Introducing myself.

Hi,

I am new to forum but hope to find lots of answers to the questions buzzing around my head here. But first a little about me.

I was almost Australian however my parents returned home to Scotland 7 months before my birth in 1975. A little part of me has always felt Australian and I've always dreamt of emigrating. Until now it has always been a pipe dream but after qualifying as a nurse last year my husband and I have been able to talk about it in more realistic terms now. We have two children who are currently 8 and 5, one of whom has some additional educational needs but is thriving at his current school. Any decision will be made with the needs of both children at the heart of it, so this will be one area I will be looking at closely.

Having looked into different areas we would prefer to go to WA - Perth or surrounding areas specifically.

Other than that the big issues are financial. We own our own home here but it's not a huge value and by the time the mortgage is paid off we would be lucky to have £15,000 equity realised. Our savings are non-existent but we would be able to raise some cash by saving between now and a potential emigration date. That's not a lot to put down as a deposit on a home in Australia. There seems to be a big discrepancy between rental rates and mortgage rates, with the mortgage for the type of home we would like being lower than the mortgage rate but based on my salary alone at the moment the maximum mortgage available would be significantly short by around $120,000. We aren't looking for anything crazily expensive as far as I can tell. Just want 3 beds, 1 bathroom would do but an ensuite would be nice. Don't want to be too cramped but again small Australian homes seem to have as much or more space than we are used to with our ex-council 2 bedroomed (plus loft conversion - hence lack of savings).

Maybe we are greedy, maybe we are lazy but we would ideally like to run two cars as well unless we were living close to where I'd be working and public transport was good.

So that's it really, theatre nurse looking for a nice hospital to work in, hubby is a diesel engineer to trade and is a specialist in Allison Transmissions, although for the last two years he's done shop work to fit in around my nurse training then shift pattern now I've started work. He's happy to work but that would be something that would be easier once over there I think.

Now I have introduced myself I'm away to check the other forums, hopefully find some answers and maybe more questions I never realised I needed the answer to. Sorry if I make a pest of myself with questions, I will try to find previous posts on a subject before posting.

Dek

Hi and welcome to the forum. Ask away, sometimes the threads are old and the information may be a little out of date so check how recent the info is.

We also have added a new 'ask an agent' part to our forum.

I was almost Australian however my parents returned home to Scotland 7 months before my birth in 1975. A little part of me has always felt Australian and I've always dreamt of emigrating. Until now it has always been a pipe dream but after qualifying as a nurse last year my husband and I have been able to talk about it in more realistic terms now. We have two children who are currently 8 and 5...

 

Other than that the big issues are financial. We own our own home here but it's not a huge value and by the time the mortgage is paid off we would be lucky to have £15,000 equity realised. Our savings are non-existent but we would be able to raise some cash by saving between now and a potential emigration date. That's not a lot to put down as a deposit on a home in Australia.

Welcome to the forums! As a nurse you're in a good position, it seems to be one of the few occupations where you stand a chance of getting a job fixed up before you go.

From what you say about your finances, I'd say your first step is to sit down and work out your budget for the move. The average family with two or three kids will need around $15,000 to $20,000 just to pay for the move, so you'd have nothing left for a deposit unless you're able to save a substantial amount before your move.

Your budget should include all the money you'll need to get over to Australia and get settled: visa application fees, air fares, shipping (or the cost of replacing everything when you arrive), holiday accommodation for a month or so while you find a rental property, deposit bond for the property, buying a car, uniforms and books for school etc. Also if you don't have a job offer, you'll need to include living expenses for the period until you both get jobs. Perth is in a slump right now so you should assume your husband could take six months or more to find work - you should also check whether his trade qualifications will be recognised (some are, some aren't).

You are not mad to want two cars - unless you move to Sydney or Melbourne, with two small children two cars can be more of a necessity than a luxury! Especially if you have to move to the far outer suburbs to find a house that fits your budget, because public transport there is often not good. Check out the price of cars - they are substantially more expensive in Australia, even second-hand.

