We are desperate for some advice please!

[pwancess]

Hi,
My name is Diane(Stay at home Mummy) and am married to Steve (Management Accountant) and have a three year old little boy, Jayden. We currently live in the UK but have decided that we want to move to Australia. This is obviously the biggest decision we will ever make but it is proving to create even more decisions, and really hope that you can help, in any way. I shall list them for easy viewing!

1. We are going to Australia this year (for about 3 weeks) to have a look first but do not know where abouts to go, as wherever we visit will be the place we move to eventually.
2. Should we stay in a rented house or travel around in a camper van?
3. What is the cost of living like? We watch TV programmes which tell us one thing and websites tell us another.
4. Should steve be lloking to earn the same there as he does in the UK?
5. Which City would be the best for Steve's work?
6. Once a city is chosen (as we don't want to live in the city) which suburb is good and has a community and good schools)
7. We quite like the idea of Adelaide, Brisbane & Sydney... but which is best?
8. We have heard that in Brisbane, they do not change their clocks so it gets very dark early... is this true?
9. Is it best / easier / expensive to use a migration company or do it yourself?
10. Any other advice and general info would be great. Any love or hate stories?

We can't wait to read all your advice etc and are really excited at the prospect of moving over and making a better life for us and our son.

Thank you in advance
Diane x

[wardy]

Hi Diane welcome to Poms in oz.

Gosh what a lot of questions

We went on a trip to brisbane in 2006 decided via the net where we wanted to live, Cleveland was our choice, we picked the schools, the sports clubs everything.

Now heading to Perth or Cairns all for very different reasons I think its important not to get stuck rigidly to one set of plans you could end up being disappointed be prepared to change your mind lots

Many places will hold different things for different people the 3 places you menton are all very different and as an accountant I think your hubby would find work everywhere.

it is true it gets dark early in brisbane as they dont change their clocks.

The mistake we made when visiting Oz is booked one motel for the whole time there big mistake lovely accommodation but too much travelling around then having to get back.best

It is not necessary to use an agent we did as I had neither the time or the inclination to do it myself but many have.

best wishes on your trip

[sadsmile23]

Hi,
My name is Diane(Stay at home Mummy) and am married to Steve (Management Accountant) and have a three year old little boy, Jayden. We currently live in the UK but have decided that we want to move to Australia. This is obviously the biggest decision we will ever make but it is proving to create even more decisions, and really hope that you can help, in any way. I shall list them for easy viewing!

1. We are going to Australia this year (for about 3 weeks) to have a look first but do not know where abouts to go, as wherever we visit will be the place we move to eventually.
2. Should we stay in a rented house or travel around in a camper van?
3. What is the cost of living like? We watch TV programmes which tell us one thing and websites tell us another.
4. Should steve be lloking to earn the same there as he does in the UK?
5. Which City would be the best for Steve's work?
6. Once a city is chosen (as we don't want to live in the city) which suburb is good and has a community and good schools)
7. We quite like the idea of Adelaide, Brisbane & Sydney... but which is best?
8. We have heard that in Brisbane, they do not change their clocks so it gets very dark early... is this true?
9. Is it best / easier / expensive to use a migration company or do it yourself?
10. Any other advice and general info would be great. Any love or hate stories?

We can't wait to read all your advice etc and are really excited at the prospect of moving over and making a better life for us and our son.

Thank you in advance
Diane x

Hi Diane, welcome to PIO.

If you have no set ideas (yet) about where you want to settle, then perhaps your first step should be to do as much research as poss on where Steve's work would be most in demand. Try out some of the job websites, SEEK - Australia's no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site, Job Search - Australian jobs - Job listing - Find a job - CareerOne etc and they should give you an idea of work available, salaries etc.
Once you narrow that down, maybe then look at the climate - I know this was a factor in our first few days of research. Queensland tropical, v humid, South Aus cooler & wetter and West Aus more Mediterranean. Ooh, and snakes and spiders did it for me too - the worst ones seem to be on the East coast!!! Hence my choice to steer West!!
I think if you keep your options pretty open at this stage and do as much research on the things that are important to you and your family, then I'm sure you'll start narrowing your options down a little. There are so many people on here that give FAB advice, so just ask away and you'll get all the help you need.
As regards migration agent, plenty of people seem to manage on their own; just depends how straightforward your application is and how confident you are of getting together all the information needed. There are plenty of recommended agents on here, and you can always ring a few to get a free consultation that will assess your chances. Then make your decision from there.
Good luck in your researching, and feel free to pm me if I could be of any further help.

