Davo1

Not anything to contribute really as not yet in Oz but once we get there my daughter is looking to go to Uni and we will be PRs - so just wanted to thank everyone for the useful information.

Fantastic pics! I loved my short time on Southbank and in Brisbane. Cannot wait to see it next year!

Welcome to PIO! Good luck with your move!

Hi Wellers and Whitehead, Your email has been very interesting. There is a Social Work group on PIO who I am sure would be interested to see this post also. I am a qualified Social Worker with 4 years experience (2 years CJSW and 2 years CP) and have applied for a 175 visa and am waiting for this to be granted. Plan is to move out to Oz Oct-Dec 2013 and still deciding where to go but will likely be either Darwin, Qld or Adelaide. As I am ultra cautious, I am not moving until I have secured a post and have been in touch with many agencies and at the moment they are throwing jobs at me and offering relocation packages etc - however this may be because of the areas I am willing to go to. I am sorry to hear you had a tough time finding a job and its shocking you could not get a job without a driving licence (however I must say it seems to be getting like that in UK also). Discrimination right enough though. I cannot say I am surprised to hear what you have said about SW in Oz, I have loads of friends over there (from Darwin to Brisbane to Melbourne) who have all confirmed SW in Oz is years behind UK and practice is questionable! However, their advice to me has been do what I can when I get there to influence change to the limited amount a person can BUT that if I want to do SW in Oz, they told me I needed to prepare myself for the fact that nothing is the same and to make the best out of a bad situation. A girl who joined their office from England spoke constantly about how rubbish SW in Oz was compared to UK and she was ignored eventually in the office because people perceived her to be negative! Ethics etc Doesn't sit well with me but think if its really that bad when I get to Oz I will do a career change and look for something else - life is too short to be sad at work. I am disillusioned with SW in UK as it is, so will keep an open mind for Oz and see how it goes. Hopefully things at work improve for you. My friends although critical of some policies etc still seem to be enjoying their jobs, so maybe its a case of looking around? Good Luck with it! Apart from that, how have you found life in Oz? Hi Mazanddave, Re your questions, DIAC is really useful and hopefully the website will answer all your questions. However from my limited knowledge (!!!) here goes: Before you submit your EOI you will need to have your skills assessed by AASW. I found them to be really helpful and although it would seem most places in Oz you do not need to be registered to practice SW (and apparently registration in Oz is very expensive!) you do need to satisfy their eligibility for registration and get a certificate to say that (which allows you to get SW paying jobs in Oz). They can assess both your qualifications and work experience which can help if you need extra points for your visa. I am registered under SSSC (as I am in Scotland) and AASW was able to access info from them for me easily, so hopefully it is as straightforward for England etc too. If you do not want to be tied to a particular area of Oz I would recommend applying for an independent visa but if you are set on Perth then state sponsored may be quicker. I applied for a 175 visa (before 1st July) which is an independent visa and means I can live/work anywhere. The independent visa gives you the opportunity that once your visa is granted you have 12 months to go to Oz to validate it and then you could return to UK and you then have 5 years to make the move ( I am guessing this is the same for the new independent visa from 1st July but not 100% sorry). Under PR I do not think you pay for education (you definitely don't in Qld) but I would check with state website for where you are moving to. Also, if your case is straightforward (eg for work, age etc) and you can cope with paperwork, I would do the application yourself. I did and found it to be straightforward and it saved £2k which went into the Oz fund! Basically, agents prepare your paperwork and liaise with DIAC, all of which you could do yourself, especially if your case is straightforward - its a personal choice as far as I can see from PIO. My friends in Brisbane and Melbourne have said there are plenty of adult jobs however the bulk is in CP, but I am sure you will be fine. Speak to agencies like REED etc and I am sure they can point you in the right direction. Good Luck and Best Wishes to you both.

Absolutely crazy how quick Co's are being allocated - especially when first advice was 175 visas would take 12-18 months. we are very lucky! Good luck to everyone! Cannot wait to get a CO, get the visa granted and decide finally which part of Oz I am going to!

Hi, welcome to PIO! If you have a straightforward case and can handle the paperwork I would suggest dping the visa application yourself. I cannot help with the new skill select I am afraid as I applied for a 175 visa before 1st July - however I believe when you lodge an EOI it is a straightforward process. I am sure teachers are on the in demand list so you could apply for an independent visa and very likely a state sponsored etc. If I were you I would go on DIAC's webpage and look over the visa options and see what suits you best. Although it can be stressful, I did my families visa application and it saved us approx £2k which is in savings for Oz! Add up your points for your age, if your partner qualifies for points, qualifications, work experience etc - as you may need to sit IELTS for extra points, although I believe you only need 60 now. DIAC website is straightforward enough and there is loads of info on PIO also. Good Luck!

