Mummies in Australia?

Hi Ladies,
just submitted my sons' applications today! Mad rush :p So just have to get their medical done, and visas should be approved quite soon. (Just a note, cost of applying visa in Singapore is $1722.)

hubby is now busy looking for rental home. It's not been an easy feat! Poor guys goes for at least two home viewings every few days... and the waiting list is rather long. So, still no luck...

As for movers, still have people coming in to give quotes. Will update you all soon
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So far, Interport came by $6600 for 600 cubic feet. Santa Feq quoted me at about $3K to $4K for about 250 cubic feet.

Now currently expecting SIR, Bownti and Allied Pickfords to come and conduct a survey, and should receive their quotes shortly.

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andrea,

2 yrs back, i had movers to quote for the re-location. after few quotes, realised that it was quite ex, > $8K then. so me & hb decided to leave all bulky furnitures behind for our parents, instead of spending the $$ for the movers, we decided to set aside the $$ to get new furniture in aus.

so in the end we used singpost surface parcel to send over all our personal belongings. the rate was quite reasonable, thou it took few weeks, but the parcel was delivered right to the door step in aus ...

btw, do u know how long do they take to process the child migration application? me only planning to go back aus in Dec, still thinking when will b a gd time to lodge in the appln. coz after they issue the visa, u will hav to make the 1st entry within the 6 mths period rite?

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andrea
it is not easy to rent a place in perth now...
i read in the papers when i was there. but somehow my frens have no problems and they are the first tenant of the house! maybe he can try north perth - yokine, innerloo, inglewood suburb.
 
Hi again Ladies,
I must apologise for the previous post -- typos and all... did it in a hurry last night, and wasn't clear in the head, coz my boy isn't well and has been keeping us all up every night!!

About the sunscreen and water, I'm quite guilty about not putting sunscreen. Will have to try out a few kinds to see which is best when we are there. Last year, when I brought my older boy in June, the weather was so dry he had a bad rash on his chin... so sad... and it was painful for him. But after a week, his condition improved when we religiously slathered him with baby lotion.

With the water, I'm not sure if 15l is a lot... (but it sounds A LOT to me
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) Erm... is a gallon more than 15L? If not, they might have that... hehe (that's how much I know about conversions!)

Hi Ryaties & Jojos,
the staff at the high comm are sometimes (less than) friendly. really the list that they provided was not included in the forms and stuff. It's only when you go and lodge the application, that they'll whip it out and say ... you need to have ALL those items. Was quite annoyed the last time. Luckily I wasn't ready to lodge it yet... but imagine, I waited 2 hours for them to just tell me that I need those things, and if items weren't complete, I can't lodge the applications!
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Anyway, even when I went ytd, I was told to have TWO separate sets of notarised documents, since I'm lodging two applications -- but they are brothers!! *frustrating!* What makes it even more frustrating is that my husband is already in Perth, and getting him to send his documents is very inconvenient. But at least now they say they'll accept faxed copies.

Oh yes, with the medicals, it's about $146 not including the $45 courier charge. i checked this out with one of the designated clinics in Jurong Point. I'm wondering if I will save on the courier charge if I send both my boys for the check on the same day... ?

And yes, I mentioned the cost of lodging the application is $1722 in Singapore. If you lodge it in Australia when you are there, it will cost more. About $200 more.

Hi Hidora & Mngo,
Will get back to you about the movers. I realised that I had given Interport and SIR different amounts to quote. But with the remaining companies coming in to survey, I will use the same items I gave to SIR. Increasingly as I think about it, I don't want to bring too many things! Quite a big headache! I wonder whether it's much of a savings bringing all these items or not -- especially if they are cheap items! Not much point in spending thousands of dollars to ship them over, when purchasing them new over there could be cheaper... think that is a decision we have to make.

At the moment, I'm not too impressed with Bownti. wrote to them the same time when I wrote to the other companies, and I didn't hear from them until ytd, one of the sales agents called and said she could come down immediately! It is as if it was a last minute decision for her, and it was to fit her schedule more than it was to accommodate mine.

Anyway, Sante Fe gave me an online quote based on the items I gave them, but could only fit me in for a survey after 30 April! Too late I think... need to send items out soon.

