Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Jan 28th 2016, 4:08 pm
#1
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Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hello all, this is my first post. Am looking to move to Perth next year with my husband. Have been researching on a off for years now, however still seem to have a bit of a headache from all the different threads so wanted to ask a few of my own questions!
Main reasons for moving is, to be honest, fantastic weather. Also less people (we live in London), better standard of life (outdoors, sports activities), as well as decent living space (living like sardines in London). Our situation as follows:
I'm a part time midwife and pet sitter (own company), not keen on working a mw in perth, however i may have to do so until potentially starting up pet business (cattery, kennels, dog walking, grooming, guinea pig and rabbit boarding etc) - what is the situation in perth re this type of business? Midwife salary approx $60,000-70,000 which is a little more than what i'd earn here (if working full time).
My husband has a degree in mechanical engineering but works in the costing section - i've had a lot of feedback that the engineering industry as a whole is drying up - this area i'm particularly concerned in as we wouldn't be able to live soley on my salary. Any information on this matter would be welcomed. He's not a keen on the potential move but i've been wanting to move for the last 10 years (to be honest i started training as a midwife as i knew Oz were crying out for them!)
If we were to move, we'd be looking to initially rent (around $2500-3000 per month for 2 or 3 bed) walking distance the beach and no more than 45 min drive into the city.
I'm nearly 30, he's 33, planning on starting a family in the next couple of years.
Above all, i am very interested to find out the situation re bringing over family. I wouldn't be able to leave my mum (nearly 54), she doesn't have any savings, however if she were to sell her property would have £150,000 cash. I've heard that, as an only child being last dependant, my mother would have 'easier' access coming to Australia - is this is the case?
One last biggie, i have a long term condition immune condition which i take weekly injections for. In the UK, we are extremely privileged to be able to have the NHS which i only pay prescription costs, and receive free haematology appts every 3 months. I literally have no idea if you pay in perth, if so the approx cost per appt for check up? And average prescription cost? As my condition is for life, i want to be really sensible and find out all potential costs prior to living. Of course if we were to move and rent for first year, i would obviously find this all out then as each case is individual, but a basic understanding would be greatly appreciated.
I know the grass is never greener on the other side, but would really love to hear some feedback. Until then i will continue to read through all the other members posts!
Thanks in advancec
Main reasons for moving is, to be honest, fantastic weather. Also less people (we live in London), better standard of life (outdoors, sports activities), as well as decent living space (living like sardines in London). Our situation as follows:
I'm a part time midwife and pet sitter (own company), not keen on working a mw in perth, however i may have to do so until potentially starting up pet business (cattery, kennels, dog walking, grooming, guinea pig and rabbit boarding etc) - what is the situation in perth re this type of business? Midwife salary approx $60,000-70,000 which is a little more than what i'd earn here (if working full time).
My husband has a degree in mechanical engineering but works in the costing section - i've had a lot of feedback that the engineering industry as a whole is drying up - this area i'm particularly concerned in as we wouldn't be able to live soley on my salary. Any information on this matter would be welcomed. He's not a keen on the potential move but i've been wanting to move for the last 10 years (to be honest i started training as a midwife as i knew Oz were crying out for them!)
If we were to move, we'd be looking to initially rent (around $2500-3000 per month for 2 or 3 bed) walking distance the beach and no more than 45 min drive into the city.
I'm nearly 30, he's 33, planning on starting a family in the next couple of years.
Above all, i am very interested to find out the situation re bringing over family. I wouldn't be able to leave my mum (nearly 54), she doesn't have any savings, however if she were to sell her property would have £150,000 cash. I've heard that, as an only child being last dependant, my mother would have 'easier' access coming to Australia - is this is the case?
One last biggie, i have a long term condition immune condition which i take weekly injections for. In the UK, we are extremely privileged to be able to have the NHS which i only pay prescription costs, and receive free haematology appts every 3 months. I literally have no idea if you pay in perth, if so the approx cost per appt for check up? And average prescription cost? As my condition is for life, i want to be really sensible and find out all potential costs prior to living. Of course if we were to move and rent for first year, i would obviously find this all out then as each case is individual, but a basic understanding would be greatly appreciated.
I know the grass is never greener on the other side, but would really love to hear some feedback. Until then i will continue to read through all the other members posts!
