tyosho:
It will be nice if this thread is restricted to info about life in australia.Not questions on how to secure visa or gain admission.

My family and I made use of IOM to secure our travel tickets.We went with emirates and had a stopover in Dubai.Nothing special about the travel experience.We were entitled to 40kg per adult,40kg for a child and 23kg for infant.We also paid for 2 extra bags of 32kg each but i hear prices have gone up so cargoing is cheaper.You can cargo through certain airlines like saa,emirates and etihad.
All in all we had like 12 luggages.
I went with ALL kinds of food stuffs except beans(becos of weavils).With my food items,i put them individually in transparent bags and labelled them.Fish,egusi,dry pepper,garri,amala etc.
Got to melbourne,declared i had food items but was not searched and was allowed to go through.

We opened accts with NAB and commonwealth bank but didnt transfer any money from nigera.We went with some cash and left the remaining in a GT dom acct and transferred from there to our OZzy acct when we arrived.We also opened a dom acct in OZ(commonwealth bank was seamless) for ease of transfer.There might be a cheaper way to transfer funds but this is what we did.

We stayed with family in Northern suburbs initially but got our own place in the Eastern suburbs,somewhere not far from Dandenong.We settled for the East because its quite busy,more factories and industries in these areas.If i dont live in the East,I will go for the North and West in that order.West is cheapest but people say it has a history of crime.I however have friends who have lived in the West over 10years and have never had any incidents.Anyhow,wherever you decide to stay is fine.Just get somewhere close to the train station and mall.

In melbourne,you can use your naija license for 6months.My husband passed his victoria drivers test on first attempt,i havnt tried yet for my drivers license.People say though that it can be quite tough cos i know someone who failed 5times!I was able to start driving within 2months of getting here.Just remember,you drive on the left always.

No ideas on how mortgages work but when choosing a neighborhood,also consider ones with good schools if you have kids.If your kids are still of daycare age(below 5),use careforkids.com.au to compare prices,reviews etc.

Settling in was not bad for me cos i had friends and family here already.My kids settled fine as well.

Upon arrival;
Get a mobile sim(i use lebara)
Apply for TFN(tax file no)
Open a bank account or go and activate the one you opened from Nigeria
Go to centerlink and medicare for registration
Get a travel card(MYki card if in melbourne).

Update your linkedin profile and make it very appealing to recruiters.You can also search for recruiters on Linkedin.

With regards to work,there is always something to do.It might not be want you want initially but there is work.Some people start off working at factories,aged care homes,disability and support centres etc until they eventually get what they want.Some people also end up going into nursing,community welfare,policing etc.But like i said,if you dont mind chopping humble pie to start somewhere earning money with these blue collar jobs,you will be okay.I know people who have houses with money earned from these blue collar professions.
There is dignity of labour here so people dont care what job you do to earn money.

For transportation,if you can afford it,pls plan to buy a car asap(carsales.com.au,gumtreee.com.au).please buy cars with roadworthiness and valid registration(at least 6months).If no car,you can use the metro system until you can afford to get a car here.

For housing,a friend referred us to her agent who leased us an apartment even though we didnt have jobs at the time.She accepted our bank statements as proof of income.We pay just a little below 2k monthly as rent.

Then i also just found out about NRAS housing scheme from a colleague days back.Its for families who fall within a certain income threshold.IF your rent was like 350,you would pay like 260 and the govt will pay the balance.I dont have much info as i dont qualify anymore since hubby and I both work now.But im certain most freshbies would qualify.

With furnishing the house,we went across gumtree.com(for people who were selling their furniture due relocation or other reasons),kmart stores( for kitchen items),bestbuy.com(this is a company that sells new electronics at reduced prices because they have scratches or marks on them;there are plenty stores like that but this is the one i patronised) and ikea stores(for kitchen and beddings)

For people that dont mind as well,in order to save costs,you can patronise Salvos stores(its a charity shop that all kinds of household items in great condition).

To get the best energy providers,internet providers,insurance etc,you can make use of iselect.com.au

During cold weather,you wear jacket and use heater(we paid almost 200 a month for heating during this past winter)

I do most of my shopping at Dandenong Market as food stuffs there is cheaper than everyother place I know.There is also Marmara market at Dandenong(all kinds of food items including shaki,cowleg,cow tongue etc) and an African store not far from the market(cant rememeber the name).At noble park is SUR african shop where i get dry fish,palm oil,egusi and stuff like that.

