Hi Paddy - I have applied to the RAN but am unsure whether they'll take me - the Oz MOD thing would seem to have got my interest though.

With regard to the SOL etc - we haven't put the house on the market or spent any funds just yet - we're doing a lot of research but the age clock is against us.

As I understand it (or not) my wife could apply for a visa to work even though her job is not on the list...is this right or not? I was under the impression that the SOL was a points generator so to speak - I guess I could send her out to learn about hair dressing!!

Ultimately though - it's probably the RAN or bust (maybe NZ might be worth a stab *drums fingers on keyboard*)

The problem is we're still in the learning phase - we have spoken to some vet nurses who have hinted that that particular group of people are falling over themselves to find staff. Maybe she could go...with the kids...and I'll stay at home to look after the dog...

Well the RAN would be an extremely easy route and would guarantee you permanent residency after xx amount of years (think its 4??). And, if you got an instructor role you would be guaranteed shore base for a few years to help the better half settle in! They would sponsor you and if I remember correctly they pay all the relocation expenses etc as well. Depends of course on what your specialty is! Think RNZN do same thing but they really are behind the times on things there!
The SOL is a pre requisite so, like a good doorman...if you ain't on the list you ain't coming in!! Other option, if her trade is wanted is to get her to apply for a job with a company there and get them to sponsor her!!
At the end of the day guys, where there's a will and all that!!

To echo my previous poster. Yes the SOL is a prerequisite for the skilled indendent visa (175). It might not be for others though.

A sponsored jobs might also work. If time is working against you maybe it's time for a free consultation with an agent to determine your realistic options.

No point in going down a route you "think" will work and discovering it won't until it's too late to do anything else.

We have just come over and my husband has joined the RAN. They have paid all of our costs and we have PR. After being here for 3 months you put in for your citizenship test. Once he takes the exam the end of March (and passes it!!!) then him and the kids become citizens and get their passports. I have to wait 4 years like everybody else. It took us 15 months from the initial email to ask about the possibility of joining. Hope this info might be of help.

Tammy

Hi Tammy, congrats to you both! What trade is your man? I assume he was Devonport based?

Ex General Service Radar Operator here who then transferred to Aircrew (saw the light!!).

Paddy

Blimey, I just had one of those "did I write that" moments.

I'm Nick, my other half is Sara (same spelling). We moved to Melbourne in July 2006, loving it.

Best of luck to you.

Nick & Sara
www.torkington.org

LOL! Nick & Sara - what's the chances of that? Thanks for your replies...looks like our only route will be via the RAN...so fingers crossed.

My husband was in the Royal Marines band at Lympstone, Devon. The year before that he was the bandmaster at Devenport. He has joined the RAN band in Sydney. He is doing a 3 week aquaint course at the moment. In May he is going on board ship for a 4 month deployment to Hawaii.

We have moved into a lovely defence house and live about 15 minutes drive from the main Sydney city. The kids have just started school and so far it is all great. Good luck to all those starting the process. It takes a while but it is worth it

Bloody Bandie!!! Jeez!! Being a Bandmaster is he a Colour Sergeant or Warrant Officer? Where is he doing his acquaint course?
I was brought up near the original Band training school in Deal and was at HMS Raleigh a few times when the Band was based there. I tried to join it myself but apparently my skills on the Triangle are not recognized as pertinent!!! lol

He was a Colour Sergeant and about to pick up his Warrant. He had to take a couple of drops in rank and is now a Leading Seaman. His aquaint course is at Kuttubul, Sydney. It used to be in Melbourne but it has changed. He then has to head to Perth for a 2 week course. They are rushing him through as he is needed for the next deployment. So an emergency Citizenship test at the end of March so he has his Australian passport in place for him to set sail on May 12th

Funny old thing I am from Deal and lived on Gladstone Road that was near the barracks. Strange old world!!!

Kuttubul is a dump but luckily he is only there for a short time. So what trade is he doing onboard then? This is a big drop for him so he must of been very determined. I went to St Edmunds school in Dover, you?

The band are based at Waterloo but are attached to Kuttubul. It is a big drop in wages and rank but hopefully it will come right. We are loving our life here and so far wouldn't change it. Our son has cerebral palsy and the sunshine gives him full mobility. It has been amazing to see the life he now has here.

My husband is going on the deployment operation Rimpac? I think I have got that right?

I went to Walmer school in Deal but left Deal when I was 18.

Yes, RimPac is the deployment name but I wouldn't mention it again to others! So glad that it is turning out well for you both and your son.

I left the area at 17 1/2 to join the Navy and, thankfully, never returned!! lol

Have you thought of consulting an agency? We used 1st Contact in London as we had VERY limited time. They did a free assessment straight off and told us that we had no hope - mainly as my skills only attracted 50 points and OH was over 45 at time of app. They came back to us eventually and said we had the Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored VISA option - OH could be sponsored by his first cousin who lives in Blue Mountains. What this means is we have to reside for 2 years in same state and can't work in metropolitan areas.

That's the route we took but as I was so close to 45 we only had one chance to get the paperwork right so that's why we chose an agency. It worked for us - we're here!

They did all the paperwork we just had to find all the detailed stuff. I had my skills assessed by VETASSESS - they basically made sure my degrees and stuff matched Aussie standards. I also had to "fit" into a category for employment. As a head of a university department I did not readily "fit" into anything so eventually they came back and said I should apply under the Education Manager category, which I did. There was a s%$t load more to it than that of course but we would not have stood a chance without our case worker at 1st Contact.

It's a thought!

Oh yeah forgot to say that even though the VISA is on MY skills and OH family link - I am the one who has to work to fulfil the requriements of the VISA (12 months out of the first 36 months) but its states clearly on the paperwork OH is free to work if he wants to doing whatever without restrictions. We both applied for tax file numbers when we arrived.