Tq Gary,...

What I heard of in the streets was in the earlier days, Msian DLs could be converted into te Aussie DL without tests. But this was subsequently stopped due to the Msian DL being suspected and proven to have been tampered with,... and there were fakes around. That's what I heard,...

We have two cars and a bike there,... bought my wife a Ford and my boy a Miata and a bike. The Miata has been modified thoroughly for stability and turning ratio for speed and drifting,.. sometimes it's a pain to do these modifications because there is a ruling that modified vehicles needed to undergo a roadworthiness test every year before they allow you to go for lapsprints and for being on-the-road.

But,... well,... since I can afford it,.. I'd let my boy enjoy these things in life. He likes motorsports. Let him start early in life,...

He got through his DL in Driving in the beginning of this year (can't remember,...) but I know he just got through his riding test this week. He has a 'P' for Riding now,... and if everything is fine, his 'P' will be converted into a full license in one-year's time. Sometimes, I'm a bit confused too,... I saw him riding around on his bike before he got his 'P' but he was not allowed to carry someone behind him. I heard they use the alphabets 'RR' for the riding license. Msia uses B, B1, B2 and B3.

Since I do not have an official job in Aust with payslips, I need to pay for all these vehicles and fees with cash. Expenses are high,... but well,.. I wouldn't trade these experiences with the family and kids for anything in life. Certainly not for more money.

Just sharing a bit of the lifestyle with my family there. I do appreciate all of your advice earlier.

Tq again Gary for your narrative.

On a side note : do you think it would be easier to apply for a place in, say the UNSW for the coming financial year with all these pandemics around ? And what sort of ATAR score would he need ?

Hoping you don't mind me asking these questions,...

there has been significant changes in tertiary education recently....more places for local students, removing of needing atar cutoffs, and increased fees for non-stem courses....

for hansel's children, being PRs, they will fall under domestic students....previously locals need higher qualifications then internationals....going forward, with a HUGE drop in international students, particularly prc, the australian government is trying to fill the places with locals, which will of course means more chances, and lower atars to enter....

but without increased funding, they are trying to increase uni income from increased fees for humanities courses.....

Is good to have certain certificates or license to get into the job, especially for those technical/skills job.

but making a Janitor getting a certificate to work is funny though, for example. you know what i mean? lol

all these while I am mixing getting any kind of easy certificate in case of downfall. from Digital Marketing to yoga course lol.

Heya all, looks like this thread is quiet again.

I have a simple question, my visa renewal is coming up, and I understand that will change it to a RRV. In this case, will my existing visa requirements still apply?

I was state sponsored by NSW and therefore obliged to work in this state, though I'm thinking Brisbane might be a cheaper place to live in eventually.

Hope everyone is keeping safe with the current spike in covid cases.

@Gary - Yeah, makes plenty of sense. I'm hoping to be able to go back next year for my brother's wedding, but probably will not go if I have to be quarantined in both countries (especially the 3k quarantine cost here).

The most recent case of the covid spread in NSW was in bankstown and also the rookwood cemetary, which is right next door to me.

Tq for these words, bro Gary,...

As for the vaccines, the world is racing now,... I have started to put bets into American vaccine companies,... I continue to carry hopes that a vaccine will certainly be found !

I don't think a vaccine can be developed so soon, it'll probably take a much longer time for its development. Also I think it's prone to mutations like other similar forms of this virus making it harder, but that's just my opinion. Things may get a bit worse before it gets better - best be more savvy with money and careful with the surroundings for a bit.

It's difficult to get permission to leave now, you must show very good reasons....expenses for 14 days quarantine on return for residents used to be borne by the gov, but now you will have to pay yourself....$3k-5k.....

Msians are also NOT allowed to travel overseas without a good reason, although it's more lax....see this report...

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...-exit-c/1879166

I think every country now have some kind of travel restrictions of everybody....

It's a great way to discourage people to travel with the 2 weeks (expensive) quarantine, but doesn't work against those willing to pay and have the time to wait. I think most airlines won't be able to last till end the end of the year if the lockdown continues unless there's a bailout.

If you can work from home too, then just go for it, which is far better than retirement unless you have so much planned out already. A lot of research has shown that many older folks who worked all their lives do not live long after retirement as they probably do not have a motivational factor behind them anymore. Touch wood, not saying it'll happen to anyone here - but just something to point out I think.

So how are your possible plans to return to Msia?

Guys, I would also like to add ontop that visa 190 holders only have a moral obligation to the state and not a legal one so technically they cannot revoke your visa even if you don't abide to it.

I have a 190 visa from NSW but went straight to VIC instead.

It's been over 4 years and no issues thus far. Not even a peep from the authorities whoever they may be.

Although, current events have me questioning my choice of location somewhat...

Yeah I was slightly burnt out by my old job too, boss used to demand 10-12 hours from us and could call us in on weekends when something occurred. I'm pretty content with a simple job which I can solve within a few days rather than thinking about programs up to the point I fall asleep. Though I must say the satisfaction from that was really good - although it was very rare.

I guess I find work necessary cuz it facilitates my lifestlye and things may change if I do obtain financial independence.

I dislike MAS as they've destroyed 2 of my luggage in the past and gave me food poisoning on my first flight to Aus. I rather put up with Airasia than fly with MAS if I can help it.

Also I probably need to expand my bucket list, as there's only a few things on the list right now.

That's typically the issue that people bring up as a negative to skipping out on your 190 obligations. I can't speak to the truth of that, but I have seen on expatforum that there has never been a verified case of this happening. Funny thing is, I only found out 2 years later that I was supposed to update some NSW government department on my location. I never did this and still nobody followed up.

I intend to retain my Malaysian citizenship so I will not be applying for Oz citizenship anytime soon. Have some property etc in Malaysia that i think would become problematic if I lost my citizenship.

Not sure that having Australian citizenship would be really beneficial to me in any way right now.

I can't complain, or rather; I shouldn't complain.

Still have a job, a home, food everything I need. Haven't really been affected except for not bring able to go out as much as I want to.

That being said, I have always said that I would be perfectly happy sitting at home in front of a computer for days on end. Even then, I am starting to feel a bit antsy already. Can't imagine how it's affecting those who are always out and about.

It is 6 degrees out right now, and I definitely do not miss having to commute to work in this sort of weather. Running in the open appears to have a very low risk of infection so you can probably look forward to that once winter is over. Assuming NSW doesn't let the cases go out of control.

The only way that things will really get back to normal is with a vaccine or some kind of effective antiviral for COVID.

It appears that large family gatherings were the initial reason why things got so bad in Melbourne, so they are probably not the best idea. All it takes is one infected person. Gathering in a restaurant will not be too different from a home I suspect.

over the last few years, i travel up to 2 months in a year, and spend average RM60k per year.....over the last 7 months, i spend RM0, so am saving a ton of money....lol

Also reading this thread people really love their travelling - friend invited me for a local trip to Snowy mountains skiing which I was keen on but am unable to make it - for a weekend trip it cost a surprising amount and I was a bit reluctant in regards to the pricing.

It's not too cold this winter as we're not staying in the fibre board place we used to rent in Chester Hill. Staying in a bricked up place sure makes a lot of difference. With our old funky air conditioner (due to be changed I think) turned on, the whole place is pretty warm and bearable for me. I really like it when it's between 10 - 20'c as I sleep better too. Knees do sometimes ache a little occasionally.

I'll be happy for Spring/Summer too and it should help improve the Covid situation a little - though not for my colleague whose allergies pop up every spring with rashes all over his body. Has anyone here ever developed that form of allergy here or kids getting a new-non inherited allergy?