Migration Advice
I have called this page Migration Advice and that’s what you will find here. But it is also a resources page, with a mix of FAQs, along with some tips to help you plan your move. It is also a place where I can point you towards some useful articles on the blog that have got buried in the archives.
Ask Bob…
If you have a question about life in Australia or moving to Australia, I’m sure you will find the answer here. But if you don’t, just ask your question as a comment on the most relevant page.
Questions about visas and applications.
- Can you recommend a good MARA registered migration agent?
- Should I use a MARA registered migration agent?
- Would I qualify, what are my chances?
- How do I get a visa and which visa is best for me?
- I’m in the medical profession, how can I get a job?
- I am a skilled worker, how do I get a sponsorship?
- Can I bring my pet dog/cat/rabbit?
The price of stuff in Australia:
- What’s the cost of buying or renting a house in Australia?
- What is the cost of everything else, like cars, food, utilities, insurances, entertainment, well, everything?
- How much money will I need to live in Australia?
Living in Australia:
- Which city should I live in Australia?
- How do I choose a suburb in a city?
- How do I choose a school for my children?
- How will I survive, Australia is full of dangerous creatures?
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Bob, I’m thinking of going to AUS in a few months on a little trip to take a look at the place as I am really keen on moving there permanently in the future. Do you think it would be best just to go over there and live in a cheap hostel for a few weeks?
Also if I were to move there, would that also be better to start with? Live in a hostel with a little job in a supermarket or something until I find a better job that can fund something else?
Also about getting a permanent visa, I am a 24 year old British graduate, with a degree in Motion graphics & Animation (Animation is on the skilled list). I have around £4000 saved up that I could spend. Do you think I have a good chance of getting a permanent visa? How much money do you think I should have before moving there permanently?
Hi Tim
I think it’s a perfect plan, the backpackers hostels around here cost, I think, around $20-$40 a night. When my son came over from holiday we prepared the spare bedroom for him. But most nights he got the bus into the city and stayed in the backpackers! Well, he’s the same age as you and he wanted to meet people. And he did.
So I’d say go for it.
As for a permanent visa, if you like what you see during your few weeks visit then you could go for a 12 month working holiday visa and then come over with the sole intention of having fun and looking for a job sponsorship. That would then be you’re stepping stone towards permanent residency.
As for how much should you save, well, you could save forever and still not think you’ve got enough. £4000 is a good start, so I’d come over whenever you are ready.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy it here.
Hi Bob, one of my friend lives in Australia with pr. He is the only son of his parent. He wants to call his parents to Australia because he and his parents always miss each other and they need support of each other.he
he is capable to support all the expense of his family. but the main issue is he cannot arrange 4000=4000 of visa charges. his family have some non-movable property in India which they don’t want to sell right now.
so, Bob can u please suggest any easy and cheap procedure for their parent because they are getting mad in their son love and missing them. they are above 45 aged.
waiting for your precious advice.
There is no easy and cheap procedure. The price of a visa is the price of a visa. There’s no haggling with the Australian government.
thanks Bob,
i would tell them to any how arrange the money. But i want to ask can they pay this fees in installment or once only, and which visa they should apply for hand how long does this procedure take place. And they are in India so should they apply from India or their son can apply from Australia.
kindly please advice because i am very sorry for their pain.
Thanks
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the interesting blog and the support you have given
You must be wondering why, it all started with the intention to do a masters in Perth, then I started to do all the googling, all the reading up and at the end of the day, I just had a lightbulb moment that hey, I want to live, move to Perth and make it permanent. When all the excitment wears off, the ‘doubting thomas’ appeared….’Would i be able to get a job?’ ‘Am I crazy to leave behind a stable job?’ ‘Am I too old at 33?’ etc etc ….I then came across your blog and it really inspired me and spur me on.
Just want to leave you a note to say ‘Thank you
’
Thanks, it’s appreciated. Too old at 33? Haha! If it helps put your mind at rest, I was 49 1/2 when I came here. If you can get in, you’re never too old for Australia. Good luck!
Dear Bob,
I am hoping that you may be able to offer some advice for my family and I, as we feel like we have entered a minefield and need someone with some knowledge to help us (and hopefully make us feel a bit more hopeful and lift our spirits!)
