applepiepr:
Hello All,

Just want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped out when I needed clarity (bellong, chidike).

Aussy...am on my way o.....I beg prepare the ground for my arrival.

Congrats! Wish you all the best!

!

A few more...

Just got back from a short break in Sydney, quite liked it as it was my first time there. The city was really quiet as most people I believe were away on holiday. Toured the city as well, but the highlight of my trip lwas my visit to the blue mountains, it is a UNESCO world heritage site and really breath taking. I've attached a few pics from my trip.

.

applepiepr:


Oh sorry Bellong, guess I wasn't clear.

I already submitted employment letter, tax certificate and payslip.

I submitted the above set of docs to 3 employments, but CO is asking for more evidence for one. My guess is the CO needs more verifiable proof that that company exists as its not as active online as the other two.

What do you think? Reg certificate et al you mentioned before should be fine?

Even though you have already submitted. I learnt not not always rush to give CO everything when you know your case may be peculiar (self employment in your case). So I'm just saying this for the benefit of others (it worked for me). You could have submitted just pay slips and employment letter, the first time, when they ask for more you give them, tax, when they ask again then you provide audited accounts or company registration docs. Sometimes you may give them everything and when they ask for more, you have nothing left. Though doing it this way will increase response time, again I'm only saying this for the benefit of those who are in a similar situation. If you work for an organisation that has an online presence and is big, by all means submit all you have at once. The CO will go online and search for the company, get the contact of the website and contact them directly to confirm you are a staff and in some cases even ask to speak to your direct manager. Also worth mentioning that every case is peculiar.

Hadampson:



Subomi007, take note

@Chidike, please can you suggest some online platforms where we can search for jobs in NZ... Thank you sir

You can check out seek. co. nz

Some of you may have read my grant testimony on the other thread, so I will skip that part. I worked as an Auditor with a Big4 in Naija, got my grant and applied to other Big 4 firms in Australia. I did interviews but they were taking too much time to get back to me. During one of my late night browsing I realised I could actually work in New Zealand with my Australian PR.

I applied to the same firm in Wellington and got the job. They paid for my flight from Naija and 3 weeks hotel stay. So I was lucky to arrive with a job. I lived in New Zealand for a year and I tell you, I loved it. I had this white lady who was my relocation agent, her husband was a professor in the university and had been to Nigeria a few times, she introduced me to her husband who introduced me to one of his Nigerian PhD students. They became my New Zeland family and would always invite me over for lunch and dinner. Kiwi's are really nice and welcoming. Those days I'll be walking on the street and see a black person, we must acknowledge each other oh (lol). New Zealand is also beautiful, rented a car one time and went on a road trip with a colleague to the south island, it really was a good trip. Anyways after a year in NZ I felt it was time to move back to Australia. I wanted to move to Australia cos;
1. I want to get the passport and any time away was not counting for me. Though I could have lived in NZ and gotten NZ passport but Australia is the bigger of the two countries.

2. I felt NZ is far, I know it's really no different from Australia but as a single guy, I felt Australia would be better.

3. Australian economy is better, though at the moment the NZD/AUD is 0.95 so not much difference but I know for sure that you earn more in Australia for similar jobs in New Zealand. Australia also has the highest minimum wage in the world (I stand to be corrected).

4. My brother lives there, I thought I might as well be close to family.

I just want to say to anyone who is already living in Australia or coming from Naija. Mehn, apply for jobs in NZ, you just might be lucky. I met people while in NZ who also got jobs from Naija, so don't write it off. Also if I had a family, I definitely would have stayed back in NZ, in my opinion it has a more wholesome feel and good for raising a family which might be better than Australia. Next time I will share my "settling in" story for Australia (moved to Melbourne 6 months ago), stay tuned �

Oh by the way I went shopping for Nigerian stuff I Melbourne a few weeks ago. I walked out looking at my tiny bag with items that cost me about a hundred bucks, lol (see receipt for items bought, don't ask me what I cancelled ��‍♂️)

P.S. excuse my typos

MsDidou:
Dear Chidike, Good evening. Please I have been trying to reach you. I heard you are the PR guru for propery manager/valuer/Estate management and the likes �. Kindly do well and give me a contact to reach you on as soon as you can. Thank you.

Replied

Guys, please ensure you register for ambulance cover in your state for both emergency and non emergency services. You never know when you may need it. Ambulance services are not covered under Medicare and if you ever have an ambulance called, you'll have to pay about 1000 dollars (whether you enter or not). So get a cover, it's not that expensive, for a single guy in Victoria it's about 94 dollars per annum. You can google ambulance services for your state to get more info. Note that some private health insurers dont provide ambulance on some plans.

