Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

[TerriandEric 4]

Hey ladies - any news yet?? Any new NOA2's floating around??

Not yet -- our timeline estimate says literally any day now -- so someone needs to hurry up over there LOL

[alex and astrid 38]

Not yet -- our timeline estimate says literally any day now -- so someone needs to hurry up over there LOL

When we got our NOA2, the website didn't even update, it just said we'd gotten a touch. It still isn't even updated, lol. We didn't know we had the approval until we got the hardcopy! I'm thinking positive for you!

[James&Candice 3]

Hi all,

Can anyone who had a blood test to check their immunity tell me what the blood was actually tested for? I had mine done today and it is only going to be tested for rebella and chicken pox. I thought measles and mumps would be included in it too?

I got a new pill script today too and it is a years worth. I am going to hang back on taking it till I get the noa2.

Going back to my GP in 2weeks for the adacil jab and the results of the blood test. Doc said he would write me a letter stating I was up to date with all my vaccinations. He also sugested I get a pap smear done before I leave. I told him no at first, but thining about it now its a good idea I suppose.

[alex and astrid 38]

Hi all,

Can anyone who had a blood test to check their immunity tell me what the blood was actually tested for? I had mine done today and it is only going to be tested for rebella and chicken pox. I thought measles and mumps would be included in it too?

I got a new pill script today too and it is a years worth. I am going to hang back on taking it till I get the noa2.

Going back to my GP in 2weeks for the adacil jab and the results of the blood test. Doc said he would write me a letter stating I was up to date with all my vaccinations. He also sugested I get a pap smear done before I leave. I told him no at first, but thining about it now its a good idea I suppose.

Mine was tested for chicken pox and rubella, but only because chicken pox was the only thing that I had as a kid but didn't have proof of, and rubella because my doctor thought I am of childbearing age and it was a good idea. I had proof of MMR immunity already. Maybe ask your doctor about the history of MMR vaccination in NSW, maybe everyone was blanket vaccinated so they just assumed you were immune already?

I held off getting my scripts filled until the week before I left. I should have gotten a pap smear done too but I kind of forgot. I'm not on Alex's health insurance yet so I can't get anything like that done, and I am due for one. The letter is a good idea, because the letter I go ended up being used by my panel doctor, and went into the envelope that I handed over at my POE.

[James&Candice 3]

Thanks Astrid,

I think all will be ok. Its weard how much we want everything to be perfect. Hope you and your hubby have settled in.

Still cold over there? its been wet here on the mid north coast of NSW and QLD has been getting a battering with lots of rain and some floods.

cheers and chat soon

Candice

[Gyspy 0]

Just a tip for packing, use those vaccum sealed bags for your clothes to fit everything in your suitcase.

Not sure of weight but thought that would be a good idea.

Congratulations and Goodluck to all

Waiting on NOA1

[alex and astrid 38]

Thanks Astrid,

I think all will be ok. Its weard how much we want everything to be perfect. Hope you and your hubby have settled in.

Still cold over there? its been wet here on the mid north coast of NSW and QLD has been getting a battering with lots of rain and some floods.

cheers and chat soon

Candice

Yeah we are settling in great, just dealing with all the mundane stuff that comes with merging two lives together It has been lovely weather the last day or so, but today it's supposed to bucket down. I'm dying to wear all the stuff I was wearing just a month ago!

Back home in Brissie it's been solidly raining...Mum and Dad got home on Friday and have resigned themselves to the fact that their garden will be washed away!

[TerriandEric 4]

Well hi everyone -- today I went for my medical with Dr Anthony Millar in Sydney. Let me just say it was the most pleasant experience thus far. His receptionist, a lovely woman named Pat, was extremely helpful and a wealth of information. She had everything ready to go when we arrived. You will need 3 passport photos for the medical. Under the MLC Centre there is a Kodak store, they do them ($18 each set of 2 photos) in a 20 minute window. I also paid the extra $3 to have them emailed to me at home so I had them for the interview phase.

**You do NOT need your case number for Dr Millar to do your medical BUT it is only valid for 12 months & you need 6 months validity when you enter the USA**

The medical was fairly straight forward and painless process. Dr Millar had me answer some questions followed by changing down to my underwear & the glamourous paper gown. He then had me get on the scales, checked my height, had me bend & touch my toes, bend backwards, to the left, to the right. Stand still,bend my neck to the front & back. Look forward, look left, look right. Stand against the wall, cover one eye & read the bottom line, cover the other eye & then read the same line backwards. From there it was out to Pat, pay for the medical ($209 each person) they take cash, cheque or credit card because I paid via visa.

I then went the the 1st Floor to have the Xray done (once again they take eftpos -- $65 non claimable through medicare) while waiting for this I went to the 2nd Floor to have the blood test ($31 also non claimable & can pay via eftpos facilities) After the blood test a simple stop by Xray to pick up your films, back to the doctors room where Pat looks over the report, takes one of the copies & tells you to keep your films for 12 months, you MUST have the films in your luggage at POE and that she will mail out the results as soon as the blood work comes back (usually within a week she told me)

So a summary of costs for Sydney Medical through Dr Millar in Macquarie Street:-

** Medical Consultation - $209 -- payable by cash, card or cheque

** Xray - $65 -- payable by cash or card (unsure about cheques) also not claimable through Medicare

** Blood Test -- $31 -- payable by cash or card (unsure about cheques) not claimable through Medicare.

US Size Passport Photos -- Kodak In the MLC Centre at base of stairs -- $18 for 2 (you NEED 3 for the medical) $3 for them to email you a copy for future use.