Thanks in advancec
Jan 28th 2016, 9:19 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
There are a few things that worry me about your post, I will start with the first two. The first one is that your husband is not keen on the move. Emigrating is really hard work and triggers many marriage break downs, you do need to both be up for this, it is ok if on eof you is a touch keener than the other, but unless you both want it, it is a recipe for disaster.
The second biggest concern is around your mother, if you cannot leave your mother then you are quite possibly not cut out for emigration. You would definitely not be able to leave with your mother, there is a parent visa but she would not be able to start this application until you have been settled in Australia for two years and then it would take another eighteen months or so before the via is granted. It would cost about $50,000 too so if this is going to eat up savings then you end up living with mum which might not be everyone's preference' no matter how much they love mum.
The second biggest concern is around your mother, if you cannot leave your mother then you are quite possibly not cut out for emigration. You would definitely not be able to leave with your mother, there is a parent visa but she would not be able to start this application until you have been settled in Australia for two years and then it would take another eighteen months or so before the via is granted. It would cost about $50,000 too so if this is going to eat up savings then you end up living with mum which might not be everyone's preference' no matter how much they love mum.
Jan 28th 2016, 9:27 pm
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hello, appreciate your reply thank you. My husband has been to Perth visiting a friend a few years ago and thought it was a little 'sterile'. He's originally from a small town in south Africa - He doesn't dislike Perth, however feels like there's not much to do, lack of culture, but this is not necessarily the case as I feel it's important to rent prior to making such a huge commitment. If he never settled within that year (or maybe I wouldn't! ) then we'd move back to the UK.
Thank you re the mother info, I didn't realise it would cost that much, that would be a huge dent in her savings from sale of house. Something to really think about but maybe much more of a mission than originally thought. Food for thought.
Thank you re the mother info, I didn't realise it would cost that much, that would be a huge dent in her savings from sale of house. Something to really think about but maybe much more of a mission than originally thought. Food for thought.
Jan 28th 2016, 9:28 pm
#4
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Welcome to BE 
As most of your questions are more to do with lifestyle, and Bermudashorts has answered the main visa query - about your mother - I'm going to move your thread to the lifestyle forum where you should get more info about jobs etc. We certainly have people who now about the state of engineering in Perth at present
As most of your questions are more to do with lifestyle, and Bermudashorts has answered the main visa query - about your mother - I'm going to move your thread to the lifestyle forum where you should get more info about jobs etc. We certainly have people who now about the state of engineering in Perth at present
Jan 28th 2016, 9:30 pm
#5
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hi Pollyana
Many thanks
Many thanks
Jan 28th 2016, 9:48 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hello, appreciate your reply thank you. My husband has been to Perth visiting a friend a few years ago and thought it was a little 'sterile'. He's originally from a small town in south Africa - He doesn't dislike Perth, however feels like there's not much to do, lack of culture, but this is not necessarily the case as I feel it's important to rent prior to making such a huge commitment. If he never settled within that year (or maybe I wouldn't! ) then we'd move back to the UK.
Thank you re the mother info, I didn't realise it would cost that much, that would be a huge dent in her savings from sale of house. Something to really think about but maybe much more of a mission than originally thought. Food for thought.
Thank you re the mother info, I didn't realise it would cost that much, that would be a huge dent in her savings from sale of house. Something to really think about but maybe much more of a mission than originally thought. Food for thought.
I visited Perth amd WA a few times in my final year in Australia however and it won me over a bit, although I think I still see it more as a retirement place ... and I am 15 years older than you and like a quiet life! But if hubby does not fancy it, I would completely understand and would suggest looking at somewhere else. It doesn't change situation with mum however.
Jan 28th 2016, 9:56 pm
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hi, yes the mother situation is a bit of a pickle, financially i don't think that's feasible. Baby steps.. if we move and end up loving it then I'll have to maybe smuggle her in ;-)
Husband came from a small town and loves London life. I do too, however outdoor lifestyle to me personally, out weighs this. I've travelled around the east coast in 2007, loved it, but that's very different to working, paying rent etc, starting up a new life. Plus, it is that little extra further away from UK and SA where we'd have to travel once or twice every year.
I'm hoping to travel to Perth in October so will check it out then.
Husband came from a small town and loves London life. I do too, however outdoor lifestyle to me personally, out weighs this. I've travelled around the east coast in 2007, loved it, but that's very different to working, paying rent etc, starting up a new life. Plus, it is that little extra further away from UK and SA where we'd have to travel once or twice every year.
