should I wait until I am leaving Oz and apply for all of it then?

thanks

[k974]

do last year now, or before october make sure you right down your a tax resident keep away from tax back .com and the backpacker places. ask around some body will know an accoutant that will tell you wat you can and cant do. dont listen to the average aussie they do there tax by the book

[Wotalanger]

Lads,

Anyone know what the story is for applying for tax back here in Oz?

End of Oz tax year is June, so should I apply for tax back for the time spent working before end of June now? And apply for tax back for working after June when I am leaving the country?

Or should I wait until I am leaving Oz and apply for all of it then?

thanks

End of financial year was 30 June. You should receive a PAYG summary from every employer you had between 01 July 2007 and 30 June 2008.

You can do both Steve.

If you need the cash then just apply for it now. If you plan on staying in Oz for another while, you can just apply for it all back once you leave the country.

I have always used the same company, details below. The girls are very helpful that work there, and they seem to get back more funds than any other company I have checked with. If you give them a ring they will give you an estimate of how much you will get back. All you need to do is get their paperwork sent to you by email, print it off, fax it back with your PAYG summary and bobs your uncle. Money should be paid into bank account within a couple weeks.

When you leave the country, whether it be in the middle of this financial year (that began last week 01 July) or after the financial year ends next June, you just apply again. It's easy.

Taxback Australia
Level 1/464 Oxford Street Mall
Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Australia
Freecall (within Australia) | 1800 040 737

Phone | 02 9386 5333 (within Australia) +61 2 9386 5333 (from outside Australia)

Fax | 02 9386 5366 (within Australia) +61 2 9386 5366 (from outside Australia)

Email | info@taxbackaustrali a.com

Website | www.taxbackaustralia .com

[Derek B]

I'm just filling up mine at the moment using the etax thing on the ATO website. Is there any risk that I won't get as much as I should, considering that I have no expenses or deductions to claim? I used an accountant last year, and it looked very basic earning him $120 or so for about 10 minutes work. Even if it takes me an hour it's more than I get paid per hour so worth the time (??)

[Wotalanger]

I'm just filling up mine at the moment using the etax thing on the ATO website. Is there any risk that I won't get as much as I should, considering that I have no expenses or deductions to claim? I used an accountant last year, and it looked very basic earning him $120 or so for about 10 minutes work. Even if it takes me an hour it's more than I get paid per hour so worth the time (??)

I just think it's safer to use a company. The crowd I have listed above deduct their fee before they give you a quote of how much you'll get back.
It saves a whole lot of time and effort and if you make a mistake on the ATO website then you might bugger it up.
That etax online thing is long winded and a royal pain in the ass. I'd rather pay someone $100 to do it for me.

[Steven]

cheers lads,

I'll give them a shout wotalanger

[Steven]

I'm heading to Brisbane next week,
might be working in Milton,
anyone in Brisbane(or who's been to Brisbane) reccomend an area nearby to live in?

thanks
Steve

[Wotalanger]

I live in Brisbane, in New Farm, which is just next to Fortitude Valley (the main going out spot).

Brisbane's a lovely city, much smaller than Sydney and Melbourne but in my opinion by far the nicest city in Australia. It's real easy to find your way around and of course there's the weather.

Milton is very close to the city. In fact I walked there in about 20 mins from the city the other day. Paddington is a lovely suburb next to Milton.
Fortitude Valley/New Farm is in my opinion the most centrally located place to live. Walking distance to city but close to river, parks etc aswell.

[bosco]

I had a job interview in Milton last year, seemed like a nice spot. It's well served by bus and train (and probably ferries) so you can be pretty flexible about where you live. In or around Petrie Terrace would be handy enough and close to the city centre, otherwise Paddington and West End are great areas nearby to live.
I lived in New Farm at the time and took a bus to work in West End. Half hour from one end of the city to the other wasn't bad.
The weather is pretty much perfect in Brisbane though, so if you can get somewhere within a half hour walk or cycle it's great.

