Australia_bound?

457 is best option for us at present, in a year or so's time would be looking for PR visa as finances would be better for us and most likely would head towards Vic as have family there. But as there is a chance of 457 now that's our focus

Briar

If you meet all the points and think you will get a PR visa, then definitely go that route. At least then you can live and work where you want to. The 457 way means you have to go where they put you and then teach for 2 years before you can apply for PR. The plus for the 457 route though is that you do have a guaranteed job and housing.... the PR way you have to do it all yourself. From my investigations, I understand that if you have applied for a PR visa and you decide to go the 457 route, the 457 visa application cancels the PR application. Not sure if that is right though, so if anyone knows for sure, can you share with us?

Has anyone had their interview yet? If so, how did it go?

I was following a thread on Facebook by a group of teachers who are going to WA in January, but they have closed the group now for privacy reasons unfortunately. Good info on there though.

Gems

If you come on the 457 visa, you can apply for you own PR visa at any time if you have enough points. Eg. you could arrive and apply for you own PR the same week you start work.

However additional costs in doing your own PR such as you have to leave Australia to validate PR visa. On the ENS ( sponsored PR visa) you dont need to leave the country.

So in theory if you have the points, you dont need to wait the full 2 years. Also does not affect your job if you want to keep it.

Gems

derekgoforth

would you still get the subsidised rent if you went off the 457 visa? i can see myself wanting to stay on the visa for at least a couple of years simply to save up some money.
or am i right in thinkin gems, all teachers get the subsidised rent for teaching and living in a remote community

Australia_bound?

Got paperwork saying rent free in remote areas. Sorry not sure if going off 457 means no more subsidised rents, hope someone will answer on here. We too will need to save up and every little helps

shamrock_dee

Hi Folks,

Thinking of applying for the Sponsorship Programme, but won't be able to head out to Oz until 2011! Is it worth applying this year, will this opportunity come up again next year? Presentations and Interviews in Dublin in 2 wks. Cheers

leeh36

As far as I am aware, the intervies being currently held are for 2009 and 2010.

Are you looking at primary or secondary?

Lee

Gems

Free rent will be some place really remote. I dont know anyone on free rent.

We get rent about half price, eg newish large house costs $400 per week we pay $200. Think the smaller town and further out cheaper the rent.

Yes, you keep subsidised rent even if you are PR if your working in a country school.
Dont think you get subsidised rent if your working in say Perth suburbs (but this would not be on scheme any way).

Only reason you wont get rental help is if you buy, so your liable for your full mortgage. No additional help for mortgages.

Gems

Australia_bound?

Interviews being held now arefor 2009/10, so if you can't go until 2011 then not much point. This route should be available for quite a few more years, are you secondary or primary? Secondary seems to have the most shortages at the present time.

Gems

Secondary has more shortage at the minute, but a recent education documents looking at forcast for shortages, says Primary will overtake and be a big shortage in the future. Hence recruitment drive for 2010.

Think long run, will be plenty of jobs. Also in our town all the private schools are advertising with plenty of both primary and secondary posts. If your willing to work outside Perth central you should get a job.

Gems

leeh36

So if you stay in a country school for say 5 years, would our rent be subsidised for those 5 years or only for the first 2?
Now I'm confused

thanks

lee

Gems

You would get subsidised rent for the entire time you were living in a GEHA house(Education supplied housing) as long as its in a rural town.

So in theory, yes if you work in a rural town for 5 years, you would get subsidised rent for the full 5 years. If you want to stay permenant in GEHA rural house you would always get subsidised rent forever in theory. Again must be rural town.

It has to be GEHA supplied housing, this can be houses they own. Or in our case GEHA leases from private landlord. You are normally given the property by GEHA, and rent comes out of your salary each fortnight.

If you buy a house in your rural town, you are no longer eligable for GEHA housing and reduced rent.

Gems

covphoenix

So i think the best option for us would be getting out there on 175 visa and getting job out there, the subsidised housing would be a huge plus as it would help us save a bit of money

After the 4 weeks waiting after interview, if the have you are successful do they tell you then where they would want you to go, or do they wait till you get there?

Australia_bound?

They let you know where shortly prior to you leaving UK.

Gems

We got name of town and even the address of the house before we left Europe.
In fact we even got sent a picture of the house.

Gems