I'm hoping to travel to Perth in October so will check it out then.
Jan 28th 2016, 10:58 pm
#8
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
What about the medical issues? How does Australia deal with that?
Jan 29th 2016, 12:00 am
#9
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Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
One last biggie, i have a long term condition immune condition which i take weekly injections for. In the UK, we are extremely privileged to be able to have the NHS which i only pay prescription costs, and receive free haematology appts every 3 months. I literally have no idea if you pay in perth, if so the approx cost per appt for check up? And average prescription cost? As my condition is for life, i want to be really sensible and find out all potential costs prior to living. Of course if we were to move and rent for first year, i would obviously find this all out then as each case is individual, but a basic understanding would be greatly appreciated.
I believe that the likely cost to Australia of managing and treating the condition is a major factor.Re your specific questions - I have RA and self-inject methotrexate weekly. Unless you are lucky enough to find a GP that bulk bills (an increasing rarity, in Perth at least), you pay a co-payment for each visit - it was $42 per visit at my previous GP.
My methotrexate prescriptions cost $35 to fill, each prescription lasts for one month. Needles and syringes are provided by my GP practice - people with diabetes and users of illegal IV drugs get them free from chemists but I don't qualify.
Medicare (public health system) picked up the cost of my fortnightly bloods. I paid $230 for each appointment with my rheumatologist (then received around $110 rebate from Medicare, so $120 net per visit). Initial consults are usually much higher, around $350 - $450, you'll get around a third of that back as a Medicare rebate.
The above costs stand even if you take out private health insurance (as I did) - private health will pay a substantial/total amount towards private hospital accommodation costs, will pay some towards dental treatment, and some towards other ancillary health costs, but nothing towards GP or specialist appointments, or towards radiology. I had a double hip MRI not long before emigrating, I had to pay the full cost of $1,000 on the day and received $215 back as a Medicare rebate.
Best of luck with your research and planning.
Jan 29th 2016, 2:43 am
#10
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hi, yes the mother situation is a bit of a pickle, financially i don't think that's feasible. Baby steps.. if we move and end up loving it then I'll have to maybe smuggle her in ;-)
Husband came from a small town and loves London life. I do too, however outdoor lifestyle to me personally, out weighs this. I've travelled around the east coast in 2007, loved it, but that's very different to working, paying rent etc, starting up a new life. Plus, it is that little extra further away from UK and SA where we'd have to travel once or twice every year.
I'm hoping to travel to Perth in October so will check it out then.
Husband came from a small town and loves London life. I do too, however outdoor lifestyle to me personally, out weighs this. I've travelled around the east coast in 2007, loved it, but that's very different to working, paying rent etc, starting up a new life. Plus, it is that little extra further away from UK and SA where we'd have to travel once or twice every year.
I'm hoping to travel to Perth in October so will check it out then.
You can spend time outside in Sydney and Melbourne just as easily as in Perth. Or indeed in London for that matter. I moved back to UK one year ago and have spent more time outside in this year than I ever did in the precious five. Australia has quite a punishing climate.
There are going to be a lot more flight options from Melbourne and Sydney. Per Expedia shortest trip back from Sydney just under 23 hours and from Perth 20 hours, not a lot in it really. Why would you be coming back twice a year? Are you sure you are going to get the time off even?
Jan 29th 2016, 7:25 am
#11
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Hi, yes the mother situation is a bit of a pickle, financially i don't think that's feasible. Baby steps.. if we move and end up loving it then I'll have to maybe smuggle her in ;-)
Husband came from a small town and loves London life. I do too, however outdoor lifestyle to me personally, out weighs this. I've travelled around the east coast in 2007, loved it, but that's very different to working, paying rent etc, starting up a new life. Plus, it is that little extra further away from UK and SA where we'd have to travel once or twice every year.
I'm hoping to travel to Perth in October so will check it out then.
Husband came from a small town and loves London life. I do too, however outdoor lifestyle to me personally, out weighs this. I've travelled around the east coast in 2007, loved it, but that's very different to working, paying rent etc, starting up a new life. Plus, it is that little extra further away from UK and SA where we'd have to travel once or twice every year.
I'm hoping to travel to Perth in October so will check it out then.
