May 2016 - VISA 189/190/489

Megger · January 2017

Galing ng May batch.. All the best po sa lahat..

jmban33 · January 2017

@elleb1 try meriton serviced apartments competitive ang rates at ok ang amenities. You can reserve and pay during check in

elleb1 · January 2017

@jmban33 thanks for sharing :-) dun kayo nag book? Kelan yung entry nyo?

jmban33 · January 2017

@elleb1 Last week we were there. Booked Meriton Service Apt in Mascot para may thrill and MRT ride to CBD

Cassey · January 2017

Hi all! Just wanna share a good news, I just passed my driving test and got my full license. By the way, I'm in Melbourne. I did my test in Sunshine. I'm a beginner driver kaya sa mga katulad ko na nagsisimula pa lang, may pagasa po tayong makapasa, hehe

Just a week before coming over to Australia (dahil gahul na sa oras), i got my Ph license. Netong PR na kami, i decided to convert mine. Yung Ph license ko was expired but was accepted by Vicroads. If I'm not mistaken, sabi sa Vicroads okay lang na expired as long as its not past 12mos. I did 3 tests for the conversion of my Ph license.

1) Knowledge test - pag nakapasa rito mabibigyan ka ng Learner's Permit. The LP will allow you to drive provided that you are driving with someone who has a full license. For this one, i called to book in for the test. At the test date, i brought my overseas license, passport, Medicare card, a bill with our address on it and the Form which i downloaded from the VicRoads website. The tests costs $40.90. If you pass, may babayarang $23.70 for the LP card. Madali lang yung test. It's a computer-based test, multiple choice. May downloadable na handbook sa VicRoads website and an online practice test.

Here is another website where you can do your online practice aside from the VicRoads website:
http://aussie-driver.com/

2) Hazard Perception Test - It's also a computer-based exam. It's basically a driving simulation. You will be asked to watch videos and from there you'll be asked when to stop, turn, move off and slow down by clicking the mouse button. At the start of the test, may 2 practice tests, be sure to remember the answer kasi it may appear on the test itself. Don't be a click-happy because not all the time na kailangan mong pumindot.

The tests costs $35.50. You can review HPT through these websites:
https://drivesmart.vic.gov.au/
http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/hazard-perception-test

3) Drive test - I paid $60.70 for the test and $78 for the license card (valid for 3yrs). You can opt to get the 10yrs validity which costs $270+. Because I didn't have much experience in driving, i did 20 driving lessons here in Au. I had 3 instructors. I failed my 1st drive test because I forgot to signal and i lightly hit the kerb. That's when I decided to change my instructor. I would suggest na kung kukuha kayo ng instructor make sure na he's with a driving school and it's his fulltime job. It really makes a big difference. After failing the test, I stopped doing the lessons not until a week before my test. The last one was with an RACV driving instructor. I would say that out of all the instructors that I had, siya yung malinaw magexplain and napoint out niya lahat ng iniexpect na gagawin ko sa test. We drove thru the test routes din. I paid $297 for a 5 hr lesson (RACV member so we had discount) and for the test date itself i paid $230 for a 90min practice before the test + the test itself. Mahal pero sulit. 6 days before my driving test, everyday for an hour akong nagpractice. With the drive test, its more on the technical side of driving. You are expected to obey and put into practice ALL the rules. I have a PDF file, on how they are going to mark/assess the applicants. If you want a copy just let me know and I'll email them to you. Before starting the test, may pre-drive check. The testing officer will ask you to identify some vehicle controls. There are 2 stages for the driving test. 1st stage ay sa quieter envt. They will either asked you to do a reverse parallel parking or a 3 pt turn. If you can't do it, then the test ends in stage 1. 2nd stage ay sa areas where the speed is in 60-80km/hr. They will ask you to do lane changes, u turn, and turning in the median, etc.

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS: Don't rush, take your time. On my first try, i was rushing kasi i want to finish the task given by the testing officer straight away which didn't do me any good. Remember, they say "when safe" so do it only when its safe. Pag hindi ka sure sa speed just stay on 50km/hr except of course sa mga permanent 40signs and during school times. Before turning into an intersection, make sure to check the sign where you're heading to like STOP sign, SPEED, or if you need to MERGE later on. Pag may STOP sign make sure to STOP for 5seconds. Check and give way to pedestrians. Turn slowly. Check the gear before you move. Always do mirror checks. INDICATORS! Its a critical error if you forgot to put them on. Sometimes, they trick you into changing lane sa may white solid line (near traffic lights) so watch out for this.
Lastly, Pray hard.

To God Be The Glory! Goodluck to all.

@Captain_A @Abby_ @jedh_g @facelesshero

jedh_g · January 2017

@Cassey nice sharing as I'm about to prepare for mine too. Kindly send to my email the PDF file at [email protected]

greatsoul · January 2017

@Cassey tatanggapin kaya nila yung drivers license na papel. kaloka LTo namin sa province. wala parin card! thanks for sharing btw

jedh_g · January 2017

@greatsoul here in WA, they won't as ID card is the legitimate and acceptable ones in Department of Transport. I suggest you can bring the paper (LTO renewed driver's license) but also present the old driver's license ID card as well. There are several tight or light legislations on the road every state. Cheers mate!

engineer20 · January 2017

@greatsoul why not try to convert your PH DL to an SG DL para mas madali na iconvert sa AU DL. kailangan nga lang ng physical card.

pink · January 2017

@Cassey nice!! Thanks for the very helpful tips!

Captain_A · January 2017

@Cassey congrats kasi, search ng car..

may questions ako sa kabilang thread.. Thanks

Cassey · January 2017

@jedh_g Already sent.