My brother and his family will be flying out to Adelaide tomorrow to start a new life in Australia much to our upset.. He is in the police force in the UK and has joined the South Australian Police. He has got permanent residency for him, his wife and two children.
We are an extremely close family and are devastated by them going and would like to join them if possible along with my mum and dad but how to do this is my question!
My husband has filled out the skills assessment on the Australian Visa Assessment Bureau website and has passed but following an email from them they have said that We would have to apply to either Western Australia or Australian State Capital, obviously both are a long way from Adelaide which is where we want to be and also they are probably more expensive to live in than what we can afford.
My parents can apparently apply for a family visa but would have to wait for 2 years before they can even apply!!
I have been looking into the Remaining Relative Visa as once my brother goes my parents and I are the only close family we have in the UK. My husband is not in contact with his parents and he hasn’t been for many years but for this visa would we need to prove that and if so how would we be expected to do prove this??
My parents and I are absolutely desperate to get over to join my brother and his family as quickly as we possibly can and preferably both at around the same time, do you have any ideas as to the best and quickest way of achieving this?
My parents are 62 and 63, my mum is retired and my dad had to retire due to heath reasons. My husband is 38, I am 30 this May and we have two young children aged 5 and 7.
My brother reads your blog a lot and has found you very helpful and he advised that I write to you, I realise that you are probably inundated with people writing to you for advice but I really hope to hear back from you when you have a moment!
Best wishes
Nicole
Sent from my iPhone 4S
Hi Nicole
I wish I could help you, but you really need the help of a good MARA registered migration agent. Fortunately, I’ve got one who is going to be working with me on this website, so he should be able to guide you.
His services will not be free, but he will be able to assess your case for a very low fee.
As soon as I have it all set up, I will come back here and let you know.
Cheers
Bob
Thank you very much Bob, we’ll look forward to hearing back from you once you have this sorted, my brothers family will now be in Singapore, well into their journey across and we are all feeling so sad
(
Best wishes Nicole
Sorted now, check out my Visa Assessment Service page. My MARA agent is in place and waiting to help. Good luck, hope it all works out.
Has anyone had any good shipping costs recently, just been quoted £4630. for a 20ft container by Castles in Deal Kent to Brisbane. Without insurance costs etc added yet, thats two of us going home to the Gold Coast only not a family. So i think they just have a 20ft container in mind what ever on entry your home, anyone got any good option maybe last year etc. I am a good haggler so its game on with plenty of removalists to pick from really, Doree Bonner took me before so maybe will again after haggling done. Any views anyone, thanks us two.
I paid about £6,000 to Pickfords for a 40 foot container four years ago. Anybody else got the prices they can share?
My husband and I have just started the process of migration to Australia. He is in Heavy Construction (Road, highway and this includes the underground utilities.) I have been trying to have his classiications accessed and sso far the migration services have blown me off. Also I am a mom (We have 2 small children) and a fulltime university student. In the case that we can get his creditials accepted, shall I transfer into university in OZ or wait until my RN is complete?
Thank you for you time
Heidi
Hi Heidi
This is a technical question about getting a visa, I’m just not qualified to answer you. But I do have a man who can, please check out my Visa Assessment Service. It’s not free, but it is extraordinary value. It might be just what you are looking for.
Good luck!
Bob
Hi Bob!
Firstly, can I just say how amazingly helpful your site is. It is fantastic for those of us dreaming of a life in Oz and I hope you realise how valuable that is.
We’ve been trawling the government sites as well and have a few unanswered questions. I wondered if you could offer up any pointers??
> The application advice says passport must be valid for 2 years. Mine is. Just… however, reading your site, you only get 5 years to get into Oz if you have 5 years on your passport. Do you know what happens if your passport expires before you have settled permanently (but after you validate..)
> How on earth do we prove we are in a lasting and genuine relationship?!? My wife and I have been married for 15+ years.
> Do translations of official documents have to be certified as well as the copies of the documents themselves?! If so, can this be done by the notary I am using to certify the copies?!
> Finally, we can’t find anything about the bonds investment gaining extra points – do you know if they have now stopped this?
Thank you for any help and guidance …
Hi Paul
I’ll do the best I can to answer your questions, but please understand I’m not qualified to do so, so these are only my opinions of what I think is the case.
