Moving to Australia – An Idea.

ideaboyAs with anything in life, it begins with an idea. It’s a simple idea, which, in this case, is “I think I’ll move to Australia”. Yes, it’s a simple idea but it’s also a very big one. It is a very big move. One that for some time was too big for us. We felt Australia was just too far removed from the rest of the world and we still loved visiting parts of Europe. There’s so much to see.

Let me start at the beginning. Late in 2000, my brother-in-law and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia. My wife was devastated. She was going to miss her nieces, aged four and six at the time, so very much. How could her brother take them so far away?

We decided (my wife told me) that we would holiday in Australia once every two years. So we did. Here’s a tip for any of you who are hoping to move to Australia and who have aunties, uncles, grannies or granddads trying to stop you. IGNORE THEM! Then what you need to do is get them to visit you as soon as they can. Because, when they do, they will have the “now I get it moment” and all their anger will disappear. I almost guarantee it. They will see straight away what a fantastic new life and future you have given your children.

So, we holidayed in Australia in March 2002, July 2004 and December 2005. The first two visits we pretty much stayed in Brisbane, and just did lots of “days out”. Yes, we had a great time. But we didn’t fall in love with the place. So we were sticking to our plan to move to France.

Then came our visit of December 2005. This time we didn’t just stay in Brisbane. We did stay in Brisbane for Christmas but when that was over, we got into our car’s and drove to Sydney, getting there in time to see the new year fireworks. After that, we drove over to the wine making region of the Hunter Valley and stayed there for a few days.

Then we went to a beach called Teewah, which is a couple of hours north of Brisbane and was just stunning. To get to Teewah, you need to drive along the beach for about 10 or 12 km.

To get to the nearest pub, or nearest anything for that matter, you’ll need to do a little off roading. But if you know the way, you can be at Rainbow Beach in about 40 minutes. It’s a bumpy ride.

We did find the pub, but watching my lot slurp beer and eat crisps isn’t an enjoyable experience, so I spared you it. Rainbow Beach was lovely, but Teewah is special. Visit if you can.

A very young Elizabeth on Teewah Beach…

Elizabeth

Teewah Beach sand…

TeawahIt was on this holiday that we fell in love with Australia. We had had a glimpse of what the country, rather than Brisbane, had to offer. It was obvious there was so much to see. All of a sudden, being so far from Europe and so many other places in the world didn’t seem such a bad idea.

But it wasn’t just us falling in love with the country. For some reason, although our daughter was just 21 months old, Australia seemed to suit her so much. The outdoor life, the sporty life, the sunshine, the sand and the beaches. She seemed so happy, happier than ever before. When we sat her down on the beach at Teewah, we had never seen her so content. She just sat there for hours playing.

Happy for hours

Happy for hours

It was the holiday that changed our lives. It was the holiday when we decided we wanted to move to Australia.

Making that decision is as exciting as it is scary. Unlike France, where we could just “show up”, being allowed into Australia is somebody else’s call. Our job was to convince them.

Let the paperwork begin!

If you want to know more, read Moving to Australia Part 2 where I discuss 6 ways to move to Australia.

For a full chronological list and brief description of all the posts in this series about how I moved to Australia, please visit my page How to Move to Australia.

Visa Assessment Service
{ 92 comments… add one }
  • SHOUN May 15, 2018, 4:19 pm |

    hi BOB, I am shoun. my story is a little bit different from others. actually, I’m from India and doing my bachelor degree (B-Tech).
    I’m 18 years old. I will complete my studies in 3 years,next I would like to do masters in Australia. my girlfriend and her sister’s family were living in Australia from since 2 years. so I want to go Australia to do my further studies and also for my girlfriend. I don’t know how to get there.
    I would like to have friends in Aussie so that I can start conservations and know their culture, etc.
    this is my first time in visiting this site. I’m happy to know lots of information here. thanking you, you did a good job….

    • BobinOz May 16, 2018, 9:00 pm |

      I do have some information that may help you on my page about Student Visas.

      Good luck, Bob

  • Haris Asif January 29, 2018, 3:33 pm |

    Hello ,

    Looking at your journey has really eased my anxiety of changing a country to live in. I am planning to move to OZ myself, in-fact I have applied for 489 NSW visa as well , probably will land in Sydney and go to Wagga Wagga, Riverina as I am on a state sponsorship program for now. Hope to read more of your blogs in the future

    • BobinOz January 29, 2018, 8:22 pm |

      Glad to have helped and if you do end up coming here, I hope you get to love it as much as I do.

      Just so that you know, Wagga Wagga is actually pronounced ‘Woga Woga’ and there’s even more, they only say it once, so the town is known as Wagga, ie Woga.

      I kid you not.