Hindi nga lang ako sure kung pareho VicRoads with South AU pero when i browsed the SA website to read on the rules, its the same. Mas detailed at mas maganda yung website ng SA actually.

Goodluck sa test.

Cassey · January 2017

@greatsoul For driving here in AU, i think may nabasa ako somewhere sa forum na sabi sa kanya need niya ng authentication from LTO at the same time yung receipt from LTO at copy of the grant kung magdadrive dito using the paper license.

Cassey · January 2017

@pink No worries,

jedh_g · January 2017

@Cassey thanks mate got it. And finally, I now knew your real name na rin mate...cheers! $:\$ ">

Cassey · January 2017

Nauna na yung kotse, hehe. Bago ko kasi ipinaconvert yung Ph license, sinulit ko yung 6mos para makapagdrive at makapagpractice gamit yung overseas license. Need kasi ang kotse dito talaga kaya pinush namin.

Gusto ko ring ishare sa lahat that as long as you have a job either Full time or Part time kahit walang pangdeposit, you can get a NEW car.

One tip pala is to shop around, check niyo sa iba't ibang dealers how much yung car at kung may ioofer silang freebies before signing anything. Check niyo rin yung iba't ibang financial institutions kung ilang % yung interest. Regarding the dealers, make sure na malapit sa bahay ninyo para pag ipapaservice yung car, madali lang puntahan yung service center. Sa dealership maraming products/services like tinting,paint protection,additional warranty na iooffer, so before saying yes make sure na talagang kailangan niyo at hindi siya mas mahal sa labas. With the insurance, normally mas mahal sa dealership kaya mas magandang kumuha sa labas. We are with RACV. Mura din ang Suncorp, AAMI at Budget Direct kaso di ko alam kung maganda service nila.

Hope this somehow helps you when you purchase your car.

@Captain_A @pink @jedh_g @paulcasablanca1980 @elleb1

Cassey · January 2017

@jedh_g Hehe Cassey is my daughter's nickname btw.

and as much as possible gusto ko pa rin ng privacy takot kasi ako na baka may gumamit ng name ko sa scam.

jedh_g · January 2017

@Cassey one tip to share is avoid balloon repayments yun akala mo bayad mo na yun pala meron pa babayaran at end of paying period. And find an interest rate at least 4-5% good deal na when you buy a car and find at least a low mileage car if 2nd hand.

elleb1 · January 2017

@Cassey thanks for sharing these tips, yung license from overseas license pala pued magamit for 6 mos and buti na banggit mo na kahit part time pued pa rin makakuha ng car :-)

elleb1 · January 2017

@jmban33 pued ma share magkano budget nyo for food and transpo in Sydney during your stay? Ilang days and ilang persons kayo? Naka book kami sa Quest Macquaire Park :-)

Cassey · January 2017

@elleb1 Walang anuman, i would love to listen to all your soon-to-be experiences din. Yung 6mos pala dito sa Victoria, dko lang alam sa NSW.

Yung kawork ko part-time lang siya pero naapprove siya for a new car.

elleb1 · January 2017

@Cassey cge check ko pala sa NSW :-) Thanks also for all your tips:-)

Cassey · January 2017

@elleb1 No worries,

Kelan ang big move ninyo?

elleb1 · January 2017

@Cassey 1st quarter of 2018 pa yung big move, initial entry kami ng March 5 :-)

jmban33 · January 2017

@elleb1 Quest apartments should be ok. 3( Wife and Kid) kami pumunta dun for 9 days 8 nights
Eto yung mga nagastos namin in AUD
Service Apartment : 1500 (8 nights)
Taxi From Airport to Mascot ( 6-9 Km) : 20 (Including Airport surcharge)
Groceries ( Woolworth ) : 200 ( Bfast and food for going out)
Eat Out : 250 (around 4 X lang kami kumain sa mga resto kasi mpstly meet with friends)
Car Rental : 80 ( 12 hrs rent )
Scenic World Tickets : 102 ( Family price )
Cruise Dinner : around 250
Shuttle from Apartment to hotel : 18

engineer20 · January 2017

elleb1 said:
@Cassey cge check ko pala sa NSW :-) Thanks also for all your tips:-)

@elleb1 3 months lang validity na magagamit ang overseas licence sa NSW. and since mag-initial entry ka na sa March 2017, pagbalik nyo sa 2018 ay di mo na magagamit yun at kailangan mo ng kumuha ng NSW licence.

elleb1 · January 2017

@jmban33 thanks for sharing

halos same tayo kami nman 10 days and 9 nights doon. Kelan nyo plan mag big move? God bless:)

elleb1 · January 2017

@engineer20 noted salamat at na inform mo ko, hindi ko naisip na me initial entry nga pala kami.

ms.dee_celestiel · January 2017

@elleb1 Hello, nagbago na kami ng plans sis. Supposedly, IE kami sa April this yr at BM ng Mar 2018. kaso pag iisahin na lang namin IE at BM maybe this August/September 2017 kase ayaw na naming magrenew ng renta sa bahay dto sa dxb tapos sakto expired na visa ng anak ko nun. Sydney din kami and meron ako friend na matutuluyan muna habnag trying to settle.

Lapit na ang IE nyo goodluck sis!

elleb1 · January 2017

@ms.dee_celestiel i think mas maganda nga yan kc yung renewal ng rent is 1 year na naman, yung Big move namin pagtapos ng contract dito sa company namin, mauna c hubby mga last quarter this year and ako by 1st quarter of 2018. Oo malapit na kami, excited na nga ako kaya tinatamad nako mag trabaho hahahaha so far ok na yung accommodation, airport transfer and opening ng bank account. Next naman e yung itinerary namin tsaka budget. Buti me matutuluyan na kayo sa Sydney, saang suburb kayo? Hope to see you someday in Sydney. God bless din!