Overall it was a great day and I also got to spend some valuable time with my daughter whom I have not seen a great deal of lately because of the late nights spent at Westmead Childrens Hospital with my son on Dialysis.

Hope others find this useful

Edited March 9, 2010 by TerriandEric

[hdouthit 1]

Well hi everyone -- today I went for my medical with Dr Anthony Millar in Sydney. Let me just say it was the most pleasant experience thus far. His receptionist, a lovely woman named Pat, was extremely helpful and a wealth of information. She had everything ready to go when we arrived. You will need 3 passport photos for the medical. Under the MLC Centre there is a Kodak store, they do them ($18 each set of 2 photos) in a 20 minute window. I also paid the extra $3 to have them emailed to me at home so I had them for the interview phase.

**You do NOT need your case number for Dr Millar to do your medical BUT it is only valid for 12 months & you need 6 months validity when you enter the USA**

The medical was fairly straight forward and painless process. Dr Millar had me answer some questions followed by changing down to my underwear & the glamourous paper gown. He then had me get on the scales, checked my height, had me bend & touch my toes, bend backwards, to the left, to the right. Stand still,bend my neck to the front & back. Look forward, look left, look right. Stand against the wall, cover one eye & read the bottom line, cover the other eye & then read the same line backwards. From there it was out to Pat, pay for the medical ($209 each person) they take cash, cheque or credit card because I paid via visa.

I then went the the 1st Floor to have the Xray done (once again they take eftpos -- $65 non claimable through medicare) while waiting for this I went to the 2nd Floor to have the blood test ($31 also non claimable & can pay via eftpos facilities) After the blood test a simple stop by Xray to pick up your films, back to the doctors room where Pat looks over the report, takes one of the copies & tells you to keep your films for 12 months, you MUST have the films in your luggage at POE and that she will mail out the results as soon as the blood work comes back (usually within a week she told me)

So a summary of costs for Sydney Medical through Dr Millar in Macquarie Street:-

** Medical Consultation - $209 -- payable by cash, card or cheque

** Xray - $65 -- payable by cash or card (unsure about cheques) also not claimable through Medicare

** Blood Test -- $31 -- payable by cash or card (unsure about cheques) not claimable through Medicare.

US Size Passport Photos -- Kodak In the MLC Centre at base of stairs -- $18 for 2 (you NEED 3 for the medical) $3 for them to email you a copy for future use.

Overall it was a great day and I also got to spend some valuable time with my daughter whom I have not seen a great deal of lately because of the late nights spent at Westmead Childrens Hospital with my son on Dialysis.

Hope others find this useful

Really happy everything went smoothly for you!

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

Neil went in for his interview on Tuesday morning Sydney time. Said he got there at 7:40 am and there were about 20 people already there.....including people with 9 am and 10 am appointments!! He was pretty pissed off because even tho he had an 8 am appointment they let the 9 and 10 o'clocks up before the 8 am's.

He ended up waiting about 1 hour 45 minutes and then had all of 5 minutes for his interview. We're approved!!! WOOHOO!!!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Neil went in for his interview on Tuesday morning Sydney time. Said he got there at 7:40 am and there were about 20 people already there.....including people with 9 am and 10 am appointments!! He was pretty pissed off because even tho he had an 8 am appointment they let the 9 and 10 o'clocks up before the 8 am's.

He ended up waiting about 1 hour 45 minutes and then had all of 5 minutes for his interview. We're approved!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Grats !!

It surprises me that they let the early people up before those that had interviews first. Sure let them up, but not BEFORE the 8am's... doesn't matter though now right? The other good thing about it is you get time to relax and watch what's going on. Did he see anyone get denied or anyone flipping out or anything?

Edited March 10, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

Grats !!

It surprises me that they let the early people up before those that had interviews first. Sure let them up, but not BEFORE the 8am's... doesn't matter though now right? The other good thing about it is you get time to relax and watch what's going on. Did he see anyone get denied or anyone flipping out or anything?

Thanks!!! Yeah, I was surprised when Neil told me that too....and I don't know why they would have done things like that. Oh well.....doesn't matter now!!

There were a couple of "incidents".....He said one girl came in without an appointment or paperwork and was demanding to see someone and was arguing with the security. He said they "moved her out of the line" and she still continued arguing. Then when he got upstairs and there was an Indian family (10 am appointment!)..Mum, Dad, 2 kids who had were trying to get a visa to the US. They'd gone to the UK, then to AUS, and were now wanting to go to the US....both Mum and Dad had already quit their jobs! They ended up arguing with the interviewer for 37 minutes (Neil timed them) before the interviewer finally told them he couldn't help them. The interviewer then went in back and spoke with the other lady interviewer for about 10 minutes before coming back up and typing some things into his computer. Now, of all the people you wouldn't want to piss off, wouldn't it be the interviewers??? Anyway, Neil got the female interviewer and was only asked one question....where we'd met. :-)

[TerriandEric 4]

Neil went in for his interview on Tuesday morning Sydney time. Said he got there at 7:40 am and there were about 20 people already there.....including people with 9 am and 10 am appointments!! He was pretty pissed off because even tho he had an 8 am appointment they let the 9 and 10 o'clocks up before the 8 am's.

He ended up waiting about 1 hour 45 minutes and then had all of 5 minutes for his interview. We're approved!!! WOOHOO!!!!

GRATS!! :dance:

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

GRATS!! :dance:

Thank you!!! I've got my fingers crossed for you too!!

[James&Candice 3]

CONGRATULATIONS .....NOT LONG TO GO TILL THIS PART OF THE JOURNEY IS OVER WITH NOW