We've been wrestling with the idea of applying for our visa for several months now and still we're unsure. We've had a pre-assessment carried out and looks like we would qualify for a state sponsored skilled visa without too much trouble. Our problem is that we are 42 and 40 respectively, have 4 kids, 1 of whom couldn't be included as he's 20 and in full time work and we both have an elderly parent each. We don't know if a) we're too old to be contemplating such a life change, b) whether we could leave the eldest boy behind (his father would still be in UK by the way), c) if it's a good time to move 2 17 year olds and a 13 year old and last but not least whether we could cope with the guilt of leaving our parents. I've been to Oz on holiday with my mother last year, but Paul has never been so I feel like I have a lot of responsibility for relating how I found the place. Personally, I loved the country and met some wonderful people and I'm still in contact with some of them. Has anyone been in a similar position or can anyone offer some words of advice? My head tells me one thing and occassionally my heart another. We have discussed the issue with the kids and they are quite keen but it is such a huge decision some words of wisdom from those who have been through the process would be great.

Cheers

Ann

How do both parents feel about the move? And your 20 year old son?

The reason I ask is because it may be easy / difficult depending on these added pressures.

Another thought to bear in mind, is that under current law if you wait until you are 45 you will likely have little or no chance of emigrating to Australia.


Jeremy

hi Ann and Paul
we have just got our visa and we had the same concerns you are having. i am 40 and hubby mark is 39 and we have spoken about emigrating for the last ten years. Marks brother has lived in Australia for the last 15 years, so we decided to go out and visit to see if we thought we would like it.We have three kids 18, 12 and 7, we applied in August just before my son turned 18 and was still at college. We both have parents here and in scotland and although difficult they said to go for it. obviously everybody has different reasons to go but our reasons were simple. i feel that my children will have better opportunities and lifestyle over there and we love the outdoor life and i want to get the most out of life as you only live once. we can always come back if it doesnt work out but i know if we dont give it a try we will always regret it.Where abouts would you be going we are going to Queensland and are just waiting for our house to sell. if you decide to go ahead let me know if you want any help we did it ourselves and found it fairly straight forward.
all the best in what you decide
Dawn and Mark

I think the bottom line is that at the very least, you've got to let all the affected parties have a look for themselves. Try and get out there for a month or more and soak the atmosphere up a bit. Admitedly a holiday won't give you anywhere near the full picture with regard to living there, but it's a taste and lets people decide whether they'd like to pursue it further or leave it.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain.

Hutch

Thanks everyone for your comments its nice to hear another point of view, we just keep going round in circles! We'll let you know when we finally make a decision. Thanks for the offer of help Dawn we might just take you up on it. Considering South Australia as seems thats the most likely way of getting visa.

Ann and Paul

Hi Ann and Paul
Nice to see we are not the only boring f..rts that cant think of a user name, I blame the hubby (only joking). I can understand how you must be feeling we are in the same dilemma as yourselves, we have a daughter 19 that will be staying and a son 17 and another daughter who is 8 years. It is difficult for the 17 year old as all he can see is his beer and friends over here, he as just started a social life and cant see past that, and as we know it will be difficult for him out there with no friends for a while, but hopefully he will settle and build a better life for us and himself. Our outlook is if we dont try it we will never know, and if we can stay for two years then it will give my son and daughter the opportunity later in life if they want to return. We have found the forums very informative, some positive, some negative (read Wilfes replies, sorry Wilfe) but in all found it very realistic and not the glitz we imagined. We are hoping to go over this year for a month to look at different areas, I think you need to do this before you apply for anything, it may save you alot of money in the long run. Anyway good look and do what you feel is best

VERY POIGNANT / and never a true word spoken. Says a lot