geoff52

I am not a immigration expert, but an academic trained in UK.
I am know retired, but when I was active I was offered academic positions in several countries. I accepted a position at University of Toronto and became a permanent resident.
I am sure immigration rules have probably changed since my day. However if a company or university want you they can usually find a way around the immigration process.

Pulaski

For a pure academic with specialized knowledge, I believe that will be true for almost every country - in other words there are ways for a university or research institute to get a visa for you if you are a "desirable academic resource".

Obviously that is more true if you are an engineer or a scientist, but the same rules apply for specialists in all subjects that a country deems "desirable" and in liberal western democracies, that means pretty much any subject.

Pollyana

There are no 'ways round' the Australian immigration process. The applicant needs to meet the requirements of a particular visa class, including possessing a relevant skill, and possibly having a job offer - depending on which visa is being applied for. If the person does not meet the standard required by DIBP they won't get a visa - DIBP does not bend their rules for anyone.

geoff52

I accept all you stated, regarding the immigration process not only in Australia but most countries.
However, companies and Universities all over the world including Australia are in global competition to attract top talent.

quiltman

They may well be but if there is no visa that fits then you're stuck. Some countries are more flexible than others and offer short term visas for academics. Good luck though in your endeavors.

geoff52

I do not plan to provide step by step detail on how it is done on a public form.

carcajou

I do appreciate what geoff52 is saying . . . however, I wouldn't call it a "way around," and based on OPs description - especially with the lack of a significant publication record or history of winning substantial $$$$ in grant monies, and no major prior experience in academia - I am sensing that OPs significant other will not fall into that category.

DonCan

Folks I appreciate the discourse about the visa hurdle and am in agreement that the prospects on that front are questionable.

My original question is focused on her job prospects which, it seems, are questionable too.

Given the costs involved (visas plus settling in), the high cost of living in Oz nowadays and the murky job prospects that we face, it seems our little dream is over.

As for America, we concur that job prospects appear better there. However, it is not a destination of choice for us.

Getting new skillsets and resigning ourselves to a more indoor way of life in the UK is our best option.

Unless somebody can suggest something nobody has already mentioned?

Thank you one and all for your input thus far.

verystormy

For what its worth, from my experience, people are no more outdoors in Oz than the UK. If you are an outdoors person in the UK, you will be there, but if not, you wont suddenly become one there.


Hot summer days in Oz can be far more oppressive than cold / wet. I am more outdoors now than in Perth and we haven't exactly moved to the warmest and driest part of the UK - Glasgow

Dorothy

I 100% agree with this. The hot summer days are unbearable at times. We were outside more in Canada than here by a long shot.

carcajou

Absolutely - UK and that part of the world are a paradise for people who love the outdoors.

We are very "outdoorsy" in Australia but distances are vast and we commonly will travel 2.5 hours one way to a particular place and come back the same day. If OP has private transport and is willing to travel in the UK, lots of very interesting natural spots and small towns await. Weekend trips to Ireland, France, etc too for outdoorsy things.

DonCan

Folks, just for the record, I grew up in South Africa, specifically Cape Town. I've lived in the UK for the past 21 years. I just can't enjoy a game of tennis in the rain. I'm just a father trying to give my child the best he knows of.