Pottster

Hi Seth We got our SS through on Friday and applied for our visa and have had the same conversations/panics/concerns as you. Will be good to see how you get on!

We applied on 28th March and got ours granted today )

Shazza thank you for taking the time to reply. We have only just in the last few days sent off for the visa ( I think when I said the visa should be approved soon I think I meant in comparison to the state sponsorship process- which seemed like a lifetime!!!!) It feels weird and nerve racking already and a realization that this could really happen is starting to sink in, hence why posted this thread to start to prepare just in case our visa comes through!!!:err: I note you too are from manchester? Silly question but what is it like in comparison - not just the weather- Lifestyle, nightlife, facilities, transport etc?? Where have you decided to settle and why? Pottster

Just wondering what the current job market is like out there in Perth at the moment? My OH is the one with the 'Skills' required, but that leaves me wondering what is out there for me. I am from a Public Sector background and I would best describe my skills as having a 'secuirty/ investigative background' I am willing to try anything and would prefer to NOT work shifts that I have done for the last 17 years as I see this move to 'Oz' as a fresh start and have a better life for me and my family. I have seen jobs for drivers, secuirty guards but all i see is ytou must have this or that course. What is out there for someone without any skills as such?

Hopefully our Visa application will be approved soon. I was wondering when first arriving in Australia from the UK where do most people go and stay whilst they are finding their feet before settling down in a rental/purchasing their own home? I.e. Serviced apartments, arranging a rental home whilst in the UK before arriving, Hotel etc etc. Also, are there any areas of Perth people would recommend to 'reside' in when first arriving? Any specific recommendations in the Perth area?

To cut a long story short we have got a big dilemma - a choice between ACT and WA. I just wondered which one you would go for and why?

Hi, could anyone tell me when my children would start nursery in ACT? One is 2 in June and the other is 4 in September. Many Thanks

Hi I wonder if you guys could assist. We have two children one is two in June (7th) and the other is 4 in September. We are close to completing the 176 visa and have a choice of relocating to either ACT or WA. We were wondering when do children start Nursery/ School and is it the same in both states?

Hi Guys We are currently going through the permanent residents visa application. With the recent skills list that have been issued Western Australia as opened up to us as place to settle. Just wondering what WA is like, in particular Perth? Schools, activities, night life, transport links, main industries etc etc. Canberra/ACT is also an option. I would be interested to see which you guys would choose, Perth or Canberra and why?

Guys I am currently a Police Officer in the UK. Myself and Family are currently in the throws of applying for a 176 Visa :wacko:. As this would be a fresh start for us I am interested in making it a clean break for myself and changing career completely. But..... as it was such a longtime since I worked outside of the public sector ( 15 Years), my skills in the outside world I would imagine are not much use.....or am I wrong on this????. My question to you Guys out there is: Does anybody have any knowledge of what Job opportunities are out there for someone like me in Canberra e.g. Security etc, goverment depts?? I am pretty much open to anything and wouldn't be averse to using my knowledge and experience.

Quoll Simply, you are a legend this is excellent advice and exactly what I am looking for. Once again thanks

Hi Quoll Thanks for your reply. She has a post graduate diploma in counselling and works more holistically at the moment . The local bulletin board you have mentioned ( silly question time!!! ) is this something I could sign up for to have a look from here in the UK????. She could do with just a name of a organization, charity or someone to aim her questions at this time.

Guys We are currently in the UK going through the visa process :goofy:. Our State Sponsorship is in ACT. I was wondering what ACT/ Canberra is really like?? I have read the Touristy bumf and looked on various websites......but at the end of the day you can't beat real life experiences.......so I thought I would ask you Guys. Can anyone offer any advice about about places to live ( we Joe average family-not millionaires!), what lifestyle, nightlife, job opportunities are like etc etc?? Hope you guys can help. Pottster

Hi Everyone Are there any Welfare workers out there that can offer me some advice? My OH is currently a Welfare worker ( counsellor) in the UK. We are currently in the process of applying for our State Sponsored (ACT) 176 Permanent Resident Visa. She is ( Ideally!) looking for Sponsorship from an employer in this field of work ( But not essential ! ). Does this sort of thing exist??? If so where should she look? She has looked and looked on the usual recruitment agency sites such as Careerone.au, seek etc for employment opportunities ( not specifcally for sponsorship) and even sent enquiry's to employers themselves that feature on these sites all to no avail. I am wondering why her job appears on the skills shortage list when there appears few jobs that suit her type of work out there? Can anyone point her in the right direction, as to where she should for Jobs or does anybody know anyone in this type of work?? Hope you guys can help. Pottster

Hoot You are a star. Will have a look for a webiste. Thanks once again

Starlight 7 and Olly Thank you very much for your replies. I am very grateful for your help. It is exactly what I am looking for. I intend to start the Immigration process in the next few days (once the xmas hols are finally over!) and whilst doing so keep my eye on those jobs you guys have suggested. Thanks once again Guys

Hi Guys Firstly Happy New Year to you all!!! I have made initially enquiries with various Police Forces and at the moment it appears none are offering the sponsorship route into Australia. Therefore, I would ( and willing) have to wait until I am over their 'till I can apply to join. Due to this my train of thought was once in oz attempting to gain a similar job using my skills that I have gained in the Police over in the uk and once settled in then applying to join the Police over in Oz. My only problem is, what Jobs are available to someone like me with my experience who at this time is unable to join the Police in oz??? Can anybody help??

Hi Everybody I have just signed up to this forum so apologies if I have made any mistakes. My partner and I have thought long and hard about a move to Australia ( Melboune in particular - as I have family their) and in the last day or so finally decided to start the Immigration process ( one the New Year is long gone!!). I was wondering if there is anybody who could offer me some advice as to what job opportinities are out there in Australia for people like me who are interested in moving to oz having served in the Police in the UK. I have 16 years Police experience to bring with me ( and at this time are still in the Police), but apart from that I am lacking in the qualifications/skills dept ( I have construction qualifications- but last time i touched a building site was 16 years ago, and I am not to keen to return to that if i can help it!). My partner is a Counsellor/occupational therapist and it is this that will hopefully get us through our skills assessment. I understand fully I can't walk into a job but would be willing to do any type of work (preferably using my skills I have gained in the Police!) Like I say I wonder if anybody is out their who could point me in the right direction?