  • MARLET September 18, 2017, 5:53 pm |

    We have been thniking to migrate in Australia. I have visited Brisbane in 1999 when I presented a paper in an International Conference of Social Worker. Your website inspired us to push through with our plans. I will avail of the MARA service. Please continue to guide us in doing it. You are a blessing to many ! God bless you

    • BobinOz September 19, 2017, 9:26 pm |

      Thanks for the kind words, glad to have inspired you. I’ve lived in Brisbane now for 10 years, still loving it. Good luck with your plans, hope you get to love this city is much as I do.

  • katy February 18, 2017, 8:03 pm |

    hi Bob! my husband, children and I are ready to hopefully start a new life in OZ!
    we are going to use your reccomended agent to help with the process but if we applied now for the assessment is there a time limit for it all to be completed? ideally we are looking to move end of 2018/beginning 2019, when would you reccomend to start the process….
    so mega excited…
    thanks in advance
    katy
    ps love your site!!!

    • Mark February 18, 2017, 8:12 pm |

      There are a lot of factors involved hopefully you have come across some eg Age and points and all. It takes about 9 months if you are really quick, Id imagine it can take two years as well if it goes slow…There is I believe no harm in getting started as there is a lot to find and do sometimes… The key is the later your police and health check are done that seems to be the 12 months from the date of them that you may have to arrive in Australia by… Goof luck with it

      • katy potter February 19, 2017, 4:31 am |

        thanks for the reply mark! do I need to have a valid passport to do the initial assessment to find out our options? it’s just run out that’s all

        • Mark February 19, 2017, 4:03 pm |

          I am no expert on this but I would say you would not need a valid one for an assessment even f you put your passport number on AU has no way of checking its validity for now Your going to get a new one soon I imagine and then just change the number Ideally before you submit your EOI, then you probably need it…One other thing though I imagine once the process starts you will probably like everyone else get carried along You will probably want to go sooner..Its like the last weeks in your house, you are itching to get onto the next stage of your life..So perhaps just go with it….Any help with where shout out

          • BobinOz February 19, 2017, 9:02 pm |

            Hi Katy,

            Yes, as Mark has said, it’s best to get the ball rolling now. It can often take about a year to sort it, sometimes a bit longer. It’s always best to get your application in as soon as possible as rules can change as well as occupations on the skills lists.

            So if you do qualify right now, now is the time to apply.

            As for the passport, I don’t think it matters if you don’t have a valid one for the assessment, but you will need one at some stage in the process and my MARA agent will let you know when that needs to be done. I’m guessing, but it’s probably at the application stage.

            Hope that helps and good luck, Bob

  • andy September 18, 2016, 11:50 pm |

    hi mate, i live in cyprus and want to move to sydney with my wife and 2 kids 3 and 7 years old,, i have australian passport since i was born there . Im 36 and my wife 33.. what do u think should i do it ? im really excited of the idea.. will the government help me since im a citizen ?

    • BobinOz September 19, 2016, 2:54 pm |

      Well, I’d do it, but then I’m not you. Only you can decide for yourself whether you want to or not. Lots of things to consider, even though you have an Australian passport you would still need to sort out visas for your family.

      Then there’s the costs involved and all the upheaval. New school for your kids, new job, new house, that sort of thing. If you are excited about the idea though, why not give it a go?

      Good luck, whatever you decide.

  • Abdul wasi September 17, 2016, 2:52 am |

    Hi I am Abdul wasi from Afghanistan now live in Iran I am 22 years old I like Astralya and I love Astralya I have very good idea and I can’t move it in Iran and I think I am very Eefective For Astralya.

  • Danny August 10, 2016, 6:21 pm |

    Hay Bob ?
    Me,my partner and 4 children are thinking of moving from new Zealand to Sydney paramatta area for a new start and better life for us as a family can you please tell me what I would need to do .so far I know we need medicare, bank account, tax what else would we need for our children what can we receive from there to help out plus we both want to work over there can you help with further information please Thanks
    Bob?

    • BobinOz August 11, 2016, 8:46 pm |

      Well I’ve never even attempted to create a full list of everything that needs to be done, because it’s usually different for everybody. For those of you coming from New Zealand, where there is a special arrangement, it’s certainly different.

      So I can’t really give you a list, but you will find some very useful information on the following page about New Zealanders moving to Australia.

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/13793/new-zealanders-in-australia-whats-the-problem/

      Feel free to ask a question in the comments on that page if you want as somebody with experience of moving from New Zealand may be able to help you out. Good luck, Bob

  • Kathy Nunn July 21, 2016, 12:45 am |

    Thousands of people decide to move to Australia every year, I am one of them! It’s interesting to read other people’s experiences and compare to my won. A recent United Nations report reveals 1.27 million Brits have relocated Down Under… and counting. Relocating can be a big job at first but it is something that I’ve never looked back on once arriving and have enjoyed my time here so far.

  • Andrew Smith June 28, 2016, 4:01 pm |

    Morning /afternoon /evening Bob!!

