This page offers you quick links to the most frequently asked questions, some of which also appear on my pages, which I recommend you read, called Migration Advice and Visas.
If you are looking to move to Australia, those two pages as well as the pages that are linked from them will help you a great deal.
Even with all this help though, the process is still quite daunting to navigate through. For that reason, many people want to ask me to help them directly; I simply cannot do that. Only MARA registered migration agents are able to assist people in this process and advise on visa options, so it would be illegal if I were to try and answer these kinds of questions.
For the full explanation, please see:
Here are some more FAQs:
- How can I find a job sponsorship?
- How do I get a visa and which visa should I apply for?
- Can you help me get a visa?
- Can you recommend a MARA registered migration agent?
- I am a nurse, doctor or dentist, how can I work in Australia?
- How does Expression of Interest work?
- What does everything cost in Australia?
- How much money do I need to live comfortably in Australia?
- How much money will I earn in Australia?
- How much does it cost to move to Australia?
- How much will it cost to buy or rent somewhere to live?
- Which is the best city for me?
- What can you tell me about the Working Holiday Visa (WHV)?
Important Notice:
I try to answer as many comments as I can personally, but it has become impossible for me to respond to each one individually. If you have asked one of the above questions and not had a response, it is almost certainly because your question has been asked and answered many times before in the comments of one of the above linked pages.
Anybody asking questions about their personal situation in respect of visa options or eligibility to lodge will not be answered at all.
Please take the time to read the comments and answers on these pages to find the information you need.
Many thanks
Bob
Hi bob
Was wondering if u can help. My husband has been offered a working holiday visa and if he proves himself after 6 months they might offer sponsorship. Do u know if he’s allowed to take family out with him on that ?? And if they don’t offer sponsorship would we b able to look for another job and stay in Australia or would we have to come Babk out the country. Thanks
If you are asking if the whole family can accompany your husband on his working holiday visa, then the answer is no. You could apply for your own WHV, but children are not allowed.
If your husband were to secure a sponsorship, then it is likely that he could bring his family with him on that.
Hi German, try :
http://www.seek.com.au, or http://www.monster.com, or even gumtree.com.au
Also try: http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au if you’re looking at Victoria state to work.
Hope this helps?
Cheers,
Nick
Hello Bob, how are you? I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina and been to Australia last year for a whole month and to be honest I’ve feel in love with this country and looking forward to moving (if I am allowed). I’ve found your webpage while looking for jobs in Australia. Already applied to at least +30 jobs and haven’t been successful at it. Currently looking an IT job (part time, full time, whatever) that let’s me go there. I was wondering, can you point me to any webpage that is specifically related to IT positions? Thank you.
Hi Bob,
I’m a 25 yr old American who wants to live in Australia. I’ve read a great deal of your articles. Only thing is, I need to be somewhere I won’t need a car. What cities big or small, would I be able to easily get around in with a bicycle and have activities for young adults? My first thought was Melbourne due to their public transit, but the weather scares me. I don’t like clouds or the cold, things I’m trying to escape in upstate New York.
Definitely cross Brisbane off of your list, it’s a huge sprawling city with too many steep hills. I’m tempted to say Adelaide, they call that the 20 minutes city as you are supposed to be able to get anywhere, by car, in 20 minutes. So by bike wouldn’t be that much longer.
The weather is nice too.
Hey Bob,
I’ve got a question regarding cost of snake/spider antivenom. I’ve read on your site the articles regarding snakes and spiders and know the risk isn’t high (if you’re careful). Due to a recent doctors visit to get my allergies checked out, I am unable to secure medical travel insurance for my trip to Australia in two months. While the risk is low, I thought it would be a good idea to learn about the potential costs of traveling without medical insurance. My major concern is the cost of antivenom (and associated hospitalization) due to a snake/spider bite. Would you have any information on this, or an idea where I should start looking?
Thank you for your help,
Matthew
Hi Matthew
I don’t know the exact costs, but I’ve heard that pretty much all antivenoms are expensive and there is a different one for each snake along with a generalised one for when the identity of the snake is unknown. To be walking around with all these supplies really isn’t an option.
Add to that two lots of spider antivenom for the red back and the funnel web and you’d be walking round, I suspect, with thousands of dollars worth of antivenom.
In the unlikely event that something might happen, I really don’t believe, and this is only my opinion, but I really don’t believe you would not get treated in an emergency. You might get hit with a large bill afterwards, but you’d be facing a large bill just to arm yourself up with all these antivenoms.
As I say, that’s my opinion only, if anybody else reading this has any more information, we’d love to hear it.
Cheers
Bob
ahh right thats good mate cheers do you know anything about the mining jobs and fruit picking etc
No, sorry Matthew. Maybe somebody else who does know might see this and help you out.
Cheers!
hey bob me and 3 friends are coming from the Northern Ireland for a working holiday and looking for easy place to find a job and cheap residence where would you suggest? and where is the cheapest place for some beers as you know us irish like a brew
That’s a tough one Matthew. I was tempted to say avoid Perth and Sydney, but when you are talking about somewhere to live, surely you will be staying in backpackers accommodation? In which case I’m not sure that the backpackers in Sydney, for example, would be that much more expensive than elsewhere.
But you would probably earn more money working in Sydney. So I’m afraid I can’t really give you a decent answer to this one, all I can tell you though is, this is not a cheap country to get drunk in. Alcohol, I’m afraid, is quite expensive. Here’s something else that’s interesting though, beers were much cheaper in Sydney when I went last November than they are here in Brisbane, I think due to the fact there are lots of bars in competition with each other.
Wherever you go, have a great time!
Bob,, I dont see anything about retirement visas for oz ?
I,m a Brit but lived in the Philipines for the last 15 years, 52 yrs old and married to a filipina , we have 2 kids, 12 and 10
Pls point me in the right direction with links etc
Cheers
I have written briefly about retirement visas, since then I think they have become even more difficult to get. Check out my page called 6 Ways to Emigrate to Australia.