Two years is fine on your passport, it gives you enough time to use that passport to validate your visa. The important thing to remember is when that passport runs out and you get a new one, then to leave and return to Australia you need to present both passports. Your new and valid passport and your old passport with your embossed and validated visa enclosed. Always carry both.
If you are married, your marriage certificate proves you are in a lasting relationship.
Yes, I think all of those translations have to be certified, not sure who by and I do not know whether the bonds investment scheme is still going. Maybe somebody else can answer that one, anybody?
Good luck Paul.
Hi Bob
wishing you for the best, i am Qaisar aged 31 from Pakistan, i wish to seek Aus immigration under skill worker category, for this instance i searched at my best to find right way to go, but could not find right direction which has confused me.
I have done my post graduation in Arts Political Science (16 years of full time education) by profession i have progressive experience in Law & Enforcement( Police) for 7 years and currently i am associated with Pakistan based diplomatic mission in same capacity.
i have been told by various people that i cant seek Australian immigration because my profession is not in demand so i have to give up on further move, but i am still optimistic that some one must assist me with professional advise. meantime some one also suggest me to get work permit or sponsorship from Australia that may enables me to lodge immigration application. so all these put me down because i have not family member settle over there, nor contacts but i am still confident that i must seek professional advise and route to right direction.
while searching i found your portal as hope of light where i could guide to the best, so please do guide me what should i do and if possible refer me to professional bodies/representative dealing with immigration process.
Best Regards
Sounds like this is what you need, Visa Assessment Service. If there is a way, we will find it.
Hi Bob! It’s Rosa. I am the English teacher to whom Mikklos sent an email telling how important it was for me to provide him with all the necessary personal information.Well,I have sent him an email,but i haven´t had any reply yet.Could you please tell me why it happened?IMaybe I have to wait a little longer,I don’t really know. Anyway,I have searched the net for almost everything on visas,including shortage job lists,the possibility of a state or regional sponsorship and my conclusion was that there is a possibility for me in terms of matching the job needs in your country.As my degree is on English and German Studies ,I think my proficiency on the German language can be of good use and consequently enable me to apply for a teaching job .!However ,I am not sure if I have to take and pass an IELTS test.. I would appreciate it, if you enlightened me on the previous topics.I was thinking of obtaining a masters degree either on Engish or German,and it would be most useful if in the meanwhile you wrote me a few lines on the mentioned issues. Honestly, I hang on to this possibility and I wiil do anything in my power to be able to accomplish what I think is a life time opportunity.In addition to this ,I have a son who is a great sudent at English who is studying psychology and it I believe he could also have a wonderful future in an English speaking country such as Australia.That’s all for now .I only hope you can help by giving me other pieces of information which I might have overlooked .Thanks again,BYE BYE!
rosamaria
Hi Rosa,
I’ve received your email. I have a backlog to clear with a few submission hence the delay. I’ll try to get back to you today, but you’ll def have answer over the weekend
Miklos
Hello BoB Greetings
Well let me tell u my backgrounds first.
I am Suzit (age 19 )from Nepal. And i am interested in Australia ever since my childhood.
And actually my GF (Sujina age 18 )is willing to be CA . I think dependent visa will be very perfect for us cause we cant stay separately. I am GCE A Level Student With 2 Grade C in Physics and Maths. And my gf is really good in study (received a honorary student certificate from vice president 83 % in grade 12 )but she is from +2 background (not a international degree but valid in Australia i guess cause my cousin sisters are in uni after this +2 board).
I don’t know what are the steps to be CA in Australia, which uni is good in it and what are the job possibilities?
I have some friends with PR in Australia who have stayed there for more than 6 years , they told me that they have managed a job for me and a place to live.
And i can trust them easily.
And after she becomes CA will be any chances that we get PR and extend our visa permanently, and can i get PR through my friends ?
What could be best option for me to get PR
Some Corrections
( we ) instead of ( i ) and
( us) instead of ( me)
And after she becomes CA will be any chances that we get PR and extend our visa permanently, and can we get PR through my friends ?
What could be best option for us to get PR?
And ya i am really interested in Photography.
I have practise Photography lot.
Can i continue photography as a profession or not?
