Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
Hi all.
I'm new to the forum.
Recently we have been toying with the idea of a move to Australia. I have a couple of friends who live in or near Perth, one being a police officer. Also family in Melbourne.
We are both serving UK Police officers. I have 6 years service in May and my fiancee has 5 this year. We have a young son who is nearly one.
I understand that we have missed the 2014 recruitment however this doesn't worry me as neither of us have ever been to Australia. Are we mad for even considering it? I have only ever heard great things about oz.
We have decided to go and visit first, next opportunity is THIS TIME next year which means by the time we have even seen Oz ill have nearly 7 years and im mindful WaPOL recruit 10 and under. This is unavoidable as we get married this year.
I guess I have a few questions really:
Is Oz as great as it sounds?
Is there any couples who are both police officers who have made the big move?
Do WaPOL recruit most years? From reading the forum is seems that most people apply to WaPOL however do any other areas like Victoria recruit internationally.
Any help or tips of where to even start would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
I'm new to the forum.
Recently we have been toying with the idea of a move to Australia. I have a couple of friends who live in or near Perth, one being a police officer. Also family in Melbourne.
We are both serving UK Police officers. I have 6 years service in May and my fiancee has 5 this year. We have a young son who is nearly one.
I understand that we have missed the 2014 recruitment however this doesn't worry me as neither of us have ever been to Australia. Are we mad for even considering it? I have only ever heard great things about oz.
We have decided to go and visit first, next opportunity is THIS TIME next year which means by the time we have even seen Oz ill have nearly 7 years and im mindful WaPOL recruit 10 and under. This is unavoidable as we get married this year.
I guess I have a few questions really:
Is Oz as great as it sounds?
Is there any couples who are both police officers who have made the big move?
Do WaPOL recruit most years? From reading the forum is seems that most people apply to WaPOL however do any other areas like Victoria recruit internationally.
Any help or tips of where to even start would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
#2
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
Hi all.
I'm new to the forum.
Recently we have been toying with the idea of a move to Australia. I have a couple of friends who live in or near Perth, one being a police officer. Also family in Melbourne.
We are both serving UK Police officers. I have 6 years service in May and my fiancee has 5 this year. We have a young son who is nearly one.
I understand that we have missed the 2014 recruitment however this doesn't worry me as neither of us have ever been to Australia. Are we mad for even considering it? I have only ever heard great things about oz.
We have decided to go and visit first, next opportunity is THIS TIME next year which means by the time we have even seen Oz ill have nearly 7 years and im mindful WaPOL recruit 10 and under. This is unavoidable as we get married this year.
I guess I have a few questions really:
Is Oz as great as it sounds?
Is there any couples who are both police officers who have made the big move?
Do WaPOL recruit most years? From reading the forum is seems that most people apply to WaPOL however do any other areas like Victoria recruit internationally.
Any help or tips of where to even start would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
I'm new to the forum.
Recently we have been toying with the idea of a move to Australia. I have a couple of friends who live in or near Perth, one being a police officer. Also family in Melbourne.
We are both serving UK Police officers. I have 6 years service in May and my fiancee has 5 this year. We have a young son who is nearly one.
I understand that we have missed the 2014 recruitment however this doesn't worry me as neither of us have ever been to Australia. Are we mad for even considering it? I have only ever heard great things about oz.
We have decided to go and visit first, next opportunity is THIS TIME next year which means by the time we have even seen Oz ill have nearly 7 years and im mindful WaPOL recruit 10 and under. This is unavoidable as we get married this year.
I guess I have a few questions really:
Is Oz as great as it sounds?
Is there any couples who are both police officers who have made the big move?
Do WaPOL recruit most years? From reading the forum is seems that most people apply to WaPOL however do any other areas like Victoria recruit internationally.
Any help or tips of where to even start would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
Although WAPOL recruited internationally last year, and again this year, there are no guarantees that they will recruit internationally again. As to whether you are mad to consider it - you have family here which is a start, but I don't think the UK police offer career breaks so you would have a lot to lose.
Without an employer to sponsor you though there is no start as police officer is CSOL only and not sponsored by states that I've seen so all you can hope for is that one of the states recruits internationally in the future. Unless one of you wants to retrain in a career that is available for either the 189 or 190 visas.
There is a police forum here - http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=79 - which may be helpful in the future
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,991
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
keep your eye on the step forward website...sometimes the deadline/criteria is extended/changed.
#4
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
You may well love living in Australia, we are all here because at some point or other we thought it would be a good idea to move. But if you read a little more, you will see plenty of things said that are not great about Australia and no, not everybody is happy after the move.
It is another first world country and has the same pros and cons as anywhere else. It is not an idyllic lifestyle and it is impossible to predict which way it will go for you until you actually get here and start living regular life.