Hi Bob,
I have been enjoying your website….you have a huge amount of information to help us, we are in the processing of moving back to australia, i am from melbourne but are moving to brisbane, like you for the weather.
The question is does xbox and wii from the uk work in oz?
many thanks
tracy
Hi Tracy
Glad you have found my website useful, hope your move goes well.
As for xbox and wii, I don’t own either so I don’t know for sure. My guess is that the boxes will work, as I’m pretty sure they just plug-in to your TV via the normal connections. But it wouldn’t surprise me if your games are region locked, so you will be able to play your UK games on your UK consoles, but if you buy any Australian games they probably won’t work on your UK equipment.
Unless you search and find a hack 🙂
But I’m guessing, anybody else have any experience with this?
Bob
Hi Bob
I wrote a few lines bofore. I cant seem to find any info as to how much tennis coaches earn in Australia (Queensland). Do you know what the hourly rate of a certified tennis coach is? 60mins on court, private lesson, one-on-one. Thanks 🙂
Wojtek.
Sorry Wojtek, I have no idea. Anybody know?
Hi I was wondering about moving to oz as I’m from the uk and I would like to do care work permantly in Australia or art theraphy depending on how uni turns out is it difficult to get citenzship with care work or art theraphy I know care work means you only have a few skilled certificates where as art theraphy you have a social degree but I was hoping I could move there working in the care home sector and then finish schooling at a later date there ? Thanks
It all really depends on your points score, and, in particular, if your skill is on the list and if your qualification is recognised here. A degree is always good for extra points I think.
Check out my page about Visas.
Hi Bob
Hi Bob
Great website!
I have some questions regarding timing and staying in the country.
I have my citizenship test date! Yee ha!!
Just done a test police clearance and all’s good.
I’ve been offered an offshore contract position starting the day after my test.
My address in Aus will stay the same.
1. How long from writing the test to receiving the letter to attend the ceremony?
2. Do I need to be in Australia between passing the test and attending the ceremony?
Regards
Hi
Sorry, I don’t know the answer to your second question, maybe somebody else can help you with that one. I can tell you though that for me, I received my letter advising me to attend the ceremony two and a half weeks after passing the test.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob,
I need help from you.I am in a idea to study in Australia.I would like to choose University of Queensland and live in Brisbane.I want to know more info about life in OZ and living cost etc.Please send me a email. pasindukd@gmail.com .I hope your kindly help.
Thank you,
pasindu
Hi Bob ,
Im a french,work as a plumber and technician in air conditioning and im moving down to Brisbane in march and I’d like to know if I will have needed to get a certificate to work as a plumber and technician in air conditioning because in France I passed a refrigerant licence.should I get an australian one?unfortunately nobody could help me up about that
I look forward to having some advices from u
Thanks u indeed
Hi Fiore
I am pretty sure you will need to, but I have no further information to help you. It’s something I need to look into further, and will, but haven’t done so yet. But I’m almost certain that plumbers and electricians and probably a few other trades do have to become accustomed to Australian standards before they can work here.
Thanks
Bob
Bonjour Fiore!
My name is Nick and I emigrated to Melbourne just over a year ago. I’m a plumber, originally from the UK, and I’ve been through the entire process to work here in Oz.
Although I’m basing my findings for requirements in Victoria State, I’m sure this will apply to Queensland, albeit a little easier maybe, as Victoria is rigourous!!
This info will apply to most plumbers/gas fitters/air cons emigrating from any country to work in Oz.
You will need to become a Registered / Licenced Plumber to work in the state as plumbing/gas/air con is a controlled service and needs to be signed off.
PLEASE NOTE: Registration allows you to work in that state for an employer.
Licencing allows you to work for yourself as a company and sign off your own jobs. (Exams are required for this too.)
Each state has a “Commission” to oversee and regulate it. In Queensland it’s called “The Plumbing Industry Council”. Whilst typing, I found this site which will help you understand more about it and steer you in the right direction:
http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/construction/BuildingPlumbing/Plumbing/PlumbersDrainersLicences/Pages/default.aspx
Most plumbers have to take an exam, based on Aus. Standards, once they arrive and cannot work until they’ve passed it. It’s costly and can take a long time to get it. You have to go to a local TAFE College to sit it, or attend evening classes until you’re ready to sit it.
In order to get my Oz Visa I attended a college in the UK for a day (£800) to be assessed by a company called “VetAssess”. I was assessed on all aspects of plumbing, heating and gas work. It was a bloody long, arduous day (12 hours) but it was well worth it as it was recognised by DIAC (For the Visa App.) and also by the Victorian PIC, for my Registration. I went to my interview with the PIC (Once arrived in Oz) and they awarded me with Registration for the above reason, and my plumbing experience. So this (£800) paid towards the Visa, and the right to work straight away in my chosen State. Bargain!!
I then set about finding work and within 2 weeks of landing, I worked for an Air Con company in the Melbourne suburbs. I’ve met expats who couldn’t work for 3-5 months until they sat the local Aus. Standards exams, to get Registered. At least if you do it the way I did then you have a very good chance of becoming Registered first time, within a couple of weeks of landing, as Australia ain’t cheap mate, and you’ll need to fund yourself until you can work. The way I did it simply fast tracked everything.
Also, something I highly recommend: I took tons of pictures of my work in the UK, testimonials, certificates and made a portfolio book, on my Mac, which was like a pictoral resume for potential employers. Every single employer / interviewer have been mightily impressed by this. IT SERIOUSLY HELPS GET A JOB AND AIDS REGISTRATION!! You don’t need a Mac to do this, you just need to print off photos of your work / testimonials / certificates, and put them into an A4 folder to present at interviews: Easy!!
With the above link, investigate more on the site and email them with your questions. Also, check out VetAssess and see if they will be coming to France to assess prospectful plumbers wishing to emigrate. In the UK, it was a 3 month turn around. Talk to a Registered MARA Agent about it too.