[k974]

I live in Brisbane, in New Farm, which is just next to Fortitude Valley (the main going out spot).

Brisbane's a lovely city, much smaller than Sydney and Melbourne but in my opinion by far the nicest city in Australia. It's real easy to find your way around and of course there's the weather.

Milton is very close to the city. In fact I walked there in about 20 mins from the city the other day. Paddington is a lovely suburb next to Milton.
Fortitude Valley/New Farm is in my opinion the most centrally located place to live. Walking distance to city but close to river, parks etc aswell.


new farm is nice but its a traffic bottle neck down the end its one way in and out. its fine if you work in the city and get the city cat. if you working in milton you could live in chelmer or sherwood if you want to be small bit out and get the train in, anywhere in the city, paddington, or maybe indoorphilly/toowong big shopping centre etc, rosalie had a few cafes and shops and backs on to milton. all depends really if you are in the same place everyday. if not u make want to account for the traffic its gotten bad here in the last 3 years. if i was you i'd live in the places i metioned over the milton side. the valley is too noisy at night and too expensive and new farm is a bottle neck altho it is nice

[Steven]

cheers lads,

Ill check out them spots,

[lackie]

Myself and my girlfriend are heading off to Oz in october for a year provisionaly, What type of insurance (health/travel) do we require?
do people recommend any companies websites etc?

[koka noodle]

anybody know a good spot to do fruit picking at the moment? preferably in darwin or north QLD . just did WA so headin down east from darwin now. still have a little bit more harvest work to do, and a cash injection would be handy too. I've rang numbers in darwin area and agencies are saying everything is done or full, but just in case anybody has a direct number to a farm or something then it would be handy. best way to get the job i think.

[Woohoo_Doh]

Doing a bit of travelling at the moment. Just finished up the Great Ocean Road and currently residing in Warnambool. Did a bit of whale watching earlier. Theres a great southern whale with her approx 6 week old calf close in by Logans Beach. Its really cool. Am leaving tomorrow for Mount Gambier and then heading to The Grampians and then Ballarat mines but wondering if Im missing something in between. Have had a look at maps and brochures and that but not having too much joy. Loving it here at the mo. :p

[Wotalanger]

Doing a bit of travelling at the moment. Just finished up the Great Ocean Road and currently residing in Warnambool. Did a bit of whale watching earlier. Theres a great southern whale with her approx 6 week old calf close in by Logans Beach. Its really cool. Am leaving tomorrow for Mount Gambier and then heading to The Grampians and then Ballarat mines but wondering if Im missing something in between. Have had a look at maps and brochures and that but not having too much joy. Loving it here at the mo. :p

There's a cool lake at Mt. Gambier. The blue lake. Check it out.

[oddie]

Skilled visas are relatively easy to get if you're in IT, tehy're expensive though, over $2k to apply I think.
The benefit is that yu're not tied to one employer and I think it allows you access to free health care too.
One of the conditions of a business visa sponsored by an employer is that you have comprehensive health insurance because you are only entitled to emergency health care. My health insurance was about $170 a month before I got my spousal visa, now as a resident it's $110

Hi Sooz,

Ireland and Australia have a reciprocal agreement when it comes to Medical Cover ( hospital Stays, emergency surgery etc).

Had an appendectomy when over here on a temp visa. as I wasn't covered under Medicare or couldn't be covered by private health, the agreement kicked in.

P.

[Otto_the_bus_driver]

Alright lads and lasses.

Sorry for not getting back to some of you but don't get to check in with the PRoC that often.

I posted here a few weeks ago with a few questions regarding a visa and getting sponsored.

Anyway, i got the job and looks like i will be getting sponsored so thanks to all who gave me good advice, which was everybody. It def helped and i am grateful.

Thanks again.

[dotty]

Alright lads and lasses.

