If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:11 am
#1
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If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
More Australians than ever are leaving to join the global workforce and most won't come back.
Check out this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...5570279879.htm
In essence, it re-iterates that the best and not-so-best are leaving Oz to go to better pastures - HK, NY, London, Europe.
The Howard government is worried about this exodus.
Quotable quotes from the article include:
by an Aussie: "I love a sunburnt country, but I'd really rather live and work elsewhere."
'Almost one million Australians live overseas and those abandoning their homeland are some of its brightest stars. ..When almost 70 per cent of those leaving are professionals, managers and administrators, then governments take notice. And immediately announce a senate inquiry, calling for submissions from those expats, which is exactly what the Howard Government has done.'
"My sister lives in Florence and we've talked about this [missing Australia]. You mean walking along endless beaches with thousands of flies chasing you. Is that a lifestyle? It's great for a weekend but not for a lifetime."
Seems like the old countries don't seem so bad after all...
Check out this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...5570279879.htm
In essence, it re-iterates that the best and not-so-best are leaving Oz to go to better pastures - HK, NY, London, Europe.
The Howard government is worried about this exodus.
Quotable quotes from the article include:
by an Aussie: "I love a sunburnt country, but I'd really rather live and work elsewhere."
'Almost one million Australians live overseas and those abandoning their homeland are some of its brightest stars. ..When almost 70 per cent of those leaving are professionals, managers and administrators, then governments take notice. And immediately announce a senate inquiry, calling for submissions from those expats, which is exactly what the Howard Government has done.'
"My sister lives in Florence and we've talked about this [missing Australia]. You mean walking along endless beaches with thousands of flies chasing you. Is that a lifestyle? It's great for a weekend but not for a lifetime."
Seems like the old countries don't seem so bad after all...
Last edited by MikeStanton; Feb 3rd 2004 at 1:14 am.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:14 am
#2
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The grass is always greener on the other side. 
Actually a lot of them say they would come back to retire.
Actually a lot of them say they would come back to retire.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:17 am
#3
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Originally posted by ABCDiamond
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Actually a lot of them say they would come back to retire.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Actually a lot of them say they would come back to retire.
Yes, some want to retire here. But do people want to emigrate to a large-scale retirement village ??
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:19 am
#4
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It is the new world of portable labour chasing the opportunities. Good luck to them and hopefully it will wake up those is Aus who cannot believe people think of leaving the "lucky country".
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:19 am
#5
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About half the guys I worked with in London, while a contractor (IT), were Aussies and Kiwis. They were there for a four years stint, living in digs, and sending the majority of their money home. One guy was paying off his Melbourne house (4 beds) in three years. We were getting 600 quid a day during the boom, before 911 caused the collapse, so there was plenty of money available. Good for them, I say!
Let me just edit that bit - 911 didn't CAUSE the collapse - it was the excuse used by a lot of companies to put a hold on their plans to upgrade.
Let me just edit that bit - 911 didn't CAUSE the collapse - it was the excuse used by a lot of companies to put a hold on their plans to upgrade.
Last edited by downunderpom; Feb 3rd 2004 at 1:22 am.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:27 am
#6
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I've got loads of Aus and Kiwi friends (well....23) in London who work in professional/office jobs. They are all saving, touring and taking advantage of the exchange rate. They also ALL reckon they will move home when thier VISAs expire.
Parts of the workforce moving into the global arena is an international phenomenon...its not just happening to Aus.
Parts of the workforce moving into the global arena is an international phenomenon...its not just happening to Aus.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:31 am
#7
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Originally posted by PeteY
I've got loads of Aus and Kiwi friends (well....23) in London who work in professional/office jobs. They are all saving, touring and taking advantage of the exchange rate. They also ALL reckon they will move home when thier VISAs expire.
Parts of the workforce moving into the global arena is an international phenomenon...its not just happening to Aus.
I've got loads of Aus and Kiwi friends (well....23) in London who work in professional/office jobs. They are all saving, touring and taking advantage of the exchange rate. They also ALL reckon they will move home when thier VISAs expire.
Parts of the workforce moving into the global arena is an international phenomenon...its not just happening to Aus.
Isn't that what WE'RE doing? Moving our skills to Oz. I know it's what I did. Several years specialising in my chosen field (which, fortunately, is on the MODL) and then applied out here. Got the job over the phone, which stunned me a bit.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:31 am
#8
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Originally posted by downunderpom
About half the guys I worked with in London, while a contractor (IT), were Aussies and Kiwis. They were there for a four years stint, living in digs, and sending the majority of their money home. One guy was paying off his Melbourne house (4 beds) in three years. We were getting 600 quid a day during the boom, before 911 caused the collapse, so there was plenty of money available. Good for them, I say!
Let me just edit that bit - 911 didn't CAUSE the collapse - it was the excuse used by a lot of companies to put a hold on their plans to upgrade.