And can i continue my studies too (any bachlor or deploma degress)
As i told u earlier we are planning to be there in dependent visa (she will be studying and i will be working )
All questions I can’t answer Suzit, but I wish you well with your application.
Hi …. Sorry yet another question my husband has had a job offer with the Australian arm of his uk company however I stumbled across the medical assessments we have a 7 year old that has learning difficulties at school slower than other children there is no medical diagnosis …. Does this mean we will be refused a visa ?
I can’t talk on behalf of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, but I really don’t think you need to worry. I believe the government are mainly concerned with highly contagious illnesses or long-term, expensive to treat conditions.
Thanks bob and me and hubby think your website is fantastic !!!! Fingers crossed that we are granted the visa think his company will be sponsoring us to start off with I’m sure a 457 was mentioned as his company want him over quickly …. Just this medical stuff that is concerning us really …. Thanks again
Thanks Becci, I hope it all works out well.
Hi Bob
Just wondering if you know anything about licensed trades? My husband is an Electrician and we have just started the process. Do you know if there is anything he can do whilst still in the uk that will help him gain his license sooner when we arrive in oz?
I think your site is really good by the way, I wasn’t sure about bringing our dog but after reading about your own experiences i now know he’s coming with us no matter what it costs!
Hi Nicola
I think your husband will have to sit the test when he gets here, I don’t think there’s anything he can do in the UK. But I don’t know for sure, is there an electrician in the house?
Hope you, and your dog arrived here soon.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob,
Great site by the way.
So confused as to what to do at mo……
Iam permanent resident of Australia (have been since 1998),but returned to UK in 06,to see more of my family and start a new career as cabin crew,my RRV runs out in March 2013,and won’t be able to renew it,so basically need to return to Australia(with my fiancée,who will be traveling initially on 12 month working visa,and never been to Aus before),do have some Aussie savings,from selling my property in 2010.
Just not sure what to do,weather to return and give up our full time secure jobs hear in UK for uncertainty in Aus(mel area)spend allot of money originally settling back,then having my fiancée apply to stay if she likes it,or have opportunity to buy flat we live in hear(or at least similar with deposit),near countryside,have things I love hear now,events,cheap travel with Job to Europe,family,my fiancées horses,her private pilots licence etc,all this,never thought I would question myself and always was adamant that I would return to Aus,but have no real good friends over there,just feel something I may regret if loose residency,hard decision,what is quality of life in the end,where you live or how you live?
Any advice would be helpful(sorry for long winded question).
Surely you qualify to apply for Australian citizenship? If you do, why don’t you get that sorted first then you always have the option of returning to Australia if you want to.
As you say, it would be a shame to lose it.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply,
Problem is it would still mean coming across to Aus for 4/5 years before I could now qualify,as been away since 2006,which isn’t a bad thing on itself,but would mean starting all over again over there(Aus) and then returning to UK again after I had citizenship.
Regards
Dean
Then it seems as though you have a big decision to make Dean, I can’t help you, although I know what I would do if it were me. It shouldn’t be too hard for you to guess what that would be, seeing as I live in Australia. But I’m not knocking the UK and Europe either, I spent a lot of time and had a lot of fun there. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out well. Cheers!
Thankyou Bob
Yes big decision,real crossroads in life
Always believed in fate,what will be will be(getting all philosophical hear haha).
If anyone would like to comment/advice then by all means email me.
Stoxxy08 (at) yahoo.co.uk
(that ok with you Bob)
Regards
Dean
OK, but Ive edited your e-mail address so that the bots can’t read it, otherwise you will be swamped with rubbish.
Greetings!
Planning to make the leap and do some travel nursing in Oz. Think the process will be easy for me, but I’m wondering if it will be difficulty to bring my hubby along. He doesn’t plan to work while we’re there, and I’m sure my income can support us both there, as it does so occasionally here in the States without any difficulty. Can anybody share advice, experiences, how to’s related to this?
Thanks!…and cheers, Mate.
If you qualify, your husband will automatically qualify as well as your spouse. So it looks like he can come too, although he will have to pass the health and criminal record checks.
Hey Bob,
My question of the afternoon is a complicated one, I have my own little business in the United States in California, I dont want to expand in California though. I would like to expand in Melbourne, Australia. I have all of my close friends in Australia and I want to go into a partnership with her in the business. Now even though it is an out of the home business and we are eventually going to open a store I was wondering if I can gain, after a while, permanent or even temporary residency. Her family is willing to sponsor if they legally can. Is that something that can happen?