Sorry for not getting back to some of you but don't get to check in with the PRoC that often.

I posted here a few weeks ago with a few questions regarding a visa and getting sponsored.

Anyway, i got the job and looks like i will be getting sponsored so thanks to all who gave me good advice, which was everybody. It def helped and i am grateful.

Thanks again.

best of luck.

[sooz1]

Hi Sooz,

Ireland and Australia have a reciprocal agreement when it comes to Medical Cover ( hospital Stays, emergency surgery etc).

Had an appendectomy when over here on a temp visa. as I wasn't covered under Medicare or couldn't be covered by private health, the agreement kicked in.

P.


Aye, emergency cover. I'm guessing it wasn't a planned appendectomy! ;)
How come you couldn't get private health?
I was made to get it by the company who sponsored me. At the time I was raging over the waste of money but 2 months later I needed a minor op and still have check ups with a specialist so without private health it would have been a lot more expensive.
Luckily I'm covered by medicare now that I have a spousal visa...phew!

[sooz1]

Alright lads and lasses.

Sorry for not getting back to some of you but don't get to check in with the PRoC that often.

I posted here a few weeks ago with a few questions regarding a visa and getting sponsored.

Anyway, i got the job and looks like i will be getting sponsored so thanks to all who gave me good advice, which was everybody. It def helped and i am grateful.

Thanks again.


Congrats Otto, does this mean there'll be an end to the shortage of bus drivers in Oz? :D

[Wotalanger]

Alright lads and lasses.

Sorry for not getting back to some of you but don't get to check in with the PRoC that often.

I posted here a few weeks ago with a few questions regarding a visa and getting sponsored.

Anyway, i got the job and looks like i will be getting sponsored so thanks to all who gave me good advice, which was everybody. It def helped and i am grateful.

Thanks again.

Congrats :p

[Steven]

Lads, how much super are you supposed to get back?
I'm with a company called Australian Super and they told me I will get about 75% back,
However have heard people say you should get it all back,
Any one know? Should I switch pension companies?

[Eoin]

Lads, how much super are you supposed to get back?
I'm with a company called Australian Super and they told me I will get about 75% back,
However have heard people say you should get it all back,
Any one know? Should I switch pension companies?

You get taxed on it when you get it back Steven so you won't get it all.

[Wotalanger]

Lads, how much super are you supposed to get back?
I'm with a company called Australian Super and they told me I will get about 75% back,
However have heard people say you should get it all back,
Any one know? Should I switch pension companies?


I work for a superannuation company here in Brisbane. As a temporary resident you should get back approx 70%. Commonwealth government legislation is that departnig temporary residents get taxed approx 30% of your super.

To apply you need to do two things.
1. Find out how much the balance is. If it is less than 5k you can just apply directly through your super fund, in your case Australian Super. They will have a departing resident claim form for you to fill in. They'll either post you on or easier again, print one straight off their website.

2. If the balance is more than 5k you need to get a special document from your nearest immigration department, that has to be submitted with your departing resident claim form back to Australian Super.

3. You need to have departed Australia, and have the stamp on your passport (the one you get when you leave any country, just the standard stamp) or proof that the visa has been cancelled and is no longer valid. You can fax/post a photocopy of the ID page of your passport along with the stamp/visa page plus the forms back to Australian Super.

Bob's your uncle. You should have it back within a 3-4 weeks.

It's a pretty straightforward process.

Getting paperwork from immigration might not apply to you, if you've only been in Oz a year or less you wouldn't have accumulated more than 5k super.

[mistertrixy]

Headin off in next weeks, spending at least six months living in oz before heading to south america.
Flying into Cairns and planning on settling in Brisbane with the missus for few months to make some money, from reading the posts Brisbane sounds like the jawb! Wanna avoid all the jerseys and pissheads and actually experience australia properly.
But just wondering if anyone had any decents sites to look for gafs cos everything iv googled has brought up rubbish. Any other advice on brisbane would be appreciated, cant wait to get out of the rain.

