shellyk666

Don't lose sight of the end goal. Get used to the waiting cuz from other threads on here there are massives waits at every step of the way, and often you have little control over it. It looks like which ever way you go there's going to be a wait so you just need to work out which is quickest. If you re-train I think you have to have been doing the job for a minimum length of time post qualification so that might make it longer.

That must be sooo annoying! If you re-train what happens if the new occupation is removed next July? As the SOL is reviewed each year I suppose there's a chance that your occupation could be put back on? I have the same problem as your partner. Although I've been doing my job forever I still can't go for it because I need to have a degree for my occupation which I have not got, it's all very complicated. Could your partner look into getting a relevant qualification so that he's got the qualification and the experience?

I think a lot of the research I do is a way to pass the time whilst still feeling like I'm doing something. It's a way to vent frustration. I'm the kind of person who makes big decisions quickly and then acts upon it immediately so all this waiting will drive me bonkers! Some of the research will be useful I'm sure, although most of it I imagine will never see the light of day again.

Am I right in thinking your wife secured the job from the UK? Either way, great news! Must be a relief :biggrin: Well done Mrs Devon67

Hi The only problem I can foresee would be that if you haven't done it for a long time I can't imagine that a company would sponsor you over someone with recent experience. Also, obviously I don't know what your job entailed, however selling meat in a public market is not the same as a butcher, so you may struggle there as well. Good luck

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I had a feeling it was a no go but also know that things are usually more complicated than first thought when it comes to this migration lark!

So sorry to hear your news. It's so difficult when something knocked you off your feet but pick yourself up and dust yourself down. It clearly wasn't meant to be. You're right, there are so many other amazing places in this world, all great for different reasons. There's nothing stopping you experiencing somewhere else, even just for a few years - Canada or NZ both sound sooo good! Don't rule anything out and keep your eyes peeled, who knows what's just around the corner xx

IMO it makes a difference how old you are and at what point you are in your life. Have you got kids etc etc. If you're young enough you could do both by staying in Scotland for a few more years to give it a chance before making any big decisions about possibly moving to Oz. I try and remind myself on a regular basis that I have long term aspirations and am taking steps to achieve them but there's no point in rushing these things, if it's meant to be then it's meant to be and I don't want any additional pressure. No one knows what is just around the corner, whether you stay in Scotland or go elsewhere. I don't think you'd be human if you didn't have doubts but maybe there's a way you could do it all? Have you thought about maybe renting a room elsewhere to give you some privacy from your parents but still enabling you to save some money?? Just a thought...

:biglaugh:

I think I'm going to print that out and pin it to my desk at work! It'll keep my going until I manage to get my hands on a visa - however long that my take lol. Love it - thank you so much :biggrin:

Opportunity for jobs. I know things may not be as great and they once were over there but I'm sure it's better than here! For the 'experience' of another culture/country. I want to open my children's (and ours!) eye's to the world and hopefully encourage them to broaden their horizens. That way they can have the best of both worlds. I've heard that kids can be kids for longer and are less likely to grow up before their time in Oz. Although I'm aware that each place is constantly evolving and things may not be the same in 5/10/15 years time, at the moment I do not particularly like the youth in this country. Again I'm aware that 'bogans' exist but my impression is that it's just not the same. The thought of my kids going through senior school over here fills me with dread. And then at the end of it all what have they got to look forward to? No job. No hope of getting on the property ladder. Binge drinking culture. No thanks. The space. I feel the UK is completely saturated with people. I think this may be partly to blame for the crime and is certainly partly to blame for how dirty a lot of places are. Pride/attitute/caring. I feel that a large proportion of people in the UK don't appear to give two shi*s about the country/city they live in. The Olympics may have helped at least temporarily with the nations pride but on an individual basis I don't feel as though enough people care. Some of my thoughts FWIW xx

Thanks for your reply. I'm trying to explore all of our options. There are so many different paths, each with different rules, it's often difficult to keep up!

On considering the Organisation and Methods Analyst (224712) I can see that it requires a skill level 1, the eqivilent of a degree as I understand. The problem is, the highest qualification I have is a Level 3 NVQ. The DIAC website states 'At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).' It's the words 'may' and 'in some instances' that bother me. Can I substitute a degree with 5 years experience or not?? :confused: Does anyone have any idea? Many thanks

What a pain in the a*se. Keep your chin up though, at least you know which area you need to focus on. Have you been able to do any revision in preparation? I'm dreading the postman bringing the results!

