caronandrod

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Hi there. I went through the same process in 2007. We applied at the end of 2006 to migrate. At that time I had been marrid to my second husband for 3 years (together for 5). My ex husband had our 3 children (then aged 17, 16, 12) to stay with him every other weekend. At first all of my children were keen to go to Australia. As the time drew closer my eldest decided she didn't want to go and my middle child (son) decided he wanted to stay with his dad, finish school, go to uni and then would decide (he was a very focused student). My youngest daughter desperately wanted to come with us but her father wouldn't agree. we went to court (a 7 month process) - had independent court officers speak to my daughter to determine her feelings etc. We eventually were given leave to take her with us but under very strict conditions - unlimited telephone calls (at my expense) to her father, details of school reports/medical reports etc for her father kept up to date and the biggest one was that we had to pay for her to return to the UK for the month of January (Australian summer holidays) each year to stay with her father. We agreed, got permission to go and migrated in October 2007. Sadly my daughter didn't settle and eventually returned to the UK after only 9 months (strangely enough the eldest came out for a working holiday, met and Aussie and has now been here since Dec 2009). Very up and down - a huge emotional rollercoaster. Having now come out of the other side, I would not change a thing. I have a fab relationship with my kids, we speak on skype every week. They have all been out for holidays but are happy to leave it at that. I have to respect their choices (hard as it was for me at the time). Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Good luck to you all. I went through this in 2007 and it was an unpleasant experience. I did get consent but with conditions so be prepared to make some offers. I had to agree to unlimited phone calls from Aus to UK at my expense, provision of copies of all school reports/medical reports etc to father in UK, the worst one was I had to agree to pay for my daughter to return to the UK for 4 weeks every year (at my expense) in January (Aus summer hols) to stay with her dad. Daughter was 14 at the time and had spent every second weekend with her dad after we split. You might be asked to jump through hoops to get what you want but if you persevere you will get it. Have as much documentation as you can to show that you have covered all childrens needs in regards to school and medical treatment in Aus. Good luck

Surely they can come out on a tourist visa for a holiday?

where are you heading for (and where from in the UK) ?

Hi all. I have a nephew (aged 25) who is on a WHV (currently in Brisbane). He is keen to do regional work to get his 2nd WHV asap. What areas in QLD are clased as regional? Does anyone have any contacts who can help? I am a PR in regional NSW but he is keen to stay in QLD for the moment.

Been there and done that - daughter 19 and son 21 in UK (with their dad). I've been out here 5 years with second hubby (oldest daughter is also out here now). Originally my youngest daughter came out with us but didn't settle and we agreed she could return to the UK to finish school. She will only come over for holidays. Its a tough call but remember they make their own chocies. My son is now saying he is going to Canada to work for a couple of years with his girfriend !!!! Use skype - it's a godsend. It really helps the break become easier. Time does make a difference - just give it time. Don't expect to feel better abot it in a few weeks - it took me a year. Good luck - you have to move forward

How long after leaving the UK can you claim back any tax? We never did when we came here but been here 5 years now.

yaaayyy another scouser lol

I'm not really sure how accurate the figures are anyway. I know that when I lived in the UK, in a street of over 100 residents, there was only myself (and hubby) and two other families who worked every day LEGITIMATELY. Half of the occupants went to work every day but were paid cash in hand and lived on benefits - glad to be out of the rat hole

There's no easy answer to that one. The only thing I can say is that if it was really easy to get out here then everyone would do it and it wouldn't be the place it is. My hubby was a builder in the UK for 20 years when we came out here (we came on my qualification as a teacher) and to get his licence he still had to go to TAFE (like a further education college) which cost another $3000. He was supposed to do two days a week for a full year to prove himself but after one and a half weeks they signed him off and he got his licence - a money making exercise if ever I heard one. As a teacher, I had to have my qualifications assessed for the visa and then once I was here I had to do it all again for the education department (plus attend a 3 day course, work for two weeks - unpaid - in a school whilst being observed and have an interview) to earn the right to teach in NSW. All a big pain in the butt but after 5 years we are well and truly out the other side and would never go back to the UK. Love it here It's definitely worth it.

