That is many times the entire State budget and an enormous amount to spend countrywide on ALL infrastructure let alone just rail in one State. If that much was spent on mining expansion it would take decades to get back. Certainly sounds like pie in the sky to me.

Not struggling compared to UK job sectors. We're living it up down here, still lots of money to earn and plenty of jobs to go around.

Hi Davie-T
I came out about 15months ago, aged 25. I knew no one, left family and an awesome bunch of friends back in the UK but decided that now was the time to come out. I have it easy, I have a kiwi passport and extended family still in NZ so xmas etc wasnt hard last year being apart from family and I came out to a job in Newcastle NSW (which pays alot better than the UK, im much better off here).
I said that I would come out for 2 years and then see how I feel, have a holiday back to the UK booked for August so I think that will be the deciding point. Im pretty sure i will stay here, but then again may find that the pull back to the UK is great once I go back there.
I would agree with you that, at 26 now is the time to go. there is alot of things i miss from the UK, like radio 1, being able to buy alcohol whilst doing your supermarket shop etc but these are all quite minor and i find the lifestyle here definately better than back in the UK. its not often you can go to the beach after you finish work at 5 in the UK!
Good luck and all the best!

I wasnt comparing to anywhere but by any measure many sectors are really finding it tough. Unfortunately not everywhere has plenty of jobs to go around.

Yeah that figure she mentioned of $214bn over 5 years sounded ridiculous considering Network Rail generally spend about £15bn over 5 years here to cover the whole of the UK (60 million population compared to 4.5million population of Queensland). I even made her repeat it to me and she said billion again.... she obviously meant million... or 2.14 billion.

ps. Skippy why cant you buy alcohol in the supermarket?!?

Supermarkets aren't allowed to sell it in Queensland. Some States have more sense, but the Backward State thinks food and alcohol shouldn't be mixed.

Except in restaurants

Yes 2.14 might be closer to the mark, you have to remember the people at these expos are there to entice migrants so the odd slip of the tongue is inevitable

Booze thing doesn't bother me as I'm used to liquor stores in Canada (BC)..

The prices how ever do!! lol

So is it hard / scarce to get booze from a shop or something?

Its just annoying, so used to the ease of pushing the trolley round Sainsburys, booze and food all in one hit. Here they seem to think we have all day to spend shopping and to get the decent prices you need a car and a lot of time to go round butchers, fruit markets, bakers etc - not quite so up on the idea of a one-stop supermarket. That's great for people with cars and time to shop, but for the rest of us its just a bit maddening

Noooo, it's just not sold in supermarkets, or it's in the same space (as in my Woolies) but walled off and with separate tills.

Don't panic - there are bottle shops (the bottle-o) everywhere, and attached to most pubs. There are even drive-thru bottle shops.

Pubs BTW are usually called hotels.

All clear?

Back to your original question.......

I came her when I was 33, by myself, no family, didn't know anyone, didn't have a job but had a PR visa. I'm still here many years on, and still having fun. It's all about how your state of mind really, and how determined you are to make it work.

I came here with an open mind, a willingness to live the Australian life and a desire to meet new people. I spent lots of time out and about, and not much time sitting at home alone. Within 3 weeks I had a full time job, and within six months a group or 'mates' who are now long-time friends.

If you are outgoing, willing to give it a go, and have not left one foot in the old country you should be OK. Don't plan to head back for a visit for at least 2 years and give it your best shot. Pick a good place to live within easy reach of a social life and think positive.

For Goodness sake Bermuda Shorts - Davie T asked a question, you responded, he responded back, it's an exchange of opinion and viewpoints, just because the response was not necessarily what you agreed with you get confrontational and declare he's not your mate!! Why bother..

Davie T go for it, if it doesn't work out come home!!

I certainly wish I`d done it at your age. A very good friend did and nealy 20 years later I followed. I love my life right now with the family here, but at your age and status you can uproot and go where ever the work can take you. Yes life in general is more expensive, My wage is 15 to 20% more than I earned in the Uk, So our standard of life has greatly improved. I was told long before we got here don`t compare things. If you can get a good wage here you will do good. Many said I`d have to start down the ladder abit, But I was lucky and took a step up. with the cost of living, On paper we should be worse off. but we can and do save up money for flights,cars etc