Domain.com.au and realestate.com.au are the sites to use to research house prices, both rental and purchase.

I can't seem to edit my post, but I meant to write £15,000 to £20,000, not $15,000 to $20,000.

I'm sure others will chime in to say it cost them a lot less than that - and it is possible to do, IF you're prepared to furnish your house with second-hand stuff, buy an old banger (or get a car on finance), and compromise on the standard and size of house you start out with. But the reality is, that way you pay double - because at some point you'll want to replace all the second-hand furniture, buy a decent car, and move into a nice house, otherwise what's the point of moving to Oz? And if you are arriving with very little money, it could take you a very long time to save the money to do all that. So I reckon it's worth doing it right from day one if you can.

Thanks for the welcome ali and Marisa.

Marisa, I am deliberately basing all my calculations on myself being the only earner at the moment and I know it's going to be tight. But that is why it's good I'm the sort of person that likes to plan in advance. The very earliest I think we would do this is early next year but I am thinking more along the lines of August 17- Feb 18 as the window of a number of things all being about right together. I am also hoping to find an employer that would consider taking us on with a PR visa from the start as hubby will be 46 at the end of this year so wouldn't want to be applying for PR later and he's suddenly knocking on the door of 50 (don't tell him I said that lol). I would do my best to keep cost of moving down but as you say it's not always the best way in the long run.

In all honesty, you will find it difficult to find an employer who will give you PR from the start, even 457's sponsorship seems less prevalent than it did previously (certainly in the public sector), Additionally, you may find some advertisements state the preference will be given to Citizens and PR visa holders.

Thanks for the welcome ali and Marisa.

 

Marisa, I am deliberately basing all my calculations on myself being the only earner at the moment and I know it's going to be tight. But that is why it's good I'm the sort of person that likes to plan in advance. The very earliest I think we would do this is early next year but I am thinking more along the lines of August 17- Feb 18 as the window of a number of things all being about right together. I am also hoping to find an employer that would consider taking us on with a PR visa from the start as hubby will be 46 at the end of this year so wouldn't want to be applying for PR later and he's suddenly knocking on the door of 50 (don't tell him I said that lol). I would do my best to keep cost of moving down but as you say it's not always the best way in the long run.

It is not realistic to be looking for an employer who will sponsor you for a permanent visa. It is extremely hard to even find a sponsor for a temporary visa from overseas and permanent would be many, many times harder than that. As a nurse you should be looking into skilled migration.

However overall, the maths just don't seem to work and I do think you need to take a good hard look at this with your OH. Your £15k of house equity could easily be swallowed up in visa fees, flights and removalist costs. So you arrive without any buffer, nothing for a house deposit and nothing even to live on whilst you secure work? There are also a lot of unexpected expenses when you arrive and you burn cash getting settled in. I agree with Marusa that a move costs on average £15-20k, mine was more like £25-30k I would say.

You mention saving over next year, but are you really going to be able to save anything substantial in one year or so? And yes pushing things out further will impact hubby as you rightly say he would be knocking the door of 50. I don't know but this feels like financial suicide to me.

Welcome to the forum. Your journey has started, that's the main thing! Hopefully all will sort out in your favour

B

It is not realistic to be looking for an employer who will sponsor you for a permanent visa. It is extremely hard to even find a sponsor for a temporary visa from overseas and permanent would be many, many times harder than that. As a nurse you should be looking into skilled migration.

I'm looking at a variety of options, 457 is likely to be the most likely but that does not mean I can't have a wish list. Things change all the time, the employer I am looking at has previously offered PR sponsorship and may do so again. Or may not.

However overall, the maths just don't seem to work and I do think you need to take a good hard look at this with your OH.

 

Your £15k of house equity could easily be swallowed up in visa fees, flights and removalist costs. So you arrive without any buffer, nothing for a house deposit and nothing even to live on whilst you secure work? There are also a lot of unexpected expenses when you arrive and you burn cash getting settled in. I agree with Marusa that a move costs on average £15-20k, mine was more like £25-30k I would say.

