madpoison

Hi guys!! Just firstly to say I think this website is great and would deffinately reccomend it!! Okay so now down to the boring parts.. basically I live in Northern Ireland,the troubled land, im 18 years old,and desperate to move to australia, I only have my GCSE's and skills in the catering industry as a chef/bar man/waiter and security personel. I also volunteer for st. johns ambulance as a cycle responder. I Have no idea about visas or moving to another country etc so any advice would be incredibly welcomed and appreciated! thanks. Alex

foster1989

why dont u try going over on a years working holiday visa this allows you to work and travel and the same time, this year may enable you to find other routes and contacts that may lead down a further paths to stay in australia. just an option hope its helped

madpoison

do you know the requirements for this visa?
and yes this has helped

foster1989

im not a pro on all this but when i did one i just applied/payed for visa and it was granted then just out for a while...http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/ that all u need to know mate hope it helped again

MrsE

Hi - have you checke out the Australian Immigration website?

Here's the link - take a look at the visa section......http://www.immi.gov.au/

Bermudashorts

Hi Alex and welcome to BE.

I think your best bet is the one already mentioned, the working holiday visa. Assuming you have nothing untoward in your background it is a very straightforward visa to get and doesn't take long at all. The visa lasts for 12 months but it is possible to get another one if you do some seasonal famring type work for three of those 12 months.

Based on what you have said, it is very unlikely you are going to qualify for the skilled worker visas or employer visas at this point in time. If you want to move permanently then you will probably have to carve out and establish yourself in a career first before looking at that.

Good luck.

madpoison

thanks, i did,and maybe because im stupid, it all seemed a bit baffling

madpoison

Thankyou for such a warm welcome,
i feel it is best to go for the working holiday visa as mentioned, also when you say...carve out and establish yourself in a career....do you mean doing that in the UK or in Australia?

foster1989

From my experience in the um mate I THINK you could go on a student visa to Australia to study but its very exspensive, I was in the same boat as you I went to Perth at 18 on WHV and I lasted 6 weeks and I was quite limiting I was working in KFC so I went back to the UK went to colleg for 3 yeArs now I'm a fully qualified electrician looking to move back out to Perth in October for good so my advice would be to go on WHV for a year see if u like it then I'd go and get some trade/career behind you then the world is your oyster

madpoison

Hi foster, thankyou very very much for all your advice, and id love to keep in contact with ya

Bermudashorts

It would be difficult to establish yourself in a career on a WHV, the visa was really designed for backpackers to work and holiday and have fun. You are young and the visa might be a great way to see a bit of the country and work out if it is for you. But if you seriously want to move permanently, you would be better off building a career in the UK and revisiting this idea in a few years time.

madpoison

I see...well only being on the site for a few hours...YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN BRILLIANT!!!
thanks for all the advicee

foster1989

No worries mate, I'm new to all this aswell but been to oz couple of times u will help ya as much needed, to my ability they are some really helpful people on here u will so just fine

Jen1977ni

I'd definitely take advantage of the fact that you're so young and able to apply for the WHV, it'd give you a real taste for what Aussie life would be like as you'd not only be living here, but working too. Then if you decide that it's definitely where you want to be, return to the UK and establish yourself in a career, get all the training you'd need and apply for a skilled visa in the future! You have youth on your side, something you really should take advantage of! Good luck with whatever you decide!

Jen (also from Norn Irn!)

(PS Yes I'd agree that Northern Ireland does have its problems, but it's by no means the 'troubled land' it was when I grew up there, so be thankful! lol)

madpoison

Hi Jen,
I do love my youthfulnes lol have you ever been? I feel its best,after reading everyones advice to go for the WHV. im just curious if anyone knows what kind of careers are wanted in Australia?? like..which would increase my chances of getting my visa?
:O really what part of Norn Irn lol im from Magherafelt, and even you must agree..during the perade seasons its a troubled land