Firstly is your Midwifery qualification at degree level?....if not you will struggle to register. Also Midwifery is relative new in Australia and direct entry is pretty new....prior to that midwifery was considered simply as a nursing speciality and not stand alone. There are also some issues about whether you would need to work under supervison for a while.....there have been a few posts on here about this so you will need to research this......also you need to be aware that services are often very medically orientated and Doctor-led especially in the private sector.
Another point...Australia is not "crying out" for midwives or any other nurses..things have changed. West Australia is in the process of reducing the healthcare workforce and this is affecting the availability of jobs....the same thing has also happened in Queensland and other states.
There are also thousands of new graduates looking for work each year....find a job before you plan on where to live.
Regarding your mother....it is an expensive process and she would not be able to move with you....more likely about 3 or 4 years after you by the time all the requirements are met....she would also need to pass
Medicals etc.....I am assuming she has no other children or stepchildren...is that right?....you would also have to be on a permanent visa as you could not sponsor her on a temporary visa.
You would then need to pass the medical which is another issue given your long term condition
Jan 29th 2016, 7:59 pm
#12
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Aside from knowing that you need to have a medical and answer health questions for skilled visas to Australia, I don't know what impact your condition will have on your eligibility (but I'm sure someone will be along to enlighten you). I believe that the likely cost to Australia of managing and treating the condition is a major factor.
Re your specific questions - I have RA and self-inject methotrexate weekly. Unless you are lucky enough to find a GP that bulk bills (an increasing rarity, in Perth at least), you pay a co-payment for each visit - it was $42 per visit at my previous GP.
My methotrexate prescriptions cost $35 to fill, each prescription lasts for one month. Needles and syringes are provided by my GP practice - people with diabetes and users of illegal IV drugs get them free from chemists but I don't qualify.
Medicare (public health system) picked up the cost of my fortnightly bloods. I paid $230 for each appointment with my rheumatologist (then received around $110 rebate from Medicare, so $120 net per visit). Initial consults are usually much higher, around $350 - $450, you'll get around a third of that back as a Medicare rebate.
The above costs stand even if you take out private health insurance (as I did) - private health will pay a substantial/total amount towards private hospital accommodation costs, will pay some towards dental treatment, and some towards other ancillary health costs, but nothing towards GP or specialist appointments, or towards radiology. I had a double hip MRI not long before emigrating, I had to pay the full cost of $1,000 on the day and received $215 back as a Medicare rebate.
Best of luck with your research and planning.
I believe that the likely cost to Australia of managing and treating the condition is a major factor.Re your specific questions - I have RA and self-inject methotrexate weekly. Unless you are lucky enough to find a GP that bulk bills (an increasing rarity, in Perth at least), you pay a co-payment for each visit - it was $42 per visit at my previous GP.
My methotrexate prescriptions cost $35 to fill, each prescription lasts for one month. Needles and syringes are provided by my GP practice - people with diabetes and users of illegal IV drugs get them free from chemists but I don't qualify.
Medicare (public health system) picked up the cost of my fortnightly bloods. I paid $230 for each appointment with my rheumatologist (then received around $110 rebate from Medicare, so $120 net per visit). Initial consults are usually much higher, around $350 - $450, you'll get around a third of that back as a Medicare rebate.
The above costs stand even if you take out private health insurance (as I did) - private health will pay a substantial/total amount towards private hospital accommodation costs, will pay some towards dental treatment, and some towards other ancillary health costs, but nothing towards GP or specialist appointments, or towards radiology. I had a double hip MRI not long before emigrating, I had to pay the full cost of $1,000 on the day and received $215 back as a Medicare rebate.
Best of luck with your research and planning.
Crikey you have quite a few outgoing costs :-( Many thanks for your reply, very informative. Yes i knew it was always going to be a factor, just didn't realise how much check ups would be. Very expensive, how do folk with medical hx survive?! Guess it would be like have a crazy elec bill each month!
Thanks again for the info, very much appreciate it. Gives me a bit more understanding of basic healthcare costs.
Jan 29th 2016, 8:06 pm
#13
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Well if you both love London, then moving to Sydney or Melbourne night make more sense than Perth. Plonking someone in Perth when they don't really want to go and love London lifestyle could be a huge mistake.
You can spend time outside in Sydney and Melbourne just as easily as in Perth. Or indeed in London for that matter. I moved back to UK one year ago and have spent more time outside in this year than I ever did in the precious five. Australia has quite a punishing climate.
