itegoa

That's a very good point re: old degree. The IT industry is moving pretty fast. Pretty much all of the contracts i've been in (both UK and Oz) i've been hired mainly for my past experience yes, but mostly i've had to learn a lot of new stuff.

Software dev here, and i've been in Oz for almost 3 years. I have no degree or vendor qualifications, but around 18 years experience. I had a permie job before I got here (which I got via Skype interview before arriving), and now i'm on my 2nd contract. I have seen job ads asking for degrees, but a lot that don't ask for that. So, at least for me, degrees do not matter. Back in the UK i'd seen jobs (contract) asking for a degree as well, I applied for one and got it.

I applied from UK, had a Skype interview and got the job. It all depends on your skill set I suppose. My 2nd contract I got having a phone call. 3rd contract the same - just a phone call. It's worth considering contracting. I'd been contracting in the UK and my first job here in Oz was perm. It didn't go well and I left after 12 months. It reminded me how crap permie work is. One thing that helped me when applying from the UK - put in capital letters at the top of your CV, "PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA" or similar. Also make it clear that you're ready to fly out to start a job at a couple of days notice, you can pay your own air fare and accomodation (if this is possible). The employer/client does not want baggage. Worked for me.

Congrats! It all depends on your skill set. I'm living in Brisbane, but did a 6 monther in Sydney last year because I couldn't find anything in Brisbane at the time. Your best bet is to get the daily emails from seek.com.au and see what's about there. I would not recommend coming here in December to find work though, as it can be quite hard over the xmas/new year period. Agents are quite good over here, meaning most of them will actually stay in touch and even phone you back to say you didn't get a gig or job. Where as in the UK you'd get dropped like a rock and no phone calls returned. It's worth connecting with agents via Linked In right now, and maybe call them to let them know you're in the market soon. I found a few agents are British expats anyway, so they understand what you're going through. Good luck!

I know someone who this has happened to them aswell. They showed up to the test, got told they need a full birth certificate, and got turned away. Test rebooked for a couple of months time. You can order a full birth certificate online here: https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

$2500 is worth the hassle to me.

I'd only need a salary reduction of ~$1500 to get the $4000.

Thanks, but I don't think my employer would be up for that

I'm already paying to much tax! No thanks...

Not sad at all - just looking after my family and I

I'm just an employee, so charity donation is probably the only thing on that list.

Salary decrease could be one way to go - employer might think i'm nuts though LOL.

That's a good idea

Good point. It's currently in a joint account so interest is split 50/50. We've already earnt on it though, so still got a little bit over the $100K threshold.

Claim for whatever you can (if it's worth the effort). Who cares if it feels​ wrong. If you're entitled to it, go for it. People on here mocking me for wanting that $4000 FTB payment, but the way I look at it is we earn $100,000 as a family yet pay out $27,000 tax each year. I want to get as much of that back as possible.