bushy

Hi,
We're considering moving to Australia and are a bit confused(already!!!) about the visa system.We won't be going until my husband has a firm job offer so,when he does,will this mean that the company will then sponsor him to enable him to get a visa or are we more or less on our own with visa's??
The companies he'll be looking for employment with are big ones like BP so do they tend to give you help??
Any info/advice would be appreciated!

Luma

What job does your husband do?

TillyG

It depends on the company really I think - and also the type of work you do.

My DH is an electrical engineer and apparently there is a serious lack of them in Oz. So, we got in on a 457 visa - 4yr work sponsored employee visa.

His company paid for the visas, for return flights, for the first 4 weeks of accommodation and they will be reimbursing us for the medical fees once DH gets his backside into gear Ooh, and they're also paying the relocation fees, ie, shipping all our stuff out (I almost forget to say that, which is crazy as I'm sat here in the UK at the moment and Pickfords come tomorrow to start the packing up lol)

Also, if an Aussie company is sponsoring you, you may find your visas come through quicker than normal. DH was offered the job at the start of December. We had our medicals/xrays mid-January. The visa was approved 2 Feb and we flew out on 12 Feb.

So less than 3 months start to finish

JAJ

The thing you have to bear in mind is that you can't really "get in" to Australia on a 457 visa. When your job is finished, DIMA will expect you to go home unless you have obtained permanent residence in the meantime:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=357804

TillyG

That's what I counting on

We know that should DH quit the job, then we have 1 month to get out of Oz. If the company fires DH, then we have 2 months.

I guess when it gets near the end of the 4yrs & we are still there, we will go for permanent residency or whatever it's called... we'll see...

bushy

At the moment he is a shift manager of a process plant with Shell and is looking to do the same work in australia.
He would really like to re-locate with Shell but the situation where he works is such that his manager will not let him apply for any other jobs!!This is another reason why he wants to leave as he doesn't want to stay in this job forever.

Alan Collett

This link might help ...
Shell Geelong

Best regards.

JAJ

Why not get a permanent visa at the outset?

Employers can sponsor for permanent visas in many situations (problem is that many employers refuse to sponsor) and there are also points tested or state sponsored visa options that might work for you.

movetoperth

wouldn't you be better to apply for PR before the 4 years is up as it still takes quite a long time to get, also it means if he does get sick of the job he can look for another with no hassles.

Lynn

TillyG

Because the employer chose the 457 one. We had no say in the matter.

TillyG

To be honest, if we're still there after 18mth/2yrs, we'll look into PR. I just need to get through the first 6-12mths though before I can consider it

Also, I think you need a full medical for the PR - we only had to have chest x-rays for the 457 - and I'm hideously overweight at the moment (lost 1st 9lb in the 4 weeks in Oz, though, as I was so stressed and ill - bonus!)

bushy

Thanks for the link.My husband has been to Geelong with Shell and has a contact there.The trouble is if his manager won't release him from his current role he can't apply for an overseas posting and his manager is not prepared to do this.We would love to live in Victoria as he said it was great when he was there,and he was very impressed with Melbourne.

movetoperth

Cant your husband go over his managers head, he sounds like a nasty little man who needs to be stamped on.

Lynn

bushy

Ha Ha !!!I think he'd love to stamp on him!!!and so would I.When he gets another job and leaves he'll be sorely tempted! Unfortunately the idea of not releasing people goes right to the top of Shell Stanlow.my husband has several fairly senoir people in other parts of the Shell group in other countries but even they probably won't have much luck in changing things.It.s such a shame cos he's a good guy and a hard worker(I know I would say that!),all he wants is a job with a challenge that he enjoys.He can't stand the tought of being in this same position for another 20 years.Sorry,going on a bit now!! anyway,thanks,you made me laugh!!

JAJ

Did you not negotiate? You got to think of your own interests, not just the employer's.

And are there any options to get a permanent visa without employer sponsorship?