I hope the above info helps you to emigrate to Oz and work as a plumber.
Good luck!
Nick
Update: Nick has kindly posted a further comment called “Plumbing in Oz” and you can read it here.
Nick!
Am not a plumber nor a gas fitter, but I did read your post. Just wanted to give a thumbs up mate for writing such a detailed description which I am sure will help others trying to find a job in that field. Well done!
Cheers Wojtec!
Nice to get some + feedback!!
I’ll second that, great information Nick and thank you for taking the time to post it. Very helpful to anyone looking to come here to work, whether they are a plumber or not. That portfolio with photos can work for anything, my wife did a similar thing for her marketing assessment.
Cheers Nick!
Bob
No worries mate!
Glad I could help!
It’s quite an eye opener coming here to work in plumbing. Just about everything is installed differently using different techniques from the UK way. So most plumbers find it hard to adapt. But over time it gets easier!
If anyone has any other questions about Oz Plumbing then let me know. I’ll be glad to help, if I can!
Cheers,
Nick
I certainly will Nick, thanks mate!
Bob
Thanks Bob 🙂
But on an average salary, is it easy to get by? Would have to rent a place, being close to the beach is probably my priority, as I reeeaaally want my Family to see something completely dofferent, to have a completely different life than they have here. It is a big step, considering, that I have achieved a fair bit here in Poland, and back in Oz, at age 40 as it will be, I’ll be styarting from scratch. But those beachjes, and laid back people..
ok, stopping right now before I get carried away and finish 9132847 pages down the track 🙂
Thanks again for your help!
Your best bet is to read my page How much do you need? and also the comments on it. It will definitely help you work out how much you will need.
Getting by is different for everyone and very much depends on what your needs are and who is in your family and probably most importantly, how much you pay for rent.
My my, you did write quite a lot, didn’t you? 🙂
Weatherwise, not much difference between the Gold Coast on the Sunshine Coast, the Sunshine Coast is much more laid back whereas the Gold Coast is quite commercial, they tell me work is hard to find on the Sunshine Coast though.
Not sure if you know, but in Brisbane, which is between the two, there is a massive tennis training complex, can’t remember the name of it but I’m sure Google will know. Maybe living in Brisbane is the answer? It’s 30° C in the summer and 20° C in the winter (daytime) as well, so that might please you. You have to drive an hour and a bit to get to the beach, but you would have the choice of both the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast to head for.
Some people think Australia is now very expensive, so I’d do some research, don’t assume that life will be a breeze here and rents will be cheap, I think quite a bit might have changed since you were last here. I have no idea of the prices in Poland, so I can’t compare, that’s why I say you should look into it further.
Good luck, I hope the move goes well.
Bob
My god, just looked at what I wrote. Sorry, I didnt mean to write a book! :)…
Hi Bob.
Just came across your website today, and I must take my hat off, well done. Great to see somebody put in this much time and effort to help others out in need 🙂
I am an aussie citizen, have lived in Australia from age 6 – 18, so practica;lly have been brought up in Sydney. Since 1993 have been living back home in Wroclaw, Poland. After 20 years, I think its time to take my wife and 2 year old daughter back home to a country where the beaches are clean, the climate is excellent, and most importantly, the costs of living compared to salaries and wages dont hammer you into the ground.
We plan to hit back in around 2 years time, for good. In that time I want to put away as much as I can so we have a good headstart, so we can rent a nice place and not have the pressure, that we only have a months left of cash to get by on. I can risk it when Im by myself, but not when Im with a 4 year old child..
We definately want to (correction: I want to, my wife is dead scared of such a big move, but I think she will love the place once she gets to know it) move to Queensland. Im looking for weather all year round, not too hot and not too humid. Whish is a better choice? Gold or sunshine coast? How do they differ? I woudl really love weather in summer around the 30 degree mark, and in winter arpound 20+. Do places like that exist, or only in my dreams? 🙂
I have been assistant manager of a tennis complex here for the past 7 years, have been managing a small firm for the past 2,5years, and have tennis coaching qualifications, so I think that maybe with a bit of luck I should pick up a job. But to be honest. i know absolutely nothing about Queensland. What ares are best to live in? Most imprtant for me is close to beach, great weather all year round (not too hot and not too cold) and prioces that wont grind me into the ground. Any ares that you would propose? I have only been to Noosa Heads a few years back, and absolutely loved it, allthough have niothing I can compare it to, so I dot know if there are other places as great as that in Queensland, which are great to live in. Just looking for a quite location, good schhols and nice people, with all the infrastructure I would need to get bye. What do you suggest?
Thanks up front 🙂
woj.
Hi,
I just found out your website today…really nice and helpful…i hope u can have answers to my questions 😉 !
After a year in Australia with a working holiday visa, I really would like to move there…forever ! I miss Australia so much !
Unfortunately, after a deep check of the immigration website, I don’t think any kind of visa fits my situation.
To sum up my case in few words :
– I’m 31yo, from France
– I have 5 years of experience in market research (but my last experience ended 2 years ago…I spent 5 months in NZ, 1 year in OZ, and few months in Asia). So, my job is listed on the CSOL and not the SOL and I don’t have “a relevant and recent work experience” within the last 2 years (as requested).
– I don’t have a sponsorship
So I think the only option for me is to get a sponsorship ? Could u please tell me what u think of my situation ? Could a migration agent really help me ?
Thanks a lot in advance !
Guillaume
I can’t guarantee that a migration agent can really help you, but I can guarantee that my MARA registered migration agent will be able to tell you, one way or the other, if there is any chance that you would qualify for any kind of visa to live permanently in Australia.
I will also say that if there is a visa that would work for you or some kind of way in, my man will find it, he is very good. Check out my Visa Assessment Service.
Good luck Guillaume!
