general67

Hi,
I am totally new to this site..... I am seriously considering leaving the UK and going to Australia. I have relatives over there (in Cranbourne, Melbourne) and I am currently in the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer. I have done this job for 24 years and feel it is time for a new challenge. I have various Engineering qualifications, Fitter / Turner, Electro-Mechanical Diploma, Refrigeration Engineer, High Voltage Electric Engineer (Authorised Person), PRINCE2 (Project Management) and various Management bits. I am now starting to look at best places for jobs so I can look at costs of houses etc. My questions are this.....
a) Would I get in easily enough ?
b) Is Melbourne the best area for the skills I have?
c) what is the average salary to expect for a Engineer Manager?
d) Is the cost of living better than the UK?
e) Both my kids will have completed A levels by the time I am looking to come out, is there plenty of access to universities, and do we have to fully fund ourselves ?

I apologie if this is covered elsewhere, but any help will be gratefully received.

I haven't done the online points thing yet as I am reluctant to start being bombarded with e-mails and letters!!!!

Thanks
Chris