Help please.
 

Hi. This is my first post and a desperate one.
I'm thinking of relocating to Australia. But as I'm a truck driver, my job isn't on the skills list. I have read that the Australian truck drivers union want to change that though. Anyone know anything about it? My age doesn't help either, I'm 46. I have no children and am now single too. And as far as I know I have no family over there. What are my options and how desperate is my situation?
TIA

Re: Help please.
 

Hi and welcome to the forum :)

Unfortunately it is unlikely that you will be relocating to Australia. The age limit for skilled visas has been reduced back to 45, but without a job on the skills list it is a non-starter anyway.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Re: Help please.
 

Hmm...it's the answer I expected to be honest. But isn't there a visa with a limit of 50?

Re: Help please.
 

Possibly an employer sponsored visa, but with your job not being on the list of eligible occupations you wouldn't qualify for that anyway.

I would have to say that Australia is probably over subscribed with truck drivers. As an example, I applied for a job working driving dump trucks a few months ago. At my interview (group thing) there were 72 people who made it to the interview stage. They said over 300 applied.

Re: Help please.
 

I can't see HGV drivers being added to the list. UK HGV licenses aren't even recognised in Oz - drivers need to re qualify. At the same time the Oz government are keen to reduce migration - over 200 occupations have been removed from the lists this year

Re: Help please.
 

Have you looked at NZ first? Desperate need of truck drivers. That would lead to Australia eventually.

Re: Help please.
 

Is it? After gaining PR in New Zealand then getting citizenship and coming to Australia on a temporary basis maybe. Be aware though that this route would take many years and never lead to Australian PR.

Re: Help please.
 

Hi Dorothy

You are right of course

But my thinking was (and knowing what's coming) a shortage in drivers in Australia will lead to changes on the skills list.

So while the possibility is a few years there is a chance to be sooner, and closer proximity to enjoy short holiday breaks in those shark infested waters:sneaky:

Re: Help please.
 

A shortage of truck drivers is most likely to lead to autonomous trucks that don't need a driver. :nod:

Re: Help please.
 

Agree with you

But those big saltys look for consistent behaviour:sneaky:

Re: Help please.
 

Really? Does that mean they are willing to raise wages though?

Are there any specific areas that are looking for staff?

Re: Help please.
 

OP can use New Zealand as a back door, but as noted this will take many years.

IF OP qualifies for New Zealand PR, and IF OP starts today, then (best-case) it will take about six years to get into Australia.

As someone else noted above, New Zealand Citizens (which OP would have to become - NZ PRs are not eligible) can live in Australia indefinitely under the Special Category Visa, but are not able to receive benefits such as Medicare or Centrelink. Though a pathway for permanent residence will be opening on this visa, based on what OP has written I do not think it he will qualify.

Re: Help please.
 

christchurch to blenheim.
north island all companies advertising including training to get your licenses.