Things you should know before moving down under...
Sep 26th 2009, 5:31 am
#61
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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.
(Yes, I *am* joking.)
Sep 26th 2009, 7:50 am
#62
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tropical North QLD
Posts: 21,434
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
There could be some sort of system that ensured that people were aware of what they would need to do in order to work licensed in Aus, perhaps associated with the ACS assessment. I now know of two people in Cairns alone who have been frustrated at every turn in their efforts to become licensed in their trade. It really is not a great system.
Sep 26th 2009, 8:31 am
#63
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 500
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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.
* 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.
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.
Sep 26th 2009, 8:50 am
#64
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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.
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.
Sep 26th 2009, 8:51 am
#65
Use time wisely
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: far far away
Posts: 413
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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.
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.
Sep 26th 2009, 9:04 am
#67
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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.
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.
Sep 26th 2009, 9:43 am
#69
Has left the building
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,079
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
You do have to wonder what relaxed work life people are used too when comparing to Oz. I think on most its a reality check that the world has moved on from 9 to 5.
It is clearly not just the Gen Y who are me me me?
It is clearly not just the Gen Y who are me me me?
Sep 26th 2009, 10:19 am
#70
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
You will find plenty of people on here who will tell you that no amount of research makes any difference to the reality of the migration process. The act of living in Australia can't really be researched in any practical way other than actually living here.
Sep 26th 2009, 10:35 am
#71
no stressin no fussin....
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Fantasy Island....
Posts: 12,616
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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.
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.
Australia isn't for everyone and we can learn as much from these as the positive posts
This thread is with regards to things people should know before moving down under. Given the amount of tradies who come across this once they have moved, and the heartache it causes, it is worth knowing beforehand.
...........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.
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.
Sep 26th 2009, 10:49 am
#72
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 146
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
There is a post recently entitled "What makes people give up life in the UK?". There have been a significant number of responses to the post and in one way or another, this post and the other could be linked together.
In the last 18 months or so, many people moved down under for economic reasons. Australia is one of few countries in the world to have escaped recession. The banks have also been in a healthy state, while banks in the UK are actually the walking dead, and would have been dead without state or govt support.
I posted on the What makes people give up life in the UK that more people will be leaving, not neccesarily to down under, when taxes go up next year, regardless of who becomes PM after the election. The bailoits caused a massive black hole and the Olympic is a disaster for London.
While Australia is far from perfect and is not without its own problems, it does offer people the opportunity to start a new life without having to pay more tax for bank bailouts.
For the UK, a revolution equal to if not greater than the French Revolution of 1789 is necessary to change the fortune of the country.
In the last 18 months or so, many people moved down under for economic reasons. Australia is one of few countries in the world to have escaped recession. The banks have also been in a healthy state, while banks in the UK are actually the walking dead, and would have been dead without state or govt support.
I posted on the What makes people give up life in the UK that more people will be leaving, not neccesarily to down under, when taxes go up next year, regardless of who becomes PM after the election. The bailoits caused a massive black hole and the Olympic is a disaster for London.
While Australia is far from perfect and is not without its own problems, it does offer people the opportunity to start a new life without having to pay more tax for bank bailouts.
For the UK, a revolution equal to if not greater than the French Revolution of 1789 is necessary to change the fortune of the country.
Sep 26th 2009, 11:22 am
#73
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tropical North QLD
Posts: 21,434
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Can I borrow your crystal ball?
Who says the olympics will be a disaster????
I say again, you do not know how you will truly feel until you are here, no amount of research can truly prepare you!
If you get here & find that it is not for you, so what? You had the guts to do what many dream of but don't have the cojones to carry out. Even if you go back, it is a triumph, you have dared to go there & will always have gained from the experience!
For some, it is an unresounded success, for others, so the wrong thing but the majority of us are somewhere in between a very broad margin!
Who says the olympics will be a disaster????
I say again, you do not know how you will truly feel until you are here, no amount of research can truly prepare you!
If you get here & find that it is not for you, so what? You had the guts to do what many dream of but don't have the cojones to carry out. Even if you go back, it is a triumph, you have dared to go there & will always have gained from the experience!
For some, it is an unresounded success, for others, so the wrong thing but the majority of us are somewhere in between a very broad margin!
Sep 26th 2009, 11:24 am
#74
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,913
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Sep 26th 2009, 11:36 am
#75
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Because most people who migrate probably settle in and never use the forums again, unless they get the homesickness bug etc, and want to re-connect.
Hence a higher proportion of posters with what may be termed "negativity".
23,236 permanent migrants arrived from UK in 2007/08. How many PR's are on here ?
And that number does not include the 21,040 457 Visa applicants from the UK, who also frequent the forums.
Thats about 44,000 people every year arriving, not counting students...
Hence a higher proportion of posters with what may be termed "negativity".
23,236 permanent migrants arrived from UK in 2007/08. How many PR's are on here ?
And that number does not include the 21,040 457 Visa applicants from the UK, who also frequent the forums.
Thats about 44,000 people every year arriving, not counting students...