Quoll

Yeah, I was going to say "hot"! I've only ever been there during the summer though so I suppose that's biased but I would have said hot and isolated.

Yup what the others have said, enjoy what you've got but don't allow yourself to be shackled until you're 110% sure that you'll never want to move on - homes, relationships, kids etc. Get your citizenship if that's a possibility with your current visa status then you keep all your options open. I've always tended to go where the best opportunity was at the time and life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. If you do decide to move on, think of it as moving on, not moving back - another new beginning if you like.

I'm one of the lucky ones I guess who just went with the flow and the view that I wasn't going to be there forever if I didn't want to be - it's not a jail so if it works that's a bonus and if it doesn't then you move on. I guess it all depends on how you like your adventures. If it's a work relocation then you'll probably be on a temporary visa so expect to return at some point and you won't be disappointed either way.

Sadly, I'd say she's on a hiding to nothing especially with those kind of vibes coming from his family! Agree with Marisa, CWA is a good start but I'd also be looking at volunteering for something like the CFA - doesn't need to be out fighting fires, they have logistics positive too. On the career front, checking out what online or remote occupations she could access - selling craft, proofreading, etc and maybe even looking at ways to increase her skill set through remote learning. But, I agree, moving is probably going to be the best option!

Fill in the form and ask. Hardly looks like extraordinary or unforeseeable circumstances to me but you won't know unless you try https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1445.pdf

The other thing to bear in mind is that your child’s father will need to give permission for them to leave the country and some dads won’t.

If you are a student then your child will have to pay fees as the dependent of a student in all states. They vary according to state but in Qld this year a primary student costs $271 per week, going up to $277 pw next year so around $10k pa (on top of your own international student fees). Also remember that as a student if you needed to work to supplement your income you would only be allowed to work 20 hpw - if you can find a job at all.

Whilst I haven't returned "for good", every time I flew over the channel and landed at Heathrow there was an overwhelming sense of relief, belonging and, as has been said. peace. Just like a pair of old slippers - bedraggled but perfectly fitting.

Nah, just pop them into the year with their chronological peers and let them have the last term (or close enough). They'll make connections and you'll pick up some cheap uniforms at the uniform pool - most schools have a dress code rather than an enforced uniform (all depending on where you go of course) and if you talk to the school, they'll give some leeway. Think of it as a practice for making new friends in a new environment. Again, all depending on the state, you might find that the yr 10 will stay at the same school for yrs 11 & 12. Your son could be borderline for holding back a year - again, all depending on the state (some states have an April cut off and kids with an April birthday will often have been held back a year before kindergarten) and it rather depends on his social and emotional development - if he's savvy and sporty then pop him in as one of the youngest but if he's insecure and nerdy pop him into year 5 rather than yr 6. Rid yourself of the notion that they will be "repeating" anything. They won't have done those years in Australia, it'll be a whole new ballgame and probably a light enough entry into the system as UK kids do seem to be quite a way ahead of their Aussie peers but the approach will be potentially quite different.

I believe, if there is a risk that she wouldn't make it back to UK, that there is a medical visa she can apply for. Her family can go back to be with her in her last days if she goes and if they dont want her to be on her own. She will still have to pay for her care as long as she has a bean in the bank.

If you give your kids a wonderful life in Qld then you will probably give them a wonderful life in London. Kids don't care as long as they have a happy mummy and daddy. My son and his family are currently in Kingston on Thames and they seem to have a pretty good life. Lots for the grandson to do, excellent school, usually easy access to the city where both parents work (SW trains permitting!!!) except when they wfh. Treat it as an adventure and if it works you win and if not you move on - assume you've got your citizenship, that's step 1 if you haven't bothered with it already.

Not much. It’s only a temporary visa. Clothes for whatever seasons wherever you’re going, kitchen essentials (if you've got good knives), towels, your technology (not TV), bike if you use one. Personally I'd be taking all my wool stash but I daresay you're not a knitter. My DH would be taking books because he seems to think he need them, otherwise very little. Good opportunity to declutter

I didn't think it was possible to transfer super out of Australia unless you have reached preservation age.

