nbn8

Did you apply for a job from the UK and then did you visit for an Interview?

Jen1977ni

No, I bought a book instead 'Getting into Australia: The Complete Immigration Guide to Gaining a Short or Long-term Visa' lol So far it's been quite useful, how much more than the £1000 would it cost for an agent to take over the process for us?

Jen1977ni

Well Paddy, don't keep us in suspenders, what was your response from TA??!?!?!?!

nbn8

Jen

I could be wrong but I think double perhaps more for an agent from what I had researched. I have just spent a large amount of time on the net and downloaded and printed more than a tree! So much information but this site is great to answer any questions.

Jen1977ni

I just find it all a nightmare, at the peak of the property market I'd have had over 100k in equity, now, well, I'm lucky if I have any, so even if I do get issued a visa, I'll have to wait a while for the 'recession' to end in order to sell my house with a profit! TOTAL MARE! lol

Jen1977ni

Think of your carbon footprint young lady! Tee hee.... A few months back there were interviews by someone in WA, down in Dublin, in order to almost 'bypass' the whole visa application, to be sponsored to teach in rural areas of WA. I decided against it, as I'd like a certain amount of 'freedom' in choosing where I want to go...

Jen1977ni

Any websites in particular you found useful?

nbn8

Nightmare. We managed to sell our house just over a year ago before the recession kicked in otherwise now I think we would have def been in negative equity. We have been renting for just about a year now - it has taken us this amount of time to def decide 100%. Although I should probably say its taken me OH has always been keen. I have close family nearby and it has taken me a while to decide that yes I could actually leave them behind. (watch this space on that one). Where are you in the UK?

nbn8

Having looked at gomatilda this site seems to be much easier to find your way around. As for jobs www.seek.com.au and www.smartteachers.com.au these will give you an idea of any possible jobs. I have registered with smart teachers and they do send me email alerts quite often which gives me a little assurance that jobs may be available. I also bought an excellent book called Living and Working in Australia by David Hampshire.

Jen1977ni

Northern Ireland...I read somewhere, that once the visa is issued you have 5 years to use it before it 'expires' so all being well the housing market will pick back up before then lol

nbn8

I thought you had to enter the Country to validate your visa within 12 months of having your medicals carried out. Dont take my word for it though - I think I have read it somewhere on here

Jen1977ni

Oh? Ack well if it came to it and I was lucky enough to be issued a visa I could rent in Oz til my house was worth something here once again lol

Jen1977ni

What sort of timescale do they talk about from the visa application being sent and a visa being issued?

Paddy_M

I just contacted a couple of schools to say I would be visiting the area and asked about possible vacancies...sent off my CV. They asked me to pop in when over. Had a good chat when there and looked around the school and chatted with staff.

I did a formal interview (via Skype which was interesting!!) once a position opened up and got the job.

All seemed to happen quite quickly really.

If you have a strong CV then you stand a good chance of landing a job.

Jen1977ni

Are you over there working now then Paddy? Primary or Secondary? An interview over Skype, now that IS scary lol