As the recruitment drives are periodic, I wouldn't skip one if it occurs before you visit. Loads of people make the move without visiting.
It is another first world country and has the same pros and cons as anywhere else. It is not an idyllic lifestyle and it is impossible to predict which way it will go for you until you actually get here and start living regular life.
As the recruitment drives are periodic, I wouldn't skip one if it occurs before you visit. Loads of people make the move without visiting.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 177
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
Victoria are not recruiting internationally at this time.
You can go through the academy but they have long waiting lists.
You can go through the academy but they have long waiting lists.
#6
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
Is Oz great?
It depends on the person. As already mentioned it is a first world country with first world issues. The issues do differ slightly between the countries and that is part of the reason some love it - the issues are better for them. Some dont - the issues are worse for them.
It has better weather - though some find it too hot.
Perth is a very clean pretty city, but it is small and a little parochial compared to London
It depends on the person. As already mentioned it is a first world country with first world issues. The issues do differ slightly between the countries and that is part of the reason some love it - the issues are better for them. Some dont - the issues are worse for them.
It has better weather - though some find it too hot.
Perth is a very clean pretty city, but it is small and a little parochial compared to London
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 691
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
Hi all.
I'm new to the forum.
Recently we have been toying with the idea of a move to Australia. I have a couple of friends who live in or near Perth, one being a police officer. Also family in Melbourne.
We are both serving UK Police officers. I have 6 years service in May and my fiancee has 5 this year. We have a young son who is nearly one.
I understand that we have missed the 2014 recruitment however this doesn't worry me as neither of us have ever been to Australia. Are we mad for even considering it? I have only ever heard great things about oz.
We have decided to go and visit first, next opportunity is THIS TIME next year which means by the time we have even seen Oz ill have nearly 7 years and im mindful WaPOL recruit 10 and under. This is unavoidable as we get married this year.
I guess I have a few questions really:
Is Oz as great as it sounds?
Is there any couples who are both police officers who have made the big move?
Do WaPOL recruit most years? From reading the forum is seems that most people apply to WaPOL however do any other areas like Victoria recruit internationally.
Any help or tips of where to even start would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
I'm new to the forum.
Recently we have been toying with the idea of a move to Australia. I have a couple of friends who live in or near Perth, one being a police officer. Also family in Melbourne.
We are both serving UK Police officers. I have 6 years service in May and my fiancee has 5 this year. We have a young son who is nearly one.
I understand that we have missed the 2014 recruitment however this doesn't worry me as neither of us have ever been to Australia. Are we mad for even considering it? I have only ever heard great things about oz.
We have decided to go and visit first, next opportunity is THIS TIME next year which means by the time we have even seen Oz ill have nearly 7 years and im mindful WaPOL recruit 10 and under. This is unavoidable as we get married this year.
I guess I have a few questions really:
Is Oz as great as it sounds?
Is there any couples who are both police officers who have made the big move?
Do WaPOL recruit most years? From reading the forum is seems that most people apply to WaPOL however do any other areas like Victoria recruit internationally.
Any help or tips of where to even start would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,991
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
yes its a gamble! everyones different! We LOVE it! 7 years in and never once looked back! AND 4 out of 5 of us in the WAPOL family...if you want it bad enough it will happen
#9
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
It's a very individual thing. You'll find as many people who are happy they settled here as you'll find those who are not/desperately miss home. Some surveys suggest more people fall into the "happy they settled here" group but I suspect the truthful figure is likely to be closer to 50/50.
It's less easy for those who have a family, but in some ways it makes sense to initially plan a move to Australia as a temporary one (but on PR) for say 4 years - enough time to secure citizenship and then make a decision at that stage whether to stay or move on/back. Approaching it that way means you minimise the bridges that you burn but of course the downside is to some extent you'll be in limbo. But isn't that the story of life?
Good luck, whatever you decide
It's less easy for those who have a family, but in some ways it makes sense to initially plan a move to Australia as a temporary one (but on PR) for say 4 years - enough time to secure citizenship and then make a decision at that stage whether to stay or move on/back. Approaching it that way means you minimise the bridges that you burn but of course the downside is to some extent you'll be in limbo. But isn't that the story of life?
Good luck, whatever you decide
#10
Re: Police family Thinking of a move to Australia
In my experience I've encountered a lot of British Police officers in the Pilbara. As they tend to sponsor to get people into the areas that they struggle to find any body to work.
Being in some remote small town 100's of kms from the beach & civilisation isn't for everyone. The Australia you'd have heard about would most likely be near some large City on the coast.
Being in some remote small town 100's of kms from the beach & civilisation isn't for everyone. The Australia you'd have heard about would most likely be near some large City on the coast.