Thanks!
Fawna
Hi Fawna
Well, yes, I believe you could get entry into Australia by running a business, but I do think you will have to employ a set number of Australians, not sure how many.
You may want to look at my Visa Assessment Service, it’s not free but it may be just what you need.
Good luck!
Hi BOB,
i think you are the only one who can help me .i am 22 years old i am from india, i want to visit my girlfriend during September , she is studying her MS in la trobe university,melbourne. she is with her student visa ,will i get tourist visa for 10 -15 days and i can book backpackers hotel in Habitat HQ,333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda, 3182 Melbourne which is cheap for my budget.
i have only 1500 Australian dollars in my savings account where 1000 for flight tickets and 300 dollars to stay , other expenses my girl friend will take care as she works part-time there.i am confused where to start and what to do please help me , will i get a tourist visa if i show my hotel bookings for 10 days? please do reply
I don’t think tourist visas are too hard to get, visit my page about Visas, watch the video and and follow the instructions on that page. Good luck!
hi
bob this is ayesha .i want to know if we buy a house in australia can we get the visa.
please tell me the information if your answer is yes.
please do answer me i really need help
And what should I do if my answer isn’t yes?
just tell me i need to know . someone told me that they got visas by staying in pakistan and buying a house in australia . so is it true or not.
Buying a house in Australia will not get you a visa.
Hi Bob,
I am 23 from Ireland. I would like to move to Australia. I do have family in Melbourne but i have no actual qualifications! Can I still go and if so what do I need??
Gemma, it is way more complicated than that. When I applied, I think there were about 80 or so pages in the application form. Not having any qualifications will not help your case.
I would suggest you apply for a working holiday visa, that will allow you to visit for one year and work here. It’s only temporary. But at least you will find out whether you really like Australia or not. If you do, then you could look into how to get here permanently, but you may have to think about getting a qualification to do that.
Good luck!
Dear Bob.
I think your web site is fantastic. I can’t understand why HGV drivers are not on the skilled workers list, as I know that the mining is quite big there in Auz and they need HGV drivers on their logistic team.
What I would like to know is, are there any Logistics companies that give sponsorship to British HGV drivers? My family (my partner 36, myself 36 and 3 kids: 15,13 and 9 and our Stafford) are all desperate for a new life down under!
My partner has family (his nan’s sister) there in Western Australia but he doesn’t really know them as we could have asked them for sponsorship?
Well I do hope you can help if not… back to the drawing board!
Many thanks for your time!
Rosa Perez.
I’m not sure Rosa, but if anyone reading this knows of any logistics companies looking for an HGV driver who are prepared to sponsor them, get in touch with me and I’ll pass it on to Rosa.
Rosa, it helps that you have relatives out here, but even if they did sponsor you, that would not guarantee you a visa for Australia. At best, it might give you five extra points, as far as I’m aware.
hi bob
i wan to move to oz with my boyfriend! we are living in the uk now..
what visa will be best ? training visa would that help us get work ? would it be possible to train in work with a 12month visa (and renew it if needed) then that way we can work and have a sponsor to get a permanently working visa.. would we need the same visa each. or can we do it by one visa?
and wat would make us a citizen ?? if i had a baby in oz will that make us citizens?
Having a baby in Australia will not make you a citizen. For more information about which visa is best for you, click on the relevant link in the above article, it’s called How do I get a visa and which visa is best for me?
I’m not qualified to answer your questions, but there are details and a link to someone who can help you on that page, if you’re interested.
Good luck!
I was an emigrant in Australia about 37 years ago for 5 years and as my children will be living in Australia, I would like to come and live there for good. Can I do that and what should I need to come back and stay for good with my wife who has never been to Australia? I receive the australian pension and the maltese pension where I am living now. I would appreciate it very much if you could answer me soon. Thanks before hand.
I really don’t know really know Reno, but unless you are an Australian citizen, you would have to apply for a visa. Sounds like you probably need the advice of a MARA registered migration agent, check out my Visa Assessment Service if you want professional help,or take a look at my page about Visas if you want to look into it for yourself.
