Where do i start with a move to oz?

[jon t]

Hi All
Thought i would come on and say hi to everyone with my first post, I guess i am in the same situation as many thousands of others were at the start, but having thought and talked about it for many years i have decided i need to look into the big move properly and make a desicion once and for all to either do it or just forget about it, i will give you a quick run down about me and my family.
I am 36 and have run my own car repair and servicing garage for the last ten years, my wife is 34 and runs the accounts for me part time and also has a full time job as a wages and accounts clerk at a local bus company, we have a 13 year old daughter who has just come to the end of her 2nd year in high school. We live in west wales which i love but as for most people dont enjoy the weather and i find myself getting prety depressed over the winter and yet when we do get a few days of sunshine i am on cloud nine and spend as much time as i can outside kyaking walking the dog etc, but more especially with this years weather it just seems to be one continuos cycle of getting up going to work coming home super, tv then bed (i guess you get the picture).
So i would like to know where to start and also the best way of geting a visa i.e. sponsered or state etc and what the differences are, what sort of money do they expect to see in your bank before they let you in also how much do you need to get yourself started for the first six months, what sort of money could i expect to earn as a mechanic/auto electrician. I have done a quick points thing through the australian visa bureau online and i got 75points.
Sorry for the long winded post but thought best to give you as much info about ourselfs as poss
Cheers Jon

[martina5ft2]

we went with a 457 sponsor ship, i know people that have went out on a holiday and set up interview online and got a job and sponsorship with that, came home got visa sorted and then went.. few months later.. we where lucky we knew the company and got our sponsorship. it is $350dollor for that visa which is very little but you are with the company for up to 4 years, and you can be apply for permanent resident from there.. so you are then free to work where ever and for whoever...
stop talking talking abt. just do it.. this is not a trial run this is your life so follow your dreams.. :)

[jon t]

Thanks for that, so how does a state sponsorship work and is it better to get a job then apply for a visa off your own back i.e. without being sponsored so your not tied to the same firm?
cheers Jon

[martina5ft2]

sorry jon, not my field the state sponsorship, not sure what way it works etc.. sorry :) good luck with it all x