There are going to be a lot more flight options from Melbourne and Sydney. Per Expedia shortest trip back from Sydney just under 23 hours and from Perth 20 hours, not a lot in it really. Why would you be coming back twice a year? Are you sure you are going to get the time off even?
You can spend time outside in Sydney and Melbourne just as easily as in Perth. Or indeed in London for that matter. I moved back to UK one year ago and have spent more time outside in this year than I ever did in the precious five. Australia has quite a punishing climate.
There are going to be a lot more flight options from Melbourne and Sydney. Per Expedia shortest trip back from Sydney just under 23 hours and from Perth 20 hours, not a lot in it really. Why would you be coming back twice a year? Are you sure you are going to get the time off even?
I really liked Sydney when i visited in 2007, but seems incredibly expensive to live, and the winters are a lot chiller (i live for boiling weather - my blood is 'thin' therefore thrive in heat!), Melbourne is a no-no, purely because of weather.
We'd be visiting for family, once to SA, once to London per year.
Jan 29th 2016, 8:13 pm
#14
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Just a few points to consider.
Firstly is your Midwifery qualification at degree level?....if not you will struggle to register. Also Midwifery is relative new in Australia and direct entry is pretty new....prior to that midwifery was considered simply as a nursing speciality and not stand alone. There are also some issues about whether you would need to work under supervison for a while.....there have been a few posts on here about this so you will need to research this......also you need to be aware that services are often very medically orientated and Doctor-led especially in the private sector.
Another point...Australia is not "crying out" for midwives or any other nurses..things have changed. West Australia is in the process of reducing the healthcare workforce and this is affecting the availability of jobs....the same thing has also happened in Queensland and other states.
There are also thousands of new graduates looking for work each year....find a job before you plan on where to live.
Regarding your mother....it is an expensive process and she would not be able to move with you....more likely about 3 or 4 years after you by the time all the requirements are met....she would also need to pass
Medicals etc.....I am assuming she has no other children or stepchildren...is that right?....you would also have to be on a permanent visa as you could not sponsor her on a temporary visa.
You would then need to pass the medical which is another issue given your long term condition
Firstly is your Midwifery qualification at degree level?....if not you will struggle to register. Also Midwifery is relative new in Australia and direct entry is pretty new....prior to that midwifery was considered simply as a nursing speciality and not stand alone. There are also some issues about whether you would need to work under supervison for a while.....there have been a few posts on here about this so you will need to research this......also you need to be aware that services are often very medically orientated and Doctor-led especially in the private sector.
Another point...Australia is not "crying out" for midwives or any other nurses..things have changed. West Australia is in the process of reducing the healthcare workforce and this is affecting the availability of jobs....the same thing has also happened in Queensland and other states.
There are also thousands of new graduates looking for work each year....find a job before you plan on where to live.
Regarding your mother....it is an expensive process and she would not be able to move with you....more likely about 3 or 4 years after you by the time all the requirements are met....she would also need to pass
Medicals etc.....I am assuming she has no other children or stepchildren...is that right?....you would also have to be on a permanent visa as you could not sponsor her on a temporary visa.
You would then need to pass the medical which is another issue given your long term condition
Yes i have a degree BSc Hons Midwifery, now specialising in screening. I have noticed Oz and USA are very similar in sense Dr led care - would be fine with me, quite nice not to sign my name 300 times per day! Completely agree, ideally would find work prior to the move, but as you stated, they aren't recruiting many foreign midwives nowadays by the looks of things. Situation was very different when i started my degree.
Yes, correct, no siblings, father, she's on her own. Again the process seems a lot longer than i originally assumed. I thought maybe 2 years max, but 3-4 years is too long, that would be a deal breaker for me as she's my only family besides my husband.
All looking a little bleak really! However truly appreciate the honest feedback, thank you. Will continue to look into this further.
Jan 29th 2016, 8:34 pm
#15
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
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Re: Potential move to perth, like the rest of you!
Crikey you have quite a few outgoing costs :-( Many thanks for your reply, very informative. Yes i knew it was always going to be a factor, just didn't realise how much check ups would be. Very expensive, how do folk with medical hx survive?! Guess it would be like have a crazy elec bill each month!
Thanks again for the info, very much appreciate it. Gives me a bit more understanding of basic healthcare costs.
Thanks again for the info, very much appreciate it. Gives me a bit more understanding of basic healthcare costs.