michaelc17

Cheers for the replies people think we’ll squeeze in as much as we can even if we think it’s not a priority. Any home comforts you wish you took? Things you can’t get there 

Hi guys, making the move in April and will be packing our stuff up soon. What’s some things you wish you took but didn’t? I’m a carpenter/joiner so will be taking as much tools as possible then just some household stuff. I know once we get there, there will be a “ I wish we brought” scenario or 2 lol

Will keep this in mind for when we get over

Sat the ielts twice now and feel it’s set up to fail. The writing task should have more time in my opinion. Also the time in between sitting the reading writing and listening and then having to come back 4 hours later for the speaking is ridiculous. My mind wasn’t switched on fully in the afternoon sitting the speaking test. 
that being said hopefully I’ve done enough this time, if not I’ll be sitting the pte next. 

Hi mate, still in the Uk at the moment. Just trying to scope things out in Adelaide from people on the ground... had a look at seek but it doesn’t always paint a true picture. 

Hi guys, just looking for a heads up from people in the know regarding the construction work in Adelaide.

I am a qualified carpenter and now looking at the prospects here. Is there plenty going on? 

Cheers

On 08/05/2019 at 06:45, Paul1Perth said:

Isn't there some fantastic spots too

 

Brilliant mate stopped of at Forster, coffee harbour and a few other spots along the way.

Camped in a national park right on the beach. There was a storm and seeing it roll in from the sea was some sight. Loved the storms!

1 hour ago, Iron Chef said:

Leave it in the UK

Thought as much! Cheers

Probably already know the answer to this one but here goes anyway...

is it worth sending over a Holden combo van? 2010 reg 120k miles

22 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

I don't think people are picking holes.  They're just pointing out that Sydney is bloody expensive and it's also a very materialistic city, where everyone is focussed on buying a bigger car and a fancier house. 

Paul is right to say that if you can find the right town, you can have a laidback lifestyle - and if you work for yourself, whether it's as a carpenter or a software engineer, you can pick your own hours and make the most of that lifestyle.  But that's not likely to happen in Sydney because you'll be working all hours to pay the rent (or the mortgage). 

I'd say you're lucky being a carpenter, because if you were an IT nerd, you'd stand no chance of finding work in a seaside haven like Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie - but you could. It might be a bit harder to get started but the lifestyle would be as laidback as you could possibly wish for!

The coast of NSW is over 1,300 kilometres from top to bottom...

Thanks, it’s all about striking a balance really. 

Would just rather stay away from the hustle and bustle as much as possible when not working. 

A lot of studying to be done and decisions to be made. 

6 minutes ago, DukeNinja said:

Move to Tweed Heads. 

That puts it into perspective how big NSW really is! Madness. I’ve done a road trip up the coast from Sydney to Byron stopping off at different spots along the way. 

But seeing it on a map how far up it goes definitely opens the eyes 

1 hour ago, Paul1Perth said:

There's plenty of places with a laid back lifestyle. The guys a carpenter and if he goes self employed he can choose his hours of work and when he can take holidays. It's the time you're not at work that you can make the most of in Australia.

If you live near the coast it can be brilliant.

Sydney is great if you can afford to live there. Manly is fantastic as are many of the beachside suburbs. 

Thanks mate.

A bit of sound advice is what I was after rather than picking holes in everything. Cheers 

9 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

Sydney is a "big smoke city".   If you've got plenty of money, then you can certainly have a laidback lifestyle with a nice house by the beach, in commutable distance to work - but it does take money.  The average Sydneysider lives at least an hour from the beach and faces a long daily commute on clogged roads.

There is no way around the state nomination but as a carpenter, I think you're being too pessimistic about finding work outside Sydney.  That's like saying, "I'm moving to the South of England so I'll have to work in London".    Newcastle is the second largest city and you should stand a good chance of work there - plus it's far more affordable, it's not a rat race and it's got even better beaches than Sydney (plus it's on the doorstep of the wineries).   

Thanks, I did have Newcastle in mind so maybe need to look into it further. 

I know there will be work for carpenters most places. But then the dollar won’t be as good as I’m the city. 

Suppose I just want my cake... and eat it  

Firstly I do realise NSW Isn’t just Sydney but was assuming this is where I’ll find work.

