kasper5

Whoa, Tickled Pink - Im referring to language skills. Im not suggesting Asians need weeding out. I would say that if an Asian were as highly qualified as a native English speaker - but if his/her English wasn't as good. He or she would find it harder to get in. Yes I know highly educated Asians will mostly speak good English but there has been a lot of reports on the ABC about poor language skills - that maybe more in agriculture.

Ill aim to be nominating myself as a care worker. I assume that care workers will be needed. Yes I know its not on the SOL but that thing changes all the time! I'm pretty sure now you can get a skilled visa if you are a care manager. That requires NVQ 4 or equivalent but I think that's too ambitious. As you say with the aging population there's a good chance care worker will appear on the SOL at some point. The recent changes in 2011 I think it was gave more points to people in their late 20s/early 30s than those in their early 20s so that's a plus for me. Plus better English skills are demanded things are in my favour there as that weeds out some of the Asian migrants. Now I enjoy care work regardless of whether Ill get to Aus, NZ or not, and as Im not spending any real money on full time training, its not like Im betting the farm with this plan to migrate.

Thanks for all your replies folks - looks like I will aim for PR rather than short term 457. I was thinking getting a years experience in Aus which I think skill gives you points if you want to go on for full migration later. But it makes sense to try and migrate in one go rather than 1-2 years in Aus then possibly have to return to the UK. I should clear something up - I will soon be starting a job in care work - I should have an NVQ level 3 in about 2-3 years. Because Im already a graduate and my health forced me into a new career at 27, I cant go back to uni or do full time learning. NVQ level 3 in social care - or diploma level 3, I think its called now, should be enough. If I cant get into Aus I can do a Bunac WH in NZ and hang around for up to 2 years while I work on getting into Aus. I know it looks like Im planning ahead too far but you have to have long term strategic goals - Im at an age where I have to do what I really want before I get too old to emigrate. Now I know immigration rules are constantly changing but I have an 8 year plan to get to Aus. That time frame should be achievable. I know Labour and the Liberals are tightening up on immigration but we all know these things tend to move in cycles. 5+ years down the line things may change. Some of you are right - Asperger's for me isn't really an issue. I worry too much about it. There is no official diagnosis on my record and that's fine by me. pob - What you're saying is patronising and you have a stereotypical wrong idea about me. I don't have problems with socialising. I wrote clearly in my post I had experience in care work and teaching which demands communication skills. I certainly don't need to be advised in showering everyday when I'm asking if anyone else has experience of Aspergers and migrating!! Asperger's was only a problem in that I did the wrong thing at uni (history and accounts). The legacy is a problem now. Please don't treat Asperger people as if they have a learning difficulty - unless they say they do - It comes across as patronising and offensive. Over years of research Ive realised alone I have mild Asperger's - I was laughed at by a doctor when I asked for it to be looked at so I gave up. we all know doctors and professionals make mistakes. Thanks for all your replies guys.

I agree, there's a lot of people who go overboard with the spending. When you get to Aus you should be saving if only a small amount and maybe buy second hand for a while. I was shocked at the prices in NSW and some parts of WA are way pricier

Hi guys, Ive been looking to emigrate to Aus for about 3 years no. I was shocked to find that a young woman had been barred from entering Aus (actually her whole family was) because she was Asperger's - she held done 2 jobs and was independent. Do you think this is fair? I have Asperger's (actually Im 99.99% sure) so I can really empathise with this woman's dilemma (yes Asperger people do have empathy, its a myth that they all don't). I am glad I don't have an official Asperger label as this would kill my chances. Im effectively unskilled but have some social/care work experience, I've taught English abroad (don't laugh) and have a city and guilds in bricklaying. I know much about Aus culture people have thought I was from over there (thank you Radio National for your podcasts). I'm hoping to get a 457 visa around 2017 (I live in hope) If there is anyone on the board in a similar position please let me know, maybe we could help each other (or if your a parent to someone with "high functioning" Asperger's).

I know you can in the UK - in theory but with the UK/EU recession this looks difficult. So many people after the same jobs. East Asia is still booming and your money goes further out there. Plus you would be able fly to Aus easily and get to know the place and job market easier - that makes a real difference.

Hi all, As an unskilled worker Ive been toying with the idea of trying to migrate to a country near to Australia (not NZ) and use it as a jumpoff point into Aus. The flights to Aus would become much cheaper if I lived in somewhere like Indonesia. I could maybe go on the Pacific Workers visa scheme if I moved to a Pacific Island. I could become skilled working in an Australasian country, where the cost of living is much lower, then make the break for Aus 5-6 years later. As Australia is making relations with the far east now more than the UK this makes some strategic sense. Have you seen all the far eastern migrants in Sydney! Has anyone had experience of this or know of anyone who has done this?