OK... really sorry about this EXTREMELY LONG post... but thanx if you have all gotten this far!!
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josjos
your 1st entry now is not within 6 mths. i have to do it within 3-4 mths. some of the people have to make first entry within 2 months. so it is case by case
 
Hi Andrea,
My SIL used Bownti the other time, i think becoz they're the cheapest then.

Pls feedback after you get the quote from them. Appreciated it!
 
HAHA... didn't realise I took so long to type out the message before Mngo and Jojos wrote in!!
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Hi Jojos,
Typically it takes one to three months to get the visa. but I've been told that if EVERYTHING is in order, it's not uncommon for them to approve it within a week.

As I'm in a hurry to leave by end May, (and wanting to save on the cost), I told them to please have it for me within a month... *sigh*... I hope there are no delays.

with regards to the shipping, so you remember how many boxes you shipped over and how much they cost? i've been advised to consider this option. I may just do it, since they are mostly clothes and books and stuff... it's door to door? and customs clearance?

In fact the only furniture we are bringing over is my boys' beds and cupboards... (or mebbe just beds now)... we want to recreate the feeling of home for my older one especially, coz he was quite homesick the last time we visited.
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Hi Mngo,
you are right about renting! it's like an auction. Highest offer gets the place. so if a property is advertised at $250 pw, this may get inflated to as much as $350!

Right now, the properties my hubby is looking at are also brand-new, or mebbe just one tenant b4. Just the other day, he saw a rather nice one in Bibra Lake. It looked nice on the internet... but what a shock he had, when he was there! There were HUGE POWERLINES just next to the house -- HIGH VOLTAGE too! Our friends advised us against taking it, as they posed a health risk.

At the moment, we are looking to rent SOR, coz he works in the south. He's put in an application ytd for one place... so we hope to have good news in the next couple of days.

And hey, I love Carousel too! Fave shopping mall!! hahah
 
Sorry ladies (just realised I'm really long-winded)...

Anyway Jojos, I still don't really know how the tax system works, and what benefits we can get. Can't make sense of the info on familyassist....

Has anyone figured out what benefits we can get?

Thanx! (will keep this short) :D
 
WAh... really Mngo? that's interesting... will go and read it... but i don't suppose they make it easy for you to claim.
 
mngo,
when i got my visa in 2005, the 1st entry had to be made was within 6 mths. I need to find out what's the period for a child migration visa. mayb wil wait for andrea to get hers, then i wil b able to compare ... Andrea, do let me know when u got ur boys' visa ... TIA
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andrea,
if I din remember wrongly, I spent abt $300-$400 on the parcels, abt 8 boxes in total, average each box 10-15kg, mainly all clothings & kids stuff. But there is a limit of 20kg per box and there are also limitation of the sizes of box. The only troublesome part is u have to send the parcels to the Post office here and it tooks more ard 1 mth to reach syd (mayb faster for perth .. hehe). They delivered my parcels right to the door step and my MIL was there to receive the parcel. Not sure if u need to collect them from the AusPost if there are no one at home upon the 1st delivery. But all my boxes din arrive on the same day, a few of them were a few days late. No custom clearance required as u have to declare whats in the boxes before SingPost will send it out for u and there are also limitation of what are the stuff that u cant send via parcel.

Generally I find some of the furniture are of reasonable prices. You may wanna consider this option, can save quite a lots of $$...
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As for the tax benefits ... fr my understanding ...

if you are employed, the tax will be deducted from your weekly/monthly income. At the end of each financial year, u do a tax return to claim back all the tax benefits that u r entitle to. The things claimable for the tax return depends on the trade that you are in, the best is to get a tax accountant to do the tax return for you, and they would be able to give u the best advice on what is claimable. Important things is, must keep all your receipts for filing the tax return

Some of the tax benefits tat i know :

1. Family tax benefit part A : to help parents with cost of raising childern
2. Family tax benefit part B : for single income families or sole parents
3. Large Family Supplement : for families with 3 or more children
4. Child care benefits
5. Maternity Immunisation Allowance : for children of a specific age range who are fully immunised
6. Rent assistance
etc

some of the payments can be made every fortnightly but some can only be made via 1 lump sum paym after the financial yr

http://myaccount.centrelink.gov.au/wps/portal/pay_3_to_help_raise_children?initURL=true
 
andrea
with regards to the claims, i was told tat if u reg a company, and charge receipt to yr company expense. you can claim
 
Hi MsPiggy,
Thanx
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But I just realised it's at Bertram ... a small little suburb nearer to Rockingham! :D But I guess it'll do. Takes about 20 mins for my hubby to get to work, coz the freeway is really convenient.