    Well the idea has been planted, made more so by an old friend visiting at the moment from qld. It’ll be 8 years in the making but by them kids will have finished school and will be ready for uni etc and hope an get in on there own whv?!

    Now the next question is one I cannot find an answer to anywhere….

    What would be the process of moving to aus (qld) with a substantial amount of money, is there anyone you know who could set up trust funds so as not to be stung by high end tax, could I buy a house outright once qualified for residence (the wife will qualify) on the points system and I’m pretty certain I can get a sponsored job when there.

    I’ve seen the golden ticket route but would rather just settle and get a steady life instead of investment and running stuff (been doing that all my life).

    Very jealous of what you have achieved in such a short space of time and will want to play catch up as soon as!!

    Regards

    Andrew.

    • BobinOz June 29, 2016, 2:28 am |

      Well, I think you need to speak to a couple of specialists. Firstly, talk to a good financial planner about how best to deal with the money side. Secondly, speak to a MARA registered migration agent, you need to know how you can qualify and also how your family can be included.

      Sure, your kids could come over on a WHV, but that will only last for one year. If I were you I’d speak to a MARA migration agent now, before your children turn 18. There may be better options available to you before they become adults.

      If you manage to get permanent residence, then yes, you can buy a house outright.

      Once you’ve done all that, get back to me, and I’ll tell you what else you have to do to catch me up 🙂

      • Andrew June 29, 2016, 3:26 pm |

        Morning /afternoon /evening again bob

        Thanks for the quick reply, I’ll get the ball rolling then, and check with mara.

        Ive got financial on this side of the pond but it’s over in Oz that I’ll need a contact, but saying that we will be coming over for a holiday next year for three weeks (Melbourne, Sydney, cairns, noose, townsville and mackay) so a quick stop by a F. A should not be a problem (just popping out dear ?!!) your pages are invaluable and keep me up way past bed time answering many a question so as and when the time comes I’ll come buy you a bevvy!!! Until then, it’s all systems go!!!!

        Regards

        Andrew ??

        • BobinOz June 29, 2016, 11:21 pm |

          Glad to hear my pages have been helpful to you Andrew, and good luck with all of your plans. Feel free to buy me a drink anytime you are passing 🙂

  • Fiona April 3, 2016, 6:47 pm |

    What a great website, thank you! My husband and I and our 3 children at seriously considering a move to Australia (Brisbane, after much research this seems to be a good family place) we have booked a holiday for May. My husband works incredibly long hours in the UK and we are just existing here really. No quality time together and I can see this is having a detrimental affect on all of us. Whilst I know you cannot answer whether this would be the right move for us, I just would like to know if the Australian way of life and particularly the work element is different to the UK. Here we feel we are very much living to work. working 7 days a week often 6am- past 8pm at night, the children are in bed by the time my husband comes home. We live on the outskirts of London so the financial pressure is high here. My husband is an electrician by trade and would look to bring this to Australia if we made the move. Any advice would be great fully received. Many thanks Fiona

    • BobinOz April 4, 2016, 5:39 pm |

      Hi Fiona

      Glad to hear you like my website, thanks.

      This isn’t an easy question for me to answer, simply because I’m self-employed, so I don’t have experience of working for an employer here. From what I can see though, it seems that in particular weekends appear to be set aside for fun for most Australian workers.

      As an electrician, your husband will probably find that he will be leaving for work at around 6 AM for an early start, but finishing some time between 2 and 3 PM. That’s how most tradies, certainly those working on the sites, like to operate.

      So I think you will have a better lifestyle here, certainly there will be less financial pressure living in Brisbane rather than just outside of London and you will definitely enjoy a more laid-back lifestyle.

      Your husband will need to retrain if he wants to work unsupervised as an electrician here in Australia in order to comply with the Australian way. That’s something he should look into before he gets here just so that he knows what he needs to do. He may even be able to do that training in the UK before he leaves. Good luck, Bob

      • Fiona April 4, 2016, 7:20 pm |

        Thanks so much for replying. Your advise is very helpful and helps answer a few doubts I had. We will look into it 🙂
        All the best

        Fiona

  • Abi January 15, 2016, 3:47 am |

    Hi Bob,

    Great website! You have answered a lot of my questions. My husband and I are looking at moving to Australia after traveling there for a year. Do you know if the process still takes such a long time? if you can get sponsorship is it any quicker?

    Thanks

    Abi

    • BobinOz January 15, 2016, 9:33 pm |

      Thanks, glad you like my site.

      It’s impossible for me to answer your questions, there are so many variables. For some people getting sponsorship is easy, others not. Some go through the process in a few months, for others it takes a couple of years.

      You really need to be speaking to a MARA registered migration agent about your situation, see my page Migration agents. for more information about that. Good luck, Bob

  • Nicole P July 20, 2015, 8:04 am |

    Hi I am a podiatry (was also know as chiropodist) student in england and me and my boyfriend were thinking for moving out to this wonderful place but I dont know how the health care system works. How easy it would it be for me to get a job or start a private business of my own if they even have private podiatrists could you help at all.

