Hi all

We were granted our visas (136) last September after waiting an age for DIMIA to process our application (we were victims of the pre - July 2005 delays) and took a validation trip to Perth in February this year – Perth being our original intended destination. While we were there, we also managed to buy a block of land, which we hadn’t intended to do on the validation trip but so much the better given the way the property market has gone. We had hoped that we could make the move out in the spring of 2007 and have been saving our pennies accordingly.

So far so good

A few weeks ago our landlord told us we would have to leave our (rented) flat as he intends to redevelop it – not a huge problem, it just means we have top bring our plans forward and for a month or two I’ll have to live with my folks while my wife and daughter go to live with my wife’s mother.
In the meantime a company I worked for a few years ago have got in touch and have all but offered me a job in Australia!

Perfect? Not quite: the company in question are based in Sydney. I’ve been in discussion with them and it seems that there is a good possibility I could work from home, even if that home is in Perth. BUT, I would be required to live and work in Sydney for at least six months in order to get up to speed etc.

My dilemma is whether to accept the job, and a definite income, hoping that it’ll work out and we’ll be able to move to Perth after six months (which is by no means guaranteed). OR do I just go straight to Perth and trust to luck that I can find a half decent job when I get there. I hadn’t thought about living in NSW and I don’t really know anything about it.;

Perth is our intended destination – I have family there and we own a piece of land so we have already set down roots, so to speak. My biggest worry about making this move has always been the job situation; I have a pretty good job in the UK and earn a decent wage, and while I expected to have to lower my sights when moving to WA I don’t want to make it a struggle – there would be no point in leaving the UK in that case.

I can’t help thinking that having a job to go to is a huge bonus – it eliminates my biggest worry as we already have a mortgage to pay and have no house to sell in the UK so finding an income quickly is imperative. My Wife says she will leave the decision to me as she is too frightened to make it herself – but in a way so am I! It's a big decision to make so late in the day.

Anyway, I’d be interested to know what you all think, and if you’ve had any similar experiences.

I'd sell the land in Perth and head to NSW where the job is

could you get a slightly more firm idea of the job in sydney? you say you would have to be there for a minimum of 6 months; could they firm that up a bit, maybe say most likely it will be, say, 8 months. that wouldn't take you too far over your original plan of being in perth by the UK spring of 2007. even if it would take 12 months of being in sydney followed by being ok to work from home over in perth, least you would have a definite time to being there.

seems a waste to sell the land, and leave your plans behind 'just' for the job - when i guess your desire to move to perth is more that just whatever job you will be doing there (i have assumed that last part since you haven't said you have a job to go to in perth). if you sold up the land in perth and went to live in sydney, would you not wonder if perth was where you whould have been? you may then find yourself in the position of still wanting to go to perth and having to buy a (possibly significantly) more expensive piece of land what with the price rises.

if i was you, i would be wanting more info about the timescales from the company you have been offered work with, maybe they could even find you reasonable/subsidised rent when you are in sydney, since you will also be paying out for the land in perth. seems such a shame to completely alter your plans when you could just put them on hold for a period of time without losing the land, the dream of living near family in perth, and still get to experience a great city for 6 months?

I've already decided that selling the land isn't an option. I'd need to ensure an income sufficient to paying for the mortgage and rental/living costs as we intend to end up in Perth in any event, and If I can't get that then I'll just take the plunge and head straight for Perth.

I can't be sure of any of the details as I haven't received a formal offer yet but the result of the discussions indicate I'd start with them in the UK for a month or so, then head to Sydney in the new year for six months and the situation will be reviewed after six months. There's no guarantee that I'll then be able to work from Perth as they (or I) may not think it practical, but initial discussions seem positive; they have a fairly open mind about the possibility.

As far as getting help from the company is concerned, I don't think I can expect any kind of subsidy for the rent - I'd have to ensure a good enough salary - but they have said they will find somewhere for us to live, which is a big help.

I suppose the big problem is that we had decided we were heading for Perth but at the last minute another possibility has come up - an attractive one at that because it may allow us to achieve our ultimate goals and it takes away the worry of finding a job. And as you say, we could gain a great experience by livin in Sydney for a while!