About half the guys I worked with in London, while a contractor (IT), were Aussies and Kiwis. They were there for a four years stint, living in digs, and sending the majority of their money home. One guy was paying off his Melbourne house (4 beds) in three years. We were getting 600 quid a day during the boom, before 911 caused the collapse, so there was plenty of money available. Good for them, I say!
Let me just edit that bit - 911 didn't CAUSE the collapse - it was the excuse used by a lot of companies to put a hold on their plans to upgrade.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:32 am
#9
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Originally posted by owieb
A couple of our Australian friends did that. Went over to London, worked in the city for loads of cash, travelled around europe to see the sites, then came back to Australia and paid off their mortgages and now just enjoy the lifestyle.
A couple of our Australian friends did that. Went over to London, worked in the city for loads of cash, travelled around europe to see the sites, then came back to Australia and paid off their mortgages and now just enjoy the lifestyle.
They make the most of the opportunity, coz when they come back they expect to settle down.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:33 am
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Originally posted by PeteY
Parts of the workforce moving into the global arena is an international phenomenon...its not just happening to Aus.
Parts of the workforce moving into the global arena is an international phenomenon...its not just happening to Aus.
As was described to me by a polite (!) Europe-based colleague "Australia is a backwater for professionals." Living in Oz at the time I didn't like his comment. But, whether I like it or not, he was correct.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:37 am
#11
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Originally posted by MikeStanton
As was described to me by a polite (!) Europe-based colleague "Australia is a backwater for professionals." Living in Oz at the time I didn't like his comment. But, whether I like it or not, he was correct.
As was described to me by a polite (!) Europe-based colleague "Australia is a backwater for professionals." Living in Oz at the time I didn't like his comment. But, whether I like it or not, he was correct.
I work to live, I don't live to work. If I had the money to do so, and PR sorted, I'd give up working tomorrow.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:38 am
#12
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Re: If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Originally posted by MikeStanton
More Australians than ever are leaving to join the global workforce and most won't come back.
Check out this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...5570279879.htm
In essence, it re-iterates that the best and not-so-best are leaving Oz to go to better pastures - HK, NY, London, Europe.
The Howard government is worried about this exodus.
Quotable quotes from the article include:
by an Aussie: "I love a sunburnt country, but I'd really rather live and work elsewhere."
'Almost one million Australians live overseas and those abandoning their homeland are some of its brightest stars. ..When almost 70 per cent of those leaving are professionals, managers and administrators, then governments take notice. And immediately announce a senate inquiry, calling for submissions from those expats, which is exactly what the Howard Government has done.'
"My sister lives in Florence and we've talked about this [missing Australia]. You mean walking along endless beaches with thousands of flies chasing you. Is that a lifestyle? It's great for a weekend but not for a lifetime."
Seems like the old countries don't seem so bad after all...
More Australians than ever are leaving to join the global workforce and most won't come back.
Check out this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...5570279879.htm
In essence, it re-iterates that the best and not-so-best are leaving Oz to go to better pastures - HK, NY, London, Europe.
The Howard government is worried about this exodus.
Quotable quotes from the article include:
by an Aussie: "I love a sunburnt country, but I'd really rather live and work elsewhere."
'Almost one million Australians live overseas and those abandoning their homeland are some of its brightest stars. ..When almost 70 per cent of those leaving are professionals, managers and administrators, then governments take notice. And immediately announce a senate inquiry, calling for submissions from those expats, which is exactly what the Howard Government has done.'
"My sister lives in Florence and we've talked about this [missing Australia]. You mean walking along endless beaches with thousands of flies chasing you. Is that a lifestyle? It's great for a weekend but not for a lifetime."
Seems like the old countries don't seem so bad after all...
Good experience in Oz, but I will return to Europe
Australia - the brain drain
If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:41 am
#13
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Re: If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Originally posted by Megalania
Got a hole in yer head or can you only afford one record?
Good experience in Oz, but I will return to Europe
Australia - the brain drain
If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Got a hole in yer head or can you only afford one record?
Good experience in Oz, but I will return to Europe
Australia - the brain drain
If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:47 am
#14
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Re: If Oz is so great, why are so many leaving?
Originally posted by ABCDiamond
Very observent Meg. I was beginning to think many people were thinking this way, buts its just the one after all.
Very observent Meg. I was beginning to think many people were thinking this way, buts its just the one after all.
Feb 3rd 2004, 1:47 am
#15
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Originally posted by MikeStanton
True. However, most professionals LEAVE Oz to further their careers. And the more it happens, the lower will be the professional skill base in Oz.
As was described to me by a polite (!) Europe-based colleague "Australia is a backwater for professionals." Living in Oz at the time I didn't like his comment. But, whether I like it or not, he was correct.
True. However, most professionals LEAVE Oz to further their careers. And the more it happens, the lower will be the professional skill base in Oz.
As was described to me by a polite (!) Europe-based colleague "Australia is a backwater for professionals." Living in Oz at the time I didn't like his comment. But, whether I like it or not, he was correct.