    • BobinOz July 20, 2015, 6:22 pm |

      Well I’m afraid I don’t know specifically how it works either Nicole, but I can tell you we do have podiatrists here, private ones as well. Obviously you will need some kind of visa that will allow you to work here, so maybe you should look into how to get that.

      My page about Visas will help and you might also like to check out my page called Getting a Job or a Sponsorship.

      Good luck, Bob

  • Benjamin July 9, 2015, 12:46 pm |

    Good day sir. I’m a Nigerian physiotherapist. I’d like to live and work in Aussie as a physiotherapist. I enjoyed reading all your blogs. You are very clear and explicit in all your writings. Please what’s the quickest way to migrate to Australia? Do they have special visa arrangement like they do in Canada for Federal skilled workers?

    • BobinOz July 9, 2015, 6:01 pm |

      There aren’t really any quick ways, only the correct way that suits your circumstances. And if you want to know what that is, you really need to speak to a MARA registered migration agent to discuss your full situation.

      I can’t help you, I’m not qualified to do so, see Would I Qualify?

  • Kayla June 26, 2015, 2:04 pm |

    I was wondering about buying a house in australia, was the process difficult, and did you use your own bank to do that or was there a different process.

    • BobinOz June 26, 2015, 8:27 pm |

      First thing you need to do is to check to make sure you are able to buy a house in Australia, there are rules surrounding foreign investment. Check out FIRB.

      I appointed an Australian solicitor to act on my behalf, I transferred the deposit to him to pay to secure the property and then signed all the documents returning them courier.

  • Hasnain May 18, 2015, 8:43 pm |

    Hello Bob,
    First of all, best site EVER to find tons of information about Australia. Thank you so much. I feel so confident now that I know so much about Australia. I’ll be migrating to Melbourne next month (probably first week of June).
    One thing would be awsome to add to your site is for newly migrants to locate/find a temporary place to stay (affordable holiday/tourist apartments maybe because of budget constraints) until they get a permanent place (buying/renting a property) to live. I viewed relevant pages (suburbs, renting/buying property etc) but did not find information related to getting a temporary place to stay after landing in Australia. Can you kindly give some information if any ?

    Kind Regards
    Hasnain.

    • BobinOz May 19, 2015, 7:42 pm |

      Thanks Hasnain, glad you like my website.

      If only I could give some simple instructions that could instantly help newly arrived migrants find somewhere temporary and cheap to stay, if only. Unfortunately finding somewhere to live when they first get here can be a major problem to those who don’t have friends or family already living here.

      If I had a solution to that problem, I’d have a massive page on it, but I don’t, so I just have a couple of little pages, these ones:

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/10120/relocating-to-brisbane-tips-on-your-arrival/ – check the section on accommodation and…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/16335/finding-a-job-and-somewhere-to-live-in-australia/

      Good luck, Bob

      • Hasnain May 22, 2015, 2:26 pm |

        Hi Bob,
        Apologies for the late reply. Thank you so much for the links. It really pointed me in the right direction and just the information I was looking for.

        Thank you so much for all your help and support.

        Kind Regards
        Hasnain.

  • Quinn February 26, 2015, 12:21 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    What a great website! I read through it a bit when I was going through the application process for my visa. I’ve been in the country for about six weeks, and it was completely worth all the trouble and expense of getting here. My husband and my son are both citizens, but I’m an American. The process is not easier or shorter or cheaper on a partner visa either. I also visited Australia twice before we decided to move (back), so we did not move sight unseen (on my part). I am slightly afraid of meeting a brown snake, so I googled “snake deaths in Australia” and found your article, which is really nice to hear.

    We are settling into the Barossa Valley, near Adelaide.

    Thanks for your brilliant website!

  • Krishnaveni January 16, 2015, 5:08 pm |

    i would to apply working permit because have received offer to work at AUS. I’m from Malaysia, pls advice

  • Shadan December 29, 2014, 12:36 pm |

    Hello Mr Bob
    I have questions … I am us citizen I have 3 kid’s and my husband. We wanna come to Australia and start a new life there can u tell me what is our first step to do .. I have a sister she is Australian citizen she live in Perth Western Australia … Thank u very much

    • BobinOz December 29, 2014, 11:55 pm |

      The first thing to do is to find out whether you qualify or not, you can do that by either looking into it yourself, my page called Visas should help, or you can find out through my agent by using my Visa Assessment Service.

      Good luck, Bob

  • omid November 13, 2014, 8:27 pm |

    Hi mr Bob.
    i am from afghanistan my name is omid , omid meanings hope but i dont have a hope for life.
    because afghanistan is boring country.
    i JUST want TO GO TO AUSTRALAI.
    PLZZZZZZZZZZZZ help with me.