I'd head to Perth if you intend to be there eventually, it would be a huge upheaval again from Sydney.

You have a great start if you have family and friends there, a better start than most. Therefore your will be able to network more quickly and hopefully secure that job you were after. You sound pretty resoursful anyway - I'd just go where your heart is. Is it that you are (as we all would be) flattered by the employment offer??? I know in the past if a company has contacted me, even though I was in a job I loved and paid well that I actually went for the interview and felt stupid after as it did not come close to my old job.

I vote Perth

What's the job, have you looked for a similar one in Perth? Why not check out employment web sites for Perth, there's lots on line. You might find a better job. Perth is great, where is your block of land?
Joan

I'd take the job, if the wage and spec meet your requirements.
As you say, living in Sydney will be a whole different experience, and one you may not get again.
You never know, you may even find you end up preferring it to Perth and decide you want to stay there!
Opportunities are there to be taken, I reckon.
Also, the fact that you're seriously considering it suggests to me that you know it's a good opportunity.
Don't forget - it's not as if your visa is tied to the job. If it doesn't work out in Sydney, quit your job and head to Perth.
You'll never know if you don't try....

If it was us, we would head to where the job is. Finding employment in Oz is our biggest worry too, in fact my boyfriend is not going to quit his job and move to Oz unless he finds work first so I will be moving to Oz initially on my own. Its a hard decision to make, but you have your land in Perth, thats guaranteed investment. I guess you need to look at the job contract in Sydney and weigh up the pro's and cons. Best of luck to you and your wife in your decision. This is what moving is all about! it gets you out of your comfort zone, enjoy the ride.

Thanks for your replies

The job is an IT job - I'm a software developer by profession and I know the IT job market is much stronger in the eastern states so finding work will be harder in Perth. Having said that, I'm not married to IT work so would consider anything that paid enough.

At least its a nice dilema

OK. Going to be completely mercenary here!

If it were me, I would take the job in Sydney. Keep the land in Perth. Do a fab job in Sydney and then you have the upper hand at review. If they say that you cannot work in Perth you do the whole 'wonderful working with you but really expected to work in Perth' and start job-hunting in Perth. It is much easier to get a job in Oz if you already have a job in Oz (i.e. not straight off a plane and employer wondering how long you will stick around) and you can hand in your notice once you have a new job to go to. In the meantime, as you have been doing such a wonderful job, the powers that be have discussions about how they can make you stay and find a way for you to get to Perth (OK, last sentence is wishful thinking but the rest of it could work!)

Wishing you all the best, whatever you decide.

Ditto to everything already said. If you look at the Sydney job as an experience, you'll still be in Perth not long after you originally intended & you'll have a fabulous greeting to the country and money in the bank.

While over here it's much easier to apply for other jobs in Perth or to see if you can do this job remotely and you can also get on with the build / plans etc.

I can't really see what you've got to lose, it can take a long time to get work over here depending on your profession - we came out with work but since it didn't work out as promised we've been out of normal work for 9 months (filling in with newspaper rounds and postal work, etc) but still no regrets.

I suppose one of you may have a problem adjusting as you'll not be "settled" but you wouldn't be anyway until your house was built, etc - just put it down to another stage in the process of getting over here.

All the best.

I agree. One of the hardest factors for new migrants not getting work quickly is the lack of Australian experience. Once you have it finding work is much easier. I would get the Sydney experience on your belt with the view of shifting to Perth in the long run either with the company or without.

The main thing you seem to be forgetting is that part of the emigration process is to have fun, enjoy yourself. Go to Sydney and work for 6 months because what a fantastic opportunity that is...and then you can move to Perth and set down roots knowing you just had the most amazing 6 months. At the weekends from Sydney go and see the sights, take a plane trip up to Cairns, go and see Oz after all isn't that the dream. If you go directly to Perth you would miss out on a great opportunity to see your new country.

You have LAND in Perth not a house, therefore why not rent in Sydney see what the jobs like, get your house built and then decide what you want to do.