Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Hi All,

I have the chance to relocate with my family (my fiancee and 1 year old boy) on a 489 visa due to my management experience within the hospitality industry.

The only stipulation is that the 2 states that there is a "shortage" are Tasmania and The Northern Territory.

Has anyone moved over to either of these 2 states either on a 489 visa or through choice?

Which would you prefer and why?

I am swaying towards Tasmania however I hear the unemployment rate is bad? Is that true or in hospitaity in hobart is there a chance of a good job?

I see NT has higher salaries than Hobart is it more expensive in say Darwin?

I think I would feel too cut off living in Darwin and I dont think I would feel comfortable living there so I guess anyone who has a wealth of knowledge in to Tasmania pros and cons I would love to hear your views.

thanks in advance

John

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Hospitality is possibly one of the few area in which one might get employment in Tassie, its an expanding field, new hotels and resorts going up across the island.

However I should do some serious research into life in the two places - read every blog on the internet you can find. They are very very different - NT is hot, humid, can be a nightmare weatherwise. Tasmania is far more temperate, ore like the UK, or maybe northern SPain, Galicia. They really are te two extremes of Australia as regards climate and many people could live in one but not the other.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

This seems a much better plan than what was discussed in the other thread.

Really, it comes down to which one will sponsor you. If neither, or only one does, the decision is made for you.

If both do, you should do a recce out to both, discuss with hiring managers on the ground, and set your expectations.

You should probably do that even if just one sponsors you - go there and get on-the-ground information.

Australia is a country where they really need to be able to put a face with a CV and you won't get much traction trying to apply for positions from the UK.

Financially you should plan on having to work entry-level for a while. Promotional opportunities come when you become known locally as a reliable commodity. My advice to new migrants is to have at least 6 months of funding behind you, but preferably a year.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Darwin is a nice looking city as they had a chance to rebuild the place when it was flattened by a cyclone. There are so many stinging thingies in the sea, they had to build a huge filter next to one of the main beaches to create a second "inside" beach where it was safe to swim. The weather can be brutal and rarely gets below 30+ C. Many storms and strong winds.

However, the people can be very friendly and tend to absorb all nationalities and cultures. Its very far away from anywhere (except South Asia) and there is a bit of an Us and Them attitude to the rest of the country.

Tassie is beautiful and clean but I find it too cold. If you can handle the lower temperatures, I would suggest it is a better place to bring up a family and you are only a short distance to Sydney or Melbourne if you want access to a big city.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

This is a tough call, and chances are there could be regret at not choosing the other option after either move here.

From a technical standpoint, how long does the visa tie you down to a particular location? Is changing employers and/or states even possible? Anyone know how long until the gov't proposes applying for PR?

Darwin is friendly but remote (in terms of getting to other parts of the country), but it is just a short flight away from various interesting destinations in Asia. Tassie would be remote too, but it a reverse sort of way - close(r) to the main Australian cities... but far from major international hot spots.

I have a gut feeling you might be better off in Tassie as Darwin as a first destination could be a bit too difficult to swallow. But it will be cold, though possibly not colder than where you are right now perhaps?

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Hi,

thank you for yoru reply! Yes I think ive kinda ruled out darwin, i think the very hot weather the ruralness and not being able to use the beach for such long periods of the year made us make that decision.

Im just unsure about tasmania.. i really dont know if my family will settle there... jsut how rural is it... are there decent supermarkets can you go clothes shopping i have googled it but i would like real life answers if you know what I mean.

Im currently in Spain but originally from the UK so weather will not be a problem.

:thumbdown:

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Supermarkets are the same as supermarkets throughout Aus. Little choice and lots of price fixing, but as I say, that is the same as the rest of the country.
Clothes shopping - well you'd be pretty much limited to Hobart, which is a small city and not over-run with choice. It has the basic Target, Myers, Harris Scarfe, and some of the smaller boutiques like Lorna Jane and cotton On, but for serious clothes shopping you'd be looking at a trip to Melbourne. Hobart is fine for normal everyday stuff.

Weather? Have a look here for this week's forecast for Hobart - bit of everything, as you see.....
http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/hobart.shtml

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Looks like you're already accustomed to warm weather then. :)

When comparing the average temps between Australia and Spain you'll find that Sydney is almost identical to Barcelona and Melbourne is similar to the north coast of Spain, though much more volatile (during summer it can be too hot one day and then too cold the next, like going from 40C to 17C).

Tasmania will naturally be cooler but overall you are looking at something like Bournemouth with very similar temps during the summer (just a fraction of a degree warmer in Hobart) and noticeably higher temps during winter (a couple of degrees). So it's not the end of the world unless you're currently in Malaga and enjoying the climate there. :)

I'd pick Hobart over Darwin when moving with the entire family, including a 1-year-old, even though on my own I would be tempted by Darwin if the money was right. But overall there is no place I'd rather live in Australia than the Gold Coast, and even the climate there is probably the best I have ever encountered (not just in Australia but globally).