Hi Bob,
I discovered your website about a month ago and I really enjoy going through all the information. It’s very helpful and it’s a nice way to fill in the time before actually (and hopefully) moving to Oz!
In one of your article, you tell the story of the first migration agent you contacted and who simply never got back to you. I feel like the same thing is happening to me: I contacted a reknowned agent upon someone’s recommendation one month ago. So far, nothing has been done: I wasn’t even sent the engagement letter, and each time I e-mail her, she keeps apologising and promising to reply “shortly”, but then nothing happens. Do you think I should look for another agent or wait a bit more? If not, should I formally inform her that I’ll select another agent or should I just stay silent?
In any case, knowing that it happened to you before really helps to stay optimistic and not to give up! : )
Hi Aude
Yes, you definitely need to find a new migration agent, you should not have to put up with being ignored. We lost three months waiting for our first agent to do something, in hindsight we should have moved on the first time we were ignored, I suggest you do the same.
No need to formally inform this person of what you’re doing, just get another agent and if she ever gets back to you (I’m betting she won’t) just apologise and promised to get back to her “shortly”. Eventually she might get the irony 🙂
I have an excellent MARA registered migration agent that works with me here on this website, it all starts with a (click this link to read more about it) Visa Assessment which is not free, but it is very thorough and I can assure you he is very good. He will also get back to you very fast!
Good luck, I hope everything works out well whatever you decide to do.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob,
first of all, thank you for your quick reply to my previous post: without it I would probably still be waiting for an answer from my agent which would never arrive!
I purchased the assessment form via your webpage and everything went well until the last step: when the PDF file opens, I have the following essage:”Please wait…”, but nothing happens. I have updated my Adobe reader software as recommended (I have version 10 now), but I still face the same issue.
Do you know of a way to solve this? If not, would you mind to send me the file via e-mail please?
Thank you very much!
Hi Aude
That’s strange, are you saying when you try to download it from the Internet you get the message “Please wait…”? If that’s the case, sounds like a download issue. No worries, I have now sent you an email with the visa assessment form attached, hopefully that will work when you have it on your desktop.
Any problems, do get back to me.
Good luck with your assessment!
Bob
Yes indeed the PDF file opens only 1 page with a message asking to wait and if the content doesn’t appear we should download a newer version of Adobe…So most certainly a download issue with my PC.
I have well received the file you sent me by e-mail. I will fill it in asap!
Thank you very much again for your prompt help!
Glad it’s all sorted, good luck with your assessment Aude, hope it goes well.
Bob
Finally received the eoi invite and i am trying to fill in the form online, but I have a few questions I hope someone can help me with:-
a) previous addresses: I lived in the uk for eight years before returning to Malaysia. Should I fill in all my addresses in Uk or just the last known address?
its just that if I only fill in the last known address, what duration should be specified?
duration of time I have lived in the uk (across multiple addresses) or just the time I have rented this property?
b) ielts: while I was still waiting for an invite, I retook my ielts in the hopes of getting an eight in the writing component. The second take was done on the 26 oct and the first test was done on the 22 sept. both results were the same. Do I have to specify the ielts test one the 26 since the results are the same?
On my eoi, I listed the 22 sept results as I did not have an opportunity to update it in between taking the test and receiving an invite.
c) police report uk: while I was living in the uk, I had a few run ins with the ciy council.this was due to late payments of council taxes. I settled all of them before I left the uk. I am just wondering if this will have a negative impact on the police report(if requested).
I really do appreciate any help or guidance anyone can provide as I don’t want to be told I have lied on my form and hence, kicked out of the visa process.
Hi Angela
EOI is causing a lot of people are headache, there are so many things that people aren’t sure how to deal with. I have a dedicated page to the subject, I think you would be better off posting this question on that page. Click here to go directly to the page about expression of interest.
Cheers
Bob
hi ana,
very sorry to hear of your experience and i hope that your decision never to return may be overturned one day, even through curiosity.
My family and i moved from the UK to NSW last october and yes, we have had our ups and downs naturally, missing friends and family, the time difference etc but im afraid i must disagree with some of your findings if compared to the UK and equivalent cities.
we found sydney fascinating, clean tidy and the people pleasant !!! things can be quite expensive if you are on holiday and converting sterling to au dollars but if you live and work here then prices are comparitively similar ? if your friends came here with the intention to make money and little else i am not surprised they seem a little depressed, we looked at the whole package and found it was good for us, we earn much more than we did in the uk (not hard, i was in the forces for 27 years) so it is a positive for us, you did get the bad weather,it was a bit of a shock for us to find it as cold as the uk on some days, however unlike britain where it rains, rains and on the odd day rains a little more we tend to have seasons set by the clock and i like the idea that we can get all sorts of weather here as apposed to hot or hot !!!!! there are indeed down sides to NSW as all places but personally we have listed the positives and negatives and found all in all australia holds much more for us than england, its only a personal perspective but made over a year or so, i feel 5 days really is no time to make a qualified decision of any country, state or even city and i do hope you come again for a little longer and experience aussie life hopefully in a different light. on the subject of housing, yes, if you want a house in the city (as with london) you will pay a great deal for very little, however we live 50km south of sydney and the average house price here for a four bedroom 3 bathroom house with large pool is 400 thousand dollars, if you vector into that the exchange rate and the wages here that is round about 250k gbp, id love to buy a similar house in the uk for that price, we are directly on the rail link into the city (50 minutes) plenty of public transport and only costs 9 dollars return to circular quay !!! we are saving almost 1000 dollars a week although my wife and i are just normal working people and we have just returned from the great barrier reef……. we are going to fiji in feb so as far as making money goes we and our friends seem to be doing much better here, if you step away from the city you have ski resorts to the south, the blue mountains to the west and forget bondi beach its a dump for european back packers, jarvis bay and wollongong areas have some of the whitest and cleanest beaches in the world, wonderful campsites with bbq’s etc, and the outback is further away than you would realise, you really need to travel a good 7 hours west to see red sand, all in all we love it, but you do have to get out of the city and travel independantly.
as i said before, i hope you and your family return one day and maybe make an agenda of things to see and do.
