vcornford

Seems they have more than enough clerical type folk to go around! What did you do about the work situation?

pumpkin blossom

We have come out on a student visa, as it was the only option for us. We had thought it would be possible for me to get a 457 visa once here, but even after getting a job offer it seems it harder than it would seem to 'fit into a simular job' on the list.

Good luck

vcornford

So how long have you been out for? Did you have to keep reapplying every few months for visa or does a student one last longer?

Jen1977ni

Hi vcornford, thought as a fellow Norn Irn chick also trying to move to Oz,that I'd say hi! Where in NI r u?

pumpkin blossom

The visa lasts for the whole time of the course, mine being two years (the minimum needed to get PR). We have been here for a year in a couple of days! We are glad we came, but it would have been handy if my hubbie had been young enough to get a WHV so we could have had a full time wage coming in, but hey.

vcornford

Hi Jen

I'm from Coleraine. How far have you got with all this then?

vcornford

We're possibly looking to go to Melbourne I think. What did you do about the whole course thing - apply etc over here. Do you need to have an acceptance before they grant your visa? Guess we're luckier in that my partner is 23 so can get the WHV but if you've managed OK on you both being on 20hr weeks that shows it can be done!

Jen1977ni

I'm near Banbridge, I'm right at the beginning stages of all of this, am waiting results of my 'Skills Assessment' from 'Teaching Australia', so hopefully if it's a positive result I'll be applying for my visa this side of easter....

vcornford

So you have a teaching qualification? I wish I'd done that now. We've only really started thinking about what we need to do so far and it's more difficult than I thought but hopefully we'll get there! Are you going on your own?

Jen1977ni

Yeah I've been teaching for 9 years. My partner is also going too, but his application is separate to mine as his area of work is more 'specialised' and means he can only really apply on his own, as its a 'transfer' kinda thing he's doing....

vcornford

That's excellent though means you shouldn't find it too difficult to get over! I just do clerical stuff but I think that the best option for me would be a student visa and retrain from what people have been saying. At this rate you'll be over and i'll still be trying to work out which visa to get!!

Jen1977ni

Well according to some people on here, there isn't exactly much demand for Primary Teachers in Australia...so...maybe not such a good thing afterall!? Hmmmm....

Jen1977ni

Well I'd better shoot on here, just finished my brekkie here, I'm in school at the moment and have been since 7.30, travelling from Banbridge to Ards everyday is no joke! Have a good day and chat later, Jen

pumpkin blossom

Yes, you apply for the course, and then can apply for the visa 3 months before the course. You would have to have medicals which you don't for the WHV though.
If you have a search for student visas there are a fair few thread out there.

vcornford

I had a look at a few of the threads for the student visa I really need a full day to just get stuff written down and organised in my head. Medical should be OK it is strict?