[oul'doll]

Try gumtree for accomodation, it's pretty good.

[koka noodle]

Headin off in next weeks, spending at least six months living in oz before heading to south america.
Flying into Cairns and planning on settling in Brisbane with the missus for few months to make some money, from reading the posts Brisbane sounds like the jawb! Wanna avoid all the jerseys and pissheads and actually experience australia properly.
But just wondering if anyone had any decents sites to look for gafs cos everything iv googled has brought up rubbish. Any other advice on brisbane would be appreciated, cant wait to get out of the rain.

stay away from tinbillys pub if you want to avoid the jerseys! good place for the work alright. not too busy, and not too quiet.

[mistertrixy]

cheers lads, everything sorted...must get my long list of shots and then its off to sun for a year!
get in!

[POL]

how many red necks are living in Sydney at this stage? The GAA jersey ratio must be sky high at this stage with the reccession?

[thegillabbeygowl]

I am getting 200 Euro tax back and i've been waiting 8 months, Woo hoo.

Pol, We al know you were one of those rednecks.

[oul'doll]

how many red necks are living in Sydney at this stage? The GAA jersey ratio must be sky high at this stage with the reccession?


Are you still on about this? Having trouble letting go?

[Steven]

thanks lads,

for accomodation,
go to the share option in www.realestate.com.a u
that's if your hanging around for less than 6 months,

If your gonna be in the one place for 6 months, go to the rent section
as you'll get a nicer place

[Steven]

I work for a superannuation company here in Brisbane. As a temporary resident you should get back approx 70%. Commonwealth government legislation is that departnig temporary residents get taxed approx 30% of your super.

To apply you need to do two things.
1. Find out how much the balance is. If it is less than 5k you can just apply directly through your super fund, in your case Australian Super. They will have a departing resident claim form for you to fill in. They'll either post you on or easier again, print one straight off their website.

2. If the balance is more than 5k you need to get a special document from your nearest immigration department, that has to be submitted with your departing resident claim form back to Australian Super.

3. You need to have departed Australia, and have the stamp on your passport (the one you get when you leave any country, just the standard stamp) or proof that the visa has been cancelled and is no longer valid. You can fax/post a photocopy of the ID page of your passport along with the stamp/visa page plus the forms back to Australian Super.

Bob's your uncle. You should have it back within a 3-4 weeks.

It's a pretty straightforward process.

Getting paperwork from immigration might not apply to you, if you've only been in Oz a year or less you wouldn't have accumulated more than 5k super.


think i might have just gone over the 5k, will have worked 8 months, paying
$5/hr, that's approx. $5x37hoursx30weeks = 5550

nice one for that, had no idea about the extra form

[Wotalanger]

think i might have just gone over the 5k, will have worked 8 months, paying
$5/hr, that's approx. $5x37hoursx30weeks = 5550

nice one for that, had no idea about the extra form

Well you're employer should have been paying 9% into the fund, I don't know if you were contributing extra yourself.

Generally your money is invested into a balanced type investment option for you, so just beware that due to all the market volatility for the past financial year or so, your fund might be down a bit of money.

It's happened to all super funds. I lost around 2k because I had my money invested in a high risk investment option. Yours should be a medium risk type portfolio though if you didn't select otherwise so you might have lost between 3-6% depending on your super fund.

Give them a ring anyway, they'll give you the balance over the phone. And make sure they have your TFN number.

[Woohoo_Doh]

There's a cool lake at Mt. Gambier. The blue lake. Check it out.

