alunfrostbite

Afternoon. Im in need of some advice.

I've just been granted a temporary visa for australia and was thinking of going just after the new year. Trouble is I've got no plan at all - not sure of where to go although i was thinking of sydney.

I'm a qualified electrician so i should find work but I still need somewhere to stay etc.

Anyone got any advice?

fish.01

Maybe first decide what your purpose is. eg. See the country or make some money or set up home somewhere else etc

Then tell us what type of place you would like to live, big city, small city, rural, budget, climate, outdoor beach or camping person and/or cafe, theatre, sports person, age group, family, kids etc and everyone will try to help.

alunfrostbite

Big city would be nice - I live in shropshire at the moment which is possibly the dullest place in england. I'd like to set up home there in a few years but I want to just go and 'test the water' for a year first and if i like it apply for a permanent visa.

I'm not really too bothered about working as an electrician, I'll pick fruit if needs be.

Also, would i be better off booking a flight now or a last minute one?

fish.01

Maybe try 3 cities:
- Melbourne: big city, colder climate, good access to indoor culture and skiing
- Brisbane: medium city, semi-tropical climate, good access to large resorts and varied outdoor activities
- Perth: small city, mediterranean climate, good access to city/suburban beaches etc

Flights usually better booked early, unless flying in low season and plane is not full. You could consider open jaw or round the world flights I guess as sometimes not much more.

Not much fruit picking in big cities

Rossi

That's a good thing ...................... it'll take you most of the year to get your Aus qualifications

alunfrostbite

How much do the youth hostels in the cities cost? Was thinking of getting off the plane, finding one, and then finding a part time job asap. anyone here had a similar plan in the past? i wish i had some friends or family over there to mooch off til i found my feet.

Dorothy

There's one in Perth's CBD that I walk past every day costs $16 daily. There's another, nicer looking one, across the street but they don't have their prices advertised.

alunfrostbite

Thats pretty reasonable. Anyone any ideas about sydney prices?

Cheers for the help so far by the way.

Centurion

Seriously - explore what you need to do to gain your Australian licence. Do not assume because you have a visa you can just work. There are way too many people who thought that because they passed a TRA they could just register here. Do your homework now, it will save you a world of heartache.

ABCDiamond

But he would be able to work in the electrical trade, as an employee, if there were any vacancies.

He just wouldn't be able to do contracting work, or be self employed, without the Australian licence qualification, which he could get while working as an employee.

Lord_Farquar

Surely the point of getting a visa is to work?

ABCDiamond

is it

Don't tell my wife..........

Dorothy

Surely it is, but for some trades you also need to be licensed here. My OH, while an engineer, works in security, so needed a security license in order to work in Australia. He also needed a blue card to be able to work any any sites. As Centurion says, simply having a visa isn't always enough.

alunfrostbite

Hiya i would rather be an electrician when im there but id do anything - i just want to go for the experience and to get away from where i am for a year. I was planning on just finding a job once I got there and hopefully not run out of money before I find one.

Juliecabs

Try www.sydneystar.com.au or www.yha.com.au