gcey2k:
Hey guys, been a long time.

I need your help to decode if this is legit or not. I understand this is not supposed to be here. Just asking because of the proximity and to get other views.

A friend sent these documents to me, from what it seems his younger brother is supposed to go to Vanuatu for a cooking course, and they were issued this travel document. I have asked him what are there expectations from this trip but have not gotten any feedback, since it is still early hours in Nigeria.

I am trying to decode how genuine this is.

One obvious pointer that this is not genuine are the numerous spelling errors and grammatical blunders.

extraterestrial thanks for bringing the thread alive with your experience.

I remember how I followed this thread when I was on my migration journey.
It's really unfair we ain't giving back. Kudos to Bellong I don't know how he does it.

I had to deactivate my old moniker for personal reasons.

My experience has been crazy!!
I came in as a single mum with my 2years old daughter and just $3,200. I couldn't get more if I stayed back so took a step of faith.
You can imagine!!

I knew just one nairalander and one other guy I met in an Aussie group.
I stayed in a shared apartment for two weeks and paid $220 P/W.
With the help of the Aussie group guy I got an apartment I pay $250 P/W .

I didn't find a job until after a month then I got a casual job.

I had to pay and still paying for my baby's childcare out of pocket about 510$per week. Paid 585$ the first week. still sorting out Centrelink for personal reasons.

It was tough for me. very very tough.
The experience broke me. I've never had it this tough all my life.
But the experience taught me a great deal of lessons..
And brought lots of beautiful souls and helpers my way and ugly and terrible people as well who love to take advantage.

Going for interviews was a challenge because I didn't have who to help watch my baby. At some point people get tired of being bothered so it was frustrating.

So I stopped applying and wanted to get my centrelink sorted out first but the bills ain't waiting.

My casual job ended and the only job I applied for on LinkedIn after I got the casual job because I couldn't afford to waste a working day going for interviews else I won't be able to afford my baby's care fee and my rent that week asked me to do some psychometric assessment, then a phone interview and I was invited for an office interview and viola God gave me a permanent job. In a company that is number one in that field in the world.

Most times I see people ask how will a family of this cope.?
How much do we need?
And lots of stuffs honestly if I could survive you can as well.
Honestly this journey is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

I don't wish my experience for my worst enemy. But I'm glad it ended with a testimony.

ozonechrome wow that's such a wonderful testimony. You applied for just 1 job in LinkedIn and you got it. Just imagined applying for multiple of jobs, I believe you won't be able to attend the loads of interviews that will be coming your way due to your daughter.

I am glad that you were able to push through along with your daughter. That's one of the challenges that mums face, but thank God it all ended in praise.

What could have made your centerlink take so long to be sorted out. I was thinking ,immediately you land, that's one of the first things that is being done within first week of landing. You really need to sort that out as soon as possible.

As for your baby's childcare, is there no way to subsidize it by the government being a PR? That AU$500 per week is really high. You were able to pay all of that from a casual job along with your house rent, that tells me , wage is really high in Australia. Australia is really a land of opportunities for anyone that push through.

I am happy that you went, overcame and conquered. Now , you will long back and smile.

Hello guys, don't come online and just look. We are all looking forward to all of your experiences for those that passed through this thread to relocate. Share your experience. I will pull up the roll calling list. On the list, we have up to 40 persons. Where are they?

Give back to the thread. This will help keep the thread moving. No experience is too small to share. Just share whatever you think is your experience for the period you've been there. It's going to spice up the thread.

The purpose of this thread again is it not about life in Australia? So why are we not sharing our experience all these years. There are those that have been there for 2years, 1 year, 11, 10, 9 and so on. You want to tell me that you've not gathered any experience to share with us? Ah ah, brother, sister no be so na.

Carve out time to share experience as a way of giving back to the legacy bellong has created.

He is really trying answering questions on the other thread. That's someone that relocated 4-5years back still keeping up with the thread. Let's support him by answering questions of newbies in the other thread ,the ones we can answer, and also share our experience here.


In all, stay cool, be a good PR and explore to the fullest the fruits of the land.

