Seems that we have now tried every single avenue, that would get us into Oz.... apart from one. I could get fast-tracked into Oz - if I agree to go straight into training as a hairdresser! What do you all think?? Is it really feasible that after having a career, and four kids, that I could start again?? It really is our only way... so obviously we have to consider it. I would be training for 20 months, out of the first two years, at the end of which time, I would hopefully be qualified. In that time, hubby would look after the kids, and we could both work up to 20 hours each week. I have always been a Legal Secretary, or a Radio Sales Manager.... hairdressing??? Could I do it? I asked a friend today, who is also aged 42, and she said that there is sooooooo much more to hairdressing now, that I should really think hard about it! Help! That was not what I wanted to hear! That said htough, I would rather honesty - every time - than being fed sh*t! Take your shots here, guys... You have always helped, with every little crisis/question/comment... so, go on, let me know what your opinion is. Whether you are here, or already in Oz (then you could tell me whether they really need hairdressers!!) let me know your opinion. Have a great weekend all of you. Love, Andrea x x x
Location: leicestershire to perth, fingers crossed!
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hi there, i am a hairdresser, and you have to ask youself?? do you want to be a part time shrink, do want to stand on your feet all day, do you want to be creative, can you listen to the moaners and still have a smile on your face as the saying goes the customer may not allways be right" BUT" they allways come first!! it is the best job ever you get to natter all day, and brighten some peoples days too.
that said it has its moments but you have wide opurtuinty? did i spell that righT? so your best bet would be to take yourself off to a salon near you and ask if you could stand in for a couple of hours be honest and say your thinking of a career change! if ther decent they will allow it , if they turn you down try another, its a course thats hard and fun so go out a nd check it out first. whats a couple of hours? good luck x and oz want us!!
__________________ sharon, to much partying to much booze , gives ya spots and makes ya snooze!! visa granted oct 8th 08....
Hi Andrea! I didn't start hairdressing until I was 30 and ended up as a finalist at the British Hairdressing Business Awards! So that's the skill I used to come. It is a great trade to have and you can earn a LOT of money, if you use your skill wisely. In my humble opinion, I think your maturity would be of real benefit. The down side is that you may have to train with some rather 'silly' young people who may not necessarily want to be there! If you do decide to take this route, I would be happy to help you with anything I can.
Just another thing... If you decide that hairdressing isn't for you, there are plenty of other things that you can learn that will give you the same result... Chef, for instance.
A lot of Asian people enter Oz through this route and it's a VERY, VERY popular route!!!
If you are considering a student visa, you need to be careful. Apparently the normal course for Australian resident student hairdressers is 16 or 20 months but to satisfy Immi it must be a 2-year course. Welshtone posted about this either on here or on British Expats earlier this week. (On BE, his user-name is Welshtony.)
If you search PiO and the Australian Immi section on BE for posts by Tony, you should find the thread,
Thanks loads, guys.... You all really do help keep our dream alive! I think I would honestly enjoy all the nattering all day; the being on my feet (might lose a couple of pounds!!!!) and all that. My concern is, could I actually do the cutting, colouring, perming, etc.??? Would i pick it all up?? Have only every done sensible jobs! Not saying this isn't sensible.... cos if anyone stuffed up my hair, I would be miffed, but you know what I mean.... I was a Legal Secretary, and this is hairdressing! A little different.... can I do it??? Would I honestly be able to learn all that goes with colouring nowadays??? Go on... let me know whether you think it's possible!" The nattering, I can handle. Can talk for England (or Oz!!) but it's the rest of it..... Scary!!
p.s. to Gill, I didn't explain properly.... when I said I would only be training for 20 months out of the first two years, I meant that the Course is two years in length, but my training time (excl Hols) would be 20 months! Have had that hammered home by He Who Must be Obeyed... ie : currently the Agent!! Thanks for keeping an eye on me though - It genuinely is sooooooo appreciated x x x
It's a bit like driving in so far as when you first start to learn you have to concentrate soooo hard, make the odd mistake, even a few BIG ones but, before you know it, you're mixing colours, snipping and styling whilst chatting and keeping and eye on whether the last foil you put in was a red or a blonde as well as making sure that the client's mutant child hasn't bunked off with your razor to slash your new leather sofa... LOL! That's the reality of hairdressing!
I OWE YOU ONE, NELSON!!! That was just what I needed.... Honest! An injection of reality, humour and a confidence boost! You deserve a medal. Hope we keep in touch... Andrea x x x
Location: leicestershire to perth, fingers crossed!
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hiya, i totally agree with nelson, but i would also ask for a stint at a salon we have had ladies do it at ours . the ones who do the career change, its like she said if you want to learn it you will!! and hopefully you can laugh at sits like teenagers don.t!! you may have a chain of salons in 5 yrs hee hee. good luck xxxxxxxxxx
__________________ sharon, to much partying to much booze , gives ya spots and makes ya snooze!! visa granted oct 8th 08....
Like you have have exhausted every avenue, We could have went to Adelaid on an employer sponsored visa, but my wife wanted to be with her sister, so, I have successfuly enrolled on commercial cooking course in perth, I am no cook but I am really excited about my new beginnings.
I am looking at it as we have nothing to lose, we both are taking a career break from work so if everything goes pear shaped over there such as we don't settle or I don't turn out to be the next Gordon ramsey, we both have our jobs to go back to,
I recomend that you go for it!! but as some of the other posts say, really look into the outcome of the course and make sure you will be eligble to apply for a permanant visa at the end of your training, look at the TAFE website, along with info on the course it also sometimes gives you the asco code of the completed award, this will definately make sure that the course will be on the list ( fingers crossed the list does not change within the next two year.
Seems that we have now tried every single avenue, that would get us into Oz.... apart from one. I could get fast-tracked into Oz - if I agree to go straight into training as a hairdresser! What do you all think?? Is it really feasible that after having a career, and four kids, that I could start again?? It really is our only way... so obviously we have to consider it. I would be training for 20 months, out of the first two years, at the end of which time, I would hopefully be qualified. In that time, hubby would look after the kids, and we could both work up to 20 hours each week. I have always been a Legal Secretary, or a Radio Sales Manager.... hairdressing??? Could I do it? I asked a friend today, who is also aged 42, and she said that there is sooooooo much more to hairdressing now, that I should really think hard about it! Help! That was not what I wanted to hear! That said htough, I would rather honesty - every time - than being fed sh*t! Take your shots here, guys... You have always helped, with every little crisis/question/comment... so, go on, let me know what your opinion is. Whether you are here, or already in Oz (then you could tell me whether they really need hairdressers!!) let me know your opinion. Have a great weekend all of you. Love, Andrea x x x
