joannes7:


Thanks for taking the time to write this. But hows the IT scenario over there?

.

I don't know about IT scenario but I'm in a what's app group with some Indians and they constantly post openings.Someone who's in the core of that field will have a better response

einsteino:


thanks alot. what is the cost like for public schools; elementary and high school?

you spoke of the need to get a car, could you give insights on cost of acquiring one and maintenance; say gas/fuel, insurance etc.

also how easy is it to integrate into ones profession? i hear the australian work experience is a must have, are there bridging programs for immigrants? thanks alot

My kids go to kidcare so I don't have any ideas on school costs.But a quick search on google will let you know the prices.

For cars,I used carsales.com.au and gumtree.Any other maintaneance costs will be determined by your usuage.To compare insurance costs,make use of iselect.com

Yes it's a bit of challenge getting your first becos they require Oz experience but people get good jobs all the time in their fields so it's not too tough.I do not know of any bridging programs for immigrants.This is my first time of hearing that.
What I have heard of is some people doing unpaid internships to get that Oz experience

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

einsteino:
I wish there was a living in Australia thread, so we could learn from the experiences of immigrants who have settled in. it would help us better prepare and serve as a repository of info.

I wanted to come and give a quick brief on what life has been like since I came here in March but I noticed everyone else is talking about getting invite so I paused.If anyone can start such a thread,I will be more than willing to share info that I have gathered thus far.

Acidosis:
If you TRULY love your wife, all these won't be an issue.

On a single thread, you've used the word "hit", "beat" over 20 times!! Haba, kilode?!

She walked out of you? Both men and women do this a lot, especially to avoid tensions and prolong arguments.

She fails to run errands? So what?


Bro, LEARN how to LOVE your woman. She's your wife, not your maid.

Someone called his wife a bitch and he said nothing.HABA!

To even think you are considering hitting her disgusts me.An adult?
I hope she shames you in the process.Correct disgrace will be yours the day you try it.
She must stay and hear you out you keep saying.Are you a baby?Are you a kid?
She doesnt want to listen is she doesnt want to listen.And for someone like you already considering getting violent with her,she probably saw you fuming and dripping saliva at the tips so she did the only appropriate and safe thing she could do.

Try it you hear,Mr Gentry"s cell in Ikoyi is waiting for you.Lagos state will use you to do example for others out there.Big Bully

Shior.mtcheew

izykvision0:

Sorry to those who sent me PM, I have never used one here because I've never understood the process. Send PM to izykvision0@gmail.com or someone can kindly guide on the PM process.

Thanks

For the pm process,all you do is reply the mail sent you from nairaland.A simple hi as response is fine.That way the person who sent the mail receives your reply and gets your email address.

Thanks tosin.

@oknee:the car was advertised at 3400(negotiable) on gumtree(a toyota sportivo the one we call toyota big for nothing).We negotiated and got it at 2600 thinking we don jam deal we no say na we arab don jam.
So far we have spent over 2500 fixing the so called minor issues,airconditioning and getting a road worthiness certificate.mean while a friend i had here got the toyota pencil light at 1600 and it had road worthiness,airconditioning and was registered.So always look carefully and if possible take mechanic along.

for aged care/disability,there is somewhere in dandenong(south east melbourne) you can do a one day course with fourteen assignments and you get a certificate.the cost is about $1900.Good thing is you can take the course on credit and pay after you start earning money.i will be doing this after we move and the kids begin daycare.Just received the good news some minutes ago that our house application has been approved and we can move in.Its a 3bed,2bath house in south east melbourne going for 375 weekly(me and vinsmuft go be neighbours).will hook you up when you land with the care contact oknee.

hubby did a two day forklift course($400).He has also done a police clearance and working with children check so he can work in the aged care/disability sector(pls opt for disability instead of aged care as aged care dey much more physically tasking).
This saturday though,he has an appointment with a career coach/counsellor who is going to help him build his cv and work with him till he gets a job in his accounting/auditing field.This is costing money same with every other check i have listed above.
You will all find out nothing at all is free in OZ.Even when you buy pizza,you go pay for delivery.

The pay is a bit above decent.The guy we stay with works with autistic people and he earns $33 per hour week days and $51 weekends.His wife who is a registered nurse earns $40 week days and $73 weekends.There"s talk in some places that aged care/disability workers might not earn as much from July this year but i do not know how true this is.
I met a couple a few days ago who were both accountants in Nigeria.Infact the wife na chartered accountant sef.Today she"s a nurse and her husband is a factory worker who is studying to be a nurse by the side himself.They moved here 3years ago and are living in their own house now.

so this place na as you make am be.