Hi there, NSW regulations are stricter than other states (I moved from Liverpool UK to NSW in 2007 as a teacher). My visa process took a total of 6 months from start to finish but I did use a migration consultant who gave me very strict guidelines on the paperwork I needed to submit. Pretty straightforward ( but I agree with 'dorset' the whole re registering with NSW and overseas teaching course was a bit of a pain). Having said that, i love teaching here and find there is little difference actually to the UK apart from subject content in regards to history/geography of course. I teach year 6 primary (and incidently am now the assistant principal at my school). The reduction in stress levels from the dreaded OFSTED was fantastic - GO FOR IT - you will not look back.

We applied for citizenship in August 2012, sat our tests in October and became citizens on 23rd November. Hope that helps you with a bit of a timeline.

We're actually in rural NSW so not in either of your choices (feel free to have a look at Rylstone.com though - it's gorgeous lol). Browse the blogs on here - you will find there are a lot of people who can give you good info. I think you are worrying too much about securing a rental. Try getting a reference from the UK before you leave - it might help. My sister moved to Brisbane (outer suburbs, North lakes area) at the beginning of January 2011 and had 12 month lease on a lovely rental before the end of the same month.

Have you ever thought about going rural rather than metropolitan? We came out in 2007 (I'm a teacher, hubby is a builder). We both secured a rental within 3 weeks, I got work in a local school (I'm still there and now assistant principal) and hubby was the only builder in the area so once word was out the work never stopped. Rents much cheaper, life very laid back - easy to get to the city for a weekend for a fill of 'city stuff'. Its a thought.

You need to have 12 months post qualification experience. Regardless of your background, you need to do the IELTS test too. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Once they ahve received your application you should get a bridging visa to keep you legal while they process it and make their decision. You need to phone DIAC.

Good news So where are you heading for?

I totally feel for you. Like the others have said, you need to grit your teeth, be gracious and rise about it. Talk about the fantastic holidays you can share and about using skype etc. I had a similar situation but with my son (then aged 18) who didn't want to come with me and my (second) husband as he wanted to go to uni in the UK but was OK about us going. He said he would make the most of holidays etc until THE DAY BEFORE WE LEFT when he called me a heartless mother for leaving him ! I realised it was emotion speaking but it hurt like hell. It took 12 months for him to speak to me properly and now we chat every week on the phone and though skype. He has yet to visit though (after 5 years). Be brave. You only have one life to live - so live it.

Hi there, we have been here 5 years, my hubby is from Ireland (Newry). The first thing you need to do is check your occupation (s) are on the skilled occupations list http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf I've had a quick look and it looks as though your definitely is. You only need one occupation to be sponsored as a couple providing you have been living as a couple for over 12 months. You would be in a good position to apply for general skilled migration visas. We actually used a migration consultant and although it cost us I think about 2500 quid it was well worth it because we didn't have to worry about anything, they sorted out all the paperwork, told us exactly what we needed to get, provided us with forms, highlighting what to fill in etc. Our whole process took only 9 months (and we had to wait 3 months for a court order to take my youngest daughter too). I would highly recommend it. Try googling Go Matilda. The immigration website has lots of information and if you go to the visa section (www.immi.gov.au) you can be sort of guided through the process. Good luck. We love it here and would never return to the UK (except for a holiday - which we haven't done yet).

My daughter applied for the same visa in October 2010, was given a bridging visa to keep her legal and got her defacto visa after 9 months.

Both my hubby and I hail from Liverpool and have been here 5 years. I previously had a small pension with Royal Life Insurance Limited and a larger one with Teachers pensions (after working for Knowsley Education Autority) and he had a pension with Liverpool City Council. Last year we had both pensions transferred over here to OZ. We basically decided that we were never going to return to the UK (love it here) and wanted to be able to manage all our pension from one point. As far as we are concerned we got a pretty good deal and our superannuation funds here now look pretty healthy. We contacted our accountant and they put us onto a fantastic company in West Perth (even though we are in NSW) who specialise in UK pension transfers. The process was very easy from start to finish and I would highly recommend them if you decide to proceed. Remember you need to seek professional help yourself - these points are just general personal experiences. If you would like the company details send me a private message and I will message them to you. No free advertising on here lol Good luck fellow scouser

We decided to sell in the UK. As we were both in our mid forties we decided that if we kept the house in the UK then it would be easy to give up and move back at the first signs of feeling homesick or unsettled.We knew we wanted to make the break and it was never going to be a yoyo thing.

rural NSW - huge new hospital in Orange, shortages in every medical profession out here - gorgeous place