Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Hello there. Not sure where to start but here goes! Have talked on and off about moving to Australia for several years. 3 kids down the line and a little fed up with life here in the UK, we are keen to up and sticks and move to Australia. My husband has visited twice and would move tomorrow without hesitation. My brother emigrated from Holland a year ago to Melbourne and loves his new way of life. Really we would like some advice as to 'how to get the ball rolling'! Its great having a family member there who can help, but we would appreciate some 'outside' varied advice. Many thanks.

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Well done on getting the ball rolling so to speak. We applied mid-March and haven't had a CO yet so really twiddling our thumbs. This forum is really good and most successful posters seem to break things into chunks and ask specifics so that may be a good place to start. You will get loads of good advice and also there is another site called Britvics.org which is a similar forum to this but is Victoria-specific. Good luck with everything

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Thanks for your advice Lorrielou. Nice to know someone is out there! Our first response! Thanks.

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Before incurring any cost (and there will be alot of them) sit down as a family and really think about your reasons for wanting too immigrate.

Key points to remember

Australia is not cheaper place to live - incomes are generally lower while cost of living is higher (lower population base to spread overheads).

Australia is a big place so temperature does vary and so does employment opportunities. This can be a chicken and egg issue - move for the work but find its a place you dont want too reside.

The cost of the move will be big no matter how economical you budget. Think
Airfares, start up costs in new accomodation - short term rental etc

Family - while you will have one person in Victoria/Melbourne do not underestimate the homesickness or sudden loss of "homehelp" or baby sitting from close family or friends. - You will meet good friends if you open yourself to this but it does take time and babysitting is a cost many have not yet come too grips with.

What sort of visa you can come out with can be answered in the immigration forum. What sort of money you can make in that vocation can be found by researching in seek.com. How much tax you would then pay see www.ato.gov.au. For any child rebates etc see "Centrelink" this is the Australian social welfare agency.

Having said that if your motivations for immigration are for the right reasons you will find alot of support from both locals and people on sites such as this.

Planning is essential use the search function to review more detailed thread:

• Flights
• Accomodation - long term and short term
• Schools
• Employment
• Transportation (public and private)

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Very many thanks for your honest and sensible response Geelong Gent. Whilst we have heard lots of lovely stories of a laid back barbie and beach lifestyle, we were under no illusion it would be plain sailing and your response backs that up. We are very aware (and even more aware after reading some of the stories on this web site) that there is so much for us to think about and research before getting too carried away! Thanks again.

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

GG makes sensible points about whether you should emigrate.

As for how to emigrate, I would fill out a quick on-line assessment (on most agents' websites) and/or phone a couple of agents for the free chat about your chances. There is no obligation to continue the process with the agent (though I did).

I used Global Visas and was very satisfied (got PR visa in about 8mnths), but there are plenty of authorised agents out there.

Hope that gives you some ideas......

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Your first stop should be www.immi.gov.au to see what visa type you can come on. It's not as easy as having a family member in the country. You/your partner will have to have something that Australia wants...A skill in demand, business experience and the willingness to invest in a business here, etc.

Re: Hello there. Some advice please?
 

Great post, should be required reading for all folks considering the move.