To everyone in the house,
I apologise for staying away,the move has been very tasking jare.
To vinsmuft abeg take this as a reply to your mail.
So upon arrival these are the things we did;

for communication:we got a lebara sim and are on the $30 monthly package(it gives 100mins free to naija,free australia calls and some kain data allowance and stuff)

for transportation:hubby got a car from gumtree.Pls learn from us,buy a car that is registered till year end and has a valid road worthiness certificate.Then any car is just fine and no one cares about your type of car in Oz.Its right hand driving here and hubby don master am already so we use GPS to go everywhere and anywhere we want to.I have driven a few times too and still adjusting.We can use our naija license for 6months in Victoria.

For cash:we came with usd and left some in our niger dom acct(avoid this if you can as you can only withdraw $1k max monthly and the charges are not friendly).Come with all your cash if you can.You can always change usd into aud in any of the many bureau the changes in town.

Then open a bank acct as soon as you come in cos you will need it to make claims at centerlink.

Centerlink is a must within a few days of your arrival.Make sure you go to an office that has both centerlink and medicare to save extra movement.Husband and wife have to register seperately at centerlink while for medicare the whole family ie including kids will fill seperate forms.After medicare reg,request for a slip with your info on it there in the office.You can use this before your card comes in(we took one of our kids to the clinic before our card arrived and we had to pay $75 because we didnt get that slip).We are going to reclaim the money though.

For couples with kids,locate a bulk billing medical practise close to you and go with your kids immunization cards from nigeria(take your medicare slip along)so it can be updated to the australian standard.If there are any outstanding vaccines,you will informed and a date will be given you to come take the vaccinations.If you do not update their vaccines,you will not be entitled to child care rebates from centerlink.

There are certain claims we can request for from centerlink as new migrants in Oz to help offset a few bills(family assistance part A and B,rent assistance,child care benefits and child care rebate).Depending on your individual circumstance,you should be entitled to a stipend monthly.we have applied and is yet to receive.

TFN:Apply for your tax file number at home online.No need to go to the post office.

For accomodation:We are staying with family in Northern Melbourne but we are presently house hunting and leaning towards south eastern melbourne as that is closer to the cbd.Because we are dont have payslips yet and no rental history,it hasnt been so easy getting our own apartment.We sha got somoene who knows someone who"s very close to an estate agent and they are helping.We however have to pay 3months in advance to secure this place.


For work:im not searching yet as kids must start daycare first(they only got their vaccines yesterday).We also want accomodation sorted before they begin daycare.
Hubby too has not been too serious because we both want this housing matter settled.However,he has done two short courses and has offers already but hes stalling because where we are is about 2hrs45mins by train and 1hr 35mins by car from the placement.

Then just as an advice for peeps coming over,keep an open mind with regards to jobs you can do.I have met lots of people who dumped their PR professions and jumped on the wagon of disability and aged care,nursing,fork lift,construction and factory workers in other to earn money and believe me,they are doing so well.So if you have do one of the above until your desired job breaks through,abeg do am and nobody dey look face here as long as bills are paid and there"s dignity of labour.

If i remember more,i will halla.

Hello house,

My family and I just arrived Melbourne safely.We flew Emirates with a 5hour transit in Dubai.Our tickets cost N1,013,000 for two adults,one child and one infant from Iom.
Iom also provided us with escort service in Dubai and that made connection very easy.

Anyways,we chilling at Wollert as I type.
Oknee and everyone else,I await una

missexiest:
Lmao

Abeg no laff

Abeg you guys should cool down!Whats going on here??
Curses and swearing.Justwise where you dey o?
Abi na Seun sef

Hello all.
Pls is anyone in the house residing in Melbourne?We are moving early next month and I would like advice on good Neighbour hoods to consider when renting our apartment.
Thanks

Kempguy47:


But how can one get these low key places without paying these bonds? My budget is 250 weekly. ( max) but I didn't budget for 'James bond'

Bellong mentioned it earlier.Google the housing website of the state you are going.Some states pay on your behalf as some form of interest free loan.

lanre377:
the
Why u so dumb and stupid. Can you just take ur time to read what u just wrote. Is Bangladesh part of those countries band for US. So unless he convert his faith before he can be allowed into the US. Just noticed the foolishness in u is at the apex

See them all throwing tantrums like kids.
It's not by force to go to America.Have you finished visiting Somalia,Pakistan,Afghanistan,Iran,Iraq etc etc

carmag:
He is a Bangladesh muslim and not the other way round


if he must travel to the US let him renounce his faith and accept lord Jesus Christ as his personal lord and Savior

that religion is viewed with suspicion especially inside the plane

2,000 likes for this comment abeg.I just had to log in to like it.
After all that's how they make us accept allah before commenting on their section in Nairaland.
Good suggestion.

oknee:

.yes oooo. Very soon , it will be visa rain for all.

Congratulations Oknee.This is really good news.Is he going to be moving to Melbourne too?