Hi Christian!
I sincerely want to thankyou for your input. Obtaining the permanent residency was a long process and through all that time we have been dreaming about it so we are not about to let it go that easily. The thing is. . . as a parent you dont want to make a bad decision because you have a responsability towards your children. I feel like I only need some cheering up from people like you who live there and like it. Now you have given me a little hope about the housing situation. . .I would love to know the name of the area where you live or similar areas to research about hihgschools nearby. Thank you again for your info.
Hi Ana
Christian has given you a fantastic and thorough answer (thanks Christian), there’s not really too much more I can add. Apart from this; Sydney does not equal Australia, there isn’t another city in the whole of Australia that even comes close to comparing to Sydney, it’s that different. Even the centre of Sydney is completely different from many of its suburbs.
If after re-looking at Sydney you still don’t like it, try somewhere else, plenty more places to choose from. As for the children, we brought our young daughter here when she was just 3 years old, I can tell you it’s a fantastic place to bring up children, we have never regretted moving here and we too did it mainly for our daughter.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Bob
I can only talk fpr the five days I was there…I dont want to dissapoint anybody elae before they experience it for themselves. However ask…and I will tell you what I interpret from what I saw.
Hi Bob. My family and I just got back from an exploration trip to Australia. To tell you the truth we came back somewhat disapointted. We went to Sydney and did not like it much. The city is old, the houses are old, they are small and ugly and dirty. That city is dirty. We went to the acuarium. . . not impressed. . . we wet to the beach. . . Dissapointed. The beach was cold, very cold. We talked to some friends living in Sydney for four years now, they recently became citizens. They say they are happy but I dont buy it. She looked depressed. . . They said this is not a country to make money. Well, to tell you the truth I wanted to make the move to improve economically not to become poorer. . . and this is what I sense will happen. They said we should make the move for our children. But I researched and our children wont get much benefit when you talk universty costs. Only citizens benefit from hecs. Permanent residents have to pay costs upfront. There is little hope of buying a dream home with the ridicoluosly high prices for the ridicously small, old, ugly houses. I am having a very hard time trying to find good reasons to go back. . .You live there and are happy I assume. . . can you help me with the list? Thanks.
Thanks Ana for real experienced insight..it would be great if you could add more.
Hi,
My family and i are looking at moving from South Africa to Australia as we love the look of the country and the safety of it. Recently i saw a few reports of racism in Australia and i would just like to know how bad it really is(media over hype it). We are white South Africans so we are moving to escape the current racism problems in our own country, would we have any problems in Australia with regards to racism towards us? and even if it does not directly effect us how bad is racism as a whole in Australia with regards to all races?
Thanks!
The vast majority of Australians are not racist, but like any other country, we do have a few idiots. I, personally, have never witnessed any racism firsthand, but I know it does go on in places. I don’t believe it is a significant problem though and we do have a quite high percentage of South Africans living here.
25% of this country’s population are immigrants and most of us love living here, so it can’t be that bad. Cheers
Bob
Hi,
This may very well have been covered but a search didn’t quite pick it up – and I’m invariably just a bit stupid perhaps or so bogged down with all the documents, forms, and sites I’ve been reading that I missed it – but in planning my timeline for the next 2 years migration process, I’m trying to slot in the time it takes for the EOI.
Is there a rough estimate of about how long it takes to get a response from an EOI? (assuming everything is correct). I know the state nomination (Visa 190 in my case) is about 30 days, skills assessment is 2 months, IELTS is 13 days, SkillSelect 190 Visa application is 6 months.. the only bit missing in my timeline is EOI. And I googled the hell out of it.. but alas.
Anyone have a rough idea?
Thanks!
J
As far as I am aware, it’s different timescales for different professions for different people with different point scores. You can read more about it especially by reading the comments on my page about EOI.
Thanks Bob! I’ll check it out! Much appreciated.
Hi Bob,
Is there a section in your Blog regarding Banking and Finance, Like which banks are good, or should we opt for cerdit unions etc. What can be conditions for doing business, which states are good for…. Sorry about that, I think I am increasing your work..!!
Anyhow, I appreciate your blog and consider it as 101 – Oz Land.
Also, please enable a search function as lots of contributors sometimes add very valuable info.
You want a bank which is good? Next you will be asking me for an honest lawyer! For any lawyers reading this, I’m only joking.
It would be impossible for me to review all banks, I’d have to bank with them all for years to really understand what they are like. So it’s not something on my list to do, but I will tell you that I do my business banking with Bankwest and they’ve treated me pretty good so far.
Really not sure what you mean by conditions for doing business, that sounds quite involved as well.
Cheers
Bob
Oh, sorry, I forgot. There is a search box for this website, it’s in the side widget on the right sandwiched between some adverts. It’s a Google search function but only searches this website. It indexes all the comments as well. Cheers!
Hi Bob, just a quickie for you, we have been in australia for over a year now and we are approaching the time for permanent residency !!! When i was sponsored by the company i now work for they used 4 corners immigration services…..I rang them the other day with reference to costs etc and i was quoted $8500 for our family of four excluding medicals.
I am aware that they can offer a very professional service with no hassles etc however i think this amount is quite steep ??? Am i being a little naive about this or does this seem the going rate and if i decided to go it alone would it be much cheaper ?
Hope all is well with you and your family mate, keep up the good work.
Cheers Chris
Hi Christian
I have had a word with my migration agent and he feels he can do the work for about $7100, I have forwarded his quote you direct via email. He has taken a guess at the kind of visa you are specifically going for, but if you want to take it further let me have the exact details and I’ll get you a more precise quote.
As for it being cheaper if you go it alone, yes, of course it would be, but at least $3600 of this total fee is actually payable to DIAC, so there’s no getting away from those payments.
