MariaC

Hi Abigail i do find the whole process is unfair......corrupt even. We both googled for months and months learning as we went along. My husband did the IELTS (for the extra points), applied for vetassess testing and went along for it. I don't see how that guy is allowed to refuse to test your husband. I would personally just apply and carry on your process. We were told no as I mentioned but we knew we were right in our application, we argued and proved and I would do the same if I were you. You read so many stories about similar situations where one family has been told yes another no......seems to depend on who they come across. All I know is the criteria and that we met it! If you check the criteria and meet it too, go through each process, get evidence and prove it. If someone tries to say no ask why and use your evidence. It's tiring and draining but will be worth it if you make it. Im glad I made the move even though I am still trying to find myself here and miss things about the uk( scenery, people, beautiful buildings) it's very bland here and yes the beach is lovely and the warm weather but it's working out a balance I guess. I still haven't made friends and have been through so much since I landed......I am starting my life again. I needed to leave the uk for many reasons(get away from abusive family) so sometimes it's about what your running from not what your running to. Keep focused and research each stage thoroughly making sure you have everything required. Good luck x

Hi Abigail We made the move in august 2015 and we are on the Gold Coast. The whole process of getting the 'ok' was ridiculous so I will try to be as clear on things as possible. Firstly, we did not use a migration agent. We did everything ourselves as like you we were told no we couldn't get in without a degree by migration agents. Do not listen to them! They are clearly unskilled as we are living proof it can be done. I have read many cases where people were also told no as they had a special needs child too.....our son has Aspergers and wasn't a problem also. Basically my husband went through all the testing under vetassess and compiled a huge amount of proof to go along with it........IRSE certificate, all qualifications, all certificates,........everything he had accumulated over the last 20 years. He also has no domestic electrician qualifications but to be honest your hubby sounds intelligent like mine so if he should be able to apply what he knows in the signal electrician area to the domestic area as its logic. Do some reading up first just like you would for any test and you can make it work? The next thing we basically went through the criteria methodically relating all evidence to the relevant criteria to try to make it easier for whoever would be looking through it for the 189 visa. We got the dreaded result and was refused! My husband immediately phoned up and asked why. Basically the guy on the end of the phone was no where near as skilled as my hubby so had no chance of understanding how each piece of evidence related to each criteria. He pointed out the area he felt my hubby didn't meet criteria and my hubby very quickly directed him to all evidence relating to it and talked him though it and how it met the criteria. Guess what......5 minutes later we get a yes! Seriously the rail signal area is really grey as they are not testing it properly.........they are doing it under domestic electrician which in oz is relevant but not in uk. My advice........your husband sounds more than qualified so just go through everything methodically and argue everything backing up with evidence. Don't sit back and accept a no......a lot of these people do not understand your husbands skills so should not be judging them. There is not much rail work on the Gold Coast at all, it's mainly in Brisbane so hubby was commuting everyday from Tugun to Brendale.....we had already committed on this area to live before he found work so got stuck. He was with a company called Judge brothers but work was not consistent and commute was ridiculous so he's actually working as a warehouse manager instead now local to where he lives. Don't know where your thinking of moving to but you can find out the names of the rail companies on google. It's qld rail in qld......think there may be others but not sure. It is very difficult getting into these companies so don't be put off if your husband finds it tough getting work. Don't forget, you can get employment as anything once you are here and I generally find wages are better than uK. Incidentally I am no longer with my husband. We split up in January and I am currently trying to start my life over. Myself and my daughter found it so tough for months, we cried everyday and my daughter even went back to uk on her own for 5 months at 16 to try and stay. It's been 2 and a half years since the move and we are doing much better but it has been very hard. All friends we have made have turned out to be English lol. It is very very different here and it's not for everyone but you deserve to have the opportunity as your hubby is skilled enough. Dont accept no for an answer......argue it and back with evidence if need be and don't listen to the migration agents, they are only interested in your money. I wish you luck in your journey and hope it all works out for you maria x

It always makes me tear up when I read your threads Rachel. I can only imagine what you have gone through but you are inspirational. Your boy is back where he belongs and through his own choice. God bless!

Hi there, we moved to Gold Coast (currumbin) about a month ago from Kent with 4 children. I haven't really found my feet here yet but am happy to help if I can. Have you been here before or do you have family to help?

