Hello,

This is my first post here.

We currently live in Auckland (NZ) and are seriously looking to move over to Australia and would like to communicate with the members here to try to understand

Our options
The potential pitfalls
Is the 457 a good way to go?
Should we stay in NZ to get our citizenship here?

Some background:
We got our PR in NZ April 2006 and now have our IRRV visa for NZ; we can apply for NZ citizenship once we have our PR for five years then we can hop over to Oz.

We both just feel that there are limitations on our opportunities here in NZ and that the housing prices here a very expensive relative to the wages.

There is also the health aspect as I developed asthma which I put down to the damp weather and housing here.

We are focused on moving to Brisbane and could go hard out to get a job now and do the 457 thing but obviously this is more risk.

Would be interested to hear your input or comments and thank you for anyone who can offer any input.

Many thanks

Can't believe 18 people have read this and not one has said hello!!!!!!

Come on you miserable lot, let's be nice.

Welcome to the forum

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Afraid I can't comment on the 457 visa, but I'm sure someone will be able to help.

Hello and welcome. Can't help you with the info required but there are some who've come over from NZ.

Hi,
I don't know anything about a 457 visa. It might be easier / less complicated to wait it out.

I think the housing here in relation to wages is expensive. It all depends on what your profession is. To get an idea of house prices look on realestate au and for jobs seek au ( If you haven't already done so ).

I think Brisbane is a good city, that said we decided to live on the Sunshine Coast because we wanted to be near the beach.

You cannot put your life on hold until 2011!

I understand what you mean about NZ, just look at how many Kiwis leave for the same reasons, however I am sure there is something in the pipeline by NZ Govt to stop new immigrants jumping over the ditch after 5 years...

A good Brit friend of mine is in Auckland, in a poorly paid professional role, and is dying to escape to Aussie and said to me he is concerned that the NZ govt are wise to being used as a stepping stone to Aus, and are going to soon announce measures to stop this...

I keep advising him to apply to Aus as I am sure he would get in rather than waiting for another x years and I would advise you to do the same.

Try looking in the immigration section of this forum. At the top of that page is a wiki article about the pitfalls of the 457 visa. Though is is a way in that can work well. There's also quite a few others hopping over from NZ

Firstly thanks to all the warm welcomes.

Techieguy – yes you are exactly right. I really feel strongly about moving on from NZ but obviously this is a family decision and we have our five year old son who has started school here 3 months ago and is in a really good school here.

I am hoping to get some ideas of what our options are (457 etc) and seriously look at taking the plunge. We are considering hopping over for a couple of weeks later this month / Oct to have a look see.

A have looked on Seek Australia and there are loads of jobs I can apply for and I have already applied for a few just to test the water.

My background is sales management & marketing in security and IT . We have been talking about coming over as a family for a good look – see with a view to me staying on for another week or two to really get out there and see how potential employers react to the 457 thing.

I guess trying to cover all angles and get as much info as possible to justify taking the plunge as a more informed decision.

The point you mention re the Kiwi government changing the rules is a big possibility but at the same time they know they have to keep this place attractive enough to attract & retain people. I saw in the media a few weeks back that there were 1000 people a week leaving for Oz.

The way I feel about NZ is I would rather go back to the UK.

Anyways mate, I'm rambling here.

Thank you for your input.