 

You mention saving over next year, but are you really going to be able to save anything substantial in one year or so? And yes pushing things out further will impact hubby as you rightly say he would be knocking the door of 50. I don't know but this feels like financial suicide to me.

I've not given the full picture in my opening post, the equity realised comment was after I deducted £10,000 as a starting point for visa costs, shipping and temp accommodation. I understand this is on the short side and proceeds of the house sale would not be available in the early stages of visa applications but we do have ways and means around some of that which would leave us with approximately £15,000 to bring with us as a potential deposit or savings to have behind us. I should point out however that I will be not making the move without having secured work myself. Hence employer sponsored migration.

I ought also to point out that although my reply to bungo sounds a bit defensive (it is yeah but it was wayyyyy more so before I edited it) that I do appreciate the constructive comments bungo. One reason for joining this forum was to see what expectations were realistic, what were not, what needed changing, what couldn't be changed and what if anything could be done about it. It's a learning curve and I appreciate you taking the time to provide insight.

I'm looking at a variety of options, 457 is likely to be the most likely but that does not mean I can't have a wish list. Things change all the time, the employer I am looking at has previously offered PR sponsorship and may do so again. Or may not.

 

 

 

I've not given the full picture in my opening post, the equity realised comment was after I deducted £10,000 as a starting point for visa costs, shipping and temp accommodation. I understand this is on the short side and proceeds of the house sale would not be available in the early stages of visa applications but we do have ways and means around some of that which would leave us with approximately £15,000 to bring with us as a potential deposit or savings to have behind us. I should point out however that I will be not making the move without having secured work myself. Hence employer sponsored migration.

Not wanting to move without having secured employment does not equate to employer sponsored. :wink:

There are far fewer nurses securing 457 visas now than even a few years ago. With no visa you are looking for a job and a sponsorship. Apply for skilled migration and once you have it you are only looking for a job, but no sponsorship complications or restrictions. Makes you a far more attractive employment prospect.

I ought also to point out that although my reply to bungo sounds a bit defensive (it is yeah but it was wayyyyy more so before I edited it) that I do appreciate the constructive comments bungo. One reason for joining this forum was to see what expectations were realistic, what were not, what needed changing, what couldn't be changed and what if anything could be done about it. It's a learning curve and I appreciate you taking the time to provide insight.

There is certainly no need to defend yourself or your finances to me. My suggestion was to only be honest with yourself, sit down with the OH and a pen and pad and calculator and give the maths some serious and objective scrutiny.

I'd also suggest taking whatever period you think you might be looking for work and double it. Always better to be pessimistic and pleasantly surprised, than optimistic and finding a big ten foot pole coming towards your rear end at 80MPH.

I'd also suggest taking whatever period you think you might be looking for work and double it. Always better to be pessimistic and pleasantly surprised, than optimistic and finding a big ten foot pole coming towards your rear end at 80MPH.

Only setting foot on a plane with a contract of employment and start date agreed. I'd rather suffer an extra Scottish winter or two whilst employed in a job I love than be job hunting on arrival no matter how pleasant the place and climate. Luckily being a theatre nurse is a speciality in demand.

Welcome to the forum. You seem very sure that this is what you want and I am sure if this is the case then you can make it happen.

However, like Bungo, I am worried for you based on the limited amount of financial information you have provided. Much of your £15,000 house deposit could easily be used up on getting over here and settled. Mortgage terms are typically 30 years I believe which would make your OH 80 or thereabouts.

I know that there are people on this forum who have made it work for them possibly with less but it is one thing starting from scratch at 25-30 and another thing at 50.

Good luck with it all.

It is not realistic to be looking for an employer who will sponsor you for a permanent visa. It is extremely hard to even find a sponsor for a temporary visa from overseas and permanent would be many, many times harder than that. As a nurse you should be looking into skilled migration.

 

However overall, the maths just don't seem to work and I do think you need to take a good hard look at this with your OH. Your £15k of house equity could easily be swallowed up in visa fees, flights and removalist costs. So you arrive without any buffer, nothing for a house deposit and nothing even to live on whilst you secure work? There are also a lot of unexpected expenses when you arrive and you burn cash getting settled in. I agree with Marusa that a move costs on average £15-20k, mine was more like £25-30k I would say.

