Where to start?

adam · 30-06-2007, 05:19 PM

Hello everyone,
have finally made the decision to emmigrate, but where to begin? so many questions. My wife and I spent a year in oz, backpacking a few years ago so we have some idea about life in oz.
I'm a bricklayer and have done the points test on the oz house website and scored 130 so all good there. We have started to look at various websites to do with jobs, e.g, seek.com. None of which noted the wages.
We first thought about Perth as a new home, but are unsure. Sydney appears to be to expensive. Do wages vary greatly from city to city? Possible choices being perth, adelaide, sydney or brisbane. Then of course there are all the other questions to do with property, schools, healthcare, taxation etc etc. Any pointers will be much appreciated.
One other question, are immigration agents worth it? and if so, how do you pick the right one? Thanks everyone, Adam and family

OldiesRUs · 03-07-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam

Hello everyone,
have finally made the decision to emmigrate, but where to begin? so many questions. My wife and I spent a year in oz, backpacking a few years ago so we have some idea about life in oz.
I'm a bricklayer and have done the points test on the oz house website and scored 130 so all good there. We have started to look at various websites to do with jobs, e.g, seek.com. None of which noted the wages.
We first thought about Perth as a new home, but are unsure. Sydney appears to be to expensive. Do wages vary greatly from city to city? Possible choices being perth, adelaide, sydney or brisbane. Then of course there are all the other questions to do with property, schools, healthcare, taxation etc etc. Any pointers will be much appreciated.
One other question, are immigration agents worth it? and if so, how do you pick the right one? Thanks everyone, Adam and family

Hi Adam and Family

I'm really, really surprised that you have not had any responses to this post. Not like the PIO gang at all.

I don't think I can be very helpful really as my application is for a Contributory Parent Visa which is totally different to the skills etc.

Regarding agents, that is personal choice and like everything else there are good and bad. Believe me, the first one we were going to use were useless, but have a good one now. If you use an agent, you need to clarify up front exactly what their costs are going to be as it seems from reading some of the posts on PIO that some agents have lots of hidden charges.

As I said, not very helpful, sorry.

Jean.

mandy1 · 03-07-2007, 11:06 AM

Hi Adam
Welcome to the forum I definately know what you mean baout how useful this iste is. I only signed up to it a couple of weeks agao! and I'm now on it constantly. My family & I are heading for Perth as we loved it when we spent a month out there last year. We also loved Sydney, but as you say it does appear a lot more expensive. We didn't use an agent, and we successfully received out visas a month ago. My hubby's a plumber and we did the TRA/visa Application ourselves which was quite time consuming as they need such a huge amount of information. I'd suggest that whilst you are researching which areas may be suitable for you that you perhaps download the necessary forms and have a look at them and then you'll see if you feel able to tackle them by yourselves or would prefer an agant to help you. I am sure other members of the forum will have loads of advice for you and will be able to recommend some decent migration agents.
Good Luck
Mandy x

ali · 03-07-2007, 01:09 PM

Hi Adam,

Welcome to 'the family' (which makes us sound like the mafia!!). It's hard for any of us to suggest a state as we'll all have chosen for different reasons be it jobs, climate etc., It's probably bests to think about what you want and which area may best suit your needs. Like Mandy we chose Perth, in part because of the climate and also that it's less populated.

If you can afford to - come on holiday first and it may give you an idea of where you want to be.

Good luck

Ali

Abi&Dan · 03-07-2007, 01:15 PM

There does seem to be quite big differences between areas of pay - but most of them seem proportionate to cost of living, except maybe central Sydney, where salaries are high and CoL is even higher and Adelaide where salaries are low and CoL is low (but maybe not as low as salary). However, for tradespeople don't think there's any problem anywhere - there's lots of building in all states so the world may be your oyster!!

(Though I know what you mean bout job sites - none of them seem to include salaries!

NSW Office of Industrial Relations, Pay rates this gives award pay (min wage) for different types of job - though they vary between states and this is NSW)

Hope it helps!!

adam · 20-07-2007, 04:09 PM

Hi everyone,
Firstly thanks for the replies. Haven't moved on very far. Have narrowed down destination to either perth or brisbane. Need some answers. We are looking to be in oz in time for our 4 year old to start primary. My understanding is 6 years old is the starting age, is this right for both perth and brisbane? The school year starts in january. How soon before this would we need to be in oz? Once visa complete would it be best to pick school while still in uk or wait until in oz? I'm a brickie, somebody please tell me what wages to expect in these areas? Are you a subie or on the cards? Taxes?
What sort of property prices can we expect? Do morgages work the same? Interest rates?

I know, so many questions. I'm sure there be plenty more.
Thanks again everyone, Adam and family.

P.s. Still none the wiser, or who to trust regarding all these internet migation consultant sites. ??????

hays · 20-07-2007, 04:20 PM

Hi Adam,
I cant help with alot of the questions, but a really good site for looking at property is Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au it gives a state, size and price option. Also for schools, this site may help The Australian Schools Directory – The only online guide to all Australian Schools.

We're looking at Perth and Brisbane as well, can't decide! Good luck!

Hays

KP Nuts · 20-07-2007, 04:32 PM

Hi Adam and family, and welcome to PIO.

We are using an agent, they are called Go Matilda, they have been very good so far, we had detailed costs before we signed the contracts, so we know where and when we have to pay money out.

Just make sure whoever you do use (if you do) they are MARA approved.

Good luck

MRS KP Nuts

alfixie · 20-07-2007, 07:16 PM

Hi,

We are using agents visaconnection.co.uk have been worth every penny to us, just cause we are busy people with 2 kids under2!! Have also decided on Perth OH is a chipie and there seems to be plenty of work out there. But we have said if we don't settle we will travel till we find the right place. Sorry cannot answer a lot of your questions as we are in a similar situation, we have never even been to Oz.

Anyway good luck and all the best.

Marina