benj1980

Another landmark for us as we had our citizenship ceremony on Thursday. When I got home there was a bit of time for some reflection. Reflecting on the journey that had begun 6 years earlier. Deciding to bite the bullet, spend out on a skills assessment and take the plunge. We were able to talk about our past lives and the uploading of what seemed a million documents (another reminder came when I uploaded citizenship documents I might add!) Our office space was a poorly made extension backing onto the garage and had a reliable cold draft! It also reminded me of telling our parents about the potential move and having to answer those awkward questions. Waiting anxiously for emails from Australia at each stage of the process, then checking first thing in the morning, daily when we had applied for our visa even though deep down we knew we had weeks to wait judging by the timeline on PIO! The elation of finally getting our visas and then recognising the daunting task ahead. Selling as much as we could, packing what we needed, trying to save some money and make sure we said our good byes. Flying to the other side of the world questioning your decision, without jobs and knowing staying with friends was only a temporary fix. Hoping an online conversation would pull through into some sort of income and knowing with the summer holidays coming up, teaching jobs could be in short supply. 

Arguably making the initial move is the hardest part of the process to citizenship but there are plenty more bumps on the way. Having found work successfully early really helped. The next challenge was settling in and finding a rental. House sorted, schools sorted, work sorted you are cooking on gas. We were fortunate to have a close friend nearby throughout this process with children similar age. Having said that you need to step out of the shadow and make new friends and create your own life. My wife suggests it took her 4 years to feel that this is her home, which surprised me. Having our own home, work and new friends after 2 years I thought we had nailed it. We recently had a tragedy in the local area and it affected my neighbours, friends and our local community. It is then I realised this is a community in which we truly belong. 

My family in the UK have said now that you are citizens you can come back now! It's still hard for them to understand that we now feel like Australia is home and our citizenship has validated this. The journey has been long and stressful at times, and don't forget expensive but would I change it? Not a chance!

I wonder if ScoMo will be a bit more grateful to WA for keeping the economy going!

On 09/12/2019 at 07:23, benj1980 said:

I would like an earlier test date if things come up, purely because I'm impatient. On Home Affairs it simply says 'unavailable' even post my date. How often does this change and what is the likelihood of getting an earlier cancellation?

 

 I see @Feb2017Cook is trying to do the same!

Well I ended up just keeping my test date, Covid hit and although we were waiting for a ceremony we knew the virtual ceremony may be the only option. Then about a month ago we got invited to a ceremony and had this on Thursday. Delighted to get this done, another segment in our life journey achieved I guess! The ceremony was good and there were a few Covid rules put into place but this really didn't dampen people's spirit!

Good luck to all, getting this over the line!

I live in Mandurah and have no complaints. I actually live near Dawesville as well. I'd recommend it as an affordable area on your budget and a nice place to live. There is talk of a supermarket being built, land has been flattened and cleared, but Woolworths in Falcon is a few minutes away. We have many friends in Dawesville and they all love it there, it's quiet and still not far from centre of town. I'd suggest it takes about an hour to get into Perth by car in quiet traffic.

On 26/01/2020 at 21:40, Neil T said:

Thanks for help. I found out last week I should of applied for skills assessment with AITSL first. Fingers crosses they accept my qualifications etc. Thanks again   

Are you applying for a regional visa?

I would like an earlier test date if things come up, purely because I'm impatient. On Home Affairs it simply says 'unavailable' even post my date. How often does this change and what is the likelihood of getting an earlier cancellation?

 I see @Feb2017Cook is trying to do the same!

On 04/12/2019 at 10:52, Feb2017Cook said:

Got my appointment letter today. Below is the timeline:

Applied : 01 November 2019

More docs req : 12 November 2019

Appointment letter received : 04 Dec 2019

Test Date : 03 Feb 2020 (will try to reschedule later)

Place : City of Perth, WA.

 

Hope this helps.