 

You mention saving over next year, but are you really going to be able to save anything substantial in one year or so? And yes pushing things out further will impact hubby as you rightly say he would be knocking the door of 50. I don't know but this feels like financial suicide to me.

This is good advice, and while perhaps not want the OP wants to hear, its definitely something they need to hear.

Might be better to treat yourselves to decent holiday in OZ once a year and enjoy the country as a tourist rather than a captive.

Why can't you get a permanent visa without any type of sponsorship, get independent visa and ahpra registered and then start applying for jobs from uk so you have something to go to...I got job from uk with 189 visa and that takes some financial pressure off when you first get here

Why can't you get a permanent visa without any type of sponsorship, get independent visa and ahpra registered and then start applying for jobs from uk so you have something to go to...I got job from uk with 189 visa and that takes some financial pressure off when you first get here

Unfortunately, as I'm now 40 I only score 50 points and need to get 60 to qualify. If I delay by another year I'd get 55 points, still a little shy unfortunately.

Unfortunately, as I'm now 40 I only score 50 points and need to get 60 to qualify. If I delay by another year I'd get 55 points, still a little shy unfortunately.

Why would it go up if you delay (work experience?). I assume you have factored in IELTS.

If you are borderline I would recommend you both consult a registered migration agent who can help outline all your options. Uprooting the family for a temporary employer sponsored 457 visa would be unwise as you will have to factor in the potential costs of returning to the UK.

Why would it go up if you delay (work experience?). I assume you have factored in IELTS.

 

If you are borderline I would recommend you both consult a registered migration agent who can help outline all your options. Uprooting the family for a temporary employer sponsored 457 visa would be unwise as you will have to factor in the potential costs of returning to the UK.

As the Op is considering WA - education costs of a 457 would also need to be included in the equation

I'm looking at a variety of options, 457 is likely to be the most likely but that does not mean I can't have a wish list. Things change all the time, the employer I am looking at has previously offered PR sponsorship and may do so again. Or may not.

 

I would not advise 457 migration. The way for you to go would be to apply for skilled migration (a 189 visa), then look for an employer who will offer you a job.

That way, you arrive in Australia with a secure job and immediate income, BUT you are not at the mercy of that employer. If the job doesn't suit you, you'll be free to look for other employment. You won't be at the mercy of an employer who knows he has you over a barrel (if you give notice on a 457, you've got 90 days to leave the country, so a 457 employer knows he can demand anything and you won't dare leave!).

A 457 is a good way to go if you're coming to Australia for a year or two as an adventure. It's a temp job, nothing more, and there are no guarantees that you'll be able to transfer to a skilled visa at the end of it. People who can't migrate any other way do use it, but it's not an easy path. You've got the option of a "proper" visa so I'd be going for it.

We have been number crunching and looking at different options, eg other cities/states and even NZ but it keeps coming back to Perth being our number one choice.

I've just sent away for a new passport as current one has been lost for about 3 and a half years after my daughter decided to use the bag it was in when she was playing dress up with mummy's shoes and bags (she was only 2 at the time). So the passport was always going to be required but it is the first thing I need to prove my identity for my AHPRA registration.

Hubby is organising copies of his trade papers and certificates so we can apply for a skills assessment for him which will give my 190 application another 5 points. Then we are just biding time, saving and doing ILETS until I have 2 years experience then I can put in for state sponsorship and hopefully if this is granted I'd have my 60 points. We will use that time to spruce up the house and save save save.

I've done ball park figure for our migration costs and it is at least £17,500 by the looks of it. But only £12,500 would need to come off house sale costs and that means we could potentially have $25,000AUD as savings or for a deposit for a house.

So plan is, get my passport, AHPRA reg, hubby's papers, 190 if WA government sponsorship requirements remain the same, get a job (preferably 2 but minimum 1 before we leave UK and be heading for the shores of WA by 2018.