    • BobinOz November 15, 2014, 12:46 am |

      That’s what this entire website is all about omid, if you read it, you will get the help you need. Good luck, Bob

  • kajal October 14, 2014, 3:29 am |

    hey Bob ,
    M doing graduation in commerce and part together doing a proffesional course Chartered Accountancy n I live in India
    want to settle out in Australia after my degree with family
    plz help to get info abt visa n money to get settled in Australia n acquire a good job opportunity….
    my husbands also doing CA
    never been to any country abroad
    help or suggest whatever u can…

    • BobinOz October 14, 2014, 1:13 pm |

      That’s exactly what this website is all about, I have hundreds of pages about the exact stuff you want to know all about, start on my page called Migration Advice and also check out my page about Visas.

      • mike November 10, 2015, 4:13 am |

        Pls am thinking about studying in australia for my masters degree programme. In architecture…please I will like to know my chances of securing a job with my australian qualifications after graduation?

  • albina bell August 17, 2014, 9:54 pm |

    Hello Bob,
    Thank you for the web, hope you can give me an idea what shouild i do. Im russian citizen live in uk, married have 2 kids. Im a hairdresser with 15 years experience also been working as a manager. My husband is painter and decorator, also had experience as support worker for 10 years. We dont know where to start and what visa to choose,We would like to immigrate to australia, i did point test and it said that i can apply for 189, 190, or 489 visas. So what our next step, really confused with it. Please help…Many thanks…

    • BobinOz August 18, 2014, 12:57 am |

      Yes, it’s a very complex and tricky process, I always advise people to use a MARA registered migration agent. I highly recommend that you engage my agent through my Visa Assessment Service.

      You will need to fill in a six page questionnaire and send it off to him, he will guide you from there as to how best to proceed. He will also tell you what costs are involved, both to the Australian government and to himself if you then choose him to represent you in your application.

      Good luck, Bob

  • boudi August 15, 2014, 7:52 am |

    hi my name is boudi am from lebanon i want to travel from beirut i have no job here but i have experience on culinary food cz am chef so i want to travel to australia for work and live there so how i can to move cz to get viza from lebanon its dificult please help me ?

    • BobinOz August 15, 2014, 6:37 pm |

      Like everybody else, you would need to apply for and get a visa, find out more about that on my page about Visas.

  • Mitchell (Mitch) Hickinbottom May 12, 2014, 1:17 am |

    Hi Everyone,

    I’m just at the idea stage / selecting a migration agent stage of my move to Oz. I have attended a Down Under Live event this weekend in Brimingham, anyone reading this page who is just at the Idea stage of moving to Oz make sure you get yourself to one of these events.

    The event was a brilliant place to gather information, governments from all states attended, information about pet removal, visas, banking, skills evan some job offers going around, although not as many as I thought, but still plenty for information purposes

    If your like me and confused about the minefield of visas, you will definitely leave the event a lot more clear on where to go I know I certainly did.

    Good information about banking is available, you can even open a account for free no cost or deposit required I opened one up might as well its free 🙂

    Skills assessment vendors are their also to talk over your different skills, really helpful people actually.

    Government representatives attend the event so you can discuss with them any questions you may have regarding your chosen state or area, you can also have one to one chat with them if you manage to catch them on their own. Unfortunately I didn’t but got plenty information form their seminars.

    But if you don’t want to got for all that, go for the free stuff pens, magazines, information booklets, visa advise, skill advise, removals advise, banking advise, and advise on all the states in Australia, including what industries require what skills.

  • Mitchell (Mitch) Hickinbottom April 23, 2014, 5:00 am |

    Bob,

    First thing is first fantastic site full of exactly what people like me need …. ADVICE!! …. and plenty of it on all the important aspects of moving to oz, so much so I was not entirely sure where to leave this comment, but I’m still at the idea/planning stage of a move there so I was thinking here is as good a place as any.

    Next a bit of background, living in australia has always been a dream and ambition of mine from when I left school, my partner is also more than happy to make the move, I never wanted to look into it seriously until I finished my degree (which will be in May 2014).

    The plan at the moment is to try and move over there within 2 years (ish), I am currently working in construction as a site manager and have been since 2008, my degree is due to complete in May and is in construction management, before that I learnt my trade as a bricklayer. My partner has a degree in Information Systems but unfortunately no experience.

    We plan to holiday there (as I have never been before, nor has my partner) around June time 2015 to have a look at our favourite locations, those being Brisbane and Melbourne. We are also attending the down under event in birmingham in May to try and get some face to face advice on visa’s and jobs etc.

    I currently own a property in the UK with the sale of which I feel I could fund the move and have the means to survive a few months in australia.

    My questions to you are, does this sound a realistic plan? What is the construction industry like in Brisbane (seeing as this is your area)? If I were to turn up in Australia without a sponsorship or similar, would it be difficult to find work once out there? Have you experienced anyone who has come out there and failed to gain work, and is it a regular occurrence?