We are staying in a holiday rental which we have booked for 2 and a half weeks in dicky beach just as a base so we can find out what is what with hubby's job. We are going to have to use that 2 week period to look at areas we may like to live so we can commit on a longer term rental. Thank you again patw, I'm looking forward to starting our adventure and meeting new people!

We fly first thing on the 18th August from Heathrow so staying in hotel night before. I am currently living at my brothers as we sold our house 5 days ago. It's been good to be with him for the last week before we fly but equally it's made the wrench harder. It's really hard looking at him being brave about me moving cos I can see how much it's breaking his heart. Having a family meal together Monday before going to the airport hotel for final goodbyes. I'm absolutely dreading it, nothing can prepare you for those goodbyes. I just keep reminding myself why we are making the move that's all I can do.

I too am in the same situation. Myself, hubby and 4 children (10-18 years) have been quoted £50 each for our records. This thread is making me wonder if I should bother with all of our children's medicals. Youngest has had the usual childhood illnesses but still wet the bed(nothing medical been found,just a case of waiting I'm told) two middle kids have usual hay fever medicines and one has ibs/anxiety and poly cystic ovaries but I have letters myself for all of these. My 18 year old is healthy so nothing much on records. What would everyone else do? Would appreciate other people's opinions on this.

Hi everyone this is the perfect thread for me. My family and I are moving to Sunshine Coast mid August with 4 kids. My youngest will be 10 but turn 11 on the 10th October. What year will he be put in if he starts school in September and also what year will he move upto in January? I know year 7 has just been changed to secondary school but not sure on the age especially because of him turning 11 soon. Thanks in advance.

Hi PatW. Thanks for your reply. We haven't got anything arranged for when we get there yet as we are just waiting on a moving date to sell our house. Planning to fly on the 16th August all being well. Don't know where to start with accommodation as I've never been. Thinking of getting a holiday let for two weeks and using that time to find a place we like and secure a rental for a while. Have looked at a couple of websites but a lot are offering apartments. Because I have 4 kids we do need a house really. Again, all going well would like to buy asap as we will have the funds but just need to find the right area. Any advice would be very grateful.

Hi ,family of 6 moving to Sunshine Coast mid August. Me 37, hubby 42, kids 18b, 16g, 13b, and 10b. Never been to oz, have no family or friends there either and very excited about beginning our huge adventure in Australia. Husband is a rail signal electrician.

My husbands just been contacting lots of different companies and hopefully has paid off. He is a rail signal electrician though so it is a specialisation. Apparently there is a shortage in oz but obviously not everyone wants to employ an assistant. Money isn't gonna be great till he gets his license but it's got to be done. The company is based in North Brisbane so thought we would try Sunshine Coast as we aren't really city people. If we don't like it we are happy to move about until we find somewhere we like. We too got our offer on the house just over two weeks ago and are expecting to be exchanging contracts start to mid August. Our buyers are very keen and are after a quick move also. As soon as that is done we are going! Did you say you have been to oz before Aaronspark?

Hi Aaron, we are heading to the Sunshine Coast mid August and we too have just sold our house. Not planning on using any of the house sale money either but nice to know it's there if we need it. Husband has been told he has a job for when we arrive so that will be good. Obviously on tradie wage until he gets his license but all be worth it in the end. We don't have savings as such just the house money so we are playing it by ear. Your the only other electrician we have come across on here and we are moving similar times with similar age daughter if I remember correctly! Will be interesting to see where our journeys lead us.

Hello having spent the last 22 years in the UK rail signalling industry , i am looking to continue my career in Australia . Well I have jumped through all the necessary hoops so far, Vetassess electrician general,IELTS,visa independent skilled 189 all granted. i am looking to head off this August with the family to preferably Queensland or NSW ,does anyone know of any contacts within the rail industry in Australia that may be of assistance. i have an IRSE licence and full signal maintenance testers certificate ,and extensive experience and certification in rail signalling equipment in the railway environment Any advice would be appreciated also any electrician jobs where I could gain my full A grade licence many thanks tim

Wow jilly! That's great for you. How long you going for and where to? I'm guessing this is a holiday.

Congratulations nikopol and jilly! It feels great doesn't it? Who says hard work doesn't pay off! What's the next thing on the list for you guys? Aaron- we don't know yet where we are going. Never been to oz but thinking Queensland (sunshine coast or gold coast) or nsw(central coast). Any advice from anyone always welcome. Obviously if hubby gets a job offer before we arrive then that will be a big factor.