I've got my test date on the 6th February after applying early November. I received an email in which they asked for more evidence but to bring it to my interview... I found this confusing so left it a couple of days and I then received my interview/test date. Does this seem normal?

On 27/11/2019 at 11:36, jack13 said:

I'm sure she'll appreciate your fine advise.

I'm not sure of the reason for your internet rage, but I agree with everyone else. As sad as it is for the individual and family he knew the process. You aren't guaranteed a visa until it is granted, he should have been advised to go back to the UK and qualify in something that would have made him eligible. The system is very black and white. You can't let people off just because they have been on student visas and bridging visas for ages otherwise everyone would do it. I guess most of us have gone through traditional routes to get visas as well so we maybe wouldn't understand why there is a need to try and 'beat the system.' I retrained like many do, so it can be done.

19 hours ago, renebascossarabi said:

Obviously I make a distinction between those of British descent born in Australia and those who are merely British.

 

Mind you in the revolutions then gripping Latin America and the Philippines, many of those leading the revolution against Spain were local born Spaniards who were disgusted with the predatory behavior of elitist capital-born Spanish...

 

Here are examples:

 

In the 19th century, Philippine ports opened to world trade and shifts started occurring within Filipino society. Many Spaniards born in the Philippines (criollos)[203] and those of mixed ancestry (mestizos) became wealthy and an influx of Hispanic American immigrants opened up government positions traditionally held by Spaniards born in the Iberian Peninsula (peninsulares). However, ideas of rebellion and independence began to spread through the islands. Many Latin-Americans[204] and Criollos were mostly officers in the army of Spanish Philippines. However, the onset of the Latin American wars of independence led to serious doubts of their loyalty, this was compounded by the fact that in the Mexican War of Independence, a Mexican of Filipino descent, Isidoro Montes de Oca, became a formidable captain-general to the revolutionary leader Vicente Guerrero.[205][206][207] So, to prevent the union of forces by both Latinos and Filipinos in rebellion against the empire, the Latino and Criollo officers stationed in the Philippines were soon replaced by Peninsular officers born in Spain. These Peninsular officers were often less committed to the people they were assigned to protect and were often predatory, wanting to enrich themselves before returning to Spain, putting the interests of the metropolis over the interest of the natives. The Criollo and Latino dissatisfaction against them spurred by their love of the land and their suffering people had a justified hatred against the exploitative Peninsulares who were only appointed due to their race and unflinching loyalty to the homeland. This resulted in the uprising of Andres Novales a Philippine born soldier who earned great fame in richer Spain but chose to return to serve in poorer Philippines. He was supported by local soldiers as well as former officers in the Spanish army of the Philippines who were from the now independent nations of Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Costa Rica.[208] The uprising was brutally suppressed but it foreshadowed the 1872 Cavite Mutiny that was a precursor to the Philippine Revolution.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines

 

About him...

 

Andres Novales

 

Andrés Novales (c. 1800 – 2 June 1823) was a Creole captain in the Spanish Army in the Philippines

 

Novales' discontent with the way Spanish authorities treated creoles later grew, reaching its climax when peninsulars were shipped to the Philippines to replace creole officers. He found sympathy of many Creoles, including Luis Rodríguez Varela, the Conde Filipino as well as the demoted Latin American officers in the Spanish army. “Officers in the army of the Philippines were almost totally composed of Americans,” observed the Spanish historian José Montero y Vidal. “They received in great disgust the arrival of peninsular officers as reinforcements, partly because they supposed they would be shoved aside in the promotions and partly because of racial antagonisms.” As punishment for this dissent, many military officers and public officials were exiled, including Novales, who was exiled to Mindanao to fight pirates. Undeterred, he secretly returned to Manila.[1]

On the night of June 1, 1823, Novales along with a certain sub-lieutenant Ruiz and other subordinates in the King's Regiment, as well as discontented former Latino officers “americanos”, composed mostly of Mexicans with a sprinkling of creoles and mestizos from the now independent nations of Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Costa Rica,[3] went out to start a revolt.[2][4] Along with 800 Filipinos in which his sergeants recruited, they seized the Governor-General's Palace, the Manila Cathedral, the city's cabildo (city hall) and other important government buildings in Intramuros.

