Neza316

Hi,

My wife and I have been considering a long term move to Australia from the UK for several years , we're absolutely certain we want to do so but are after some info, with regards to which area would be best. We have two girls aged 9 and 6 years and the move is focused around giving them a better life and future.

About us: I am 28, work as an asbestos removal manager for a large uk based company, I also hold a NEBOSH qualification which I would like to use and focus around being a health and safety advisor specialising in asbestos removal/management. My wife, 29 is a newly qualified social worker, and would like to work within children's services.

We would like to live in an area which would be ideal in offering both our preferred jobs, we are not concerned with living near the coast, and would like the quieter relaxed life of the suburbs. The climate wouldn't be a problem either hot or cool, wind or rain as anything has to be better than what Britain has to offer. We would however prefer a family orientated community with lots of outdoor activities. We would look to rent before being in the position to buy a property, we would love a 4 bedroom property, with pool for approx £350,000. ( would this be possible)?

I would also like to know what the demand is for our type of professions, and who would be the best organisation to begin our visa application through.

I'm aware this will be a long process but we've thought about it long and hard and really want to make this happen. Any advice would be really welcome.

Thanks

Neza316

spottydog

Give people chance to reply, the east coast is only just fully waking up and early alarms on just going off on the west coast!

Start by looking at www.immi.gov.au to see if you qualify for a visa.

With regard to property prices Aus is a big country, you wouldn't get anything in the Sydney suburbs but elsewhere maybe. Check out www.domain.com.au for what's on the market at present.

Neza316

The repost was an accident we were trying to change the post title, this is our first time on a blog so excuse the mistakes !!

Bermudashorts

Welcome.

First thing to look at is the visa, I think your wife might be a better main applicant as her job is on the SOL. Yours might be as well, but you will have to take a look for yourself as it could be called something different. Go to www.immi.gov.au and search for the SOL and CSOL and take a look as a first step.

If your wife is a brand new qualified social worker she might not be able to pass a skills assessment just yet. So that is another thing you should look into, google social worker skills assessment and you will stumble across the right information I am sure. It seems to be. A body called "AASW" that carries out skills assessment for social workers.

I would suggest you make a start by looking into those things and then come back and let us know how you get on. You don't need to run your application through any organisation, you could do it yourself if you are so inclined. It would save a lot of money, but you would need to be prepared to put in the effort and do your googling and reading.

Regarding where to live, I imagine that there are jobs for people in your occupations wherever there are human settlements. I strongly recommend you be not so dismissive about the weather however, no anything is not better than the UK, the climate in Australia can be very punishing and it is definitely something that you need to firmly factor in. The heat, humidity and rainfall in some areas would be too much for many people. Your house budget won't stretch to much in Sydney, but should be ok for most of the other cities.

Good luck.

Neza316

Thank you for your help, we will look into everything you have suggested!! Just a quick question how much are we expecting to be paying to emigrate

Thanks again

Bermudashorts

Well roughly the visas costs will be about $7,000 for the four of you, medicals about £1,000 and a skills assessment will be anything from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, probably at the lower end for a social worker.

So lets say a good $10,000 for the visa process, using an agent will add a few thousand onto that.

It also can be costly to actually make the move. Say £10k for your flights and a container, a few more thousand if you have a pet to bring. You then will need a few thousand for temporary accommodation on arrival, plus will have big outlays for a car (probably) and also a rental bond. If you don't have jobs or come to, you will need living expenses to tide you over.

I think we spent about £30k on our move.

Pollyana

As Brisbane swelters in 40 degree heat I can only say be careful what you wish for!