Also, remember to get private health insurance if you're earning over $90k as an individual or $180k as a couple. If you don't, you'll have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge during tax season and the minimum charge us 1% but could go up to 1.5%. See more details below. Cheers!


As Australian residents we all have the right to health care through Medicare, a system partly funded by taxpayers, many of whom pay a Medicare levy of 2% of their taxable income. Your Medicare levy is reduced if your taxable income is below a certain threshold, meaning that some people may not have to pay the levy at all.

However, if you don’t have appropriate hospital cover and your annual income* is over $90,000 as a single, or over $180,000 as a couple/family then you could also be hit with the MLS. The family income threshold is increased by $1,500 for each MLS dependent child after the first child.

This means, when tax time rolls around, that recent pay rise that just tipped you over $90,000 suddenly isn’t looking so flash. That’s because the MLS starts at 1% and, if your annual income* continues to increase, it can be up to 1.5%. Certainly enough to make your eyes water.

But, if your annual income* is over the above thresholds and you take out ahm hospital cover you can wave goodbye to the MLS and say hello to a healthy peace of mind and, potentially, save some money at the same time. Talk about a win-win

fobak203:
Hi guys,

4. Where in Melbourne can I live in terms of proximity to african community, affordable, family friendly and peaceful (My wife is both a fashion designer, a teacher and a hair dresser), which is not too far away from Bundoora Campus (RMIT)

Please there is no trivial response, all comments are welcomed.

I will advise that you do not go to Sunshine or Footscray, those areas are not so good, Sunshine has a lot of gangs and gang related issues. Footscray isnt as bad though but look at areas in Bundoora first. Why are you looking for African community in a place where you have so many "oyibos" how will you get integrated? You can attend a Nigerian church and join the Nigerian groups but you dont have to live in an "African Community". Besides the community in Footscray are largely South Sudanese, and they dont have the best reputation here even though, I admit there is some bias there. I'll say focus on looking for a place close to your School, google the suburbs, lots of suburbs in Victoria have reviews, so you will get a feel of what it is like there.

BLAQUEWELSH:
Been reading these and i have gained a lot
Thanks to @bellong @Chidike, @Austransac,@Disecteur@Alphadoor@MamaJaz just have some questions
Please help me I'm just starting from ground zero


1st WORK PLACE - 3yrs
I have reference letter from the head who is now resigned but was my HOD back then
I have employment letter documents
No payslip

2nd WORK PLACE - 1HALF YEARS
offer of employment
I have job confirmation letter
i have one payslip

3rd and present place - 6years
offer of employment
confirmation of appointment
payslip
Tax certificate

Do you have a bank statement showing receipt of salary for the first job? I think it's good to show them something for that first year so that they don't reduce your experience. Offer letter is good, add evidence of payment to it and it backs it up. I only submitted one statement of service for my current job. I expect the experience you're claiming from your first job till now are all relevant. So once they're fine with the first and second job, the statement of service for your current job is all that is needed. At least I know I only submitted 1 statement of service.

Pictures from the African music and cultural festival in Melbourne today.

Just in case you're still dragging feet on moving to Australia, know that with every passing day, there are people mounting pressure on the government to drastically reduce immigration.

"Scott Morrison flags cutting migration in response to population concerns

Scott Morrison has flagged cutting migration as part of his government’s long-telegraphed overhaul of population policy, but the prime minister says the cut has to be managed carefully.

He used a speech on Monday night to signal a reduction in the current cap, which he suggested would be the inevitable consequence of the states playing a more proactive role in determining future capacity.

He used the Project Sydney Bradfield Oration – a News Corp event – to say that the government intended to “move away from top-down discussions about population to set our migration intake caps” and that would lead to “a reduction in our current migration settings”.

Migration levels are already almost 30,000 a year below the current cap. Australia accepted just 162,417 permanent migrants in the past year, a decrease of more than 10% on the previous year and the lowest level in a decade.

The prime minister said the number would be lower in the next 12 months as a consequence of the adjustments. Population growth was essential for economic success, he said, but voters in Australia’s biggest cities “are concerned about population”.

“They are saying: enough, enough, enough. The roads are clogged, the buses and trains are full. The schools are taking no more enrolments.

I hear what you are saying. I hear you loud and clear. That’s why we need to improve how we manage population growth in this country.”

But while signalling the reduction, Morrison stressed the benefits of migration to the Australian economy, and said the winding back must not “disadvantage those states that are looking for greater growth and that we have the mechanisms in place to direct new migrants to the areas where there are the jobs, services and opportunities”.

“That’s why the planning partnership with the states is so important,” Morrison said.

The prime minister said Australia needed steady population growth to sustain economic growth, particularly over the next three decades as the ageing of the population impacts of workforce participation.