It's a brand-new house, 4brm 2 baths.
 
oh andrea... care to share the rental rates?

by the way, i cant rem if u are in sg or alredy in perth?
 
Hi Ladies,
Thanx
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erm Ryatie, not sure about the floor area... will ask hubby
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But when he went to view, he said it was really big... and got rather worried that we can't fill the house with furniture! hahah
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I'd rather leave it semi-furnished, and give our boys space to run about.

Hi Mngo,
The rental is for $290 pw. Currently I'm still in Perth... finishing last month of service, and then will head over in the last week of May.

BTW, where are you putting up? I was sharing with Hidora on the MSN, that it would be useful if we have each other's contacts. Then can keep in touch in Perth and lend support.
 
Andrea
Arggh!! I din know u in perth! if i had known. i would have give u my msn . then i would hv look for u . i am still in sg . i came back frm perth

i will private message you my msn. and u pass to hidora ok?
 
Andrea,
I'll be in perth from 12 - 19 may. anyone will be there during that period? we can meet up!!!
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Ask you gals, what do you do to prevent your babies' ear from hurting during plane taking off and landing?

My is night flight, he will be sleeping cant feed him water right? let him suckle pacifier?
 
mspiggy
when my boy sleeps during the plane taking off and landing, i let him be cos he wont feel a thing.

yes, you need a tourist visa for your boy.
 
ms piggy....
night flight is a good choice. mine was day flight, and we hv to entertain our boy throughout the flight. damn tiring for us!

where wil u be putting up ?
 
Oops pai seh ladies... I didn't realise I typed 'Perth' -- must be delirious again :p

I meant to say that I'm still in Singapore and finishing up work till end April. Then I'll be heading to Perth at end May
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Erm... so who is here now and who is in Perth :D

MsPiggy,
Yes, have to apply for tourist visa for your boy. But take note, if not PR visa yet, you have to fly back to update his passport or something like that. And you have to decide where you want to lodge your application -- here or in Perth.

As for flying... we had a HORRIBLE time when I brought my son (8 months old then) to Sydney adn Melbourne. He cried through the night -- so embarrassing.... and poor boy was in great discomfort.

But on the return flight, he was not well, so we gave him cough mixture. He was drowsy for most part of the trip and that helped. Perhaps you can get the doctor to prescribe something for the flight -- air-sickness med or something to make him drowsy. I find that giving him a drink or candy to suck on didn't work for him
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Hello Mummies,

Flying back to Sg tmr! Can't wait. Gonna shop for winter clothings back home to prepare for the June weather. Yaya, more shopping! :p


Andrea,

Congrats! Hope you will love your new house!

Mngo,

Pls add me into your msn. [email protected]
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mspiggy,

Can pls pm me your MSN nick or email? Trying to drag your name into "Perth Mummies" group.
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Thanks!
 
Hi ladies,
yes I have MSN but cant use during office hours. will PM you my ID
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Hi Hidora,
my nick is BMW
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Hi mngo,
I will staying near Cannington, my hubby's uncle motel/small lodge.

Hi Andrea,
Am also very worried that my son cant take the flight.... he's 9 mth+ now (same age as Hidora's boy) hehehe
 
Mspiggy
oh cannington
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... wah got a small lodge somemore.
if is good , let me know le
so when i move there i will stay there for time beeing while lookg for house
 
Hi Ladies,
Another update...

The Medical (at Drs Trythall, Hoy, Davies) will cost $141.75 (GST and Courier charge not included). Courier charge is $45, and apparently if you make two medicals on the same day, courier charges are separate.

Coz I was asking if I can save on courier charge if I send both my boys for medical, she said 'no' ... two separate charges
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But one thing good though (if the girl is right), children don't require x-rays. But if you have to get an x-ray done as well, only the international building one has an in-house facility. The one at JP doesn't...

OK... just to let you all know
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Cheers!
 
hi again Mummies,
I decided to compare prices on the medicals. I thought the one at Trythall was too expensive, and thank goodness I did!

It turned out that the price I gave earlier was for adult PR Visa application.

