chatterboxmoira

Hi,
I am a british nurse currently living and working in Rep of Ireland. I moved here with my husband 3 years ago because I could not afford to buy a house in the UK. I now own a house in rural Ireland and work for the Irish health service. My husband has been off work for 18 months with a slipped disc and is currently awaiting surgery). Due to delays in the British system he has received no sick pay in all this time. I earn enough that this doesn't matter. We have enough to pay the mortgage, all bills and still have money left over (with planning) for going out weekly and an annual holiday.

We have considered moving to Oz for some time, but I need to know that our standard of living would be comparable before contacting one of the many agencies. We plan to move out on a two or four year contract and seeing how we like australia, with the view to applying for immigration in the future.

Does anyone know if

a- we can buy property (or even get a mortgage) on a two or four year contract?
b- can we claim disability for my husband if he is deemed unable to work?
c- would he be allowed to move to Australia?
d- MOST IMPORTANT- can I earn enough (as a theatre nurse) to support us both.

I look forward to hearing your replies.
Many thanks

Grayling

Your first problem would be passing the medical....if it is likely that he is unable to work, due to ill health, then he will most probably fail......medicals are based on cost to the Australian system...so that answers the point about benefits as well.

G

Grayling

Given your circumstances maybe you should discuss this with a migration agent who is familiar with such cases.

G

chatterboxmoira

Many thanks for your advice. As yet, we don't know what the outcome of the surgery would be, and he could find a job that involves no heavy lifting.

Would these rules still apply if we came out on a contract (visa), without applying for immigration?

Grayling

I am not saying he WILL fail but you have to be aware that he may.

The medical determines fitness to work or not, and potential cost to the system....there are no 'maybe's'.....For example : If someone fails the medical it makes no difference how rich they are or whether they have private insurance...it is the potential cost which matters.

I don't know about your chances for any visa which is why I suggest you discuss things with an agent who understands such matters.

Good luck

G

hedgehog-girl

I think you really need to get your hubby back on track before you consider coming out here. My hubby too has been off work and its very worrying as the employment laws here have recently changed and we are very lucky. We don't and can't claim sickness benefit (if there is one!).

As for your other questions, yes you can rent for as long or as little as you want and depending on where you live you should be able to live on your wage which is the same for whether you are a theatre nurse or a ward nurse. Awards (or wages) can be found on www.anf.org.au