 

Here is another Philippine Born Spanish descended Patriot...

 

José Apolonio Burgos y García was a Filipino Catholic priest, accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century. He was placed in a mock trial and summarily executed in Manila along with two other clergymen, Mariano Gómez and Jacinto Zamora, who are collectively known as the Gomburza.

 

Jose Burgos, baptized Jose Apolonio Burgos y García, was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on February 9, 1837 to a Spanish officer, Don José Tiburcio Burgos, and a Filipino mestiza mother named Florencia García. He obtained three undergraduate degrees with honors, two master's degrees and two doctorate degrees from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and from the University of Santo Tomas. He conducted his first mass in the Intramuros.

 

 

The Philippines and Latin America is chalk full of Europeans and European descended people who sided with the natives and local born in revolts against the Imperial Capital which only sought to suck resources from the colonies.

 

I was assuming that most "British" descended Aussies would be like us.

 

But maybe I was mistaken...

 

I assumed that was the case since the English shipped Irish political prisoners here and the Irish were rebellious against Britain due the English made Irish famine and the "Troubles", and they also sent Scots abd Welsh who are also struggling under English domination. The Scots for example, allied with France against England.

 

Mostly good men but political prisoners from Ireland, Scotland and Wales and common criminals from England.

 

I do not mean any harm to the British in general just the bad ones who polluted our Southern Cross, Australia: and made her a den of thieves.

 

You're a walking encyclopedia!

On 03/12/2019 at 17:01, Geography87 said:

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, that seems to be the issue and by the time I have enough experience, I will have lost 5 points for age. I haven't heard anything about the 482 so will certainly look into it!

Do I currently stand a chance in VIC or, NT or TAS? The SA list came out today and I can see that it's not an option for me unfortunately. 

 

I know a teacher in a similar situation who went out bush for two years as he was able to get a regional type of visa which moved onto PR. He loved it and stayed another year, this was 4 years ago and maybe it's all changed. He would tell you his whole life perspective has changed from working remote and speaks the local languages to a fair degree.

In WA there seems to be thousands of unemployed Phys Ed teachers who get work in Health and Biology subjects (shortage of science teachers) whilst teaching a couple of Phys Ed lessons per week. It allows them to still wear Phys Ed shorts and a polo shirt even when they are teaching more Science than Phys Ed! I'm presuming you are Geography, there's a fair amount of HASS Teachers as well unfortunately.

On 27/11/2019 at 15:57, PickledRic said:

Hi Benj1980, 

 

WA would be my first choice but unfortunately secondary school teacher isn’t on the WASMOL at the moment; it’s on the graduates list but we don’t have any Australian qualifications. As the 189 visa is basically inaccessible to us now we have to look at state sponsorship and we’re limited in terms of which ones will actually sponsor, most have restrictions attached to this profession at the moment which we don’t meet.

 

i read somewhere that WA is looking at a new skills list come December so hopefully that changes and we can apply there.

i get what you’re saying about everyone wanting NSW and QLD and the job prospects not being so great due to the demand; we’ve kind of accepted that it may be difficult to find teaching work and are just hoping for the best; the other states don’t appeal to us the same really, aside from WA, so fingers crossed they adjust the skills list and open it up!

 

how do you find Western Australia as a place to live? It looks absolutely beautiful! 

Well we love it here. We haven't visited other parts of Australia so couldn't compare, that said we haven't felt the need to. Not to say we don't want to at some point. Bali is losing it's appeal to me already after two visits but the East coast is so expensive as a comparison. WA is known for being isolated, but of course it's closer to the UK and the majority of Asia. Lots to see and do in WA which we haven't exhausted yet, both north and south are beautiful and although a lengthy drive is part of the trip it doesn't seem as much of a punishment compared to shorter trips in the UK. I guess you're more likely to be stuck in traffic!

