calNgary

One agent answered above. Unfortunately a skills test and language test is needed for lots of visa's and to be fair thats only a snippet of cost compared to the whole migration journey. Cal x

$200k is a bloody good salary and above average, especially if the car, fuel card and Super are on top of that. On seek.com you can find Melbourne has over 29,000 jobs advertised, restrict the search to jobs paying $200k and it drops to 1,700,restrict it again to jobs paying $250k and it drops to 860 . Maybe see if you can find hobby's job position on there and see what sort of salary is being offered. Cal x

If you can get a visa and want better weather than what you have ,head for QLD, ive been here a fair few years now and am pretty happy with the heat and beautiful sunshine, except when it rains for days and days which does sometimes happen. I think cost wise it is much of a muchness compared to the UK, some things cheaper, some more expensive. Once you have been here a while, you 'learn' when to shop for certain things to maximise savings.. Lifestyle around here is pretty laid back. Holidays are not so cheap (unless you want to go to Bali) as flights can be expensive, on the flip side here in QLD you can holiday every weekend on your doorstep and such vast differences in places can be found only a few hours drive apart, from sandy beaches, to sunflower farms in the country, walks in the rainforest, bathing in waterfalls and dipping in warm streams and did i mention the beaches ,lol... Good luck with everything and keep us updated Cal x

It is definately worth speaking with a good agent (quite a few post on here so look at their signature), a quick google keeps throwing this up, so looks like there is ways in if you can fit the criteria and haven't left it too late (age wise) - Visas that allow you to gain PR above the age of 45 include: – DAMA Visas (where you can get an employer-sponsored visas in special regional areas up to the age of 55) – Or through standard 482 Employer Sponsored Visas (Subclass 482) – under select circumstances Yes, you can get PR anywhere in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne Brisbane, etc,) on a standard 482 visa if you are over the age of 45. However, there is a catch. If you are over the age of 45 and want to get Permanent Residency on a standard 482 Employer-Sponsored Visa, you must earn above the high-income threshold. You can then access Permanent Residency through the 186 Temporary Resident Transition Stream. Applicants generally cannot access PR if they are older than 45. However, there is an exemption through the 186 TRT stream if you; – have been employed by their nominating employer in their nominated occupation at all times during the two years on a 482 visa immediately before applying; and – had annual earnings for each of the three years, that were equal to or greater than the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) that applied at the end of that year How much is the high-income threshold? From July 1, 2023, the High Income Threshold is AUD167,500. Please note, that this will usually increase every year with inflation. Therefore, if you are on a 482 visa and are above 45 years of age, you can still gain Permanent residency if you earn above this amount.

You keep it. Cal x

Hubby would agree with you there Toots, but i hate it. As i've got older i just cannot tolerate the cold and love the heat. I pmsl when i first came and saw hats and gloves in shops, now its me that is wrapped up in fleeces and hats, lol Cal x

I pretty much would've said the same as you. I remember saying QLD is 10 yrs behind the UK and that's in manyyyy ways, some for the better , some not so much. Shame about the bottle, hooning is an everyday occurrence ,especially if there's been a drop of rain, lol,, but throwing glass bottles is on another level and not something ive heard of happening much. Cal x

Ute's ,mullets and Tat's are pretty normal in QLD, especially the more regional (out of Brisbane CBD) you go. Fashions sense is totally different too over here compared to the UK, i was shocked when i first arrived but after a few years when you stop comparing things so much, it just becomes normal. Utes are used a lot by younger ones and teens as there is a big '';off road'' and 'beach', camping and /or fishing scene rather where having a 4wd makes sense. Insurance is also cheaper for younger ones here. One thing i will say is I've found the more regional (out of city) you go, the more friendly people are and places seem to have more of the community, everyone helps each other type of feel. Cal x

Lots of luck with everything and glad your trip went well. I'm south of Brisbane but let me know if you need help with anything. Cal x

If it runs and has rego you will get a few hundred for it. I have seen some advertised on backpacker sites, stating a collection date so it isnt unheard of. The other option is to contact a charity or group and see if they're interested in it. Cal x

Congratulations and good luck with the move. Cal x

She is with Commonwealth Bank. The trust fund was held by One Family as it was originally set up with Asda and these guys took them over. Cal x

We just applied for my daughters last month. She had to send copies of ID via email, they had to speak with her personally on the phone and a few days later they bank transferred the money into her Aus bank account. It was a much easier process than i had expected. Cal x

Don't worry about your reasons for wanting to move back, the weather and leisure time spent together as a family are 2 of the main reasons we moved here and we are now 16 yrs on with no regrets, most of the time the weather is fab and there is soooo much to do and see for free or very little $$$. Work wise ,do you have jobs lined up? depending on your professions you may struggle if your nearing 50yrs to find work quick, some proffesions seem more ageist than others but definately not all , so maybe put the feelers out as soon as you can if you do go for it. Did you get citizenship when here before or do you need to get a resident return visa? Not sure how long it is since you were here, or even what area you were in, but over the last few years the cost of living and rental costs have risen a lot here in QLD so bear this in mind as securing a longer term rental is also harder and may take a couple of months. Will you regret it??? Only you really know but in your shoes ,i think i would. Good luck with your decision and at least you wouldnt be moving totally blind, so your a step ahead of some new migrants. Cal x

It wouldn't let me approve the post unless i did,lol Cal x