British Expats - Hello new to here

Hello everyone!

I have joined this wee community for lots of help on my adventure to Aus. I have just got back a 3 week taster trip (Melbourne, whitsundays, fraser island, brisbane and surfers) and now I am ready to start the ball rolling to move.

I am a Nurse and I will be moving my Husband and dog over with me too.
I have 5 years ICU experience with a critical care post grad cert. I am now working as an apheresis charge nurse band 6 for blood transfusion and hoping to secure a similar job in Aus if possible but using my critical care points and skills for my visa etc.

I am currently going through the paper work and looking at everything I need to do. I would appreciate any advice from fellow nurses on what order I should go about things and tips seeking jobs and also accomodation. So far I am sure its IELTS test-AHPRA and ANMAC then apply for visa? I am unsure of the location I want to move to as I loved Melbourne and gold coast and brissy.

My main questions I have floating around my head right now are:-

1) Can I apply for my visa under critical care nursing with my past 5 years experience even though I have moved to a new job outside of critical care? and if not what does Apheresis specialised nursing come under?

2)For AHAPRA and ANMAC do you need to supply references from most recent employer being very recent at the moment-reluctant to do this so currently waiting till 6 months goes past at least if this is the case

3)For the nursing transcripts needed for AHPRA does the Uni supply these directly as I don't have them (didn't keep them)

4)Are there any particular good nursing recrutiment agencies for specialised nursing-is it possible to secure a job before arriving in Aus

5)Is it possible to find temp accom with a dog in tow?

Thank you in advance for any help!

Alexis