Cheers
Bob
how ye now….im 18 and my brother is 20 from ireland we and plan going to oz or newzeland..plan on doing ground work and labour..is there much wrk out there goin in that sector…what part of oz would you recommend for labour and construction work…cheers……..
Hi Dave, I’m living in Melboourne and there’s quite alot of that kind of work going on at the mo. You’ll need to get some kind of working visa though.
Try “Seek.com.au” or “Careerone.com.au” for more info. It depends on where you want to go, but BEWARE: Christmas is coming and all sites shut down till mid Jan, at the earliest. I’m sure other states will have work, but it’s very good here, in Melbourne. I’m a plumber so I work alot on different sites and meet alot of Irish guys, as well as POMs!!!
Good luck!!
Nick
hi bob i need an information for my friend. she is a permanent resident and her husband is a citizen but they move to usa. now her husband want to divorce her by sending her to her own country. my question is can she come back to Australia and apply for the citizenship or give divorce to her husband.
I can’t help with that one I’m afraid, I think your friend should talk to a MARA agent about that. I can introduce you to my agent if you wish, he would be able to help, but would obviously charge a fee. Let me know if you are interested.
Cheers
Bob
I stumbled on your site while googling ‘Australian politics explained’. Your article was great and I spent 3 hours reading everything I could find. I am an Australian and you filled in a lot of gaps in the understanding of my own country. Just wanted to say a big thankyou and keep the articles coming!
Thanks Josh, that’s high praise coming from an Aussie 🙂
Hi Bob, I don’t know if you’ve covered this but in Victoria especially, when a Brit comes to Oz, they usually get caught speeding within a month of being here as the speed limits here are a lot less than the UK, as you just can’t get away with it.
I’ve just got caught, and I’m awaiting my fate. I just thought I’d mention this as most POMS do get caught. You can get away with it for a while before you change your licence to an Oz one. But once you do, be very wary of cameras, plain cars on the freeways and minor roads and Vic Roads vans too.
Just thought I’d mention it as it does take a bit of getting used to.
Nick
Thanks Nick
We are still in the thinking stage just now we have a few friends in Melbourne and Sydney and they said the same thing although they have been stopped and let off as they still had there British licences on them
Thanks for the info anyway any other info you have will be appreciated
Cheers
Rob
Hi Nick
I think I have mentioned somewhere how hot the Aussie police are on speeding, but I couldn’t agree more about Victoria. When I went on my road trip I thought I’d been done for speeding 4 times! Once in New South Wales and 3 times in Victoria. Every time I always saw them when it was just too late. We were away for 3 weeks, I was expecting to see a pile of summonses when I got home. Luckily though, nothing!
But yes, I have to say it’s very easy to speed in Victoria, many main roads have (I think) a 100 km/h speed limit which is about 8 mph lower than the UK and very difficult to stick to when you first get here.
Thanks for reminding us!
You lucky sod!! Each time I’ve passed those cameras or plain cars going a bit over I’ve always received a lovely letter from Vic Roads telling me they’ve added some more points to my over subscribed licence!!
To not get caught is a godsend!! I’m very jealous mate!!
Beware: any of my fellow POMS!! Stick to the ridiculously slow speed limit in Victoria, otherwise you’ll pay for it, literally. The fines average around $200, depending on how fast you’ve gone.
Look, it’s not impossible to adapt, but what I’m saying is adapt fast, otherwise you’ll get a rude awakening!!!
Depending on your Visa type, you can keep your UK licence for up to 3 months, maybe more. Check with the local vehicle licencing dept. just to be sure.
Here’s to happy driving!!!
Nick
Yes, I think I was very lucky indeed. I was absolutely convinced I’d have at least 3 tickets when I got home, but to get none was awesome! When they were pointing the camera at me, they must’ve been pointing the camera at the car next to me or behind me or whatever. Very, very lucky 🙂
Wifey has been done twice the speeding on the other hand, the fine really is painful, isn’t it?
Hi to Bob and all contributors
I have a question but firstly let me say
Thank you for such a wonderful website and blog
It is a massive help to so many of us dreaming of the great lifestyle that Australia offers thank you thank you thank you
Now my question !!!
Where is the best climate in Australia ?
My wife does not enjoy severe heat and here in the S.E of the UK(Kent) if it gets higher than 25c she complains mainly as we are not geared up for heat (no AC etc )
I understand that nearly everywhere in OZ has AC is this correct .???
Anyway any help with this question would be greatly appreciated
Kind regards and thanks again for the great blog and website
Rob
I would seriously consider Tasmania if I were you, assuming you can find work there. Everywhere on the mainland will get hotter than 25°C in the summer, but I would think the coolest cities (temperature that is) would be Canberra and Melbourne.
Hi Bob,
So nice to see your blog for the complete migration plan to Aussie..:) Btw, I’ve posted my question as a comment under the other topic (20 reasons why to move to Aussie), then I’ve found this seperate section for questions. Sorry for comments in 2 places!
Btw, my questions is, would be great to know the benefits/difference between ‘working in Aussie with work visa and PR/resident visa?, as I am eager to migrate into Aussie for better earnings and lifestyle.. The thing is that I am a PR of NZ and I need to wait for 3 more years to get citizenship in NZ to migrate to Aussie as a resident by default or I can just try with any employer to get a work visa right now to migrate to Aussie and proceeding further from scratch (like applying PR, etc).. Any way I am eagerly waiting to move into Aussie sooner..:) Hope we may expect a seperate topic on the difference between NZ and Aussie with cost of living and life style, etc.. As I like your detailed way of comparison between UK and Aussie with hard yakka and more.. Thanks for all your valuable time & effort..! Cheers..:)
Hi Carthic, yes, I’ve already answered your comment on the other page. Cheers
We just got our visa and we are planning to move to Australia next year in october. I want to take most of our stuff with us…what about wooden furniture? What was your experience? Did you take your wooden furniture with you?
