Unsure of where to start!
 

My husband and I have been talking about emigrating for 5 years and have finally decided that this new year could be the beginning of a new life. However, we are completely unsure of where to start. My husband is 42 and a mechanical engineer, we are looking to move to Perth but are open to other areas aswell. We have 4 children aged 17, 15, 8 and 5. They are all excited at the thought of moving!
Any help with where we should begin, advice on visas etc would be greatly appreciated 😊

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Hi. You'll need to start at the beginning - check which visa your husband may be eligible for here Visa Finder

Each work visa type has different eligibility criteria so you have a fair bit of research to do. You can always post any visa specific questions on BE (in the Australia Immigration, Visas etc section). Happy reading!

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Not sure that Perth would be the place to aim for given the downturn in WA and the employment situation.

Your kids ages could be a bit of an issue educationally. The difficult ages are between 16 and 19 when moving. If you haven't made it by the time a kid turns 16 (to go into year 11) then you are best to wait until they have finished A levels before moving them.

With 4 kids don't be tempted by temporary visas (457) even if you could get one because in some states the fees for education are quite high and uni study would be at international student rates.

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Perth would not be a wise choice at the moment due to the economic situation. But engineers are struggling with work across Australia generally

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Well, I dunno. Would you invest in a house without even seeing it "in the flesh", never mind seeing inside it? Emigrating isn't like just moving to the next suburb! My own personal opinion is that with four kids you'd be crazy to go someplace not even one of you has sussed out. Are you 100% sure Australia is your best option?

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Hi as others have mentioned the first thing is to check if your husband occupation is required especially in WA as you have mentioned that is the State you are interested in and then take it from there. I would be a bit concerned about bringing a 17 year old over for education reasons but these things can work be worked out in time. I am not sure of the age of children on a family visa so check that if you have not already done so, it use to be under 18 and up to 23 but only if that child will be dependant on you when you arrive in Australia. Do find all the information out that you can before applying so you are prepared to then make the decision. Good luck

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Thanks! I've had a look online and its up to 23 years old. He will be dependant on us for the next couple of years while he's still in education x

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

We've decided on australia as we have friends already living in Perth. We weren't planning to buy a house straight away, we were looking to rent first.

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Thanks. We have friends in Perth but we are open to other areas. My husband is a trained painter and decorator aswell so we are looking into both trades x

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Absolute rubbish. If an engineer is without work in the eastern states during the current infrastructure boom then the problem is with the engineer, not the economy.

Why do you continually put your struggles in Perth as an Australia wide issue?

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Because unemployment for engineers is a massive issue Australia wide and has been well documented for ages. A two second Google search would tell any idiot that. http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/08/25/cruel-hoax-as-migrant-engineers-are-told-there-will-be-jobs/

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

The Huffington Post .... ok if you insist.

I think this line says it all.

Walton said the industry was thriving not so long ago but a combination of the mining boom slow down and the global financial crisis left many firms unable to recover.

So the mining boom (Perth) GFC (2009). Your article bases itself on the west coast and 7 years ago.

If I remember correctly you are a Geologists. Geologists specialising in infrastructure (land contam, asbestos, Civil works, etc) are in short supply in the east. Mining Geologists - good luck.

The poster is a mechanical engineer. So the question should be where is the expertise? Resources - yeah might be a struggle in Perth but for building, transportation and other industries there is a shortage on the east coast.

I have to agree with everything written in this article which contradicts your mining based one.

https://www.hays.com.au/press-releases/HAYS_316579

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers - Job Outlook

Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers - Job Outlook

"Looking forward, employment for Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers to November 2020 is expected to decline."

BUT "This is a large occupation (31,400 in November 2015) suggesting that opportunities should be available in many (but not all) regions."

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

Ward1980, are you eligible for a visa, and have you used the points calculator? If not - there is no point speculating on where you are going to live and whether to buy or rent.

Securing the visa is where you start.

It is not a quick process and for some people it takes years. The sooner you start, the better. If you haven't started yet - your 17 year old and quite possibly your 15 year old will have graduated high school by the time this comes to fruition and you actually get here.

Agree with previous posters who advised against going the temporary visa route, especially with kids.

I live in WA and it's true the economy is in a nose dive. However, Ward1980s potential move is not for tomorrow and by the time it happens, things here could improve. I don't feel it's worth speculating over until she is reasonably certain she can get a visa.

Re: Unsure of where to start!
 

I would make sure your oldest son has the requirements to enter education with the correct qualifications, each state has different education systems and all are very different from the UK. If WA are not requiring your husbands trade then definitely look at other states and don't be tied down to just where your friends are, they can help which is a bonus but it sometimes does not work out that way (not to put a damper on things but I have known that to happen to more than I care to mention) and also you might be missing being in an area that suites you and not just because of friends connection. We were lucky in some ways we did not know a sole in Aus so just did our homework on where "sounded" best for us as a family, if your going to do this (migrate) then do it for what really is best/good for you all. Good luck