Originally Posted by sallyclaire (Post 7966318)

There is an anomaly in the system though, that people can pass their skills assessment for their visa but are then unable to get licensed without further training.This doesn't happen with nursing & it shouldn't be allowed to happen for the trades. I really do believe that this is an area that needs to be reviewed quite urgently.

Originally Posted by Wol (Post 7966395)

But it is essential that the immigrant tradesmen are brought up to the Australian standards before being allowed to work.

(Yes, I *am* joking.)

Originally Posted by willamos (Post 7963407)

These are a few things (cautionary tales) I think Brits should be aware of before embarking on life down under. Please add to them if you can think of more things and/or modifications:

* Moving country does not fix all issues in your life. This should be obvious but I get the impression from reading some stuff on here that a lot of people actually believe it will.

* Australia is NOT devoid of a large, large number of the UK's problems. If you believe that Australia is a crime-free zone, for example, you may be disappointed. Stuff happens here all the time (Quoll recently reported some fairly random shootings/stabbings near where she is in Canberra on another thread) and the idea that these things are unique to Manchester or London is silly. Where I am there was a mugging at knife-point not three minutes from where I live recently and there is a MAJOR vandalism and 'tagging' problem. It's supposed to be a nice area though, so would hate to be in a dodgy area like Broadmeadows, parts of Frankston, Dandenong or Footscray.

* The weather is different in Australia, but not NECESSARILY better. In Melbourne, the climate is surprisingly similar to the UK (unpredictable and often cold and windy) and whilst the summer is longer and warmer than in the UK, the really hot days (40 plus) are very uncomfortable and you cannot really enjoy them as being outside in that heat is unbearable. You have the risk of bush fires at one end of the country and serious flooding at the other. Tasmania can get both. If you are moving for the weather (this seems to be a major life priority for a lot of people, which is quite foreign to me personally) be careful where you go to.

* It is impossible to predict prior to leaving what and who you will miss - and how much. You may find yourself missing things more than you think. It is easy to be in Britain, amidst all the British moaning and complaining, and think that there is nothing you will miss. It is very easy to misjudge this and only see the light, so to speak, once you are 10,000 miles away.

* If you are in a mixed nationality relationship (which may well be the very reason for the move) you can find yourself feeling quite trapped/stifled by being surrounded by your partner's family/friends constantly, especially when you do not have any of your own around.

Originally Posted by soulrebel (Post 7966552)

Why are there so many negative posts on this forum??? I know many people who have made the move and it has changed their lives considerably for the better. It has brightened up their lives. It is a great place so why slate it.
Of course it has its problems but so does everywhere but would you choose scarborough over sydney???
It also depends on your attitude to life. If you go with a negative attitude (and there seems to be quite a few of those on here) you will moan and complain and see the bad side of most things but if you go with a positive attitude and you will be fine. You make it what it is.
The same can be said for the cost of living. I know plenty of happy poor(er) people in Oz but lots of unhappy people with loads of dosh who moan non-stop.

Originally Posted by Darren-Debbie (Post 7966586)

Research, research and research, once you have found where you want to be you will know.

Originally Posted by Darren-Debbie (Post 7966586)

MMM,

I thought there was already a "Tradies thread".

In response to the original purpose of this thread;

Be prepared for difficult times, especially for finding work; employers will shy away from the additional aggro of reference checking Etc. with someone in the UK, where you would have built your reputation.

Australia is a big place, choose where you want to settle very carefully; it will be a very expensive mistake (both financially and emotionally)if you get it wrong, use forums such as this for personal opinions and write to/email as many businesses, tourist info, council dept's as you can, make the correspondence as personal as you can; you'll be surprised at the amount of "real" responses you get as most Aussies are a good bunch and honest.

Research, research and research, once you have found where you want to be you will know.

Commitment and dedication, without this you will fail, be prepared for a battle with yourself.

Accept Change, Aus is different, deal with it, you cannot change it to where you have come from.

Fires, floods, drought, violence, traffic, remoteness, vandalism, dust, dangerous creatures, ex-pats, expensive, cheap, hot, cold, boring , exciting,Etc, Etc, these can be found in varying degrees anywhere in the world, by moving to Aus you will not be getting away from all of them.

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus (Post 7966608)

Are you still in Essex?

Originally Posted by mecheng (Post 7966604)

People don't tend to do enough of it considering the big move they are making.

Originally Posted by soulrebel (Post 7966552)

Why are there so many negative posts on this forum???
I know many people who have made the move and it has changed their lives considerably for the better. It has brightened up their lives. It is a great place so why slate it.
Of course it has its problems but so does everywhere but would you choose scarborough over sydney???
It also depends on your attitude to life. If you go with a negative attitude (and there seems to be quite a few of those on here) you will moan and complain and see the bad side of most things but if you go with a positive attitude and you will be fine. You make it what it is.
The same can be said for the cost of living. I know plenty of happy poor(er) people in Oz but lots of unhappy people with loads of dosh who moan non-stop.

Originally Posted by Darren-Debbie (Post 7966586)

MMM, I thought there was already a "Tradies thread"..

Originally Posted by Darren-Debbie (Post 7966586)

...........Australia is a big place, choose where you want to settle very carefully; it will be a very expensive mistake (both financially and emotionally)if you get it wrong, use forums such as this for personal opinions and write to/email as many businesses, tourist info, council dept's as you can, make the correspondence as personal as you can; you'll be surprised at the amount of "real" responses you get as most Aussies are a good bunch and honest.

Research, research and research, once you have found where you want to be you will know.

Commitment and dedication, without this you will fail, be prepared for a battle with yourself.

Accept Change, Aus is different, deal with it, you cannot change it to where you have come from.

Fires, floods, drought, violence, traffic, remoteness, vandalism, dust, dangerous creatures, ex-pats, expensive, cheap, hot, cold, boring , exciting,Etc, Etc, these can be found in varying degrees anywhere in the world, by moving to Aus you will not be getting away from all of them.

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 7966244)

I think I agree with you :thumbup:

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 7966247)

I was just thinking that :D

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 7966248)

I agree with that too.

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 7966250)

And I have to agree with that one. :lol:

Originally Posted by soulrebel (Post 7966552)

Why are there so many negative posts on this forum???