Ozone, well done. Relocation is not easy except for a few. Congrats, wish you more success

At mcslize I actually applied to over 100 jobs before I got the casual one and attended lots of interviews.

ozonechrome:
At mcslize I actually applied to over 100 jobs before I got the casual one and attended lots of interviews.

I see! At least it all paid off. That's the most important news. Enjoy yourself and make sure you treat yourself out on some tasteful delicacies and lovely time out whenever you are off work. You need it.

Well, it is high time I dropped the roll call list. All of you dey dey hide, mo na come out come feed us with better better tory. About 85 persons and many others that are not on the list.

Pls kindly share your experience. We look forward to reading all of your exciting post and experience. Share pics if you can. ThanksWe are still marching on. Join the movement.

Roll call in no particular order.

Bellong
Jukeblam
Tyosho
Malkingburg
Sammywemmy
Cuteannie02
Akinnawou
Pinoralia
Kempguy47
Sesal
Oknee
Ome240
Jamson
Bolaobby
Vinsmuft
Chidike
Incemay
Martinoonline
Funkyjo
Catchdwind4rmkd
Bnimz
Greeneophyte
Majiouk2002
Baenoz
Disectur
Yoctek
Eladua
Blitzenkreig66
Royal54
Doyen06
Yeeshas
Babylove01
Samge
Duch1020
Ozymigrant
Sofi05
Iceberg54
Lalaazo
Nosula
Teejah80
Omooloriredade
Hephziebah
Sujydee
Olalekankad
Ibiyemiara
Humanshado
Ifexsco
Kamotisha
Mctowel01
Yinlak
Johnsontade
Scrollmeout
Hordunayodt
Zoew
Manga5
Aussy4life
00francis
teewhysafe
Bellacious
NNBB2012
afolaseg
SallyAUS
Cottyekundayo
Solace5
misoke
neks01
afosahid
emmabogs
alphadoor
jayooh
Aub430
Michealmo
Trastar
Spyroxy1
Uchenna2017
Piusford
Gloom
Timikenzo2
Suzzyallen
Happy4lucy
Babahammedah
IdNG
Veryconcluded
TRed
Wapu


Best wishes!

@Ozonechrome,

Do you mind sharing why you had issues with Centrelink registration?

Your experience will assist others in avoiding such delay in the future.

Meanwhile, being a single mother with no or little income when you arrive, you would have been entitled to family tax benefits and at least 80% of childcare support.


For others, one of the things that can delay your childcare subsidy is immunisation record. If your child's immunisation record is not up to date, the government will not provide any support under the no jab no pay policy.

When coming from Nigeria, come with your child(ren)'s immunisation record. The day you arrive if it is business hours, or following day, go to Centrelink office to kick-start Centrelink registration. Some Centrelink office do not have Medicare office co-located. You can google for Centrelink office with Medicare office nearest to you. Once you register for Medicare, you will be given a slip as an evidence of registration before you get the card in the mail. With the slip, take your child (ren) to a medical centre that offers bulk billing (with this, you don't pay any fee out of pocket). You can book for immunisation of your kids at the medical centre, make sure you go with the immunization record from Nigeria or any country of residence. The doctor will update your record on Medicare and give you appointment for the gap in the immunization. After taking the immunization, the doctor will update your child's record with Medicare which inturn will be communicated to Centrelink within 72 hours. The childcare subsidy and rebate will be approved when the immunization record is updated.

A delay in harmonising your child's immunisation record will delay your childcare subsidy which means you have to pay full cost out of pocket. Childcare cost is between $85 - $140/day depending on location, state and the centre.

ozonechrome:
extraterestrial thanks for bringing the thread alive with your experience.

I remember how I followed this thread when I was on my migration journey.
It's really unfair we ain't giving back. Kudos to Bellong I don't know how he does it.

I had to deactivate my old moniker for personal reasons.

My experience has been crazy!!
I came in as a single mum with my 2years old daughter and just $3,200. I couldn't get more if I stayed back so took a step of faith.
You can imagine!!

I knew just one nairalander and one other guy I met in an Aussie group.
I stayed in a shared apartment for two weeks and paid $220 P/W.
With the help of the Aussie group guy I got an apartment I pay $250 P/W .