So someone volunteered to provide free migration advice to those who desire to move to Australia and another feels he's deserving of disrespect abi?
Weldone.

chookudi:
Good day people,
Just a quick question in regards to EOI submission. If/When you amend your EOI while waiting for an ITA, (and your points remain the same) does your standing in the queue change? Do you go to the rear of the queue or remain in the same spot? Also for NSW nominations, must one always have a skilled work assessment by assessing authorities as proof of work experience or payslips and/or reference letters sufficient?

As long as your points don't change,your standing on the queue should not be affected.
If you are claiming points for skill,then it must have been positively assessed

praiseisgood:
@Tyosho and 40manlappy and other ogas @ the top

Need your assistance.

Can an Internal Auditor (by profession) choose to be assessed as an accountant (general) or external auditor.

Some of the tasks are similar.

What are the chances of +ve outcome and which is easier between CA and CPA.

Thanks a bunch.

Yes you can assess your skill as both external auditor and accountant.My hubby did just that after he got a negative response from vetasssess as internal auditor.
We used CA and got positive for both.

Vinsmuft:
Hello house,
I was told that I can get a yellow fever vaccine shot and the card at Port Health close to the Intl airport, Lagos. Does anyone know if they open on Saturdays or only on weekdays?
Thanks

They open every single day including sundays

@oknee,
I'm traveling early march.It would have been nice to have a travel buddy actually.

So happy this evening at all the invites that's came in for my peeps on this platform.
Congratulations all.Make una begin apply sharp aharp o.

oknee:
Congrats to koolhunk

Pls who can recommend a good disability care school in melbourne/ sydney?

If you find abeg tell me too.
All the ones I have been seeing when I search google say their programs run for like 6months meanwhile I understand it's like 6-8weeks in some centres.

For everyone interested in the pte practice kit,it's actually $60 and not $150 like I said earlier.
This is the link
https://ptepractice.com

Omooloriredade:


So you don vex be that? Na wa for you o. May be na you go still come pick me for airport sef. If I reach out to you say make you come pick me for airport when I arrive....make you no answer.....you hear?

Yes I don vex be that.

If I don buy car and you are coming to melbourne,yea I will pick up.

diggy4real:


Pls wat does it look like?

It's an online mock test exam sold by the pte body.You purchase it online and you are sent a link through which you can complete a2 simulated Pte tests.
The gold test kit has two exams attached to it that is carried out in real time.
There's another kit that has just one test and costs less than the gold kit.
You can google for more info.

mamajaz:

You' ll pick it up and write again.
Meanwhile, you might need book tutorials with my brothers of life(Mctowel, Jamson, Bnimz, Chidike)
Also, there is need for you to Americanise your accent ( I know at least 3 people in this family that did this and were successful).
It's a nice start. My first was L44 S37,R61,W63, but after passing through these guys, I had a tremendous improvement L61 R63 W73 S38.
So, just breathe in and out. He go be

Hello mamajaz,

U fit pay for Pte golden test kit so you can use it to practice?its about $150.it simulates a live pte test and you get your results immediately.

Omooloriredade:


I don't think this is necessary. From my own experience, it seemed to have worked in my favour. I filled "Immigration" as my reason for writing the exam. My result was a miracle. I couldn't get myself to study well for the exam. My speaking test was awful in my opinion but for the discussion I had with the examiner prior to the start of the test. He must have graded that as well. Speaking=7.5.
Writing nko, I disobeyed/disregarded an important rule of completing 250 words for task 2 and also didn't meet up with the required word count for task 1. Word count for task 2 was just about 200 while task 1 was a little less than 150.
Writing=7
Reading=7.5
Listening =8.0
To me, it seemed I was aided in the speaking and writing aspects......like my performance was adjudged to be sufficient for Australian immigration purposes. So all nah speculation. No one knows for a fact and could actually be unnecessary misrepresenting the purpose of writing the test. I'm sure many have 'spanked' this test regardless.

Oga,I spoke about my experience and how it MIGHT have influenced my getting 20points.

Speak about yours that fetched you 10points without quoting me and saying what you feel is necessary or not.
Like Alphadoor adviced,people should study hard regardless of whatever reason they end up choosing as reason for the test.

As per breaking news this night on Channels news,they have yet again said No to the protest.
Confused bunch.

korlahwarleh:


Please how true is this?. Does it make any difference?. I'm asking because my exam is slated for next week Friday. I checked my Pearson account, and it shows that I can still change it, but I need confirmations first.
The other choices are:
Study,
Nursing registration and licensing,
Australia Post Study work,
Australia temporary work,
Spouse/Family Visa,
Working holiday Visa,
Others, specify below.

Hope you chose your native language as the one most spoken at home? I think that might also help.

Yes we chose Yoruba as most spoken.then others as reason for test.
Under specify we wrote,for job related reasons(promotion).

40manlappy:


What do you suggest that one should select instead? Hope it won't be seen as misrepresentation later? Please clarify

Looping: mamajaz, Alphadoor

I can't remember what the options are but I know for certain we didn't choose migration or educational reasons.