    Any help or advice would be fantastic, and again thank you for this site, it has proved itself really useful to me, and will continue to do so over the next 2 years I’m sure.

    Regards, Mitch

    p.s. Sorry its a bit of a long message 🙂

    • BobinOz April 24, 2014, 12:33 am |

      Hi Mitch

      Thanks, glad you like my website 🙂

      As for your questions, yes, it is a realistic plan. The construction industry in Brisbane has been very quiet the last few years, but rumour is that it’s picking up and will continue to do so. That’s just a rumour though, I’m not in the industry, so I know no more than that.

      What I do know though is that generally speaking it is usually easier to get a job here than it is in the UK by comparison. Yes, I have heard of people coming here and struggling to find work, but I don’t know those people, so I couldn’t say whether the problem was with them or the economy.

      It’s for that reason I can’t answer whether it would be difficult for you to find work here or not. I don’t know you. But I think you would be nuts not to give it a try out here, it’s your dream after all. Just go for it, otherwise your spend the rest of your life thinking “what if?”

      Good luck, Bob

      • Mitchell (Mitch) Hickinbottom April 24, 2014, 1:09 am |

        Bob,

        Thanks for taking time to answer my message, your right! I will more than likely just go for it. From what I have researched I dont think I will regret it. I plan to go to the down under event and hopefully learn some stuff and talk to some employers who knows ay, might just land a sponsership.

        After that I will be starting to look into a visa, one more question I did want to ask though is; the visa assesment you recommend, is that jus for one person, or will it include my partner also? ideally I dont want to pay twice for the same form 🙂

        Regards Mitch

        • BobinOz April 26, 2014, 2:08 pm |

          Hi Mitch

          My pleasure.

          As for the visa assessments, these things do take quite some time to prepare, some can take up to 2 hours. My agent does ask for partners details (where applicable) but does not fully assess both people.

          We ask you to either decide who should be the main applicant or, if you are not sure, my agent will make a decision based on the work experience and CV’s of you both. He will then do a full assessment on who he believes would be the best main applicant.

          Hope that helps, cheers, Bob

  • Matt April 7, 2014, 1:24 am |

    Hi Bob (and everyone else on the site)

    I have been doing care work for the last 10 years (hospitals, nursing homes, etc) and am currently a physiotherapy assistant although I do not have any specific qualifications linked to the SOL.
    Can anyone give me any advice on whether its possible to move to Oz without a professional qualification? not student visas as I still need to earn enough money to live?
    Im 33 with a partner and 6 week old baby.
    I have emailed Oz embassy in London but have so far not had much help from them in getting the info I need.

    Hope someone can help me.
    Matt.

    • BobinOz April 7, 2014, 6:06 pm |

      Hi Matt

      To answer your question, yes, it is possible to move here without a professional qualification if you pass a skills assessment, for example, for a skill that is on one or other of the shortages lists.

      Whether or not YOU would be able to, it’s impossible for me to say and I’m pretty sure it will be very difficult for you to find answers online and I wouldn’t hold out too much hope that you will get help from the Australian embassy. It’s not what they do.

      What you need to be doing to really find out if you have a chance is talk to a MARA registered migration agent. If you are interested, I do offer a Visa Assessment Service and that will certainly give you the answers to your questions.

      Good luck, Bob

  • Patrik December 27, 2013, 6:58 am |

    Hi Bob,
    I have always dreamed about life in Australia. Since moment, when I first see Syndey in movie as a little child I wanted to live there. I’m seventeen now and I am happy I found your website. And I have question, what would you recommend me to do for my dream? I am thinking about study there and then try to get stuffs for live there. And another question.

    Thanks you so much
    Patrik

    • BobinOz December 28, 2013, 1:06 am |

      It’s not that easy, but one step at a time. So I suggest you check out my page about Student Visas.

  • Naveed danish November 21, 2013, 1:32 pm |

    hi my name is naveed and really like to came Australia city and i love this city so plzz give me one chance and i want to came and this is my mobail nambar +93784687127

  • chandan October 9, 2013, 6:48 am |

    hi
    i want to do labour job r run taxi in australia
    suggest me how to go and apply

  • Nick September 13, 2013, 12:55 am |

    Hi Bob,
    I’m 21 and from America. Is there any thing different or more difficult because I’m an American to get there or move there in the future? If I get a WHP for 12 months could I go to a college there? And lastly do Australians not like Americans?

    • BobinOz September 15, 2013, 9:49 pm |

      I don’t think Australians have a default setting as to how they think of Americans Nick, hopefully we judge people after we get to know them, rather than from where they are from. If you want to study here, you will probably need a student visa not a working holiday visa. If you want to look into studying here, my expert can help with a free assessment, see my page about Student Visas.