I didn't find a job until after a month then I got a casual job.

I had to pay and still paying for my baby's childcare out of pocket about 510$per week. Paid 585$ the first week. still sorting out Centrelink for personal reasons.

It was tough for me. very very tough.
The experience broke me. I've never had it this tough all my life.
But the experience taught me a great deal of lessons..
And brought lots of beautiful souls and helpers my way and ugly and terrible people as well who love to take advantage.

Going for interviews was a challenge because I didn't have who to help watch my baby. At some point people get tired of being bothered so it was frustrating.

So I stopped applying and wanted to get my centrelink sorted out first but the bills ain't waiting.

My casual job ended and the only job I applied for on LinkedIn after I got the casual job because I couldn't afford to waste a working day going for interviews else I won't be able to afford my baby's care fee and my rent that week asked me to do some psychometric assessment, then a phone interview and I was invited for an office interview and viola God gave me a permanent job. In a company that is no one in that field in the world.

Most times I see people ask how will a family of this cope.?
How much do we need?
And lots of stuffs honestly if I could survive you can as well.
Honestly this journey is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

I don't wish my experience for my worst enemy. But I'm glad it ended with a testimony.

I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. I am also so happy you came out strong and you are able to look back and pick the lessons. it will get better dear. I feel terrible complaining about somethings after reading through your story. I can't imagine myself alone with my baby...you are very strong!!!. God bless you. Hubby and I are dreading daycare for now but once he starts working we will have no option. its so expensive, the day-cares near my house are like $132 per day and in that range. Another fear I have is how my baby will be treated. I know they are nice people here but then again. please what was your experience with the day-care so far? thanks for sharing also...

extraterestrial:

I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. I am also so happy you came out strong and you are able to look back and pick the lessons. it will get better dear. I feel terrible complaining about somethings after reading through your story. I can't imagine myself alone with my baby...you are very strong!!!. God bless you. Hubby and I are dreading daycare for now but once he starts working we will have no option. its so expensive, the day-cares near my house are like $132 per day and in that range. Another fear I have is how my baby will be treated. I know they are nice people here but then again. please what was your experience with the day-care so far? thanks for sharing also...

Your child cannot be maltreated. Every registered childcare centre has the duty of care to provide quality and 'non-discriminatory' care for all children using the early education framework. In situation where you suspect negligence or discrimination, you will be within your rights to take it up with the centre and appropriate authority.

bellong:


Your child cannot be maltreated. Every registered childcare centre has the duty of care to provide quality and 'non-discriminatory' care for all children using the early education framework. In situation where you suspect negligence or discrimination, you will be within your rights to take it up with the centre and appropriate authority.

Thank you!

bellong:


Your child cannot be maltreated. Every registered childcare centre has the duty of care to provide quality and 'non-discriminatory' care for all children using the early education framework. In situation where you suspect negligence or discrimination, you will be within your rights to take it up with the centre and appropriate authority.

True!
She enjoys going to school as she meets children to play with.

@Bellong the Centrelink issue actually has nothing to do with the govt.

Just personal issues.

please i need your help fellow nairalanders,
i am new here,i want to apply for australian student visa but i am having a probelm.
i studies religious and cultural studies but worked with an it firm for 2years now.
i want to aplly for masters of arts in griffith university but how do i reconcile the fact that am working in an it firm and now i want to do masters in arts
if i pick masters in information technology,my degree does not rhyme.
please help me

Australia is calling me

bellong:
@Ozonechrome,

Do you mind sharing why you had issues with Centrelink registration?

Your experience will assist others in avoiding such delay in the future.

Meanwhile, being a single mother with no or little income when you arrive, you would have been entitled to family tax benefits and at least 80% of childcare support.


For others, one of the things that can delay your childcare subsidy is immunisation record. If your child's immunisation record is not up to date, the government will not provide any support under the no jab no pay policy.