As a person who has a interest in living in Australia but who is unskilled Ive researched ways to spend extended time in Australia while building up a professional career. If you're in the same boat - and I suspect for every brickie, doctor and surveyer there are 2-3 semi or unskilled people wishing to be in Oz in the future, these notes might be helpful. Obviously building a career is needed. (in my case retraining) This will take years - especially in this economic climate with loads of graduates struggling to find work. 10 years is a good guess. In theory you could train up and work as a professional person in 7-8 years but lets be conservative and say 10 years. During that long time there's a danger you may lose sight of you're ambition to move to Australia. Assuming you've taken the WH visa and/or the less well known cultural exchange visa; as an unskilled worker you have no route into Australia and no way of living there long term. How do you keep that spirit of inspiration alive during 10 years without being able to live in Oz? The only real solution is annual volunteering and house sharing/swapping on a tourist visa. As far as I know you can do this on a 676 tourist visa. This is enough to remain in the country for extended periods of time of up to 3 months where you will get to know the country and build up a social network that will help you if you eventually move down under. Homeswapping for a month kills your accomodation costs straight away and an Aussie would come to the UK and do the same. You would only have food and bills to cover. Yes, food is expensive but if you cook your own stuff it gets cheaper. If you do this every year, spending you're holiday time in Oz, you will have enough time to volunteer with an organisation and build up some relationship with them. You would probably get a reference from the organisation and if you return every year and keep in contact with them over the net you will become known and remembered by them and you will have something approaching a social circle in Oz - ie a life. If you volunteer and can get food and accomodation and out of pocket expenses (which you are allowed to do as the IMMI site says); you wll subsidise your stay massively. Essentially you could "live" in Oz for 1-2 months every year, in essence a sort of constant temporary immigration to Oz. Immigration would rather you spend like a billionaire in Vegas rather than holiday on the cheap but this plan is within guidelines. I dont believe you could fly over for 2 months and volunteer for the whole period - only some of the time as voluntary work must be incedental to tourism. Try not to volunteer for private people on Helpx or Workaway as these people are unlikely to give you references (and thus official proof of volunteering which could help your career and prove you have some social connection in Oz). Once you are gone any "friendship" tends to disappear as these people tend to hire backpackers quite often and the setup can become quite anonymous. Ive found the whole backpacker thing is very commercial in Oz and if you want to emigrate to Oz its a dead end albeit a spectacular one. Dont pay to volunteer if you can help it as this sort of "voluntourism" isnt taken serious as unpaid experience and references arent given. If you volunteer, communes and religious groups will often take you on and if you have serious interest in their lifestyles you'll often be invited back ahead of backpackers who are just looking for cheap accomodation. Other points to note: - You need health insurance about £100/month - Flights will be £1500ish - Flat/house swapping will cost £200ish to sign up with an agency (dont risk meeting someone privately to do this) - Visa and insurance and misc about £500 tops - Tourist living costs depend on you but £1000 is probably good for 2 month in Oz. - Total cost - about £3500 for 2 month stay. Not a bad way to "live" in Oz considering how strong the dollar is. £3500 every year is high but it'll give you a part time real existence in the land of your dreams .

Hello all, Ive just completed a City and Guilds qualification in bricklaying. I will probably do voluntary and self employed work for a year and then work full time. Does my training mean anything? It was only 5 weeks but over 3 years or so what if I could build up the knowledge for a VETASSESS assessment and pass.

Ive been in Sydney for a week now and the whole backpacker thing is rubbish. Ive done some research and NSW is great. I can see this place as home one. I really hate having to live with kids who just want to drink and make a noise. If you have the misfortune to get the WH visa, dont go into a hostel. They are dirty and overpriced. Use helpex and see the real Australia and live in a proper house. If youre wondering what Im doing in this mess - well not all of us can afford better. Sydney is expensive. In Sydney a can of coke is 1.40 pounds! 5 years ago the exchange rate was 3 dollars to a pound. I dont think Ill give up as Ive come too far and as silly as it sounds, I feel I have a connection with the country which wont go away. I particularly recommend living in Balmain and Kirribili, but theyre nice places in Surry Hills which is cheaper and central. Think very carefully before you commit mentally to moving here. My profession is actor and itll take me 10 years to train up to be something I can emigrate (most actors have day jobs). Im still not going to give up though. Having tough long term plans helped me and you have to push yourself.

Ye Im on a WHV. I agree with you Marta, the UK is much easier to work in and the EU is a dream compared to Oz. I will mainly be "working" on ranches for bed and board which is a good life but doesnt make cash.

I guess its pre flight nerves. I actually wanted to do a spider awareness course at London Zoo where you can play with a large turantula. The course is booked up for months so I couldnt get on. Ill be outside Sydney in the outer suburbs so I guess Ill see something. I wont be on a rundown farm or anything extreme. The funny thing is, your not going to believe this but I have a huntsman in my bedroom preserved. Its in perspex. But when theyre alive and moving at 1 metre a second - thats diffferent. I guess Ill get used to it.

I am hoping to work for 6 months in a hotel or pub next year. Ideally I would want to secure the job before I flew out there. I would only be able to work for 6 months but with the exchange rate now it would be well worth it. Does anyone know if agencies or companies will hire temps with Skype interviews or video conferencing? This would save risky one way trips with no guarantee of a job. I will have health insurance and visa already in place from my first Aus trip so itll be a simple case of flying out there.

Im about to embark on a months tour of Sydney and Melbourne. I am dreading running into a huntsman spider. The funnelwebs are rare but are hazard to watch out for. Am I likely to find a huntsman in my bedroom when I get out to the house Im staying at? Would I find one every week in the shower? Am I likely to have one crawling up my leg if I root through the garage!! Im not scared of rebacks or whitetails but anything 15cm long is scary

After 18 months of prep I have booked a flight and am preparing my flight to Sydney. Im feeling really fed up with the whole thing though. Ive had let down and let down and I cant expect to live in Oz for years as an unskilled worker. Ill be lucky to get a base for 2 weeks in Sydney - mind you it is Sydney. Insurance costs have gone up and Im scrapping my Queensland work plan. Ive booked a one way flight as if I get a return I dont know when Im coming back. The whole thing has cost me over £2200 so far. I think its to my credit that Im carrying on but by the time I get to Oz it will be no different to me than, say, Ireland. The novelty has disapeared. Sure I was keen early on but the logistics are such that its difficult to plan. Does anyone else feel this way..is it a phase?