Jill (also stay at home Mummy!!)

[pwancess]

Hi, Jill & Kaye,
Thank you so much for the info and replying to my questions. This whole move has taken over my life... haven't even got the ball rolling yet and I'm up til all hours researching (and getting very excited!)

OH's CIMA confirmation came in todays post so he can officially call himself a Chartered Management Accountant, which is fantastic and hopefully will help out application... won't it?

As i'm new to this site and the process, can anyone tell me what all the abbreviations are for? e.g.TRA, PCC?????

What would be the first thing to do?

Also if anyone else reading this has any more advice or answers to my questions, please please let me know.

I received a call from 'Go Matilda' yesterday but as my son was hanging off me 'screaching' i think I completely wasted what time I was on the phone to the guy and didn't end up asking half of what I wanted!!!

Thanks
Diane x

[sadsmile23]

Hi Diane,
Know exactly what you mean - it DOES take over your life, every waking hour and also (for me, anyway), every sleeping one too!! This site is fab for virtually every question you could ever think of-there always seems to be someone who knows the answers.
TRA= Trades Recognition Australia - the assessing authority for many trades occupations
PCC= not sure ive come across this one??

Trust you have checked how many points you qualify for? Need to have 120 for any chance of emigrating really.
Your first step needs to be Department of Immigration and Citizenship website - check out if hubbys skills are on the SOL (Skilled Occupation List) or MODL (Migrants Occupation Demand List) - if so, you then need to know which assessing body he needs to apply to detailing all his skills, qualifications etc.
Give us a pm (private message) if you want to chat anymore, will be on for a few hours this afternoon, feeding my obsession!!!

Jill

[Alan Collett]

Hi, Jill & Kaye,
Thank you so much for the info and replying to my questions. This whole move has taken over my life... haven't even got the ball rolling yet and I'm up til all hours researching (and getting very excited!)

OH's CIMA confirmation came in todays post so he can officially call himself a Chartered Management Accountant, which is fantastic and hopefully will help out application... won't it?

As i'm new to this site and the process, can anyone tell me what all the abbreviations are for? e.g.TRA, PCC?????

What would be the first thing to do?

Also if anyone else reading this has any more advice or answers to my questions, please please let me know.

I received a call from 'Go Matilda' yesterday but as my son was hanging off me 'screaching' i think I completely wasted what time I was on the phone to the guy and didn't end up asking half of what I wanted!!!

Thanks
Diane x

PCC = police clearance certificate

Feel able to return the call to our consultant (probably John) - T 023 80 30 2525 - if you need any clarification.

Best regards.

[calNgary]

Hiya Diane ,,Go matilda are good agents ,im sure if you call them they will go through things again with you.
As for your questions,,
If you can afford to hire a camper van and travel around a little,i reakon this is the best of way of sourcing areas.The places i had my heart set on (on-line) just werent for us once we arrived here.You do need to see a place to get a real feel for it.
As you need to be realtively near to city living ,id look at Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au for an idea on property prices,they have risen across the whole of australia but some states much more than others.
Brisbane does get dark earlier,currently around 6.30/7pm ,but it has in no way affected the lifestlye we have here.It gets hot too but as long as the car has air con ,you will be ok ,ive had nothing unbearable and dont use aircon in the house ,just ceiling fans,(the air cons seems to bring on a cold),this helps you climatise better too.
Our cost of living is less than the Uk,although this varys depending on who you speak too,food,petrol and bills are again more expensive in some states than others ,so that ultimately affects the cost of living.
If you are happy and feel ok applying alone go for it ,i couldnt get my head around all the technical terms at first,and if your a stressed out mum with kids screaming like me ,the agent was 'peace of mind' and a big help when needed,they check everything before its submitted so you have a much less chance of failing.I was surprised(or niave) as to how detailed the references etc had to be ,thankgod i had someone to help,lolThe company you contacted carrys a good reputation on this forum and you shouldnt go wrong with them.Good luck with everything
Cal x