When coming from Nigeria, come with your child(ren)'s immunisation record. The day you arrive if it is business hours, or following day, go to Centrelink office to kick-start Centrelink registration. Some Centrelink office do not have Medicare office co-located. You can google for Centrelink office with Medicare office nearest to you. Once you register for Medicare, you will be given a slip as an evidence of registration before you get the card in the mail. With the slip, take your child (ren) to a medical centre that offers bulk billing (with this, you don't pay any fee out of pocket). You can book for immunisation of your kids at the medical centre, make sure you go with the immunization record from Nigeria or any country of residence. The doctor will update your record on Medicare and give you appointment for the gap in the immunization. After taking the immunization, the doctor will update your child's record with Medicare which inturn will be communicated to Centrelink within 72 hours. The childcare subsidy and rebate will be approved when the immunization record is updated.

A delay in harmonising your child's immunisation record will delay your childcare subsidy which means you have to pay full cost out of pocket. Childcare cost is between $85 - $140/day depending on location, state and the centre.

@ Bellong,my dear brother you are just too much, God will continue to bless you.

extraterestrial:

I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. I am also so happy you came out strong and you are able to look back and pick the lessons. it will get better dear. I feel terrible complaining about somethings after reading through your story. I can't imagine myself alone with my baby...you are very strong!!!. God bless you. Hubby and I are dreading daycare for now but once he starts working we will have no option. its so expensive, the day-cares near my house are like $132 per day and in that range. Another fear I have is how my baby will be treated. I know they are nice people here but then again. please what was your experience with the day-care so far? thanks for sharing also...

It is highly unlikely that your baby will be maltreated so you shouldn't entertain any fear.

You should have noticed that children are very sacred in Australia.

Mcslize:
Well, it is high time I dropped the roll call list. All of you dey dey hide, mo na come out come feed us with better better tory. About 85 persons and many others that are not on the list.

Pls kindly share your experience. We look forward to reading all of your exciting post and experience. Share pics if you can. ThanksWe are still marching on. Join the movement.

Roll call in no particular order.

Omooloriredade

Best wishes!

This roll call na wa o.

Pic 1: When you see bush meat but you dare not carry stone.....You take photo instead

Pic 2: Aussies are behaviorally different on weekends. They will don anything for fun. Just search for events to attend on FB if you don't have any idea.

Pic 3: If you like late night physical activities to break the monotonous Mon to Fri work life.

Pic 4: No comments

jukeblam:
All the dangerous, poisononous, venomous, and any other '........ous' wildliife (which we have all read of and which some people still base their migration decision on ) sure exist in Australia; however, if you don't live too close to bushlands or reserves or in the countryside, chances are you might never come across any of them in decades of living here.

I've only seen live roos along the roadside maybe once or twice, and that was driving at dawn in some regional towns- other times have only been roadkills.

To fulfill your 'citizenship requirements', just visit a wildlife park and touch a roo The ones there are just lounging and won't box you, haha.

Saw my first redback spider this week since moving Down Under about a year ago. Before moving here, Australia's poisonous creatures were my biggest fear.

It's not worth worrying about them. Attacks are rare, especially in the city.

*For those considering moving here

After one year...

Pros: God is ever faithful. Whatever your story.....It will end in praise

Cons:
1. Excessive liberalism.
2. Cultural shock.
3. Driver's licence is Gold........hahaha
4.. Minor racism (or maybe not) mostly from Asians.

Reaction - ki lon seleyi? Kora ku nibi yi juh (what's doing this one? Comot for here juh)

But I have repented now, so I smile and act like nothing happened. Australia is home to all of us now. No need to fan the embers of hatred/discord for the sake of our children.


Bye

Omooloriredade, thanks for the pics and your input. Nice one!

Cmon the ''living in Canada thread'' gets lively everyday as people update their landing gist few days later in appreciation to all the information's that guided them during the process..... But on this thread you guys got me wondering; is it that people dont travel to Australia again or what , a whole lot of people must have landed in the past few months but kept mute immediately, same people were passionately asking questions before they left Nigeria.... Now formings don start!!

Cmon guys lets light up this place!!!

Share your work experience! landing gist, how you settled down, pictures, culture shock, best course to study to stay on track etc!!!

Cmon lets give back.....
DO I HAVE WITNESS!!!!!!

