Hi

This the first time i have been on before. although i have been reading lots of different postings and there is alot of good info.

My husband, kids and myself are thinking about going to Brisbane or Sydney end of next year, just for two years. I would be interested to know if you think yu should definately go before hand to see what we think and if we like it, or just bite the bullett, take the chane a go.

Also how long roughly does it take to get your visas.

it's moments like this i'm glad pb has gone

Depends how much risk you are comfortable with. My rule of thumb is Young and single go for it regardless, family with kiddies, check it out first.

But if its only a 2 year holiday, would it really matter?

Good luck anyway.

are the WHV's for 2 years now?

no just the one - and you are not suppose to have dependants

I think I agree if its just two years what the hell and the kids are very young, and it will save us a load on fares.

but can't the aussies come here for 2 years ?

Hi Tasha 2505, welcome. I personally would deffo go and have a look first, especially the areas your thinking of. Have you been before at all?. My family are heading out in march for a month to have a good look round, going to Brisbane, Adealaide, melbourne, then sydney to visit friends, went to perth 10 years ago and loved it but want to get feel of other places. Ithink visas are about 15 months or so, unless your a nurse ,which my wife is, then a lot quicker, in fact to bloody quick!. which could be a good thing, dont give you time to ponder.You really cant get a true view by wot you see on the box, you really should visit. good luck, and come on you essex boys and girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

London needs the slave labour. Who else will serve pints for 2 pounds an hour and some accomodation.

I am certain that is true - got to tempt the Aussies here somehow

tasha, as you are not intending on making it a permanent move, what about sponsorship/transferring within yours or your husband company (if that is possible)?

true enough i suppose, but i thought we had a reciprocal agreement with aussie, does'nt seem to be reciprocated very well.

Carryon.

Appreciate what your saying and I was worried about brisbane being to much like the seaside, especially if my husband wants a good job( cisco engineer) for BT. We have got friends going out for good in Jan and they went to Melbourne to have alook and didnt lik. So know they going to Sydney.

tash

Tasha, depends also on job prospects of course, our friends emigrated to sydney 2 years ago, love it, never regreted going for a second, obviously more oppotunities in sydney but far more expensive. We are looking for affordable housing {arnt we all}. reasonably near the beach, nicer climate for outdoor games, or sitting around drinking?. Melbourne seems to have pretty crap weather dosnt it. other friends went to perth 11 years ago, the younger one returned to wales, couldnt find work in his field, 2 are still there, both chefs, although one left perth some years ago and went to work in broome, havnt heard about him since? my wife has been offered sponsership in queensland and victoria, hence our reason for visiting both on our trip..............

If you are only planning to go for two years that means that'll you'll also have the possibility to go back. Obviously you aren't then giving up everything in the UK.
I would just go if I was you!
Though try and do lots of research about jobs in each area etc etc Also think about things like it can get very hot and humid in Brisbane, I think more so than most think. But also remember that Sydney is cold in winter.
Ah, aren't these decisions just soooo simple
Oh, and if you;ve got friends going to Sydney, that would be a very important factor I think!

See, I'd give different advice to a family with older children who are selling house and giving up good jobs!

Good luck!

The recipricality is limited to there being a working holiday visa rather than the nature of the visa. Aussies do get 2 years in the UK and the work restrictions are different.