Originally Posted by Rosscarbery

I LOVE Sydney with a passion. OH and I actually met here 19 years ago when I came over on a working holiday (from Dublin) and he was visiting his brother who was also here temporarily. We spent a year together but then the visa situation meant we couldn't stay hence the 18 years in the UK. I never wanted to leave. There are loads of Irish people here, mainly I think because it feels very much like home - just with better weather! People are very friendly, the school system makes sense if you have kids, it's just great. We came not knowing a soul (my sister and her OH lived here for 7 years but went back to Dublin in the end) and have a better social life here after a year than we had in the UK after years. Our three kids are thriving at school. It's a "no going back" situation for us as we have sold up and our eldest is at the point in high school where we can't mess him around any more, but I can honestly say that I haven't got a single regret.

Originally Posted by silverski

HI evereyone,

It has become so quiet here on the forum.

Came home after wrok to day and my wife showed me the following headline from the evening Herald..

Lifted my spirits.....

By Kevin Doyle


Tuesday June 17 2008

Calling all landscapers and tree surgeons: you're needed Down Under.

Irish gardening experts are among the latest list of workers being sought by the Australian Government to ease its labour shortage.

It seems the Aussies are suffering from a shortfall of green-fingered workers and they are hoping the green army can fill the gaps.

Twelve new occupations have been added to Australia's Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) and top of the roll-call are landscapers.

And as the economic downturn in Ireland begins to hit professionals, an exodus of IT workers might also be on the cards.

A range of IT professional positions have been advertised in Australia in the recent weeks and with companies struggling to fill the vacancies, the Australian Government has now decided to give extra status to immigrant computer professionals also.

Other occupations added to the MODL include electronic engineers, optometrists and dental technicians.

Residency

Migrants who can prove they possess those skills and qualifications required in those jobs can apply to have their skills recognised with a view to gaining permanent residency in Australia.

The list is updated twice a year, and the latest additions reflect the severe skills shortages and lack of workers in certain industry sectors.

Just one job type in specialised IT services has been removed from the list since it was last reviewed.

Australia is in the grip of an economic boom, similar to the one experienced by Ireland in the Celtic Tiger era.

There are now 105 qualified jobs listed in short supply, including childcare co-ordinators, architects, accountants, dentists, carpenters, motor mechanics and surveyors.

Prospective migrants who have occupations on this list get extra points towards their visa.

The Federal Government last week announced it would lift its skilled migration intake by 30pc to 133,500 places in the next financial year to ease the national skills shortage.

- Kevin Doyle

Here' sthe full link.... http://www.herald.ie/national-news/i...r-1412427.html



Still no news on our visa application.

Always looking for any emails.

Very quiet for the viewings for our home.

Getting to OZ seems very far away at the moment.

The ways things are going we may not get there till next year. and a lot can happen in year.


Regards

Silverski

Originally Posted by soulrebel

Howeya lads.
Well we got our visa finally having applied way back in November
Anyone know whats the procedure for getting the stamps in the passports, I know you have to send them to London but is there a form or something that goes with it?
Any help appreciated!!

Originally Posted by soulrebel

Howeya lads.
Well we got our visa finally having applied way back in November
Anyone know whats the procedure for getting the stamps in the passports, I know you have to send them to London but is there a form or something that goes with it?
Any help appreciated!!

Originally Posted by Leedelta

Congrats Soul Rebel

Originally Posted by soulrebel

Thanks everyone for the congrats and advice about stickers.
I will send it to them so with a SAE.
We don't need it till september so no rush...yet!!
Gonna validate visa with a reccie in september, we are going to visit family in sydney first and then head down to melbourne to check it out. Can't wait!!!!

On another topic has anyone opened up a bank account here with any of the OZ banks, I heard you can open a westpac account from here, any others that can do that aswell? (which is the best bank to go with in your opinions?????) I heard westpac aren't the best but if you open one with them then it is easier to open an account with one of the better banks when you get there as you are already an Oz account holder.

I remember the hassle I had trying to open an account here in Ireland a few years back when I was returning from living abroad for 6 years. You need proof of address etc but we couldn't get a rental without an account:curse: so we were in a catch 22 situation, that took a while to sort out.

Originally Posted by shannon9

Hi there sorry to hear it is taking so long, but with that news it my speed up now seeing they need people so badly. where in australia are you thinking of going?? We are flight our on the 1st September to Melbourne. what stage are you at with the visa's (did you go for your police or medical check yet)??

Originally Posted by wexford lass

hi everyone, i just found the irish!!!!!!!!!!!

we were planning the big move 2 years ago and we couldnt sell our house(the usual story these days), so we eventually gave up on the idea and decided to move on with our lives.....

well low and behold, out of the blue about 3 weeks ago a friend of d hubbys who is in oz backpacking contacted him about a great irish company he just started work wit and they are looking for engineers.....

well, he got the job, signing contracts next week, fab package, and we'r off. hubby going in sept and i'll follow wit kids in oct. OMG. cant believe we got a second chance at this!!!!!!!!!! a friend is now renting our house long term.

so we are all off to sydney....and are so excited

is there anything that you wish you had brought with you....apart from the TAYTO's..........