Sounds like you've got a realistic strategy and that is always important. I think people think that getting what they want will be easy because they have a visa, a bit of self entitlement as they have worked hard to finally have the right to migrate. It's worth it when you get here and you can make your own luck. Get out meet people, join clubs and network. Opportunities can arise from this for work etc. Anyway I'm sure you know all this...

Interesting that you choose NSW and Queensland, they seem to be the toughest states to move for teaching work. Obviously if you are flexible with where you live that helps. I'm in WA and didn't really have any dramas getting work but know of people who have been doing relief for years in Queensland and couldn't afford to live off a teaching wage in NSW (I'm sure this is much to their desired location!) Other states actively look for teachers as well. Good luck with it all, the process is worth it in the end. You'll find the work less stressful, time kind and better pay!

Grew up in Kernow. If it had better weather ie a similar climate to Australia or even something in between I'm not I would have ever moved, besides the lack of well paid jobs... Going back next month, will be good to see family not sure if the children will appreciate the temperature drop!

Property appears to be on the rise but I'm not sure how that compares with the rest of the country. I only look at houses in my old area every so often.

I still have friends who are trying to move over as teachers. They can't see staying in the UK system long term is a realisitic, viable option. I know where I'd rather be! Don't know Queensland at all but if you know the area that's an advantage that you have over new migrants. Hopefully one last big move and it is all over!

Hi guys, I am going back to the UK just before New Year for 18 days and are looking to book our two dogs into kennels. A few people have mentioned dogsitting services. I was just wondering what are peoples experiences with this or can people recommend something else that may be worth me checking. I'm in WA if that makes a difference.

On 07/11/2019 at 19:57, Feb2017Cook said:

Hi,

I submitted my application last week (1/11) from WA. Lets keep in the loop of the application movement. 

 

 

Sounds like a plan!

Just adding my name to the timeline. I have just submitted my application  - Western Australia.

33 minutes ago, ali said:

It's funny that out of all our family, my son who remembers very little of living in the UK is the one who retains his Englishness (although I suspect that it's a talking point when meeting girls and backpackers who talk football lol).  My hubby took him back last year.  We'd asked him what he wanted for his 18th birthday and he'd said his dream was to have a pint on North End with his dad.  The holiday was a more of a football tour and when he came back he said he'd had the best time "but I couldn't live there".  After enjoying the space of WA he found it a little closed in and too cold (although it was January).  

Yes I think the key is to take them in January, they'll never want to move back then!

Looks like I have done an update every year I've been here! I think it's the least I could do when this forum and the members saved me from going mad whilst waiting for our visas. The kindness of MillieM to send over an IELTS book, the updates and tracker, advice on every silly part of a move and general encouragement. Long may it continue!

Four years today! My Mum still says it's the day we abandoned her (but it is in jest, as she has a new favourite holiday location!)

We still love it here and have no plans to move back, I just don't know why we would. Interestingly I'm taking the family back just after Christmas to sample a UK winter. I think if anything my children are starting to take for granted what they have here. We built our house close to the sea a couple of years ago, they love the outside lifestyle and most definitely have a better life than the ones they left behind. I struggle with their Aussie accents as they are getting so thick and other parents are surprised to here my wife and I's accent when we are introduced! My boys talk about cray fishing, AFL and buying a big boat, I was happy with my kayaks... I'm hoping seeing their cousins and a few old friends will give them a better perspective of what they have here in Oz.

So as a recap, we moved to WA, got jobs, got promotions, built a house, rescued a couple of ACD crosses, fallen in love with Freo Dockers (well sort of, my youngest definitely has!) and built up a network of friends. We are definitely better off and although some things are expensive, wages far exceed what we earned in the UK. We really can't complain about the life that Australia has now presented us. However, it isn't always easy. I felt the need to fly back to Ireland and the UK to visit my gravely ill Grandfather knowing it was a trip to say goodbye. Despite being upgraded to Business Class it was little consolation for seeing your Grandfather a shadow of the man he used to be. This hit me harder than I realised it would and it took me a while to adjust when I came back to Oz. So when people say it's only 20 hours away I don't completely agree. There's a lot more to it than simply travel time, there's the guilt of living far away, getting information second hand and not being there to support other members of your family during a stressful time.