He said migrants were younger on average, and mainly employed. “Without migration, Australia’s workforce would be shrinking by 2020. With migration, the Productivity Commission estimates that labour force participation will be around 10% higher in 2060.”

Morrison also stressed the economic benefits associated with temporary migration. “This year, we have almost 600,000 foreign students studying in Australia. From the cafes of Glebe and the bars of Parramatta, to the computer stores of Canberra and the laundromats of Coffs Harbour, these students are supporting jobs.”

Work on an overhaul of the program began under Malcolm Turnbull, partly in response to positioning within Liberal party ranks promoted by concern about bleeding electoral support to insurgent rightwing parties such as One Nation."

Source: theguardian

Terror attack in Melnourne CBD tonight, one victim killed, 2 persons sustained stab wounds. Found out the suspect is black, seems he's from Somalia. Im really sad and pissed about this, cos some racist papers will milk this story and if anything this just keeps making blacks look bad.

obi24:



Hummm interesting! Pls how did u package ur Ogiri? Was it dried ogiri or fresh ogiri? Am seriously thinking of bringing the stuff to Aussie even if na small ogiri.

It was still in its paste form, my mum wrapped it in foil, then put it in a small transparent container and finally in a zip lock. When she brought it over from Naija, they opened it at the airport, you know how bad ogili smells, she said one of the officials said he liked the smell, lol. Anyways they allowed her go with it, was was labelled locust beans I think. I didn't have any encounter with them when I took it to Oz.

Jessbee:
Hi everyone, please I need urgent info on carrying naija foodstuff to Australia via any airport especially Brisbane airport. Moving from UK and don't want to let go of all my ogiri, ugba, crayfish, breadfruit etc. Had horrible experience with buying stuff here and ending up binning them cause of their unauthentic taste, don't want to go through that again in Oz. Please help a sister

Ensure everything is in a clear bag or container and labeled (including ogili). I actually travelled from New Zealand to Australia with the foodstuff my mum brought for me (Ogili, uziza, okporoko etc), I declared and when I got to the Airport in Melbourne, I showed them my card, they asked , what I had, I told them foodstuff and they let me go without checking my bag. You may not be so lucky but just make sure you declare all you have.

suzzyallen:


Tanx a lot Bellong. Really appreciate. Tried getting a short term stay on Airbnb at the places u mentioned. They are pricey too. Right now I have to stay another night at the motel and work tirelessly to get alternative accommodation by Sunday latest. God help me!!!!.

M actually a SHE........

Like already mentioned, your best bet is Airbnb.
To anyone coming to Australia, book your accommodation months ahead once you know the date you will leave Naija, that way you get nicer places closer to the city at cheaper rates or places further from the city a lot cheaper than if you booked 2 or 3 weeks to departure.

I will advise if it's just you, to book a room in a flat, that should be fine. In a city like Melbourne you'll get places for 40 dollars not to far from the city for a room in a house. For families look for 1 bedroom and filter for entire apartment, that way you get either a studio or a 1 bedroom but with the house to yourself. If you do that early rather than later you will get really good deals.

Cities like Melbourne and Sydney get lot of visitors who use Airbnb and plan their trips months ahead. Also ensure you book the place for at least 2 weeks, 3 weeks would be ideal. You might need a few days to recover from the jetlag and then set yourself up(bank, TFN, Medicare and others) and except you can do all these while looking for an apartment it would be demanding.

Also try to schedule iinspections before you arrive towards the week of your arrival for rentals in the area you would want to live, just so it gives you a good head start.

All the best.

NB; I just might post this in the other forum because most people here have 'landed'.

mamajaz:

Thanks @ ancestor chidike. Hope NZ remains cool?

Lmao at ancestor, NZ is cool but I'm on the move back to OZ.

mamajaz:
KoleefemKoleefem05, I dey kampe. I've been conquering and will keep conquering. Mo lo mo no, mi o b'omo je. Thanks for checking on me. Phlunter01, i'm learning a new dancing steps on top your matter, cos your testimony go loud, louder, loudest, aswear down

All the best mamajaz, it will surely end in praise!

jayooh:


Oga Chidike, please you didn't reply my previous message. Can I pm you on the CV matter?

Sorry bro, you can PM.

debsty:




@ Chidike , the bolded caught my eye. That seem to be some unconscious bias right there. Seems you have been reading lots of the news on this community, but to be honest I think not all in the news are as reported. This community accounts for less than 1% of the Melbourne community, however, due to negative reporting, people are really avoiding them and that is what Politicizing of these kind of things can do. I sometimes shudder to think if these kind of reporting was ascribed to the Nigerian community. Won't be pretty being a Nigerian in such places.

Just my thoughts anyways. Hope you get a nice cool place though, so we can come say hello sometimes.

Cheers!

