Originally Posted by should I stay or should I

Can any body tell me what I would put down for my earnings when I arrive and apply for a mortgage in OZ. I know the basic is only low and the wages are made up with different things but do all these count towards a mortgage

Originally Posted by should I stay or should I

Hi all, just had my visa approval letter through. Do I just send this with my passports to Australian House in London and they then send me the visa

Originally Posted by Paraken

Hi Nixie,

I work at Ipswich station, came over last June (2007) from London. The station and staff are great, along with the crews at Raceview and Redbank and all the other stations in and around this area. You'll be made very welcome and given the support you need to progress to ICP if you'd like. We'll be moving to a new station in the next 12mths or so which should improve our accommodation and facilities. You'll get to sleep on nights (your own bed, if your quick) if your lucky, just finished 2 nights and got about 5 hours sleep in all. Can get very busy though and Ipswich hsp is a very busy A/E, you can be waiting 2 to 3 hours sometimes with patients on your stretchers. Don't worry though, you can only do one job at a time
We love the lifestyle and really enjoy the time off, lots to do at very little cost. Colleges Crossing is just down the road and is really lovely, fab wildlife, resident Carpet Python ( 2metres long) and fab latte's You'll love it you really will.
Now what was it you wanted to know, Ipswich suburbs, nice & not so nice. Keep clear of Leichhardt and One Mile if you can, the guys tell me there probably the worst areas in Ipswich. If you can, look at Karalee, Karana Downs, Barrellan Point, Brassall, Yamanto and Central Ipswich. These area's have some lovely properties and Ipswich is 'The most liveable city in Queensland'. Properties are still reasonable and not too far from Brisbane, Sunshine Coast/Gold Coast. We live in Bellbowrie and are very happy. If your going to buy then offer at least 15% below the asking price and work from there. We did and as you'll learn it's best to haggle on price, it's an Australian thing, never pay the quoted price that goes for most things bar food shopping.
If I can help you out in any way then just ask. Australia's a great country with some great opportunities. It's not perfect but in my experience it's as close as we've ever got.
Just another day in paradise

Originally Posted by skye

Its cheaper for them to recruit from the UK and pay the expenses than to train people from scratch!

Originally Posted by x sussex man

First post but been reading (and been addicted to) this tread for some while now. Actually an ex-pat who has been living in Logan (South Brisbane) for the past 6 years, so if I can be of any help as somebody who is already on the ground just give me a shout (suburbs, renting anything really).

I'm actually in the process of applying for as a Student Paramedic at QAS, something I have wanted to do for a long time and was in the early stages of applying to the Service in the UK when the opportunity to move to Aus arrived so was put on the back burner for a little while.

Would love any advise and insight on what it is like being a Paramedic and also on regions that I should apply for . Hillcrest (which I think is called Logan West) would be my local station, any of you guys been/being posted there? I understand that as a Student Para (unless you are in Brisbane centre) you are posted at your most local station as long as there is positions available there - or you can submit a request for a different region. I'm happy to move to get the right station so any advise there would be great, Im looking at the following regions; Beenleigh region (which I'm part of) Ipswich or Toowoomba regions, or possibly Warwick. I cant specify which station in the regions though, I have to select 3 different regions in order of preference, but happy to consider any others.

If any of you guys are having get togethers would be great , dont really know many Brits over here. All I can say though is that I have been here just over 5 years and have no regrets at all, love the lifestyle, have a nice 3 bed house with large yard where in the South of England I could not even afford a studio flat.... no regrets at all!!!!

As I said if you have any questions for me feel free!!!

Originally Posted by garyp

yes they would take you on as a student at paramedic 1 level(p1). just had email from them. you would have to fill out recognition of prior learning (RPL) to go through this process. they would not sponsor you this way and you would have to sort out your own permanent visa to be eligible. I enquired because I have 3 1/2 years as a technician and a year as a paramedic. they said I needed 3 years road experience as a quallified so i would have to go down the student road.
I would appreciate if someone would tell me different about the 3 years experience as a paramedic who has applied and been successful at p3 level with less than 3 years road experience as a paramedic because i am a little dissapointed having to gain another 2 years experience as a paramedic when I have done 4 1/2 years in EMS. cant wait that long to get from UK.
GARY

Originally Posted by UKQAS

I bet this isn't right. Your Tech should count as experience, since the original two recruiters have moved onto other things the recruitment process has gone t*ts up.

Originally Posted by garyp

thanks for replys. I am not applying as a technician though. I am a paramedic but with only a years experience and three years as a technician. thought maybe that could count as road experience as they seem to be asking for 3 years road experience. Anyone who applied in same situation I would be glad to hear from you.