For children, these are the prices:
Trythall - $68.25 (Courier @ $45)
SATA - $47.25 (Courier @ $40)
Clifford Dispensary - $35 (Courier @ $50)
Drs Horne & Chin - $55
Point Medical Group - $35 (Courier @ $13/$36)

NB. Children under 5 do not require X-rays.
Prices do not include GST yet.
Most of the courier prices, I suspect, are to Australia. Except for Point Medical Group which states $13 to Aus High Comm in Singapore). And Point Medical Group is the only who said they will help to combine courier charge
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Things to bring for medical:
Form 26
2 more photographs (just in case)
Passport (bring photocopies of biodata pages as well)
Health Booklets (bring photocopies of the first 18 questions, according to the nurse)

Hope this helps!
 
Hi Mummies,

Gosh, finally back in Singapore. Damn tired. Just finished unpacking all the baggages.

Anyway, I will be traveling down to Perth again ard 23rd June. Hb will be coming back to Sg on a biz trip and we will return with him. Gonna apply for the visa inshore.

It's really hard traveling with a child in tow. Never realize how long the flight is until now. Lol. Me and my mom have to find ways to keep him entertain throughout the trip as we took the morning/afternoon flight. Wanted to take night flight but we were worried that he may not sleep and disturb all the other passengers with his wailing or etc. Then again, I guessed I will try out night flight during the next trip if possible. Hopefully he may just sleep through the whole journey.
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hi hidora
finally reached singapore... wow if this is the feeling you are going to have when you migrate, it means sg will be your home and not au.

i tot u alredy hv PR visa? how come must apply again.

how old is your child? when we travelled with our boy to perth... from sg to perth was still ok cos he napped for abt 2 hours onflight. and first two hours was easy as he has food and things to play.

then from perth to sg wass..... err torture! hahaha.

when we went melbourne last year, we took night flight and thank God he slept throughout.
 
Hi mngo,

I basically hate travelling. It doesnt matter from where to where. Just sitting on the plane for a few hours is enough to kill me. And now with a kid? Double KO! :p

I was just commenting to my mom earlier that I prob wun have a chance to go touring in europe cos I can't stand the long journey.

Nope, no pr. Only my hb is pr.
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My son is 9 mths plus
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Hi hidora
welcome back...must be tring with the upacking stuff....i took a night flight when i'm on board with my dd the last time, she was wailing at 1st but when i switch on the kids channel like hi5 she kept quite...tat time i took SQ....but child food very lousy...

Andrea
wow u really du ur homework..ya...very useful for me ..i will use urs as a guide line.....
 
Hi hidora
i'm still in sg..going over but once we get pr, my hubby going 1st to look for job then we will go over...
i wanna get a house in riverton so near my cousin so got company....but of course the price matters...
 
h ryatie,
good idea for your hubby to go first

hv you looked at the realestate site to get a gauge of what property is available? my hubby had a look at some of the houses there
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Hi ryatie,

I hope you can get your PR soon, then we can have more kakis in Perth.
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mngo,

So will you be moving to mel or perth? I remembered you saying something about choosing bwt perth and mel before your holiday there?

I can't handle my son too! Which is why I gotta wait until he comes back Sg for biz trip then go back with him.
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Argh, Now that I'm back, I wanna go back to Perth. My sinus acts up the moment I stepped into Singapore. Having bad blocked nose now. :|
 
hi Mngo,
it's the same for me... thankfully i have family members to help.

Sometimes feel it's quite a shame... how on earth did our parents manage us? My mom had 3 of us, and she was a SAHM. but 3!

i think of my two boys, and I'm tired alr... that's why my mom will be there for abt a month. Then I will have to learn to manage both of them on my own... it'll be a challenge, but i think it can be very fulfilling....

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Hi Hidora
Is a good question. Initially we set up our mind to move to Mel. Then after our recent trip in Perth, we got to know many frens staying there.
And for a start, is good to have frens support in a foreign land.

I also have sinus problem! I simply dislike the weather here.

Hi Andrea
I have only 1 toddler only. And it's more than enough for me. HAHAHA
 


Hi ladies,
Perth seems to be a good place to cure sinus! My hubby sinus also gone the min he reached perth, but once back.......
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heheeee

I'm worried abt the childcare issue when I moved over hence hesitated.
 

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