      Good luck, Bob

  • Janet Blas August 9, 2013, 6:05 pm |

    hello sir bob, thank you for sharing the web site. can you help me to find a employer there in Australia. i rely want to work there hope that you will help me. I’m basic experienced in hotel attendant. as of now I’m working as a sale manager in flowers hop here in Philippines. Thank you so much

  • AGBOOLA LUKEMAN July 25, 2013, 7:04 pm |

    Hello mr moderator , my name is Lukeman a nigerian and a carpenter by profession please , i am intrested in living in australia i will be greatful if u can link me with carpenters in australia that can be helpful thanks.

    • BobinOz July 26, 2013, 12:47 am |

      Just a tip my friend, this kind of approach will not get you very far. Nobody is going to fall over themselves to get you a job here, you will have to find your own. Good luck!

  • Dcmassena June 30, 2013, 7:19 am |

    Hello Bob,

    I am currently a born deaf 15 year old that is interested into moving to australia when I have saved up a good amount of money and a job I am interested into, probably engineer. I’m curious if you have met any deaf people there if yes, I would like to contract them through out email and ask them questions about living in Australia and how it is to be deaf there and their experience.(say limited job due to disability) I would like to live close to deaf and hearing people. I don’t really not interested into being the only Deaf guy around, but hey since the people there are nice, they probably will be learning signs with me often.

    • BobinOz June 30, 2013, 11:14 pm |

      Well you certainly won’t be on your own as a deaf person here, but as at right now I haven’t met any deaf people here, so I can’t introduce you to anyone. I wish you all the best with your plans though.

      Bob

      • Dcmassena July 1, 2013, 4:49 am |

        Thank you and I as well wish you the best with your family!

        Dcmassena

  • Asim May 7, 2013, 8:23 am |

    Hi Bob,

    Came across your wonderful site. I am a GP in England and thinking of going there. Went out in Feb/March and saw several practices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Seems they need GPs quite badly.
    And many UK ones have gone!

    Would you advise it and can you point out any sites for me to look at as to how professionals have found the move with a young family?

    • BobinOz May 8, 2013, 1:53 pm |

      Hi Asim

      I have a page about doctors coming to Australia, there’s a link to a website on it and if you were to ask any question about coming to Australia as a doctor on that page, it will be answered by Paul Brooks who will definitely be able to help you.

      Visit Doctors in Australia

      Cheers

      Bob

      • Asim September 15, 2013, 8:55 am |

        Hello Bob!

        An update. Have got a job in Brisbane so hope to be coming in new year!
        See you soon maybe…
        Asim

        • BobinOz September 16, 2013, 3:01 pm |

          Congrats and great choice of city 🙂

          Bob

  • Tunde Tamas February 16, 2013, 9:11 am |

    Hello, I’m American Hungarian, emigrated here to Chicago in 1990s. I am interested in visiting Australia, then we’ll see the rest. Are there any Australian Hungarians that anyone can recommend to me? And also, what’s the best town that is pretty decent to live in?

    • BobinOz February 18, 2013, 2:40 pm |

      My MARA agent is Hungarian. As for best town, that depends, check out my page

      https://www.bobinoz.com/living-in-australia/

      And also A Quick Guide to Choosing a City in Australia, make sure to read all the comments and click on all the links in each page, you will find a ton of information.

    • MARA Miki February 19, 2013, 5:58 pm |

      Szia,

      Pontosan mi erdekel? Van egy-ket Magyar csoport itt a Brisbane-i Magyarokat a magyarlazon todod elerni ami egy Yahoo csoport.

      I guess i need to write in English before the moderator start making comments 🙂 I wont get into the which place is pretty decent argument, but i think if you young and single than Sydney/Melbourne is the go, if you have family than Brisbane. I haven’d been in Perth. Adelaide has wineries around so i could handle that too 🙂

      Miki

  • Tina & Jack January 8, 2013, 7:09 pm |

    Hi Mr. Bob,
    Congratulations on your wonderful website. My husband and I read it from top to bottom and got all the info we needed. We are ready to move on from “The Idea “stage and contact Mr. Miki.
    Thanks for the wonderful writing and keeping us up to date about living in Oz.
    Tina and Jack

    • BobinOz January 9, 2013, 12:34 am |

      Hi Tina and Jack

      I always like a good compliment and I really love yours, so thank you very much. I hope you can leap from “The Idea” stage to the “One Way Flight” stage very swiftly, and I’m sure Mr Miki can help you with that 🙂

      Looking forward to seeing you here soon.

      Cheers

      Bob

  • Roshan September 7, 2012, 5:03 pm |

    Hi my name is Roshan working in dubai as a Restaurant Supervisor. I want to migrate to Australia I went through your website But I dont understand. Should I visit Australian immigration in dubai?

    • BobinOz September 8, 2012, 8:34 pm |

      No, I don’t think so, first you need to find out if you would qualify. Start on my page about Visas.