I read you took all your things with you. When the moving landed your stuff in Australia you had to go somewhere to pick it up or did the moving company take care of that? Thanks for your help. I am enjoying reading your blog.
Hi Ana
Yes, we brought our wooden furniture with us, including one six-foot wide Mexican unit. No problems with that, but they did not like our deckchair as that had been outdoor furniture. We did also leave behind an outdoor wooden table and chairs plus a bench, we knew they don’t like anything that comes from the garden whether it’s made of wood or not.
Anything they don’t like they will either confiscate or offer to spray for you at a cost. And our removal company picked up all our stuff from the port and delivered it direct to our house. You won’t want to be going to pick it up, so make sure your removal company includes that in the service.
Thanks a lot! This makes me happy because I will not have leave half my house behind.
🙂
Hi Bob,
I dont have a question, I just wanted to say how much i love your website and blog! Ive been looking at getting a working holiday visa for the last year and your blog has been the most helpful website by far! Any question that pops into my head is always answered on here so thank you! Ive booked my flights now and il be over your side of the world in feburary.. cannot wait! Some sunshine will be much appreciated too, the summer has been pretty nonexistent in the UK this year!
Hope youre still loving your aussie life,
Philippa
Oh yes, I’m still loving my Aussie life. Glad you have found my website helpful and I do hope you have a fantastic time when you come here early next year.
Cheers
Bob
Hi, I was wondering if you could help me. I have already visited Australia on a one year working holiday visa. During this time I never got to work as I returned home before I got the chance. I work as a care assistant and have done for 6 years. Is there any possibility of getting sponsored as a carer or would I need qualifications like a nursing degree? I do have a bachelor of science degree but in International Travel and tourism management.
Thanks
I’m not sure about that one Rebecca, although I do think there may be a shortage of care assistants here in Australia. It’s possible that in the absence of qualifications you could have your skills assessed. But I really don’t know for sure. You need to be talking to a registered MARA migration agent, I can recommend my guy, but you will have to pay for his services. Let me know.
Hi Bob,
I just saw your forgotten poll about Australia’s friendliest city and I wondered if the people who voted knew about these. http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/adelaide/corpses_1.html
Let me know, brother. I know that it is creepy but it sounds to me like they have some problems there that should knock them out of the top million best places to live. Every city has its skeletons in its closet but this is kind of ridiculous, don’t you think?
Hi Bronx
Yes, it’s a bit of a gruesome list, but there is really nothing sinister about Adelaide, it’s a lovely city. They don’t have any particular problem down there, and according to government figures there have been just 12 murders in the whole of South Australia in the last 18 years. New South Wales, on the other hand, have had 89 murders in the same period.
Cheers
Bob
Hi,
One question on the EOI and english tests.
I am from the UK and i hope my english is pretty good 🙂
To obtain the 20 points for a score of 8 in the skillset do i need to take the test as it says UK passport holders don;t need to. Do i get the 20 points automatically?
Also if enter the country on a 457 or 489 Visa do i need to pay school fees for my children or do they count as an overseas student (she is eight)
Thanks for any Information 🙂
I’m not sure about these questions Scott, I don’t know the answers. I do know there have been recent changes to when school fees become payable, I need to check out what the latest news on that.
Anybody else know?
Hi Bob,
I am Kapil from India. Your book “20 Reasons why YOU Should Move to Australia is very inspiring indeed. By profession, I am a marketing professional with extensive experience in the field of Telecom(VAS), Consulting & Banking.
Your Oz Tip specially “Australia is a land of opportunity, especially if you can sell” really hooked me. I am doing more research on Australia & hopefully someday I may land up on the land of opportunities. You did a great job; keep on doing.
Thanks,
Kapil Bali
Thanks Kapil, glad you enjoyed the book. I hope things work out well for you.
Cheers
Bob
Thank you for replying.
Can you tell me, is there a risk of redundancy on a 457 visa? How much can we rely on this one job offer?
Thanks
I believe there is a risk of being sacked for misconduct, so on that basis I assume there is also a risk of redundancy. Although it’s a (usually) two-year contract, I believe the company can terminate it under certain conditions. I think you then have a short period of time, 60 days maybe, in which to find an alternative otherwise you have to return home.
I don’t know this for sure, it’s only what I think to be the case. I’d get a second opinion if I were you.
I live in the Us and I am planning to move to the Brisbane area with my family for life quality issues. I would like to open a business there before I move. I already own one here and would like to get one going to help make the move easier. My question is, can I open a business there before I move?
Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that, maybe somebody else can help. Anyone know the answer to this one?
Hi Bob!
Great site, most informative I have found on the web thus far!
Me and my partner are thinking about emigrating to Oz with our 1 year old daughter. He has been offered a skilled job, and the salary is £88,000 GBP a year. Including the job, we would all be on a 457 working visa, have our medical care paid for and have all relocating costs covered. As far as I’m aware, the job is available in the regions, Hunter Valley, Queensland Bowen Basin, Western Australia Pilbera, and New South Wales. My questions to you are, what would be the best area out of the ones listed above, in your opinion, to live for a young family with a young child? Also costs of living in these areas? Some more expensive than others? Which? Also i have had a lot of mixed feedback on the salary on which our household income would be £88K. Some people are saying this is an average income, some people say we would get by, others say we would have a lot of disposable income. Which is it? Obviously, apart from the lifestyle, the money is the main reason for us to emigrate here. Would we be able to save? If so how much would we have left at the end of each year? (on average) I mean, if we really do hate Oz, then it would be nice to know that say after 4 years, we could have saved enough money to move back to the UK and start again. It’s a lot to give up what we have here, and i dont want to make the wrong decision! Sorry if you find yourself unable to answer any of my questions, I don’t know who else I can ask! Please try your best 🙂 and keep up the great website! Thanks xx
Hi Leona
Average income in this country is about $62,000 a year, with an exchange rate of around $1.50 per GBP, sounds like your husband will be on about $132,000 a year. He’ll be on over double the average income, so financially you should be okay.
