Elliott35

Hi All. Just a quick note, I will explain in greater detail what I went through since May to get to today. Short Story:- Offered Position as a Mechanical Engineering Technician - Gladstone QLD. 457 Visa application Lodged - Tuesday 11th Dec @9am 457 Visa Granted - Friday 14th Dec@ 4pm. 4 Days..... OMG...... I'm now awaiting flight confirmation from company.... Could be flying out at end of week. Relocation assistance is - Flight from UK, 1 Months Car Hire, and 6 months accommodation. My wife, Stepdaughter and Dog will join me in the New Year. What a Great Christmas present..... Good luck to everyone else waiting...

Hi Steph, It is tough, but there is loads of work out there. I have one offer in Brisbane, and another offer in Mackay QLD. Both companies are advertising the post locally as they have to prove that there is nobody suitable in Oz to fill the vacancy before they offer it to a migrant. If nobody comes forward more qualified they can then offer me the position and sponsor me. (Fingers crossed I'm the most suitable). If your husband is a Plasterer, he will get work with a large building contractor, All their 'Tradies' are going into the mines as well, and this is leaving a shortage of skilled people to work in the local Towns and Cities. I met lots of contractors who are desperate to hire people in the building trade. You won't earn the money that the mines pay, but you will still earn a good living. Sorry i didn't get any contacts within the building trades or i would pass them on to you. :-( I travelled around in Hire cars, internal flights and google'd cheap motels to stay in. It has cost me quite a bit, but I'm very confident with the job in Brisbane, they are in constant contact with me by email and the vacancy has 1 more week to run. They worded the advert to match my experience, so as to prove that I'm the best candidate, How good is that? Keep following your dream it is possible, but it will drain you... now i've been there, i will keep at it, and if it should go wrong I will go back again, and do it all again. Everyone you meet is so friendly and helpful, it will happen. Ell. and Thanks Candygirl.. can't wait. Ell.

Hi I have just returned from QLD this last Saturday (7th July). I spent 6 weeks travelling from Perth WA across to Brisbane QLD, then up to Rockhampton, Mackay, Ayr, Townsville, and Cairns. I have 20+ years as a Mechanical Engineer (Materials Handling) within the UK Coal Mines. I can not get anywhere near to a mining job in Oz. Its who you know. I would not waste money on any training courses just yet. When I arrived in Perth I bought a new cell phone and got myself an Aussie number. I had an address for a motel in Townsville QLD. I changed my CV and added these new contact details. I then used Google.com.au and found every manufacturing company and services companies that supply mines and emailed or called in and left my CV. They were impressed that I had taken the time to visit Oz and this allowed me to attend interviews as they happened. Most of my contacts were by email, nobody tried to send anything by post to the Townsville address I was using. I had 2 conference calls with offices all over Oz. I'm now back home in the UK, I have 2 job offers and the companies offering are now sorting out the 457 visa for me. Hopefully I'll be back out there soon, and wife and daughter will then join me in November. Hope this helps.