Caught the blue lake. Its a wicked looking lake alright. Hit the Grampians after that which is really cool for going on a few hikes and catching some amazing views, Mt William and The Pinnnacle are worth going there alone for. Hitting Adelaide and Glenelg at the mo and heading to port lincoln on sunday to go cage diving with some Great White sharks, that promises to be furking awesome. Sounds like you are hooked pretty nicely here wotalanger, congrats. Im gutted Ive only 11 months left here :D

[Wotalanger]

Caught the blue lake. Its a wicked looking lake alright. Hit the Grampians after that which is really cool for going on a few hikes and catching some amazing views, Mt William and The Pinnnacle are worth going there alone for. Hitting Adelaide and Glenelg at the mo and heading to port lincoln on sunday to go cage diving with some Great White sharks, that promises to be furking awesome. Sounds like you are hooked pretty nicely here wotalanger, congrats. Im gutted Ive only 11 months left here :D

Well Australia has me hooked, that's for sure.

A friend of mine did the cage diving off Port Lincoln, in the Neptune Islands. His pics are amazing, scary but amazing!

[Woohoo_Doh]

Well Australia has me hooked, that's for sure.

A friend of mine did the cage diving off Port Lincoln, in the Neptune Islands. His pics are amazing, scary but amazing!

Wondering if you could give us a bit of advice, who is best to open a super with?? We are heading to Broome tomorrow and soon will be looking to get a bit of seasonall work so we can have the option to extend the oz experience. Cheers

[Wotalanger]

Wondering if you could give us a bit of advice, who is best to open a super with?? We are heading to Broome tomorrow and soon will be looking to get a bit of seasonall work so we can have the option to extend the oz experience. Cheers


Hi.

Most private companies give you the option of whats called a 'super choice legislation' which means you get to choose your super fund rather than having to automatically go with your employers choice.
If you don't nominate one, your company/farmer in your case will nominate one for you.
Most Australian super funds are industry funds, which means we'll say if you work in retail or hospitality it's Hesta, the government it's Qsuper etc etc. They are set up solely for particular industries.

If you're going to be working on ABN then you'll be responsible for your own super so this might not even apply to you.
If you are being payed directly by an employer and are being taxed (using your TFN) then it's mandatory for your employer to pay 9% into a super fund for you. I think you'll find this doesn't happen with seasonal work though.

There are a couple of super funds that can be used for all industries, Australian Super and Sun super are two that I can think of.

Hope that helps.

[thegillabbeygowl]

Wondering if you could give us a bit of advice, who is best to open a super with?? We are heading to Broome tomorrow and soon will be looking to get a bit of seasonall work so we can have the option to extend the oz experience. Cheers


Broome will be roasting at this time of year.
I had many a happy day on Cable beach.
Watch out for the staircase to the moon.

[koka noodle]

Broome will be roasting at this time of year.
I had many a happy day on Cable beach.
Watch out for the staircase to the moon.

well i'm in kununurra at the moment...and i've finally aclimatised to the heat and humidity. although saying that, i work in a factory so it doesnt affect me really. it was a struggle when i got here though. i came down from darwin too after 7 weeks there and thought it would be easier, but kununurra seemed worse if anything. tis all grand now

[thegillabbeygowl]

well i'm in kununurra at the moment...and i've finally aclimatised to the heat and humidity. although saying that, i work in a factory so it doesnt affect me really. it was a struggle when i got here though. i came down from darwin too after 7 weeks there and thought it would be easier, but kununurra seemed worse if anything. tis all grand now


Kununurra, Jesus.
Everything covered in red dirt and the aboriginals.
How are you coping there with all the lovely people?
You go to Wolf creek?

[koka noodle]

Kununurra, Jesus.
Everything covered in red dirt and the aboriginals.
How are you coping there with all the lovely people?
You go to Wolf creek?

haha, I never really intended to come here but was forced into it really as the visa is nearly up and i need my seasonal work. I was warned about the place before I came here. the locals are noisy...but not the worst I've seen to be honest. havnt been to wolfe creek, it's a bit out of the way. I'm sick of holes in the ground at this stage anyway. If i see another gorge I'll go spare! although they do look fairly class some of them. A crater would be a nice change though