I think the most negative thing is now looking at the citizenship form, lots of repetition, a sweet reminder of the visa application! Hopefully one day our children appreciate the opportunity and reflect on the lifestyle that we have provided for them, perhaps with blue passports!...

On 26/10/2019 at 05:27, millski88 said:

In the citizenship application itself there is a 'Countries Resided/Visited' section which resembles the section in the Form 80. I haven't personally heard of anyone having to submit the full form 80 for citizenship.

Mentioned elsewhere, the form 1300t gives you an overview of the citizenship application before you can access the online version:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1300t.pdf

See page 24 - Part G.

 

 

Has anyone managed to complete this section accurately. I'm really struggling. I used to go over to Ireland a couple of times a year to see family, I've been on several EU based holidays and have no stamps. Any ideas? I went to Iceland around 2000/2001 but I have no idea of actual dates!

On 30/10/2019 at 18:20, Sammy1 said:

All WA government schools require the Professional Standards to be addressed in the application (it's part of the criteria), if they are not, then they cannot be considered or shortlisted.
I have attached the link for those that need help or do not understand.
https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/standards

Do you have applicants quote strands within standards that they are addressing? I can't say we do. I'm not sure if this is what you are saying or not but that is what I was talking about. Yes you have three standards that you base your covering letter on and for any potential applicant I'd focus your thoughts on:

• Professional knowledge;
• Professional practice; and
• Professional engagement.

I interview as well, I can't say I specifically look for references to AITSL. Simply fulfil the selection criteria with your covering letter. Give great examples and ensure it reads well. The amount of covering letters with extra paragraph spacing, poor spelling and punctuation is beyond me.

As @Sammy1 says try to speak to the Principal or Deputy instead of simply dropping it in to the admin office. Again depending on where you wish to be situated will have a bearing on competition for jobs. What subject do you teach @dmuk?

I'm in WA and the reality is doing relief and getting your name out there by passing on resumes is the way to go. It's then up to you to make the right impression. I don't know where in WA you are based but if you go outside of Perth you are more likely to get fixed term or permanent work. There are some incentives to work outside of this area such small amount of extra pay, traditionally quicker permanency...

On 06/10/2019 at 03:29, Quoll said:

IIRC - and this may well be out of date now so  you might contact Qld dept of  Ed for first hand advice - Qld used to require their own assessments because assessments from other states could be quite haphazard. They had designated multidisciplinary panels headed up by paediatricians. 

In general, disability funding is not dependent upon diagnosis but on level of impairment that significantly disturbs the child's participation in education and unless high functioning kids have significant behavioral or other disabling issues they're unlikely to get much, if any, additional support. It's generally said that Australia doesn't do autism as well as UK and often its just up to the school what support they provide. Some folk have found that non gov schools might provide better pastoral care/smaller classes  which children with autism find easier to handle. 

The only feedback From ex colleagues I've had is that the NDIS is a dogs breakfast - very limited.

Either way, just be sure that you take all assessments - Psych assessments generally have a 2 year validity, skills and adaptive behaviours 1 year validity. If the kids have to be assessed again it wouldn't be covered by Medicare but if they're assessed by the school system then it would be free - but could take a long time to get to the top of the list.

There are some contacts linked on here https://education.qld.gov.au/students/students-with-disability/education-adjustment-program

I don't know how long you are out of the system Quoll, but I've never heard of this? States work closer together now and some of the red tape has been removed. NDIS being a national body has helped with this. It's not perfect by any means but it has helped in this instance. We used to get students coming from interstate having to get a re-diagnosis to get resourcing in school, now funding is transferred over automatically. Maybe some states had to raise their game?