With departmental stores,woolworths is most expensive and aldi is cheapest.Coles is in between.
I know of only one nigerian restaurant that recently opened in the city and i have never been there before.
There is also another popular naija shop in the West called Fatimoh"s shop

With centerlink link claims,we were paid family tax benefit part A and B,family rebate and child care assistance.This all sumed up to $621 forthnightly for the first 4months,it came down to 550 and then now sits at $89 fortnightly.It reduces with every income increase.
Childcare rates was $113 for two kids initially (5days a week) and now is $370 a week.

We also got a concession card which has now been cancelled since we both have jobs.With the concession card,we paid discounted electricity and waterbills,half price for transportation,free ambulance cover,susbsizied fees if we had done any studies at the time and my first kid who is in kinder got 15hours free of daycare weekly .

With jobs,for me,it was just God.I got a job in the Tier 1 team of an IT company with no technical knowledge whatsover.It was my 3rd video interview and i got the job two months after arrival.I commute 54mins by train to the CBD which is quite a distance by OZ standard.But i dont mind really.I got the job through indeed.com which i prefer to seek.com
There a couple of recruitment agencies i know and i will list as i remember.

Strategy one(blue collar)
Adecco
Hoban
Ozstaff(blue collar)
Randstad
Sharp &carter
Hays
Smaart



cc Bellong,vinsmuft,funkjo,oknee,hordunayo,incemay,abeg you guys should come and add o

I live in Melbourne, close to Dandenong. Will nice to catch up.

tyosho:


Thanks for bringing up my previous posts.i had even forgotten about it.

The aged care/disability matter didn't happen again as we both got other jobs.

Bellong is coming to Melbourne this month end so we are all planning to have a meet.We go get plenty pictures to upload then.
Please if we have any melbourne nairalanders that Bellong is yet to contact,please raise your hand so details can be sent to you for our groove

Am new here and in Melbourne as well

DaddyTheFather:


Lol...well I don't have any issues with my IELTS. I have 8.5 in both IELTS general and academic, and I have 65 points for my PR application, and I have already applied. There were complications, and the app has been ongoing since last June, but the complications were not to do with my eligibility. Unfortunately, that's all I can tell you in a public forum, cos the application is still under review. I'm fine though, cos if my 476 runs out, my bridging visa attached to the PR application will take effect until the PR decision is made. So if you can apply for your PR before your 476 runs out, I believe that will also be the case with you (assuming you are on a 476 as well). I am hopeful that the PR will be a success for me Sha...

Thanks a lot Bro for sharing your story.

And thanks @catchdwind4rmkd for the question which has led to more info like this one.

@Daddy...can you please shed more light on the bridging Visa? And what is its validity? Are you eligible for it at the point of skills assessment or only when you have ITA?

Thanks...

foreverkind1:

Boss ,are you into finance ?
I will be coming to aussie for msc in finance ,with bsc in banking and finance ,will i be able to get Pr with msc in finance ,any idea please ooo

PR is not by education sir. Google it or check the PR nairaland thread. After your degree, you will be given a post study work visa, not PR. Please look into the whole thing carefully before you make your move. If PR is what you're after, consider just applying for it direct, either with Australia or maybe even Canada. In Canada, PR holders pay same school fees as citizens.

gcey2k:


Thanks a lot Bro for sharing your story.

And thanks @catchdwind4rmkd for the question which has led to more info like this one.

@Daddy...can you please shed more light on the bridging Visa? And what is its validity? Are you eligible for it at the point of skills assessment or only when you have ITA?

Thanks...

I am not dealing with ITA anymore. I have already applied. Since June of last year. Once you apply for PR, it comes with a bridging visa that is valid until a decision is made on your application.

DaddyTheFather:


I am not dealing with ITA anymore. I have already applied. Since June of last year. Once you apply for PR, it comes with a bridging visa that is valid until a decision is made on your application.

Ok. Thanks a lot.

DaddyTheFather:


PR is not by education sir. Google it or check the PR nairaland thread. After your degree, you will be given a post study work visa, not PR. Please look into the whole thing carefully before you make your move. If PR is what you're after, consider just applying for it direct, either with Australia or maybe even Canada. In Canada, PR holders pay same school fees as citizens.

I know bro, am asking whether its on courses that are in hot demand
I was actually asking whether finance is part shortage skills in aussie

Done

DaddyTheFather:


Sent you a PM sir...if you would be so kind as to acknowledge...

