The test lasts 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic and the route. You will have to perform two maneuvers as part of the assessment, which can vary depending on the test location and instructor (the maneuvers are Reverse Parking, U-Turn, 3-Point Turn, or Parallel Parking).
Checks
Check if the turn signals are working (both at the front and rear of the car) and the brake lights as well (there are three: one central and two on the sides)! Ask a friend to check for you a few days before the test. If you arrive on the day of the test and there is a problem with any of these items, you will not be able to take the test and will have to pay a $58 rescheduling fee.
Attentions
Every driveway exit from the NSW Service has a STOP sign. It might seem silly, but in the nerves of the moment, we often end up not seeing it. So pay attention to this detail, always stop for 3 seconds and then continue on your route.
Failing
Check if the turn signals are working (both at the front and rear of the car) and the brake lights as well (there are three: one central and two on the sides)! Ask a friend to check for you a few days before the test. If you arrive on the day of the test and there is a problem with any of these items, you will not be able to take the test and will have to pay a $58 rescheduling fee.
During the Test
Always monitor your speed (pay attention to signs, including School Zone signs if your test is during school hours). Better to go very slowly than to fail due to speeding.
GIVE WAY: wait the necessary time but don't fail by not giving way! It's tough because we get anxious and want to go quickly, but if you fail this, you fail immediately.
The famous NECK CHECK: when changing lanes or making turns, according to Australian law, you must turn your neck to check the 'blind spot'. Literally break your neck to the side! Even if you think it’s not necessary, you have to do it during the test.
Whenever you brake to make a turn or pass through a traffic light, look in the rearview mirror. It's important for managing timing in case a car is behind you.
Always keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel and manage your lane entry correctly after making a turn, to prevent the evaluator from judging that you do not have control of the vehicle. There is an item on the evaluation sheet called "Performing an illegal act or manoeuvre".
Supermarkets
Expiration Date
In the perishables section, the shelves are almost always organized so that the items expiring first are at the front. So for vegetables and meats, look for the products at the back
Woolworths (Wollies)
Good for picking up ready-to-eat food. Wide variety and quality, and the tip is to take advantage of the orange reduced price tags because they lower prices to prevent waste. The closer to the expiration, the greater the discount.
Starting from 4 pm, the section of breads, pastries, and unpackaged sweets made on the day are half price.
Simplifying home cooking by delivering at home weekly boxes containing step-by-step recipes along with the necessary ingredients pre-measured. Its service is designed to cater to individuals, couples, and families who are looking for an easy and convenient way to cook home meals.
Customers can choose from a variety of plans based on their dietary preferences, such as family-friendly, low-calorie, or vegetarian, and select the number of meals and servings per week.
The legal age to purchase and consume alcohol in Australia is 18 years. It is illegal for anyone under this age to buy alcohol or to consume it in licensed premises.
Valid photo identification must be presented by customers who appear to be under 25 to verify their age.
Where to Buy Alcohol
Licensed Premises: Alcohol can be purchased at various licensed venues including pubs, clubs, bars, and restaurants.
Retail Outlets: Bottleshops, supermarkets with a liquor license, and specialty liquor stores are the main retail outlets. Some states allow alcohol sales in supermarkets, while others do not.
Online Sales
Alcohol can also be purchased online, but the buyer must verify their age at the time of purchase.
Bottleshops
Bottle shops are usually located near supermarkets, with the exception of Aldi, where you can purchase alcohol inside the store. However, you will need to choose a specific cashier that is authorized to handle alcoholic drink transactions.
BWS: This is the Woolworths bottle shop.
Liquorland: This is the Coles bottle shop.
Operating Hours
Retail liquor stores have specific hours when they can operate, which might differ on weekends and public holidays.
Last Call
Bars and pubs usually have a designated "last call" time, after which no more alcohol can be served or sold.
Uber Eats
How much do you earn?
The average is between 20 to 25 dollars per hour (it can reach 40 in optimal cases, but also drop to 10 dollars in poor cases). The amount varies depending on the day and location (central locations like the City are better). On rainy, cold days, or days with other difficulties that prevent people from leaving home, you can make more deliveries because there are more orders and fewer people delivering.
VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online)
The VEVO check is a service provided by the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs. It allows businesses to verify the visa status and work rights of non-citizens in Australia.
These details change frequently and may be inaccurate. They are just information I have heard over time. I recommend first checking the government website for the correct information or consulting an immigration agent.
Immigration Agent
Before seeking an agent, do some research on the internet to speed up the initial consultations, as they charge by the hour. There are immigration agencies and immigration lawyers who can help you with the application. Is an agent really necessary? It depends. If you have good qualifications, do extensive research, and are confident that you meet all the requirements, you can apply on your own. However, any mistake can cost you money and time. The benefit of an agent is that they can find easier ways for you to obtain the visa, with strategies that you might not find on the internet. Research well before choosing an agent because they can also make mistakes, and it is usually not cheap.
Bridge
This visa is received after applying for a renewal or a new visa. It is valid until you receive a response for your new visa, whether positive or negative. The rights you have during this visa are the same as your previous visa. Therefore, if you are on a tourist visa and have applied for a student visa, you can only start working after receiving the new visa. Another important piece of information is that when you renew your student visa, you can only work when you are attending classes. You need to obtain another visa for international travel.
Graduate
You can obtain this visa after completing a course in Australia that lasts more than 2 to 4 years (depending on the level of education) and the profession is on one of the job demand lists. With this visa, you have the right to work full-time, but it can only be applied for once in a lifetime.
Regionals
This visa classification is very recent and still undergoes frequent changes. It is a way for you to obtain a permanent residency visa in regions far from major centers (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Gold Coast), where you work for 3 years in an eligible region to qualify for permanent residency in that region.
Working Holiday Visa
This work visa allows you to work full-time for 1 year, but it has several limitations, such as: you cannot work for more than 6 months in the same company to avoid creating a bond, and not all countries are eligible to apply for this visa. To renew the visa, you need to work for 2 months on a farm; if you do not do this within 1 year, you cannot apply for another work visa. The taxes paid are higher than those for other visas.
Sponsor
To obtain this type of visa, a company must apply on your behalf and cover all expenses. The application requirements include: being in a profession listed on the in-demand jobs list, having 2 years of experience after graduation, or having 5 years of experience in the field.