sarab

I was wondering how this all turned out in the end?

I do love the weather in Perth (not the gale force winds today though!). is the weather in Melbourne as bad as people say it is?

Or could you apply for a working holiday visa (if you are old enough) which will enable you to find work and hopefully get sponsored by another employer or apply for your PR while your here? We came over a year ago with PR, no jobs and our stuff on a ship following us. your here now and I guess everything in the uk is pretty wrapped up. Can't you speak to immigration too to see what your options are - I can't believe they can do that to you.

We've been in Perth for about just over a year now, we have permanent independent visas and both have jobs here. However, we are thinking of moving to either Sydney or Melbourne to see what they are like. We like Perth and have made some really good friends. I'm not going to start calling Perth as it is beautiful (the beaches are amazing) and we like it, but (I especially) feel like australia is such a big place and I would like to see what the other states have to offer. Sometimes Perth can be a bit quiet for us, we come from a big uk city and I suppose for me it is the social scene that lets Perth down - like the pubs closing early even on a Saturday and not many bands seem to come over to Perth, I don't know why though as if they are in australia you'd think they'd fly another 4 hours. I've been looking at jobs and there does seem to be more opportunity for me (in marketing) especially in Sydney. My partner is an architect and there seems to be jobs for him too. We are planning to visit both Melbourne & Sydney over the next few months before we make a decision. I wouldn't move unless one of us had a job to go to, we came to Perth without jobs and it was hard to get on our feet especially for me. Has anyone on here done this type of move after arriving? Thanks!

I'd definitely give it a go, you could speculatively send your cv to companies & also apply for roles. I offered to speak to people on Skype although I didn't get the opportunity to. If you are on the skills list you might get lucky if they are struggling to fill the role. Good luck!!

Hi how long have you been looking? It is frustrating - I bloomin know I hated not working I've always worked!! Try jobs.wa.gov.au that's where I got mine from. The applications are long for some (like an essay) but it gives you a chance to show your transferable skills. Plus the jobs don't get advertised on Seek so they get less applicants. They are slow though it took 2 months for them to interview me. I think a lot of people in Perth are small minded ESP with us pommies as they don't recognise the companies we've worked for or the job titles. Just my opinion tho!

Based on my experience - Start early! It took me 3 months to get a job. There's no guarantee if you start early (I actually did) that it'd make a difference but at least your giving yourself the best chance possible. I also found the agencies rubbish, call you in for an interview & then you hear nothing even though they advertise suitable jobs. they are not on commission like the UK & will only put you forward if you 100% match the criteria - they don't think about transferable skills. They job I got I applied for 2 months before they interviewed me. However I know people who have also walked off the plane & got a job in a week!! It's just luck!! Good luck!!

Hi, planning a trip thinking of going to Alice Springs for one or two nights then going to Ayres Rock. Is it worth doing both or is it better to just go to Ayres Rock? I've always wanted to go!!

I have had a bad experience with Anglo Pacific and would not recommend them.

Hi - I took out emigration insurance for when I got here, and it has expired. I've tried to renew it and they won't let me because it's expired. I need insurance as I am moving around housesitting and taking my baggage with me, and also as I am I other people's houses need liability insurance - just in case! Does anyone know of someone who will insure me now I'm here? I've tried downunder, worldnomads, and go walkabout. Thanks

I've been in Perth for 5 weeks. We had a few weeks off when we got here to explore. My boyf got a job as soon as he looked, but he is an Architect and is on the skills list so we knew he wouldn't struggle. It's not his dream job but it's a foot in the door. I work in marketing and have a lot of experience. Finding it a little more difficult. I have been stomping the streets the last week or so meeting agencies. I have had one interview for a contact role (yesterday) and waiting to hear back, it is quite far away from where we are staying though. There seems to be a lot of junior marketing roles, and less at my level. Overall, I would say there is definitely more jobs in Perth than the UK by the number of roles advertised. So far I don't rate the agencies at all!