If you are planning on moving "permanently" then surely sooner or later you will be in a position to move between states, right?

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Hi, Thanks for the advice... Yes after 2 years I could move between states.. its jsut wether or not it is too risky to move to Tas for 2 years or not.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

I can’t really comment on NT as I’ve never been to Darwin but I’m told it’s either hot and sticky or hot and stickier with some serious rain....don’t forget NT is massive and not only includes Darwin but Alice Springs which have very different climates and challenges, I’ve been to AS a number of times...

I travel for work to a number of destinations across the country and one of my favourites is Tassie. My base is usually in the North (Burnie) but have had the pleasure of driving down to Hobart. As far as work is concerned then it isn’t great although if you do find the market that you work in I’d say Tassie is the place to be. As others have said the climate down there is very English th3 names are similar to my home area of the SW of UK and it’s hard not to think you are back there with the weather and the general feel of the place. I’d move there tomorrow the Wife on the other hand wouldn’t lol...

Be lucky and hope you get what you want

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Tasmania is nice, but having toured around it a few times If I lived there it would have to be in Hobart. The harbour front area is like a smaller version of Whitby but with better weather. Town centre has good shopping and there are quite a lot of Victorian styled buildings still around.

Darwin is very hot and humid in Summer, I could not spend more than a couple of days there. Some people love it, but it;s like living in an outdoor sauna. I worked there for two weeks in February and couldn't wait to get out. Nice town, shit weather.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

I've lived in Darwin the second longest time in a place in OZ after Perth and SWWA and very much enjoyed it.


I had no inclination to stay longer but certainly doable for a couple of years. You can certainly swim in the sea during season. They had some very pleasant cultural events there. Life classical music on the grounds of the casino on Sundays .....
The Mendel Beach Markets, twice a week during season, always a good night out in the barmy Darwin evenings. Great sunsets to admire from beach along with the numerous tourists and locals.


Downside. Crime was certainly an issue. Home break ins numerous. I knew people that experienced it. There can be a bit of drunken behaviour that gets out of hand in the CBD as well.


But if you want to experience a very different Australia, some might say Real Australia, hard to beat. Some great fishing if that is your thing and weekend get aways in the outback.


It will not suit all, but met many from other parts of the country and indeed around the world that loved it.


Yes it is humid, But car and houses are usually ait conditioned. No worse and probably not as bad as any number of Asian cities that have lived in.


Never been to Tasmania so a worthless opinion. Don't necessary rule NT out. Especially if able to get out after two years.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Do a search for posts by Geordie Mandy. Although she has now moved, she spent several years bringing up a family in Darwin and posted a fair bit about it.

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

We spent our first four years in Australia in Darwin and loved it. We still have a house there that we rent out. It does get very hot and humid in the summer but the winter months are gloriously hot and dry. Both seasons are beautiful in their own way and the storms in the summer are fabulous. You can certainly use the beaches all year round - just not swim in the sea, but there are loads of things to do and we found it great for kids. I do know a few people who hated it there though so it’s definitely not for everyone. I’m not a huge shopper so the lack of Myers etc didn’t affect me. You have the usual Target, Coles, Woolies, Big W, KMart and the like so there are plenty of shops to get what you need. Anything else can usually be sought online. Loads of camping and fishing etc to be had too if that’s your thing. If you go with an open mind and embrace the laid back lifestyle it’s a great place to live x

Re: Northern Territory, Tasmania or None
 

Good for you Jilliebee, to come out in support of Darwin. It can indeed be very beautiful in those parts and loads to do and characters to boot.


To my mind it is a rather unique experience of Australia. I can only imagine how it must appear for a newly arrived from UK.


I moved there from a spell in Cairns, FNQ, where I experienced a heck of a time finding employment. After three months in Cairns with little happening ,moved to Darwin and landed on my feet the first week .


Younger obviously, but far preferred it to Perth, at the time and away from that suburban lifestyle.


Fancy, supermarkets like Woolies open to midnight from memory. Alice I seem to recall all night.


It does have a bit of a frontier feel but loads of people from elsewhere. Darwin has a very high rate of rental, as many don't intend to remain, loads of government workers from Adelaide.


Darwin was being spoken when I lived there as Australia's Gateway to Asia, and big things were anticipated. I don't think the plans really evolved, but it was and is increasingly Asian in disposition.


I still consider it would be a great introduction into Australia. Who knows catch 'The Territorian' bug and may stay forever. If not a worthwhile experience for a few years.