Moving to Aus (thinking thereof)

Russinating · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:26

I know there's a fair few people here who've become ex-pats and I'm wetting my lips at the prospect, mainly because I could be a house husband

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Basically my girlfriend's training to be a midwife and graduates in a year. It's one of the careers that's called for in Aus and she could earn £35k+ GBP in her first year there as opposed to ~£22k here.

My industry - media stuff - isn't called for at all but I'm a jack of all trades so I'm sure I could get something when I'm out there. That or just surf and prepare the evening BBQ

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Anyway, I'm just after some personal advice from people that have taken the trip. What was the hardest part? How easy is it to get a job before a visa? How did you transport your stuff (or did you leave it all here)? What to watch out for etc and any other general advice. Also how far in advance should my girlfriend be looking for jobs/sorting out the whole thing before she graduates, or can it not be done before that?

Basically any advice and stories would be great

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Docaroo · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:31

I'm not sure immigration works on a "Sure I can get something when I'm out there" deal ...

You would need a working visa to work, and therefore a job, etc!

[TW]Fox · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:34

You need a visa and if your occupation is not called for then this is a major hurdle.

Morgoth · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:36

As said, it's really hard if your occupation isn't one that the country is looking to recruit.

megakid · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:43

I just got back to London from 2.5 years out there living in Sydney - in summary, great place to live - quality of life is better (better weather, more outdoors etc) IF you can afford to live in one of the cities there. They are very expensive places to live. Bare in mind your GF's £35k probably has the same purchasing power, in Sydney, as £22k would do in London - in terms of rent and other costs of living.

If you are under a certain age you can get a 1 year working visa almost as standard - which can be extended 1 more year in a few ways. After that you must get sponsored to stay there, unless you can get on your GFs visa as a spouse.

EDIT: I also know a bunch of English graduate doctors over there (they moved out about 1 year ago) so I can ask them what the process they went through was if you want more information.

Danthus · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:44

Send him (back)

megakid · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:49

With regards to your visa, it's not "easy" by any stretch but it is possible even if you don't have a profession in need IF (and only IF) your GF get's sponsored on a class 457 visa.

See: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/jobs-careers/23823-457-visa-spouse-working.html

[TW]Fox · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:58

megakid said:
If you are under a certain age you can get a 1 year working visa almost as standard - which can be extended 1 more year in a few ways.

This is a working travel visa. It is available for anyone between the age of 18 and 30 and is designed for people to fund travelling around Australia, not as a gateway to permanent residency.

There are a number of conditions attached to it - the big one is that you cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months on this Visa. Employers know this and you'll find it very hard to get employment in a role other than the sort of thing the average backpacker would want, or on anything other than a fixed term temporary contract.

You CAN have it extended by another year but only if you worked in argiculture on your working travel visa for the first year.

EDIT: I also know a bunch of English graduate doctors over there (they moved out about 1 year ago) so I can ask them what the process they went through was if you want more information.

Asking doctors how they got in is completely useless - a doctor is a skilled professional and very much in demand. A 'house husband' who is a 'jack of all trades' and does 'some media stuff' isn't.

To be honest I think your chances are slim, Russinating. Australia has a very good immigration policy, it's designed to allow people they need and keep out people they don't really want. You seem to be reasonably unskilled and without anything really to offer them therefore it's going to be very difficult to get a visa for residency.

Even your girlfriend might find it tricky right away - you need a certain number of points and being on the skilled occupation list only gives you a certain amount. Other things like professional experience count, so you might find that straight out of Uni with no experience of being a midwife leads to a flat 'go away'.

To be frank this sounds like a pipe dream. Have you even visited the country? Why consider emigrating to a country you've not visited if you've not?

I think what you need to do is forget about it for 5 years, allow your girlfriend to gain experience in her chosen field, get yourself some sort of skilled profession, and THEN think about applying.

Because as it stands I can't see them saying 'So you are a freshly qualified midwife and your boyfriend is going to stay at home, do the hoovering and 'pick something up'? Welcome to Australia'.