Hi, I found Australia Post really expensive, what's the best way to post a parcel back to the UK? Thanks Sara

Great news!! Thanks for all your help!!

Thanks! Does anyone know if my ghd's will work as they didn't work when I went to the states a few years ago?

Hi we are moving to Australia in a week and was wondering if anyone knows what travel adapters to buy for aus??

We are just in the process of trying to sell our cars in the UK and I have been looking at what they would cost to buy again in Oz. We have one Mini Cooper 2006 (no a/c) 65k and one Peugeot 307 2004 with A/C 55k but are in good condition. Having looked at the cost of similar cars and what they are worth in Oz I am very tempted to look at importing them. Do you guys in Oz think it is a good idea?

Hi I am just about to instruct Anglo Pacific to ship my furniture as their quote was the best. It was between them & Pickfords price wise (I got quotes from loads!!) I was wondering what experiences people have had with both? Thanks

Well I hope the grass is greener!! I think the UK is pretty grim, it's all doom and gloom on the news. I know so many people who have been made redundant, lost big amounts on their houses, all due to the recession. I realise the cost of living is higher in Oz, but if I can be as comfortable financailly in Oz as I am in the UK I will be happy. I don't expect Oz to be the UK in the sun, I wouldn't want it to be either.

I agree don't sell up yet due to the uk housing market & the weak pound, that is the route i'm taking as your equity should grow and be worth more in a few years. It also gives you breathing space to confirm you have made the right move and lets you remain on the property ladder in the UK just in case.

Thanks for the link had a read through, we have gone with HSBC as they can open both accounts for us. The first person I spoke to on the phone was not very good, we ended up opening a standard account but need an advanced one to see the UK & Oz one together online. Transfers are cheaper though with an advanced, about £5 each time as opposed to £17 with a standard account. I think we will transfer large amounts with a broker and then small monthly amounts for our UK commitments through HSBC. I guess we will just have to see how it goes to be honest. We didn't go with Citi as it meant dealing with the UK & Oz separately to open accounts, as they are not integrated (which seems stupid). However, it is £50 (when you have an advanced account £100 without one) HSBC to open the Oz account for us (they validate your ID etc and will sort out cards before we go). But there is a £10 month fee for an advanced account from HSBC. We may end up changing banks once we get there - who knows!!! ve seen this link on money saving expert and thought it might be of use... http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/foreign-currency-exchange As stated HSBC offers a fees free transfer with their Premier Account though not sure if their exchange rates are competitive. I was going to use a currency broker to get a favourable rate but have just seen that they offer no compensation scheme if their firm goes bust so I guess I will be sticking to either HSBC or Citi.

Hi The £12 is the cost for an advanced account, and it is the only way HSBC will allow me to view the UK and Oz bank account at the same time (they have told me Oz don't do an Advanced account and this I would have to be a Premier customer earning mega bucks to view both accounts at once for free). The other benefits (travel insurance, breakdown cover etc) won't apply to me as I am in Oz. What type of oz account did your husband get to get $10 credit? We will be transfering money every month as we still have commitments in the UK.

Because of hefty bank charges to transfer money!!

Hi I'm moving in March so far we don't have jobs. We have been speculatively sending our cv's to agencies & the response so far has been to get back in touch when we arrive. I totally understand you not wanting to spend your savings on accommodation, we are the same. Rents are very expensive in Oz. I'd say there's no harm in trying, we intend to BUT I am prepared to go without a job if need be. A lot of people on here do go without jobs & a fortunate few manage to secure jobs prior. Good luck & keep us posted!! Sara

I think the small size of Victoria will also have something to do with it in comparison to WA which is very under populated in comparison, that is probably why the list for WA is more extensive and it is therefore easier to get state sponsorship. WA is booming - at least that is what I have been told!!

If the state won't sponsor you to go there why would you want to go? I know I wouldn't - I would go somewhere that wanted and supported me!!