Please, using a courier company to send a 40kg stuff from Australia to Nigeria would cost how much abeg?

Maybe FedEx or DHL.

a whole lot of people must have landed in the past few months but kept mute immediately, same people were passionately asking questions before they left Nigeria.... Now formings don start!!

Cmon guys lets light up this place!!!

Share your work experience! landing gist, how you settled down, pictures, culture shock, best course to study to stay on track etc!!!

Cmon lets give back.....
DO I HAVE WITNESS!!!!!! [/quote]

I witness you.
Seconded.
Nna...na only Bellong Hollam stand, others believes in the saying; when 0ne crosses a bridge, he prays for the bridge to break.
Forgetting he may still need it or refer it to someone when them monitoring humans starts asking questions about their own line of study.after they might have seen your picture uploads And S/he does not have the idea of that particular line clearly.

Hello Seniors,

Does 489 in Tasmania worthwhile? Am an actuary with 65 points including(10 points).

Pls advise since you seniors are more experienced?

Regards,

Finally am back after 2 years of ban from uncle justwise that's why I kept mute, I done learn sir.

So I got 489 visa from Queensland and I reside in Toowoomba with my family of 5. We arrived late last year and the journey wasn't bad after all.

Before leaving Naija I joined all the Facebook groups that are available and I was lucky to get help from them, we rented our house from Nigeria because we didn't want to share apartment and also we are coming with 3 kids .It wasn't easy as we applied for up to 10 units and got negative response due to staying offshore .

I was sad at first till God intervened through someone in my Toowoomba mum group, they agree to rent us the unit only if we could pay 3 months rent in advance including bond oh boy we jump to the offer asap and thanks to austransaction that made the payment easy.
Note to someone that might want to try this always request to pay for extra months if possible.

The kids started school the next day and the school only ask for their passport and our visa type, since it's public school we only pay for the uniforms and books.

My last son is 3 years so he goes to family day care which cost us 10$ per hour and he started kindergarten this January and we pay $210 per forth night ( private school).

Jobs I was lucky to get a factory job within 2 weeks of our arrival not easy but it pays the bill and I am doing a certificate 3 for individual support so I can port asap.

My hubby was lucky to get a full time job with one of the Insurance firm within 2 weeks as well.

Cost of living is not so bad compared to the city that's the beauty of staying in a region Rent 290 -310$ per week for 3 bedroom unit, food we spent 150 - 200 weekly because the kids like jekuje and family of 5, electricity is quarterly at your own use , we came almost at the end of winter and we paid 550$ this year was 420$ ,Gas quartely is 120$.

Transport in region is terrible you will need your own vehicle and also almost all jobs here will ask you to have our own car so it's important to make an arrangement for one especially those coming with kids.

Weve met people who are wonderful and willing to help and other type too with God on our side we are taking it one step at a time.

The sun here is way more than naija and Toowoomba is cold too in winter but not as cold as some places.

Alot of activities for kids from dance class, karate,soccer, all sort na your money go talk and you can drive to Brisbane to buy naija food stuff will only take you 2 hours.

Here we have only one african shop run by Sudanese not everything you can get but be sure of red oil,black eye beans , hair extensions,some hair products etc. They also have farmersmarket that opens only on Sundays from 6am to 12pm(mostly Chinko people owns it) majority of people buy food stuff from there its better than some shops .You can buy fresh okra, corn, unripe plantain, ewedu leaf, fresh efo, sometimes yam but not the type we know and other vegetables.

For our naija type of rice,Semo , iced fish,we buy them from Indian shops around .

Most of the big shops in the cities are here and life in Tbay is slow and steady. If you like nightlife forget it as this place is more of
family orientated.

We have little naija community here like 15 of us compare to the city.

Sorry no pictures yet as I am on 10mins break, please ignore any errors in a hurry will put down more things if I remember them.

utcheylee, wow! That's another lovely update. These are the kind of stories we need. We need more of these. Everyone needs to share their expedience. Keep it coming guys!

Thanks for that exciting update.

Let me go and stream Toowoomba to see how the place looks like.