Hey bob just wanted to ask , i am a citizen of india and i have 456 short stay business visa which is valid till december this year , i am working in an MNC which provided me this VISA ,now i want to enter australia for vacation for 20 days now can i enter australia on the base of my business visa or i have apply for tourist visa for which i have to show huge amount money , please suggest what should i do.
Sorry Adit, I can’t answer Specific questions about visas., I’m just not qualified.
Ok Thanks and sorry sir .
No need to apologise, sorry I couldn’t help.
how hard isit to get a sponsor?? my bf wants a working visa so we can stay an live in oz..were going out for 12mouth cos my bf will be 31 in that time and i believe rightly you will need a sponsor to work out there… if my bf work will i have to get a sponsor to stay out there 2 ?
That mostly depends on what your boyfriend does for work. It’s never easy to get sponsorship, but it is more likely to happen if your skill is on the wanted list. Whether or not you can come with your boyfriend should he get a visa, depends upon if you can prove that you are together as if you are man and wife.
Good luck!
Ok he does data engineer ? That on the list?
Wat do you need to say out there?
You would need a visa to come to Australia to live and work. You would need to get enough points to qualify, you can check for yourself by following the instructions on my page about Visas or you can get a professional assessment, see my Visa Assessment Service.
Dear Bob,
I and my wife hold Aussi PR. We recd the same in 2010, however due to personal issued could not more to Australia. I am an accountant by qualification and am in a respectable job and decent earnings in India. Therefore there in a dilemma whether to migrate to Aus. Further I hear of job losses and uncertainities. Since I do not have local Aussi experience, I am contemplating to take up a course in Acounting which offers Commonwealth Support and therfore subsidised education.
You think it is a good strategy? also, how good / bad is the economic and employment situation?
I wouldn’t really want to advise you on this one Aditya, this is not my field of expertise. But maybe somebody else reading this might help you, anybody?
hi bob im starting from square one.were trying to move out there with the regional sponsered migration as that seems our best option we think.the question is where to start???
Start on my page about Visas.
Hi Bob,
My partner and i are looking to get a 1 year working visa in September 2013. The thing is my partner turns 30 in June 2013. Would he still be eligible?
Also if we were to work in agriculture and extend our visa for a further year, he would have turned 31 by then. Would this be eligible?
Any help would be great. Thanks
Yes, he will be all right, being 30 is okay. Being 31 is not good though, although I’m really not sure how that would affect an extension if you worked in agriculture. Does anyone else know the answer to that one?
Hi Bob,
I have very much enjoyed reading through your website – everything is very well presented and concise! My girlfriend and I are both 23 years old, and have been considering moving to Australia for some months. We both have good Bachelor of Arts degrees from UK universities; she currently works as a teaching assistant in a disabled children’s school and I work in customer services. Having looked through the different Visa options, we reckon that the working holiday visa would be the best option for us at this time, due to the financial limitations and potential problems fulfilling the skilled criteria for the General Skilled Migration Programme. I have a few questions about the working holiday visa which I hope you could answer.
1) What are the costs involved in obtaining a WHV, and is it more affordable than the other options?
2) Are there specific criteria or requirements one must meet in order to apply/obtain a WHV, and if so what are they?
3) Is it possible to apply for permanent residency, during/after the WHV expires if one secured sponsored employment whilst living in Australia?
4) How long does the WHV last?
Many thanks
James
By an amazing coincidence, all of your questions are answered in today’s post, which is called Backpacking in Australia: A Simple Guide.
Well, question 3 isn’t answered, but I’m pretty sure you could, assuming you manage to secure a sponsorship offer.
So, go for it!
Hi!
Im not looking for any advice i just wanted to say your website is fantastic and very helpful! I’m coming to Australia at the end of a year on a working holiday visa with the hope of getting permanent residency in the near future (my job is on the skilled work list wooohooo!)
But yeah, just to say keep up the good work! I think your website is great and its good to see things other people are struggling with that im sure i can have fun dealing with when i go for permanent residency!
Thanks!
Thanks Izzy, I always love a good complement now and then
I’m glad my website has been helpful and I hope you secure a job sponsorship whilst here on your WHV and that you ultimately get permanent residency. It can happen, loads of people have done it.
Good luck!