I do agree with you, I have been reading a lot about what's happening with the South Sudanese, and believe it or not I'm sure we're all the same to the Australians...Black. But I would much rather be in a place where there isn't a problem than an area with such issues. I was in Melbourne a few months ago, was even in Footscray and I liked how diverse it was, and I didn't feel unsafe or had any unpleasant encounters, I know the media is blowing it out of proportion to push an agenda, but it is what it is, better to be safe than sorry.

bligs:

Avoid Dandenong as well as Footscray, among the suburbs you listed St Kilda is the most expensive due to it closeness to the beach and social activities but with your budget you should be fine, South Yarra is a nice suburb and also expensive, Brunswick and South Melbourne not bad but Yarraville is a bit boring.

Thanks a lot. �

Trenton:






i really wonder what NZ is like，must be very beautiful but with its location .i have this stupid thought that NZ and other surrounding polynesian islands will be submerged soon..lol
have u ever visited any of the polynesian islands？

Beautiful country, especially the country side! It's a perfect place to go on vacation around these parts.

Hey guys! So I'm moving to Melbourne at the end of the month after spending a year in NZ, and I'm thinking of a nice sub to live. I've been to Melbourne before but that was more of a tourist visit, so if you guys can let me know suburbs to avoid, I'd appreciate. I'm looking for somewhere close to the CBD, which is where my office is located; I have a few in mind; Fitzroy, St. Kilda, Brunswick west, South Melbourne, and Yarraville or South Yarra. My budget is to not exceed $400/week. What are your thoughts on the subs I listed, I'm also trying to avoid places with a huge South Sudanese community. Thanks.

Phlunter01:


Hnmmmmm....85% of this names can't even remember the link to access this thread again...Lol

We still here! �

rukidanty:
do anyone know how life is in New Zealand and anyone living there.. please advise

I live in New Zealand, I've seen your posts about e-visa, not sure I'll be of much help cos I used my Australian PR to get here. But NZ is a beautiful country, small population, very nice people, life is easy here. If not that I need to get Australian passport and I can earn more in Australia, if I was married, I'd just settle in NZ. Been here almost a year and it's been nice.

stubbornman:
Umu Australia !! you guys should be posting pictures nah , whats wrong with all of you ... are you all more busy than we in Nigeria ..... common pictures

Pictures from my trip to Melbourne

Desiny:
yes sir Bellong oppression unemployment terrorism corruption and political abuse and violence everywhere in my country nobody knows what to expect 2019 elections so I'm looking for a possible way to out please advice me

this really got me laughing

aussy4life:
Please guys must we grind our uda, ehuru and uziza seed or we can bring them along like that.

My mum doesn't want me to grind them so they can retain their flavour and am kinda worried.

Please advise.

Even if you grind them and put them in a ziploc, they will still be fresh. Just ensure whatever you're bringing is properly labelled in a transparent ziploc - I included the English and botanical names when I travelled. Ensure they are dry too, my mum brought over ogili as well without any issues, just in case you want to bring those.

There is also this pepper soup spice that is basically Uda and uziza its sold for 100 naira or thereabouts and very well packaged by the manufacturers, you can get those too, no issues.

samge:


Pls which market or shop did you buy the Yam in Footscray.

I'm not familiar with the area but its on Paisley street, there are a bunch of Asian shops on the left side of the road if you're heading towards the footscray library, before you get to KMart. You'll see Plantain, yam and coco-yam on display.

MizMyColi:


What's stopping you from taking it back to NZ?

Those yams are lucky I did not see them. Car booth or NZPost would have settled the quarrel las las.

I didnt know if customs would have allowed it. So I bought 1 tuber, fried some and boiled the rest...the yam made sense! Hehe.

Hey guys! I'm in Melbourne, visiting from Wellington, I'm here for a few days on some work related stuff but also using the opportunity to check out the city, because I'm hoping to move back to Aus in a few months and trying to decide which one of my firm's office I want to transfer to - Adalaide or Melbourne. I've lived in Adelaide for about a week and have my bother there, really chill place. But this Melbourne is more my style, big city and lots to do, you guys have traffic here sha and lots of construction going on.

I googled african barbers and found one in footscray, took the train there...southern cross station is busy as. Infact everyone in Melbourne seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere, but it's been nice seeing a lot more diversity here than in Wellington. I saw yam in footscray, I was so happy bought 1 tuber, cost 20 dollars, but the yam is really good, all those very white ones that when you cut them are a bit slimy. I've only seen big coco yam (ede bu ji in igbo) in NZ.

I'm liking Melbourne so far, will go see seaworld and some other places over the weekend before leaving. See photo of my yam which I'm getting ready to cook with egg sauce and fry some later. Chai...wish I could take this back to NZ and make porridge.