I do subscribed to MoneySavingExpert but it was all so very simple. Literally just 2 phone calls. The people at Lloyds TSB were incredibly helpful. They even went back a lot further than 6 yrs (to 2001 in my case). There is no time limit on a claim, but if it was over 6 years ago the company is not obliged to have kept any info so you may have to prove it yourself (with a policy agreement etc). This wasn't the case with Lloyds TSB though, they were able to search using my name, DOB and current account number and traced a really old loan through that. I didn't even need the policy or loan account number. I'd still check if I were you, I thought exactly the same thing. I would never have taken a PPI policy out had I been given the option, but that's part of the problem - a lot of the time it was just included in the repayment and wasn't explained. I was certainly never given an option. It's got to be worth a phone call!

We're waiting for our results through the post, hubby sat the test on 4th Aug also. He sounds pretty similar to you, he doesn't read or write in every day life (or, imo, listen! :biglaugh:) so we're really worried. Keeping everything crossed doesn't have to sit it again. I think it's safe to say that he did not enjoy it! Well done on your fab results - you have every right to be proud :wubclub:

Surely it depends on the interest rate of your mortgage and the potential rate of any saving acct. I would opt for which ever is the higest. Or if there is any debt other than mortgage, that'll always have a higher interst rate so that'd have to go first.

How about a camping trip? I've heard a few people mention the idea on here?? Your kids should be old enough to enjoy it. Just an thought.

It's not about whether it is 'required of a thread on this site'. The original post asked does anyone else agree.....in general I'd have to say I don't think I do agree that it is misleading. With the possible exception of the cost of living comment. Sorry if that's not the response you were hoping for.

After my dad received a cheque for a successful reclaim of PPI I thought I'd make enquiries with my bank directly. It took 2 phone calls. The first to track down whether or not I actually had PPI on any credit with them in my past, and then the second call to register my complaint. I honestly didn't think I had ever taken any PPI policies out, however, today I received over £1000 back!! :jiggy: They also give you 8% simple interest for each year that has passed. I would suggest to everyone who has had a loan/credit card/store card etc in the past to phone the companies to double check, even if you are sure you would never have taken a PPI policy out - like I was you may be surprised!

There's just soo much to do it's easy to see why we feel a little overwhelmed at times! One minute I want to do it all asap and feel in a hurry to begin a new life at the other end of the world, then other times I'm happy to just plod along in my current comfortable life continuing to take everything for granted. We will get there in the end. We're in colwick, whereabouts are you?

We're in a similar situation, hubby did his IELTS on 4th Aug and we're awaiting the results before we submit the skill assessment as a carpenter and joiner. So far we've gathered references from some of the companies he's sub-contracted for (I think we've got 4) plus loads of earning statements (just like wage slips), a statutory declaration covering his self employment and another one covering a short period of employment before that where the company has long gone. He doesn't have an accoutant, but if you do get a reference from them. Some people talk about submitting photo's of some of the work you've done. Can't think of anything else at the mo but hope this get's you started!

Hi, I wonder if anyone knows whether all test centres in the UK allow you to preview IELTS results online? My hubby did his test at the Nottingham University on the 4th August. I can see from the British Council website that results are now available to view from this date but nothing is coming up for my DH. Could it be that Nottingham Uni don't utilise the online preview facility or am I just being too impatient? Thanks Michelle

3 times and you still haven't managed it lol What do you think it'll take to finally push you over the edge to just do it? Have you got your current house on the market? I keep on having to remind myself that at the end of the day we could come back if needed and would have gained an amazing experience of living in another country with a different culture etc. Our home is in negative equity so won't be on the market for another year or two yet, by which time I praying house prices may have started moving back in the right direction. Hmm, not holding my breath on that one! If we sell it before we're ready to go then I think we'd move into rented as it's easier to just walk away from when the time it right. I'm aiming for validation trip in 2013/14 and then move over there 14/15. Only time will tell I suppose!

Hiya, I'm in Nottingham and at the beginning of the process. Hubby will be the main applicant and sat his IELTS nearly 2 weeks ago. I've gathered some docs for vetassess but things have kinda grinded to a halt until we see what he test results are. We're hoping to head to Perth at some point in the next 4 yrs to follow my sister and her family (who are hoping to move next year) but other than that our plans are on hold to give us time to get out of negative equity with our home! There are just sooo many things to consider. I find it difficult because there is no way of knowing whether all the effort is going to be worth while - will we really have a better life??? There's only one way to find out....