To encourage others who are planning to move to Australia, here's my story and lessons from life Down Under

Landed Feb 2018 with the family. We struggled a bit to get accommodation, so we had an extended stay in a hotel. We eventually got one. How did we do it? Well, after several rejections, we resorted to Gumtree. We targeted adverts where present occupiers were looking for tenants to complete their lease terms.
Landlords/Agents were less strict on documentation and particularly the much dreaded "rental history’. Within a few days, we got a place for about $350/week. So, first lesson: Don't get stuck with realestateview, try other avenues.

I had sent out many job applications offshore but none of them received the attention of recruiters and HR, but as soon as we landed, I started getting invitation for interviews.
My tactics was to send the application late in the night or first thing in the morning. I found this was helpful as recruiters, most times respond to applications on first come first serve basis. I even tested these many times. Applications sent out in the afternoon received less attention when compared to the ones I submitted in the morning. Second lesson, timing is very important.

With regards to CVs, while good formatting, easy readability etc are very important, the content of your CV is far more important than anything else. Though I am an advocate of brevity, but an oversimplified CVs will not convey the proper message as well. The length of your CV should be proportional to the years of experience you have. If you have 10 years’ experience, I believe you will be doing yourself an injustice by submitting a 2-3-page CV. Lesson 3, a good, well formatted CV with great content will get you more interviews and consequently a job.

There are web hoisting platforms where you can create a free website for yourself. I developed a free one for myself and populated it with a lot of information. I even added photos and details that CVs would not accommodate. The free website was my complete profile. I then add the link to my CV. Think of special things you did for your previous companies. If you have proofs such as photos, testimonials, letters of commendation, upload on the website. It is free to create. Lesson 4: Market yourself apologetically.


There is a psychological aspect to job search in Australia. Your first barrier is the colour of your skin. You cannot change your race, so it is what it is. The second challenge are fellow Africans who are quick to advise you to dump your profession for something else. Well, while such advice might be coming from a good heart with a good intention, I personally feel you should try and try harder to clinch a job in your field before you try something else. You may have to attend more than one interviews so don’t be discouraged. I remember one job I was being considered for. I had aced the first two interviews; the last stage was to meet one of the directors of the company. I was confident I would get the job. The interviewer walked in, I stood up, shook hands with her and sat down. She re-positioned her PC monitor so I could see it and asked me to solve her problem. I am an advanced excel user, I even write VBA/macros. Even though that wasn’t the core job description, advanced knowledge of excel was part of it I floundered a bit, tried to think but while I was thinking, she walked to the door and held open the door. She said "it was nice meeting you!" I stood up and walked out without a word. You will receive several rejection emails but don’t get discouraged. Keep pushing you will get it. So, fourth lesson is: please don’t listen to naysayers! Do not listen to people who tell you that you cannot get a corporate job in Australia.
I got a job right after the ugly encounter between the director and myself. My wife also got a job a few months after.

About groceries. We found it cheaper to eat Nigerian food. This is what I mean. Nigerian foodstuffs worth $300 lasts more than 6 weeks but an equivalent amount in Coles or any of the giant retailers, for example doesn’t even last one week. The only thing we buy in the big retail shops are non-edible stuffs toiletries and ijekuje(Biscuits..etc) Lesson 5: If you are an irredeemable lover of Nigerian food (which Nigerian isn’t anyway), invest in local food.

Public transportation is good but if you have a family, and can afford a car, buy one. With $2500, you can get a decent car to buy. Try as much as possible to buy a car that comes with a Road Worthy Certificate (RWC). I bought a car for $2500 without an RWC the week we landed. I can’t renew the registration since I must provide RWC and the cost of getting one after repairs on the car comes to $2000! So Lesson 6: buy a car with RWC.

Australia is an expensive country. At some point, you might find the need for a side job. I registered a company, though I haven’t done much because I travel a lot. I have met Africans who run their own thing and are very successful. If there is something you are passionate about, register a company and start right away. There are lots of potentials in Australian market. The stories of racism should be the least thing to deter you from going after your dreams.