  • kat September 2, 2012, 8:17 am |

    Hi Bob.
    So glad I found your site. Currently I am living in sunny Orange County, California but lately I’ve been thinking about moving to either Australia or New Zealand. I have higher degree in psychology so I figure can either teach in colleges or work in a clinic setting. However, my husband is a businessman who just closed down his business (computer related) here and wants to start over but don’t know what he wants to do. We don’t want the rat race life as we’ve done that already so we want to move to a semi rural area that I can still access colleges for work and for my husband to start a business. I would like to live in a area that has 4 seasons with less bugs and creatures coming inside my house. I would like to live in the eastern side of Australia. Can you recommend few places? Also, why is Australia better than New Zealand?
    Thank you.

    • BobinOz September 3, 2012, 4:56 pm |

      Hi kat

      I can’t really recommend any places to you, I only really know Brisbane which doesn’t have four seasons. You’ll need to be looking at anywhere from Melbourne across to and above Sydney, but not too far above. Or even Tasmania, certainly be out of the rat race down there.

      I’ve also never been to New Zealand, so couldn’t tell you if it’s better or worse, but I really suspect that’s down to personal choice.

      Maybe someone else can come in and help out here, but nothing beats coming over here and taking a look for yourself.

      Good luck!

      Bob

  • Josh Ryan September 3, 2011, 1:20 am |

    Bob,
    We can’t say thank you enough! My wife and I are making the move to Sydney from New Orleans, Louisiana USA this December and have shared your site with our families to calm their nerves.
    This is the first honest look at what is means to move your family to Oz that we’ve seen anywhere.
    Believe it or not, we’ve never been to Oz…… moving “site unseen” with my wife’s job and can’t wait.
    Your honest account of living there with your family has truly inspired us and we feel like we should have you over for a beer when we arrive to say Thank You! We will keep reading, if you keep writing!
    All Our Best,
    Josh and Beth

    • BobinOz September 3, 2011, 4:25 pm |

      Hi Josh and Beth

      I’m very glad to have been some help to both you and your families. Congratulations on your forthcoming move here, I only hope you get to love this country as much as I do.

      Please do let me know what you think of it when you get here. And don’t worry, I will keep writing!

      Cheers

      Bob

  • BobinOz January 25, 2011, 12:40 am |

    Hi Jim

    Australia is not an easy country to get into. All I can suggest to you is that you read my series how to move to Australia.

    Along the way you will discover the six ways to move to Australia and also find a link to the government website with all the details and a very useful wizard to guide you through it all.

    I’m sorry I can’t help you any more than that, but you have to understand that to get permanent residency here in Australia takes a lot of work and time. Took us nearly 2 years.

    But good luck and I hope you find a way.

    Cheers

    Bob

  • Jim Mercado January 24, 2011, 4:31 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    Thank for your website. We are planning to move to Australia. But there is a lot of obstacles in front of us (Me and my Wife). At first I planned to have a student visa because it seems that it is the easiest way for me to go there and bring my family in Australia but I am having a problem regarding the show money that they are requiring me. … I have a sister there and her family moved in Melbourne couple of months ago, but their papers for permanent residency are still under process. so they can not help me as of now (for sponsorship). do you think there any other way for me and my family to move in Australia? I hope you can help about my problem.

    Thanks a LOT.

    Jim

  • BobinOz January 6, 2011, 2:16 pm |

    Hi Simon

    A great idea to come to Australia, I’m sure you’ll love it here, I do.

    Anyway, now that you mention it, no, people don’t really extend their houses here. Australian houses are now, and you can read my article about it here, officially the biggest houses in the world.

    I don’t think I have ever been to any house that is having an extension added, whereas back in England people were doing that sort of thing all the time.

    The building of new houses around here has slowed up a little over the last 12 months or so, the global recession has finally started to bite us a bit. But generally speaking there is always a housing shortage in Oz so houses will start getting built again soon. Maybe you can find some work on the new builds but I don’t think you’d make much on the extension side. That’s just my view, what do I know?

    But Australia is a land of opportunity, you’ll find something, the important thing is to get here.

    Cheers

    Bob

  • Simon January 5, 2011, 2:08 am |

    Hi Bob,

    Excellent website, very informative – think I have just about read every page now! Well I was born in Colchester and now live in sunny Sheffield! I now think me and my partner have had ‘the idea’ to move to Oz – we *just* have to get the visas applied for. We are both on the skilled migrant list, so I think this will be the best way in – however my business that I have now been running full time since being made redundant in Aug 2010 is providing architectural design services to domestic clients, and it got me thinking if I could run a similar business in Oz? Is it common practice for people to extend and re-furbish their properties, or do they just move out when the house is too small? Your article that talks about tradesmen ‘who actually do turn up’ got me thinking about this – because I would turn up – to every job! Also is there much new build in terms of housing going on at the moment in the Brisbane areas?

    Much appreciated if you have any information to help me in my decision making, keep up the A+ effort,

    Regards,

    Simon.

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