cottonsocks

hi everyone, quick update. just got back from my hols and we had such a fab time. spent most of the time in sydney with the family. Did all the usual tourist sights and lots of walking trails in national parks etc. Drove up to surfers paradise (thanks to my sis, who loaned us a car), stayed at sea world resort and spent several days doing the touristy stuff. Stopped along the way at some remote beaches, port mcquarie etc. To be honest, I liked it more than I thought I would. Kids and OH loved it more than I did. So came back last week and decided, what the hell, I'm going to try for the 189 or 190 visa as I just make the points. But i'm not getting carried away, as i know how tight its going to be. My sister is desperate to get me out there and she's offered to pay for the visa costs. i know how lucky i am but she knows I wouldn't put in an application if she didn't. Wish me luck, I reckon I'm gonna need it.

thanks for reminding me very stormy. I've got a year before I turn 45..got knots in my tummy now; information overload today. think i'm going to bed to sleep it off.

Hi Bungo, I'm surprised to hear that. I'm quite certain that they sponsored his brother in law several years ago, or maybe they were referring to something else. I haven't spoken to my sister to clarify this, she's not as tech savvy as myself and it's can be a nightmare to get hold of her, especially with time difference. I'm afraid I haven't done the points test recently. I did one several years ago and I met criteria then. Skills ax for sw has changed recently, and they will consider non degree but with experience & perhaps recommend extra educational top up study in oz. I guess which is why i was hoping to check out the jobs while there, sponsorship won't hurt i reckon.

thanks everyone for your comments. some very valid points in whats been said so far. It's a good thing then, that I logged on to this website, on my way to "research" before going. I've spent most of my day off today looking at visas, assessments etc, and I think I do stand a chance, whilst perhaps the odds are a bit stacked, given the age limit business. I have stopped short of ringing agents, as I've got loads of info online. I forgot to mention that my sister lives in sydney (when i first logged on yesterday, it was midnight already, knackered) and she's just done her property up, so we'll be staying in the 1 bed annex to begin with, if we moved. That'll save us a ton of money. She moved around 8 years ago, but a lot has changed since then immigration wise and her husband is already sponsoring his brother's move to oz, so i think she said they might not be able to sponsor me. But she's been pestering us to move to oz ever since she migrated. So i finally gave in and agreed to visit her this year and promised her that I'll reccy the place while I'm there.

There's s lot of truth in what you say. I'm not being naive about my chances. Also feeling a bit half hearted on idea of moving. Think I need to visit oz with fam before deciding whether to put in 100% effort. Got the tixs already so it'll make a nice holiday either way

Hi que sera, I'm 44. got a diploma in social work + plenty of experience. Not children services tho.

I've done a fair bit of reading up on visa requirements on the internet, but I'm afraid I haven't started the process of applying, as I don't know if I'll get it, due to my age and not having a degree, so I'm not sure if I'll meet the points requirement. But I'm hoping to find out when I'm in Oz, if there are short cuts to the process, i.e. getting job offers, sponsorships etc. . And the OH has never been to OZ before, I was last there in 1996, reckon its changed a lot since. thanks for all your advice Marisawright. and enjoy your flight back to UK.

yeah, sensible advice ..and thanks for the tips for my reccy. Is there any chance I could get a job offer while I'm there? But common sense tells me that won't happen.

Hi ya Just wondering if its worth me popping into the recruitment agencies while on holiday in Oz later this year, to check out what jobs are available? I'll probably email them first I reckon, to make an appointment, but I haven't got any work visa in place, so I'm wondering if it will be a waste of time. I am considering moving to Oz with my family, hence my holiday, to reccy the place. But I'm 44. got a diploma in social work + lots of experience. I'd appreciate any advice, thanks.