Good Luck!

HI, I am really sorry to hear that awful news. I am a Social Worker and family input into assessments is essential and friends I have in Oz (who are Social Workers) have said the same applies in Oz. I would email the Social Worker and any other professional (health etc) involved in his care and make it clear your opinions on the situation, the facts and what you think should happen/needs to happen. Given that you are going out in September it is a reasonably short period of time. As he has lived in Oz for so long, he should be entitled to housing etc from state - even temporary accommodation until you get there and he can live with you. Very sorry and good luck, I hope it all works out, My thoughts are with you and your grandad.

Welcome to PIO. I have been researching schools (although my child is 15) and as far as I can tell, although the systems are completely different children seem to manage the transition well (particularly the younger kids). However, if you know the area you are going to I would suggest contacting the state or even the School direct. I have been in touch with the education dept in Qld and they have been very helpful to me, answering all the questions I had. Good Luck!

Good luck - away to do my one and my hubbys too!

Good Luck on your new adventure and next chapter of your lives!

Good Luck!

Welcome to PIO! I was at Caloundra in the Sunshine coast in April. It was was beautiful but too 'holiday like' for me ie most people seemed to have holiday homes there rather than stay there full-time, not ideal when you want to make friends etc. But it was lovely, as was Mooloolabah. However takes approx 1hour to 1 1/2 hours to get into Brisbane - long commute if thats where you will be working. Good Luck!

Never heard of that. A JP signed mines for free and most solicitors (who must be notary publics) quoted me approx £30-40.

Hi, Welcome to PIO. Afraid I am the same, no idea about that type of visa. I would consult a migration agent for advice but if your case is straightforward I would recommend doing it yourself if you are up for it. I did my 175 myself and although stressful, saved loads of time and money. Good Luck!

How exciting - congrats to those who have got their COs allocated! I submitted on 20th June so just a waiting game. Unreal how fast this is - so thought it would be 12 months minimum. Think we are all very lucky!

I seriously love it!

Welcome to PIO!

Good Luck with the move from a Scottish Gal! Me and my family are still in Sunny Scotland (lol) until next year but just wanted to say best wishes!

Hi! Good luck with your move. For healthcare jobs check out Reed, Seek.au and also sugarman agency often has healthcare posts. enjoy your big family&friend party!

Welcome to PIO and good luck!

Congrats on getting your visa so quickly and best wishes with your move. I do not have a CO yet but when I do I would most certainly say Thank You. I totally agree, it is the height of bad manners not to! When getting my qualifications and work experience assessed by AASW the woman was VERY helpful and bent over backwards to help me. So much so, that I sent her a thank you card. We (as in people) are very quick to moan/complain about what has not happened or what has went wrong and often do not acknowledge the hard work that people do actually do. Yes, she gets paid to do it BUT she went the extra mile in my opinion and I wanted her to know that she made another person's life easier and a small gesture of sending a card to say that was the least I could do for the support she offered me.

Very good bob1 - think I may plagirise that also if you do not mind! To my daughter - 'I know you will be nearly 17 when we move to Oz and it will be difficult for you but you are in no way able to live alone, so come along and try it AND bob1 confirmed I am the boss so you have no choice, you are coming! lol! Thanks! Tinaandco - I am sorry to hear about your daughter. I have a 15 year old (nearly 16!) and know what like their emotions can be. Try and encourage her to join groups etc too and get her out with her new friends as much as possible and it will ease. Its only been 8 weeks, it will take her some time to adjust. School should help too. Good Luck!

Hi, I have no idea about brisbane but stayed in Caloundra in sunshine coast (not sure if you want to go that far out?) which was really nice but abit holiday like for me - I prefer more residential. I have also heard Mooloolabah is great also. Good Luck!

Hi, As above re language (IELTS) you would need to sit this to gain extra points if you are short. Most folk have to. Straight forward enough but I would advise you undertake 'practice tests' (you can get materials online) to get you familar with the style of questions etc. RE Visa, again if your case is not straightforward, maybe using an agent would better. Most of them give you a free assessment regardless. HOWEVER if you are confident enough to do it yourself, I would say you could do it yourself. We have and it take time and patience but it saved us loads and if you are stuck on the application most people on PIO can help, as well as the DIAC etc. Good Luck!