Russinating · 13 Jul 2011 at 11:59

Yeah, from what I heard the working visas (or at least certain ones) came with a +1. I will be 25 and she'll obviously be 21 at the time if that changes/helps things.

Kutter · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:00

My one bit of advice is to get some aussie friends when you get there. If you hang round with other expats you'll have more chance of getting home sick when they start reminising about blighty.

Go on holiday before you try moving there you might not even like the place.

Join an immigration forum and read as much info as you can about it. Becareful though as some people will tell you things that are a load of crap. Check the rules and regulations on the aus embassy web site.

Good luck

Russinating · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:02

[TW]Fox;19574056 said:
To be frank this sounds like a pipe dream. Have you even visited the country? Why consider emigrating to a country you've not visited if you've not?

Calm down, ******. Have you even asked if I've visited the country? Why even jump to conclusions and assume I haven't?

I lived in Malaysia for a year and visited Australia for a month, if that answers your question.

And pray tell - what's wrong with pipe dreams?

[TW]Fox · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:03

Russinating said:
Calm down, ******. Have you even asked if I've visited the country?

Well yes, you quoted me asking you? :confused:

Danthus · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:04

Russinating said:
And pray tell - what's wrong with pipe dreams?

Absolutely nothing, any minute now Megan Fox is going to make me have sex with her, any minute now, any minute.........

Liampope · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:23

Russinating said:
[TW]Fox;19574056 said:

To be frank this sounds like a pipe dream. Have you even visited the country? Why consider emigrating to a country you've not visited if you've not?

Click to expand...

Calm down, ******. Have you even asked if I've visited the country? Why even jump to conclusions and assume I haven't?

LOL!

made me chuckle. Fox is just keeping it real - telling it how it is. Seemed to be quite calm too.

panthro · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:26

Just because she can earn an extra 13k GBP a year in Australia is no reason to move there. The cost of living is higher than the UK if youre comparing GBP to AUD, so what she earns there will still be the equivalent of what she'll earn here. She will not be any better off financially.

panthro · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:29

You and her could easily get working holiday visas, but you would not be able to be employed for longer than 6 months by the same employer. After 1 year if she is working in midwifery then her employer could offer to sponsor her for a visa.

[TW]Fox · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:35

panthro said:
You and her could easily get working holiday visas, but you would not be able to be employed for longer than 6 months by the same employer. After 1 year if she is working in midwifery then her employer could offer to sponsor her for a visa.

I would imagine the chances of being offered a midwifery position on a working travel visa are very low - so low that it would be a HUGE gamble to go all the way out there hoping to get that..

megakid · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:39

[TW]Fox;19574056 said:
Asking doctors how they got in is completely useless - a doctor is a skilled professional and very much in demand. A 'house husband' who is a 'jack of all trades' and does 'some media stuff' isn't.

You misunderstand. The main obstacle here is HER 457 visa, not his. I was referring to his GF. Her profession IS very much in demand out there and I would put a high chance on her obtaining a 457 based on her skills. Once she has sponsorship he can look up the next steps.

For example, he could enter the country on a 1 year working holiday visa with her (on a 457) whilst a spouse visa is progressing, with the option to extend for another year if things take a little longer than usual.

I know loads of people that did this and are happily living out there - some 'spouse visa' couples have broken up and both are still there after sorting out agreements.

None of these things are a given and sure, it's a risk, but moving country always is.

Dr House · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:43

I have been thinking about Australia also. I really!!! want to go to america but my wife really does not want to study for the USMLE's and is very much against going to America however she is willing to consider australia but I am concerned I will not find something to do as I am not too keen on practicing medicine my self.

But on the up side she would make 180k AUD so I can stay at home.

I looked at some of the housing as its rather expensive. 1m AUD seems to get you a 2/3 bed flat in the city!

megakid · 13 Jul 2011 at 12:46

Dr House said:
I looked at some of the housing as its rather expensive. 1m AUD seems to get you a 2/3 bed flat in the city!

Like I said, you can't compare the money just by converting salaries back to GBP at the current exchange rate. It is significantly more expensive to live out there - $2.80 for a normal - not even KING size - chocolate bar in a supermarket for starters!