I have to mention this. You might be surprised to find it hard to make friends here, especially with Africans. Don’t let it bother you. Just concentrate. There are friends I haven’t seen since I came. Everyone is busy or pretending to be busy. You will find instances where you want to meet a friend and he says, “hmmm...I will be free ending of next month”. Lol. You will be like “ending of next month? Are you traveling?’ He will reply: “No, I’m just busy, I have a few things to sort out”. Well, you have to get used to getting long notice before you can meet most people. Make friends with Africans and non Africans as well otherwise, you will be terribly bored. Try to make friends with everyone. Join clubs, do stuffs. Lesson 7: Don’t let anyone, especially fellow Africans restrict your enjoyment. Enjoy Australia. Life is too short.

Many things happened while trying to settle down, I do not have them handy, but as time goes on, I will update you guys.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

utcheylee:
Finally am back after 2 years of ban from uncle justwise that's why I kept mute, I done learn sir.

So I got 489 visa from Queensland and I reside in Toowoomba with my family of 5. We arrived late last year and the journey wasn't bad after all.

Before leaving Naija I joined all the Facebook groups that are available and I was lucky to


get help from them, we rented our house from Nigeria because we didn't want to share apartment and also we are coming with 3 kids .It wasn't easy as we applied for up to 10 units and got negative response due to staying offshore .

I was sad at first till God intervened through someone in my Toowoomba mum group, they agree to rent us the unit only if we could pay 3 months rent in advance including bond oh boy we jump to the offer asap and thanks to austransaction that made the payment easy.
Note to someone that might want to try this always request to pay for extra months if possible.

The kids started school the next day and the school only ask for their passport and our visa type, since it's public school we only pay for the uniforms and books.

My last son is 3 years so he goes to family day care which cost us 10$ per hour and he started kindergarten this January and we pay $210 per forth night ( private school).

Jobs I was lucky to get a factory job within 2 weeks of our arrival not easy but it pays the bill and I am doing a certificate 3 for individual support so I can port asap.

My hubby was lucky to get a full time job with one of the Insurance firm within 2 weeks as well.

Cost of living is not so bad compared to the city that's the beauty of staying in a region Rent 290 -310$ per week for 3 bedroom unit, food we spent 150 - 200 weekly because the kids like jekuje and family of 5, electricity is quarterly at your own use , we came almost at the end of winter and we paid 550$ this year was 420$ ,Gas quartely is 120$.

Transport in region is terrible you will need your own vehicle and also almost all jobs here will ask you to have our own car so it's important to make an arrangement for one especially those coming with kids.

Weve met people who are wonderful and willing to help and other type too with God on our side we are taking it one step at a time.

The sun here is way more than naija and Toowoomba is cold too in winter but not as cold as some places.

Alot of activities for kids from dance class, karate,soccer, all sort na your money go talk and you can drive to Brisbane to buy naija food stuff will only take you 2 hours.

Here we have only one african shop run by Sudanese not everything you can get but be sure of red oil,black eye beans , hair extensions,some hair products etc. They also have farmersmarket that opens only on Sundays from 6am to 12pm(mostly Chinko people owns it) majority of people buy food stuff from there its better than some shops .You can buy fresh okra, corn, unripe plantain, ewedu leaf, fresh efo, sometimes yam but not the type we know and other vegetables.

For our naija type of rice,Semo , iced fish,we buy them from Indian shops around .

Most of the big shops in the cities are here and life in Tbay is slow and steady. If you like nightlife forget it as this place is more of
family orientated.

We have little naija community here like 15 of us compare to the city.

Sorry no pictures yet as I am on 10mins break, please ignore any errors in a hurry will put down more things if I remember them.

This is interesting information thank you. Wait I didn't realize the rice sold at the Indian stores is like naija rice..thank you I'll definitely be visiting an Indian store this weekend. Do you recommend any particular brand?

[s][/s]

Mcslize:
Let me go and stream Toowoomba to see how the place looks like.

extraterestrial:

This is interesting information thank you. Wait I didn't realize the rice sold at the Indian stores is like naija rice..thank you I'll definitely be visiting an Indian store this weekend. Do you recommend any particular brand?

Please which one is naija rice again? Do you mean local rice?