Oga Bellong, Bnimz, Tyosho, Zanyzara

I'm having this discussion with my friend, and she has the opinion that Australia is a highly racist country, especially those from the country side.

Is this true?

What areas should one avoid when visiting Australia, or even looking to make it a home.

@Mizmycoli,

The issue of racism has been dealt with severally on this thread. To entertain your question, I will start with my usual 'punchline'.

Researches in psychology have come to the conclusion that racism, discrimination, prejudice and ethnocentrism cannot be eliminated. They are all part of our existence. However, we can always choose to be for rather than against. For more read, read topics like discrimination, prejudice, racism and bias in social psychology texts.

To answer your question, yes there is racism in Australia which is not different from other Western countries. However, the type of racism largely practised here is subtle and not the 18th century type where someone will throw banana at you on the street. Only the uneducated and ignorants of the law will attempt to racially abuse you publicly and they are very very few.

Reason I used "ignorants of the law" is because racial abuse is against the law and you have every right to press charges against such person. For jobs, if you have evidence that an employer did not employ you due to discrimination, you have the right to report the employer to fairwork under anti-discrimination acts. For the minority groups in Australia, there are acts and laws to protect you if only you want to and can fight for your right.

Trust me, the racism you will experience in this country is not as bad as the ethnic hatred you have experienced on nairaland or on the streets of Nigeria. The same reason why an Igbo person is biased against a Yoruba or Hausa person is the same reason people of different colour discriminate against those different from them.

From my observations, majority of those racists are those of British origin.

I don't have any account of an obvious racism against me but I know of some people who I advised on how to deal with the situation which ended positively for them.

In case you feel you are racially abused, depending on where it happened, follow the channel to address your situation. Don't bottle it up. If it is at work, report to the manager or director. If nothing is done take the case to fair work Australia. It is seen as a psychological injury. You can actually go to the doctor and get a certificate for psychological leave.
I will give an example of an experience close to it. I was pretty sure it wasn't racism but it was dealt with very seriously like racism. While discharging my duties to one of our biggest clients at work, I have called this representative before and I had to call him again within 15 minutes for clarification. My second call, the guy just swore at me out of frustration. I didn't react to it but let it go and ended the call politely. However, I took up the case with the manager. The manager contacted his director to explain what happened and also send strong signal that it was unacceptable. The case was investigated and this guy was close to losing his job where he was. His director and him wrote separate letter of apology to me. They needed my consent that I was ok with the apology before he was reinstated at work.
His explanation was that he was frustrated earlier and was transferring aggression. I sincerely believed him because I observed stress on his voice when I called him the first time.

Essence of the epistle is that your rights are protected here. At work, on the street, in the bus etc. Don't let anyone push you over. No one can oppress you except you permit them to.

If you can survive the ethnic hatred in Nigeria, the racism here is child's play to it. At least based on my own experience.

On a final note, no one should think that he or she will be given an heroic welcome entering territory a territory he/she is different. You also need to assert yourself and win their trust as well as confidence.

If you want to live here, racism should be the least of your worries.

I will not give advice on where to stay because I am very biased about a particular city. I don't want to influence decision but your choice should be the city that offers the best for your career.

ham334488:
Hi everyone ,
I arrived Adelaide last week and have been trying to getting busy with something but nothing is yet to surface.
can anyone help with how to go about getting jobs like security , age care , cleaning , factory work , maintenance engineer and the likes to maintain for the time being.
this country is too expensive for one to depend on one source of income .
will be very glad to your response




thanks in anticipation

Look for a factory job. Google seek and search gor production worker. Apply to as many as you can. For health care u need to do a training and it takes time and u need to do 120 hrs of unpaid attachement after the training so you need to get into sth to be giving u money already. U might need to google about whitecard if you wanna get jnto construction site, those kinda jobs are alot easier to get. Gradually u should look for a professional job as well, these other ones are jst to get u rolling.

Hello Oga Bellong,

Thank you for your reply.
You have dealt exhaustively with my concern.

After my exams, I would like to visit Aussie, seeing as you people are our "only" neighbours.

I'm in NZ at the moment.
I have fallen in love with this country.
I so love it here, lol.

My Hubby thinks Australia is far better and sometimes in my mind, I ask him, "are you sure?"...

Well, I'll find out for myself soon

Thanks again.

