Hello Lucie
Wlecome to Poms in Oz.
Te rules for skilled visas (that can lead to Permanent Reidence in Oz) undewent significant changes on 1st September 2007, so you must bear in mind thatvisa advice from friends could be out of date and therefore of no real help to you.
Since Veterinary Nurse doess not appear to be an occupation in demand in Australia, you may well have to think in terms of employer sponsored visas in order to be able to remain in Australia long-term.
However, as you are only 26 now then if you don't need a job the instant you arrive, you could think in terms of a Working Holiday Maker visa to start with. If you are prepared to work in farming type stuff (which could, I would guess, include being a veterinary nurse to a practice specialising in large or farm animals) a WHM visa can last for up to 2 years and you can now spend 6 months with each employer (it used to be a max of 3 months.) Please see here:
Visitors - Visas & Immigration
Longer term, you would probably be looking at a 457 visa to start with, progressing to
PR after that. Please see here:
Employer Sponsored Workers - Workers - Visas & Immigration
Please also ensure that you read Booklets 5 & 6 carefully. Please see here:
Information Booklets - Applications & Forms - Visas & Immigration
Good luck with our plans, hon.
Best wishes
Gill
PS: There are quarantine kennels in Estern Creek, which is near Sydney. I don't know if you have to be an Australian itizento work there, though (you do have to be a Citize for some Government jobs.) Whether or not you could or would be interested in working there, though, they might be able to put you in touch with some vets, animal hospitals etc.
.
..Welcome to PIO!..it's a great site for help and info, so i'm sure you'll find most of the answers to your questions..i'm originally from Perth and it's where we're heading back..their employment opportunities are very good at the moment, according to what i've heard on the news and from what my brothers over there have told me..it's a small city, so probably hasn't got the hustle and bustle of the Eastern states, but i love it just for that, because you can have city life and a laid back quiet life as well..there are plenty of beaut beaches and places to visit as well..we are a family, so it might not be the life for a young person..good luck and all the best as you start out!..
to PIO.