Secondly, I’ve perhaps used the wrong wording with “laidback lifestyle” I’m a hard worker and always will be. What I was probably trying to get at is the big smoke city Lifestyle that doesn’t appeal. 

Thanks anyway 

Hi guys, 

so I’m a qualified carpenter from the uk, making progress with the EOI now. It’s looking like I’ll only have enough points for the 190 visa which limits me to NSW or SA.

Trouble is I had my heart set on Brisbane and have always said I don’t fancy living in Sydney as it’s too expensive and too much of a rat race type lifestyle? 

Is Sydney really that bad? Is there any suburbs where you can have the best of both worlds with the laidback lifestyle but still accessible to work? 

Is there any way around the state nomination? What would stop me from going state nomination but going uk to Brisbane instead? 

Sorry for all the questions, all help is appreciated greatly.

cheers

7 minutes ago, DukeNinja said:

Is it 55 points without the language test? If so, then the ball is in your court to maximise your language test points. Ideally 20 points should catapult you to the frontish of the EOI invites queue.

yes mate 55 points without the test! better start studying haha

5 minutes ago, louise7981 said:

It depends on how straightforward your application is. I done mine without an agent but mine was easy - only had to prove 3 years employment with the same employer, English test, skills assessment.
You can start the ball rolling with the skills assessment - find out who would do your assessment (for me I used the AASW for social work - there's different ones - google it to see if you can find out). Have a look to see what you need to provide to have your skills assessed and see if you can get the info together.
You can sit the IELTS test before applying but beware that it's then only valid for 2 years so check processing times. I would advise that you do some preparation for this to familiarise yourself with the tests before you sit it.
As the previous poster indicates - 60 points is enough for an application but may mean it will take longer for them to process - worth checking this out to see if you need to aim for a higher score in the English test.
You don't mention if you are applying for just you or a partner and/or children - you will also need to provide evidence of your relationship for each additional person on your application.
Hope this helps a little - it's been a while since I done my application. At the time I applied with 65 points and was processed and completed within 5 months. Not sure of current processing times. Good luck!

Thanks a lot! Hopefully mines is as straightforward as yours but with me being self employed and also having lived in New Zealand for 2 years, i`ll have a lot more evidence to gather.  

My partner will be on my visa but with her not having a qualification in her line of work, i don`t think she will bring points to the table? 

Thanks again!  

6 minutes ago, VERYSTORMY said:

After three visas and then citizenship and a LONG time advising on the forum, I highly recommend using an agent. Just make sure they are MARA registered. 

The legnth of time quoted may be right. At the moment no one regardless of occupation is being invited with 65 points and the won't change until July. 

Thanks! I`ll grudgingly use an agent in that case! 

Is the 65 points still the case for a state nominated visa? If i can`t get the independent visa would this be an easier option? 

2 minutes ago, Jsmull87 said:

It is doable yourself if you have the time and are organised but 55 points is not enough. The minimum requirement is 60 points and skill select doesn't appear to be calling anyone with less than 70 forward at the moment.

Before spending any money, I would speak to some agents as most offer an initial consultation free and won't take your money if your chances are slim.

You could also talk to the Down Under Centre as they are involved with carpenter skills assessments in the UK.  

Thanks for the quick reply, 

I have done an initial assessment with an agent and they came back with 55 points, they said i am eligible but would probably need to sit an English test at some point during the application. I would like to go through an agent to make it easier but at the same time would like to save myself £2500! They also said it could take up to 14 months, is that about right? I was hoping it would be quicker than that. 

Thanks 

Hi Guys, 

I have started looking at getting a skilled workers visa, ( Independent preferably) 

I am a qualified carpenter with an estimated 55 points. 

I understand i have to take an English test to boost the points over the threshold. Basically looking for advice on the best approach from people with similar experience. Is it best to do the application myself or through and agent? whats the stages of applying? I`m assuming sitting the English test is the first port of call? 

Any advice greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

hi people, I`m a joiner from the uk looking to come over to oz asap ( probably early next year) and would like to get into the mines. Is there a lot of jobs out there? would i get in without experience? Would i have to fund a lot of courses before i could get in? If you could shed ANY light at all, that would be appreciated.

Thanks, Michael