How much you could save in four years, I have no idea. Out of the areas you mention, I’ve only ever been to the Hunter Valley, so I can’t really compare them. Maybe somebody else could help with that, but if it helps, the Hunter Valley is famous for its wine.
Good luck!
Hi Bob,
Thank you for all the information you have been providing.
Yes, we are moving to Brisbane early next year.
Would you be kind enough to let me know how I could the magazine you have writtnen about Brisbane. It would be extremely helpful for me and my family.
Hi Doctor
If you mean Australia and New Zealand magazine, just search for it online and you can have it delivered worldwide. It is also available in the UK in major newsagents.
Bob
Hi Bob,
I had finished my masters last year. My degree was certified by Australian Computer Society(ACS) but i am still working on Tech support and not a analyst job which i should have got. I am 26yrs old and i work in melbourne. Is there any way or any link to find out about my points through any point system???. I tried searching in immi.gov.au but i am not able to find it. Would be great if you give a suggestion. Thanks
Yes, if you read my post Moving to Australia Pt 4, you’ll see there is a link to a points calculator about halfway down.
Hi Bob
My brother (SA) married an Australian 7 years ago, and has been living in Sydney since, they have 5 kids and own their own business. My sister and her husband (both SA) moved to NZ 5 years ago, have 2 kids. I have a sister in SA and my parents both 70 – who visit NZ and Aus annually. I am keen to move over to Aus with my husband and 2 kids under 5yrs. I have a diploma as an Exec Personal Assistant – 11 yrs exp, diploma as an approved Counsellor (private counselling), Recruitment Consultant – 6 yrs exp, diploma in Business Management and Finance. My husband works within the Unit Trust Investment Industry as a Team Leader – no formal qualifications. I have worked in and Recruited for the industry since 1996. What would I have to do to get over .
Same as everybody else Valda, apply. You might find my page about Visas helpful.
Hi there, I am genuinely interested in moving to Australia. I hold a Bangladeshi passport by birth. I lived in Dubai for 6 years before moving to UK for my honours degree Aerospace Engineering, which I completed in July. My next career plan is to do flight training and I thinking of doing my training in Australia. But the problem is that I wont be able to work as a pilot in Australia without a PR. What are the requirement for PR application after living in Australia as a student? The course that i am looking to do is about 18 months long, will this give me the required stay time period needed for PR application? The other option for me will be to do a master degree first before commencing flight training as it will give me longer stay period.
I have got a cousin and a few relatives in Australia, will they be able to help me in any way in PR application?
What will be the ideal route for me to get a PR?
Lots of questions that I can’t answer, you may be interested in my Visa Assessment Service, that will answer your questions. Good luck!
Hi Bob,
I am Rajesh from India. I’m having 10 years of experience in System & Networking Domain. Am looking to switch over to Australia through 457 work permit Visa sponsorship.
I have gone through the July’12 “CSOL” list in that my experience covers under these roles. But they didn’t mention the head counts/openings of these roles.
263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
262113 Systems Administrator
263112 Network Administrator
263113 Network Analyst
263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
263212 ICT Support Engineer
263311 Telecommunications Engineer
263312 Telecommunications Network Engineer
Want to know how the Job openings are in Australia for Computer Network and Systems Engineer.
Thanks,
Rajesh
I have no idea, but you can find out if you do some research on my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship, look for the links to the top employment agencies.
If they are on the shortages list, then I’m guessing there should be job openings. Good luck!
Hi
I am a Nurse qualified for 4 years and my husband tool & die maker. We have four children who will be 21yrs, 19 yrs, 18 yrs and 5yrs. All will be studying or just qualified when we hope to leave for Australia. Would the older ones have to apply as individuals.
Thanks great website.
I believe so. Anyone over 18 years of age has to apply in their own right, unless you can prove that they are wholly dependent upon you. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but I assume if they have jobs and earn money, they are independent. If they don’t, and you leaving the country would leave them homeless and penniless, then I suspect they are wholly dependent.
But I’m just guessing, if you need professional guidance on this check out my Visa Assessment Service.
HI Bob, wish I had looked in here prior to paying out for our first ‘telephone assessment’ with a MARA agent. We certainly have not committed to moving forward with this agent but I do believe I have just found who we will be using, great site and great info, love it!
Knowing not a lot else, I actually found our assessment really useful and informative as it also changed the way that I understood about the appropriate visa to apply for.
Anyway, I unfortunately do not fall into the Skilled bracket so easy, currently as a senior operational manager I am led to believe that I would have to have an assessment done by the ‘Australian Institute of Management’. A certificate from these guys would make my application process a whole less painful.
So I guess my question is: Do you (or anyone else) have any experience or knowledge regarding dealing with the AIM assessment process? I would be devastated to not pass the assessment at the tune of $500 initial and $700 appeal. I know there are criteria and I am confident that I tick the boxes but, what if? I would be gutted!
So if you or anyone out there can give any advice I would be most grateful.
Thanks Bob/All.
FB
Hi Fred
Glad you found me in the end.
No, I haven’t had any experience dealing with AIM, but my wife certainly had to go through the process of having her marketing skills assessed. My advice would be to approach the task in the same way my wife did. She spent a couple of months preparing her portfolio, it was quite thick by the time she sent it off.
It included brochures she helped design for marketing campaigns, details of events that she helped organise and run, the budgets they had and the results they achieved, that sort of thing. She treated it like a homework project where she was determined to get an A+.
Your job is to convince the assessor that you possess all the necessary skills for the task as you do not have a certificate or qualification that makes that statement for you. So it’s in your best interest to give it your best shot.
Good luck and I hope that helps.
Bob
PS. If anyone else has had an assessment through AIM, maybe you can comment below and let Fred know how it went.