A Guide to Starting a New Life in Australia

A Guide to Starting a New Life in Australia

The past two months since arriving in Australia have been an absolute whirlwind. Between settling into our new home and adapting to a different way of life, it’s been a mix of excitement and adjustment. We’ve made the most of the school holidays, exploring our surroundings and embracing the Australian lifestyle. The girls have settled …

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The Enlistment Signal: A Key Milestone in the Process

The Enlistment Signal: A Key Milestone in the Process

Enlistment Signal Well, it’s been a while since I last posted, but honestly, not much had happened until this past couple of weeks. The OLRS team confirmed our visa approvals and sent me an email with five potential enlistment dates, all based on my termination date. We picked our preferred date, sent it off, and …

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Amazing news as our Australian visas are granted!

Amazing news as our Australian visas are granted!

Visas Granted You beauty! After weeks of nail biting suspense the visas have finally landed in our laps and its done and dusted. Phew! Its been like waiting for a delayed flight at the airport but without the overpriced coffee. Not knowing when they could be approved has frustrated us all big time but the …

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Overseas Lateral Transfer – A guide to the all important visa application

Overseas Lateral Transfer – A guide to the all important visa application

Transaction Reference Number TRN The transaction reference number is needed before you can apply for your visas. The OLRS team will send you some paperwork to complete and you’ll need to send copies of passports, birth certificates and marriage certificates for all those moving to Australia. This is needed for the OLRS team to sponsor …

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Panic and frustration due to my medical issues

Panic and frustration due to my medical issues

High cholesterol So as I said in a previous post my blood tests for the medical flagged up high cholesterol. The OLRS doc wanted me to have further testing done due to my aviation trade. This was a shock as my diet isn’t bad and I keep myself in reasonable shape. Maybe all the boozing …

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My Letter of offer finally arrives

My Letter of offer finally arrives

5 Jun 23 is when I received my LOO, they told us at the selection board it would be April but took until June to arrive. The wait was so frustrating and it felt like the offer was getting sent over in a bottle not an email. By far the longest 6 months of my …

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My Selection Board Interview – I was successful

My Selection Board Interview – I was successful

On September 1, 2022, I received an invitation to the selection board scheduled for November 2022. It offered several date options, providing the flexibility needed to arrange time off from work. At that time, I had not informed anyone in my Chain of Command. I attended the board alone due to the unavailability of childcare. …

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A look at the phone interview with DMFS

A look at the phone interview with DMFS

While all the medical paperwork was been processed we were contacted by the Defence Members Family Support service for a phone interview which we had on 30 Aug 22. This phone call was very relaxed and lasted about 50min. Both me and Becky were present. After pleasantries he asked us a little about our family, …

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Overseas Lateral Transfer – A guide to the application process

Overseas Lateral Transfer – A guide to the application process

No logic to the process Before I dive into the nitty-gritty of the Overseas Lateral Transfer let me tell you that the only predictable thing about this process is its ability to be totally unpredictable. Everyone’s journey is uniquely their own. It’s like waiting for Christmas morning when you were a kid – time doesn’t …

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Our Reasons for Emigrating to Australia from the UK

Our Reasons for Emigrating to Australia from the UK

The decision to relocate Why are we leaving the UK for a new life down under? The idea of walking down a white sandy beach with a surfboard under my arm and the wind blowing through my new aussie mullet is a welcome distraction from a rainy day in Shropshire, although my days of having …

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