Originally Posted by Kapri

Hi Sean - welcome to B.E

have you looked in the Electricians forum for advice about work for you?
I know there are strict licensing rules for plumbers and I guess it's the same for electricians.

Originally Posted by Sean101

Hello all... I'm Sean. I've been reading this thread and others for days - a goldmine of useful info - I'm hoping that members will be able to help with a general query.

My wife Mary (mental health nurse) and myself (electrician - renewables) are expecting to arrive in Melbourne (from UK) in early July on a 457 visa with Mary having offer of sponsorship tbc but looking very positive. We're both on MODL with 135 points each. No kids, age just over 30. Just about to submit the paperwork.

We hope to live in the city, close as possible to Royal Melbourne Hospital (or another central public hospital). We wish to afford a 2 bed rental in a lively place. We plan on a trip of at least 1 year. I'm told that I will need to work for a year as a supervised electrician before I can be self-employed. Can anyone tell me how simple it will for me to find work as a tradesman in or close to the city? Apart from my electrical quals, I'm good at basic plumbing, joinery, tiling, decor, renovation. Are there resonably well paid jobs available for the likes of me without having to become an old apprentice again?

Apart from socialising we don't have expensive hobbies. Do our plans seem realistic? Any specific advice or general guidance would be gratefully received. (Have also looked at Nurses thread on BE, plus Britvics). Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Your missus is almost certainly going to be working with mine.... If she is going to the Royal Melbourne pysch ward. Most people that rent and work at the Royal Melbourne, rent in Brunswick, which is getting a tad pricey now, however its a vibrant locale, so you get what you pay for. IE: lots of good local walking distance entertainment, restaurants and pubs. Oh and you can walk to work.... If you dont mind walking for 20mins

Originally Posted by Sean101

Cheers ozzieeagle... useful info. It's tricky trying to judge distances on the maps - we've got no sense of scale in Melbourne. The Aussie papers are full of stories of property prices rising fast, hopefully rents will not get too high before we arrive! I'm sure the wife doesn't mind walking.

Is the psych ward at the north or south end of the park? Looks like there are two RMHosp. sites on the map?

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

The Royal Park campus in Parkville, which is mostly community mental health care, no in patients...
... I would get my mindset around the probability of taking anything you could get my hands on a present, until you get to know people personally.

Originally Posted by Shakmaty

My advice to anyone coming over without a fixed idea of where they are going to be staying is get a short to medium term rental and then explore areas yourself. We are all different on here and what suits one person may not suit another. Melbourne has lots to offer, but I don't think you really get an idea of where you want to be until you've checked it out yourself.

Rentals can be got pretty much anywhere and then it's just a matter of driving to as many places as possible...perhaps you could draw up shortlist before you get here with some suburbs in mind to visit. Remember, though, Melbourne is geographically huge, and it can be a pain driving a long way to work as the roads can get very busy. So where you work should be an important factor in finding a place to live. As you narrow your search (by the bay/beaches/bush/hills/city etc) you can start to find out what is most important to you in a place to live. I would say that a lot of expats come to Australia with a fixed idea in their head of what they want, but then change according to the circumstances of their new lifestyle. So just be ready to be flexible/adaptable and things should go ok for you's

BTW, Melbourne rocks

Originally Posted by Mr Anderson

Hi guys

im trying to start an after work drinkers club CBD, first meet 8th February
Charles Dickens Tavern, Collins Street (between elizabeth and Swanston) from 6pm (earlier if you want LOL)

heres the link http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509003

Sorry for the hijack, but i have a target audience.

The more the merrier, lads girls, couples groups, i dont care as long as you like a laugh

al

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Ohh thats a good idea, I may be in that, Thats a special MVictory haunt that one.

Originally Posted by TELLYADDICT

Hi

I have to say.... I wish I was there already. I just can't wait.
T

Originally Posted by Shakmaty

As there seems to be quite a bit of slating of Melbourne going on across the forum I thought I'd bump this

Anyone going to Moomba next weekend? I probably can't make it, but it should be good fun.

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/inf...g=2183&cID=100

Originally Posted by Shakmaty

As there seems to be quite a bit of slating of Melbourne going on across the forum I thought I'd bump this

Originally Posted by stuckinblighty

Oi do you mean me by any chance ?



Lee

Originally Posted by Shakmaty

'Ello, matey. Actually, I was thinking of Mr Potato head, and some fellows from the MBTTUK forum who seem to have jumped on some threads

You just seem to say it as you see it

Even if you are wrong