FPE88

Hi, Me and my partner have become very curious about moving to Australia, Im a qualified apprentice served electrician with 7 yrs experience, she is a social care worker.

I have been advised so many times to give Australia a go, being an electrician I get told this every so often. It seems the perfect place for us, we love the weather, apparently great people and a much better lifestyle than over here.

What types of place would you suggest to us? we love the beach, we're young mid 20's, not partying but like socialising, we're not city people.

Earnings? how much does our jobs typically earn and is there much opportunity for us?

House prices? with the jobs what type of house price range would we be typically looking at to buy.

Thanks in advance for any help.

FPE88

Anyone?

steen1976

They're all in bed mate

FPE88

I was actually just thinking that, aint got a clue on the timezones!

steve`o

its right we are in bed your first post was at 2.30am

for info re sparkies look here
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=97

house prices
http://www.realestate.com.au/buy

Dorothy

If you're looking at moving to Australia then the first thing you're going to need is to learn some patience. Less than 2 hours before bumping a thread in the middle of the night?

Try www.immi.gov.au to see if you qualify. Bear in mind that the rules are about to change in July, so unless you can get your skills assessed and an application in before June 30 you'll have to look at whether you qualify then.

Current processing times for skilled visas is about 2+ years. Add in the time it takes to get your skills assessment done and wait for state sponsorship you're looking at 3 years or more in total.

moneypenny20

Have you been? How do you know it's the perfect place for you? The weather 'sounds' perfect when not here, however some areas have 40+ degrees in summer which is not ideal when working, QLD is currently dealing with major floods, the largest cyclone we've had, major bush fires, very very high humidity levels etc. Yes it may suit you but until you've actually lived through a year or so of the climate, there's no way of knowing if it will suit you. As for better lifestyle - where are you now? Don't get me wrong, I and many others love it here but for many more, the climate means they do less outdoors than they initially imagined.

Check out that you do actually qualify for a visa, then consider all the many different climates the country offers. It's not just hot and sunny.

FPE88

I actually clicked on that everybody was asleep if you look at an earlier post, easy mistake to make.

Im not in a rush to get out there, I have time on my side its just a lot of people have mentioned to me to give it a go I wont regret so im on here for some advice but I think some people got out of bed the wrong side.

FPE88

I dont think its the perfect place for me I said it SEEMS the perfect place, thats why im on here to get some advice.

As for the floods, do you think im stupid? I understand the devastation it has caused through the country.

I have a lot of family out there who emigrated 30 yrs ago and some more recent 10yrs ago who would never come back, I have a friend who spent a yr out there who said he would love to go back.

If this is how you welcome people then I think I will stay here, but I think you grumps are in the minority.

moneypenny20

Maybe she only read your first couple of posts or maybe she was reiterating the netiquette of not bumping a very short time after the first post.

Maybe she did get out of bed the wrong side, however, she also gave you very useful info so gratitude rather than sniping would be the way forward.

FPE88

Well instead of helping on the subjects I posted, I got told to check that I qualify which was quite patronizing quite similar to yourself actually.

I have already checked if I qualify and at the moment I do, but none of my original questions where answered in either of you posts.

I really appreciate any help which is given, but I didnt come on here to get patronized, I just wanted some advice on a possible change in my life which im very interested about.

Grayling

Back to your original questions

How do you know it is a 'better lifestyle'?

It is not in my opinion.

moneypenny20

Your question is way too open. This massive country is surrounded by water and therefore beaches. Most people live around the edge, in suburbs close or relatively close to the cities so lots of socialising available depending on what you want. You think you like the climate but you don't tell us if you like dry heat, high humidity, Mediterranean climate, cool winters etc etc etc.

You have been given the link to Realestate.com, there is also Domain. As for jobs, your best bet is to look at seek, mycareer, careerone etc which will give you an idea of what is currently available to people with Australian experience and licences.

My previous post was simply to point out that what one imagines will suit them quickly becomes (for many people) hell on earth when actually living here.

No one has patronised you or if they, I, have I apologise, it wasn't meant that way. I am interested to know who these people are who tell you you'll love it here and that it would suit you. Many people in the UK still have a utopian view of Australia which bears no relation to the facts.

You didn't say you had already checked to see that you qualify so how was anyone to know? I was also mentioning the floods because many (possibly not you) have rose tinted glasses on regarding the Australian climate. I again apologise if you don't have these on, your first post didn't tell me that and we can only go by what you post.

For your occupation then Steve's link to the Electricians forum is a godsend. There are one or two social workers on the forum (from memory) but I can't remember if they're actually here or still there waiting on a visa. If you give the search facility a go (pink toolbar at top of page). In the Advanced Search section you can put in key words and change the period of searching - useful if you don't want info from years ago which may no longer be valid.

We all love our own areas but are loathe to suggest them to others as we have no real idea of what they are coming from, what their expectations are etc etc.

Good luck with the research and application.

FPE88

I dont know its better, its what I have heard off so many people, but theres only 1 way to find out and thats come over which I plan to do.

FPE88

Thanks for the advice this is what I was looking for. The amount of searches I have done on this forum just as a guest is unreal I have picked up quite a bit of info, I gather an electrician will generally earn £55k a year maybe more but I want to be realistic and look at the base rates. The OH possibly 45k looking at the jobs offered at the moment.

We like it hot, but have to remember working conditions probably late 20's I could handle but wouldnt know until I come over. We were in Domincan Republic last year and the temp was in the early 30's and it was roasting, but I have been in hotter temp than that which didnt seem as intense as the Domincan heat.

We dont like busy cities, more relaxed family environments but plenty of places to socialise, have a beer, some sports and things like that. Would like to be reasonably close to the beach.

I have family in oz who have lived there for years so I have a better understanding through them than, other people who have been out couple of months to a yr.