10yr qualified lawyer and have to requalify!!?

[fieldownunder]

I am a 10yr qualified UK property lawyer recently (Jan 08) migrated here (Gold Coast) with my family.

I got my visa in 2005 but for personal reasons couldn't get out here until now. Back in 2005 I could come here and work straight away but now I am told I have to requalify at a cost of c$60K and 18 months full time study!!!! I had my qualifications / work experience assessed by both Bond and Griffith Universities Gold Coast and am totally stunned!

I cannot believe that all my study and experience counts for virtually nothing here. I know I could go into virtually any property law job and do the job very well - but no one wants to employ me??

If you are a recent migrant and lawyer, what has been your experience? Have you found work? If so, how? Where?

Hope to get some encouraging news from somewhere soon!!
Richard