^^^^

For vacation, start from Brisbane to the Gold coast. So many places to visit for vacation. Hobart is equally as good for holiday.

DaddyTheFather:


Lol...well I don't have any issues with my IELTS. I have 8.5 in both IELTS general and academic, and I have 65 points for my PR application, and I have already applied. There were complications, and the app has been ongoing since last June, but the complications were not to do with my eligibility. Unfortunately, that's all I can tell you in a public forum, cos the application is still under review. I'm fine though, cos if my 476 runs out, my bridging visa attached to the PR application will take effect until the PR decision is made. So if you can apply for your PR before your 476 runs out, I believe that will also be the case with you (assuming you are on a 476 as well). I am hopeful that the PR will be a success for me Sha...

How u tek scatter this ielts bro

Lol...@DTF abeg answer the question ooo

Very true words... EA assessment now takes 22 working days even for fast track. I submitted my application on 21st Feb and my profile on the EA Portal still shows "Queued for Assessment". Put a call through to EA, and they informed that assessment now takes 22 working days for fast track. So i'm still waiting.

Victoria has now made registration mandatory for all engineers operating within the state. Immigration numbers will most likely be cut down in the next financial year, but i honestly hope it doesn't come down to 110k from 190k as proposed by Tony Abbot.

Moral of the story.... Do everything possible to ensure your applications are lodged before the end of 2017/2018 financial year as immigration cuts are imminent!

For those going through PR route, especially engineers that need EA assessment, note that the processing times have now gotten ridiculously long. The visa processing time as well with the DIBP has gotten long as well. And the Australian govt is starting to show some anti immigrant sentiment in order to pander to the far right (I am sure I am not the only one here that feels disgust every time I see Peter Dutton's face). The skills list is going to get reviewed again by the end of this financial year. Do all you possibly can to lodge your application before 30 June, or selse, your job may even be taken off this list (chemical and mechanical engineering seem to be at risk of this happening)....move fast.[/quote]

Please great gurus in the house, how can i check my Australia visa status, i did biometric about a week ago, and i had my usa visa granted, my departure date for usa is on April. Please i just need an answer,

MizMyColi:
Hello Oga Bellong,

Thank you for your reply.
You have dealt exhaustively with my concern.

After my exams, I would like to visit Aussie, seeing as you people are our "only" neighbours.

I'm in NZ at the moment.
I have fallen in love with this country.
I so love it here, lol.

My Hubby thinks Australia is far better and sometimes in my mind, I ask him, "are you sure?"...

Well, I'll find out for myself soon

Thanks again.

Tech sister
Are you currently doing your msc or phd in NZ ?
Are there jobs there too ,did you get scholarship there ?

skydude:
Please great gurus in the house, how can i check my Australia visa status, i did biometric about a week ago, and i had my usa visa granted, my departure date for usa is on April. Please i just need an answer,

Do you have immi ACCT if no read how to create here https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-text/online-account/Documents/create_new_application_individual.pdf

And when you are done creating import your application

Solitin40:

Do you have immi ACCT if no read how to create here https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-text/online-account/Documents/create_new_application_individual.pdf

And when you are done creating import your application

Thanks

[quote author=MizMyColi post=65840026]

.

@foreverkind1,


Yes, but applications for this year closed yesterday.
Your cgpa is fine.
If your course is Agri-related, you stand a better chance.

shyboy187:



How u tek scatter this ielts bro

Bro...na God, I swear. I dunno a lot of things, but I know English...na one of the few things wey baba God give me be dat...

MizMyColi:
@foreverkind1,


Yes, but applications for this year closed yesterday.
Your cgpa is fine.
If your course is Agri-related, you stand a better chance.

Okay thank you, not agric related but finance

foreverkind1:

Okay thank you, not agric related but finance

She specifically requested that you unquote her comment you quoted up there. Could you do as requested?

foreverkind1:

Okay thank you, not agric related but finance

I sent you an email.
I am happy if you reply.

bellong:


She specifically requested that you unquote her comment you quoted up there. Could you do as requested?

I don't understand sir .am lost
Please shed more light

@Mizmycoli
Pls check your mail, have replied

Done

bellong:


Her comment you quoted earlier when you posted the below comment.. She is asking you to delete her own post from your comment. Remove it.

Okay, i think have done that sir

@bellong

You're one in a million, I enjoy reading your line as they come very entertaining and educative. I've learnt enough from you, if not because of lack of funds I would have started the process.
Well-done