You have to do the 4 years. Then you can apply.

If it's the visa I'm thinking of it wouldn't be an option - it's a guardian visa for an international student under 18 and as your child has a guardian in her mum and isn't an international student that wouldn't be a lot of use. Just being the parent of an Australian child isn't going to give you entry and you'd be better looking at a skilled visa and meanwhile having visits or having your daughter over to stay with you.

You'll need a visa before you start thinking about where to live and work. Do you have one?

You need to talk to one of the agents who specialise in medical conditions. George Lombard or Peter Bollard are the two usually mentioned in this regard. If you can't get PR then you take your newly acquired skills home. If that means you leave before you've finished your qualifications then you might get some recognition of prior learning when you continue studies at home.

Probably wouldn't get a visa in the first place let alone thinking about jobs.

You might want to check out some posts from folk who live/have lived in Darwin. Huntersmummy springs to mind (wonder how she is going!) It's not exactly what most migrants think of when they think of Australia - heck, even most Australians wouldn't want to live there. There's multicultural and then, again, there's multicultural and your expectation and the reality might be poles apart.

Could you get a sabbatical year from your current employer and suck it and see? I'd be inclined to take the opportunity - that's been my path through life, take the best opportunity that comes your way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but it sure as hell makes life one big adventure! Good luck!

Will things change when your parents begin the 6/6 thing? Would that solve the family relationship deficit? It might also (if they're going to be closer to you) take some of the toddler care and leave you with time to get your life back in track with study or even work perhaps which might help you feel like you belong. Depression is insidious and it makes moving forward so hard and it certainly sounds like counselling for yourself to help you get your head around coping strategies and as a couple to make sure you're in the same page would be the way to go. You're in quite a different situation from most of us who can't stand Australia in that your parents have also got their Australian plans organised and that's a huge other pressure. My parents did the 6/6 thing but they never pressured one way or the other and they would certainly never have sold their home. My parents did it for 15 years before they got too old so you could be there for the long haul. Bottom line though, is your life to do with as you wish and if moving on to UK is what you want to do then go for it. Good luck!

All depends what floats your boat. There's the Bendigo Woolen Mills if you're a knitter with an adjacent tram museum for the non knitters and there are tram rides (expensive!). There are a couple of second hand book shops (my DH says they're ok but the one that used to be best is now largely on line so not so good now) but if you're arriving through Campbell Creek there's a huge second hand bookshop which is very good. The Cathedral is quite beautiful (lacks a little in comparison with British cathedrals) and you can walk around the lake in half an hour and have coffee in the restaurant at the town end. There's also the gold mine (long time since I've been in it). It's OK for an afternoon

My 95 year old dad watched the ceremony on TV today., I'm sure that in his mind he is still the 20 year old who landed on Sword on DDay+1. I had hoped my husband might take him on the British Legion ship but really he wouldn't have coped with a week of ceremonies unfortunately. Those lads were all so young and I don't know how Theresa May read that letter f of in a soldiers pocket unposted to his wife. The bloke was in dad's corps - I would have been a blubbering mess trying to read it. The Queen was right, it was her generation we should be proud of.

Oh no, don't do it if your relationship isn't 100% rock solid. It's bloody difficult at the best of times but with a fragile relationship you'd be pushing it uphill. Honestly, there's nothing that makes it "better", there are swings and roundabouts and whilst a big house might seem appealing if that's not what you've had, some folk find that a house, empty of extended family and dear friends isn't worth the effort. Good luck with your negotiations

If you've got doubts then don't do it. As had been said, if you have kids then in the event of you wanting to move back and your OH not wanting to move back, you wouldn't be allowed to move with your kids if he said not. The Australian Family Court almost never lets kids leave. How much would a return cost you? Hard to say, that's in the piece of string category but tens of thousands of pounds and, in this day and age, likely the chance to ever own your own home again - in years past, people may have made a killing on real estate in Australia and returned to be mortgage free but that's less likely these days I think. Its just another first world country on the other side of the world, nothing magical or inherently "better" so be sure you're 100% committed or don't go.