EEEkkk can’t believe I am ....

Oh yea thought I'd mention the points thing. If you want to HP things over there you need like 100 points, think you need points to apply for jobs aswell. So remember if you do move over there to take a document that proves your leaving NZ (like moving reciepts, documents to say you've sold your house, or letter from last land lord) and proof of settling into Oz (like new tenancy lease, job contract e4tc)

I think if you think you need to give it a go, then do. It's the only way you'll know for sure. BUT, check out what you're entitled to if something goes wrong. I know NZ and Aus have great relations and your pretty much covered for everything, but you need to make sure that there won't be any delays if one of the kids or you guys get sick/need treatment for anything through the public system.

They did a study late last year/early this year and found that the cost of living and job benefits were pretty much the same for both countries, so I wouldn't put all of your eggs in one basket hoping for the 'dream remedy'. However, if your DH wanted to go and work in the mines in WA they pay HEAPS! We considered it for a while, but it just wasn't worth it.

I actually know someone who is an Aussie who moved her family over to NZ because of the water restrictions etc - they couldn't even go out on their back lawn because it was completely dead and prickly.

Yeah my friend was laughing cos the other day they had thunder storms and everyone was outside washing thier cars cos you normally cant in with the water restrictions! she said it looked so funny.
She has had a few health problems since being over there, had to have surgery and everything and I know she has had to take her son to the doctor a few times already and so far she has been pretty impressed with the health system. Also as I said he is on mega money and she still gets more than me from the government to stay home with the kids. They are living in a place called Springfield Lakes which is about 20km out of Brisbane and its a pretty new subdivision. You can rent a flash new house there, 4 bedrooms, 2 living etc... for about $300-$350

I have heard its best to take the minimum and buy everything you need over there. My friend had heaps of trouble with the moving company, things were 4 weeks late so they ended up having to buy most stuff anyway cos with two kids they couldnt go without beds, fridge etc... and when it did arrive heaps of stuff was broken.

I also thought of moving over to the gold coast. Hubby has just started a new job which he said he can see him being in no more than 2 years and me I have started back at work so want to stay there for a while at least. But theres something about Oz that is attracting me to it. We are comfortable here and kids happy at school I just don;t feel totally settled.
I am a bit of a chickhen though cause I like the security of here. and we own our own home so would rent it out - until we knew if Oz was for us.

I only have my parent here as in family whom i would miss like mad (so would the kids) and my bro lives in Oz already.

go for it if thats what you want. I am from UK and when growing up my parents went to Africa and then settled here which I thought was such an adventure and great. i want to give my kids that too.

OK I spoke to mum last night on the phone and she said to call the Austrailian High Commission (it's in Wellington) and they will give you an 0800 number to ring that will give you so much info about moving over and the deal with the working card and also the points system (all to do with ID).

nictoddie - WOW you are being very brave.... I am over in Brisbane at the moment with DF... While I like it here I also hate it at the same time!! It took me a good 8 - 10 months to settle down properly. I still cry at night because I miss my family and friends and we've been here 18 months. There are some great things about Aussie but there are also plenty of not so great things.

I dont want to burst your bubble but here are some things to keep in mind.


In particular:

* At the moment we are on level 5 water restrictions, which means each person is not to use more than 140 litres of water per day. December we will be on level 6 but that is more for industry than residential. It never rains and its always hot and humid!! Electrical storms are v scary!!

* Daycare is difficult to get (long waiting lists) and are also very expensive.

* NZers can not get a Centrelink (Equilivant to WINZ & IRD in NZ) benefit of any type for a minimum of 2 years permanent residency and then to get a benefit you must get Aus citizenship or a special permenant visa.

* Housing is dirt cheap in the suburbs. We live in a suburb called Taigum (about 30 minutes drive north of the CBD) and were in a 1 year old 3 bdrm 2 bathroom 2 storey townhouse. We are paying $320pw.

* There are millions of ants (they come in the house/kitchen) insects, spiders, snakes and little creatures that you would need to be careful of.

* You need 100 points of ID (Someone mentioned this earlier), this is usually your passport, Drivers licence, birth certificate, Credit Cards etc. Passport makes up about 60 - 70 points. Then you may also need tenancy/mortgage agreements, written references etc.

* They have a govt organisation called Medicare here which is like ACC and community service card combined but better. Medication is disgustingly expensive and if you dont go to a bulk billing doctor (100% funded by the govt, no cost to you) you will pay from $30+ to see a GP. The health system is very American. Health insurance is very important here, but confusing! You pay gap amounts and excesses.

* Education is alot different. They start prep here at the age of 5 (or also called kindy here). Then they start year one at the age of 6.
The public education from what we have heard is not the greatest and bullying is a big issue.

Yes, you can potentially earn a lot more than in NZ, BUT the IR laws here are (mind my language) S*&T!!!!! Employees are not protected like they are in NZ.

My advice is to Research. I would be more than happy to give you more info, as my post is already way too long . Just PM me if you want more info, more than happy to help or if need be to investigate things for you. All the best with your decision.




Edited by cantwait

Nictoddie good for you!! Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet with things like that.
My only advice would be to have enough money saved before you come over. DF and I came over with $2500 and thats wasnt enough to cover us until we got paid from work as we were on monthly pays (a lot of employers pay monthly). We needed more like $5000 just for the 2 of us!! We ended up borrowing from our parents to help us.
Also to rent you need to pay a 6 week bond (4 weeks bond and 2 weeks in advance).

All the best, it is definitely an experience in itself. When do you plan on going?

Hi Nictoddie, I came over here not knowing anyone and married a kiwi :) bub is due early next year and we have decided to move back to Aus next year sometime...  DH is not close to his family and all of mine are in Melb so will head back there.  We just can't afford to buy here and the schooling is so unpredictable with the decile system here.  I am lucky as I was transferred here so my wage is comparable to the Aus wage but DH could be earning up to 40k more doing the exact same job in Melb.

Brisbane is beautiful and if you enjoy the warm weather nearly all year round you will love it.  (bit to humid for my liking) I like Melb weather for the cold and hot months.... Also Brisbane/Gold Coast has lots of fully furnished properties to rent (more than any of the other states - prob because it is such a holiday destination) but as mentioned you will need 6 weeks bond/rent.

As with anywhere you go I guess, things will vary - I def agree that medication is dearer in Aus.  Bulk billing is the best choice for doctors but not always readily available and health insurance is a must, not confusing for me but then I have grown up with it.

The IRD system has its benefits and I would suggest the first year you have to lodge your tax get a taxagent to do it for you (you can claim back his costs) there are so many things you can claim!!!!  eg my mum works in realestate and each financial year the taxagent gets her around $3-4k back.... 

Good luck!  I would love to take a bit of NZ and a bit of AUS and combine them it would be the perfect country