Chortlepuss

Put on a bit of weight in Oz due to relative lack of activity here. Was out and about in all weather in UK and much more active as I find the summer here restricts outdoor time. Have osteoarthritis but suspect that's growing old and would be just as bad in UK. Eat very well here as I did in the UK. Lovely fresh food from markets especially fruit. Drink less here due to lack of local pubs... Have suffered some depression here due to shaky Job issues and isolation from close friends...

My hubby wants us to ship our Hyundai Santa Fe back - a v ordinary car but low mileage and so reliable - By the time we factor in the cost of selling, buying a new one and potentially being exposed to a lemon, the costs don't seem too high Is this a completely bonkers idea?

I think you'll be fine with physics and chemistry

Very hard to get permanent positions other than in subjects as above and manual arts (not sure if this is the same as D&T but teacher hubby sometimes subs for these lessons) if you want to work in a major city. Having said that a real shortage of teachers in rural/remote and for anyone who fancies coming out and experiencing outback Australia this would be an excellent start to a teaching career, including getting that elusive permanency......

It's pretty slow here in Brisbane. Contract vacancies much reduced by the change of Govt. V few large projects starting up as far as I know which impacts demand for BA's, Change Managers. Architects seem to do OK. I work because I have a great relationship with a consulting company who keep me supplied with small projects but think it would be really tough out there on my own. Big difference (drop) in number of calls I get from recruiters compared to even a year ago..

Due to shortage of science teachers, many teachers have to teach 'out of subject' - are you up to teaching chemistry or biology? There are a few teaching positions for psychology (international baccalaureate) but loads for science....

Maths, science and manual arts shortage subjects in QLD. Demand for special education pretty good. Other subjects are over-supplied apart from in the country (rural/remote) where you can probably take your pick!

Agencies can often only submit a limit of two candidates per role. If you're told they're at limit, search for other agencies with the role (in Brisbane the role goes to loads of 'em). If they haven't reached their quota you may be considered. What a pantomime this is!

The problem here (and one agency did have the balls to articulate it) is that the most experienced team member has no experience, is winging it and doesn't want you to come in and show him up.... I have found that team leaders in Brisbane would rather let their project fail than risk being outed by a more experienced person. With 20 years experience I was often told I wasn't experienced enough by project managers ranging from 1 month to 4 years experience.... It's not enough that you would do an excellent job, could make a real contribution to the team and are probably not remotely interested in nicking someone's job (if you wanted to be in charge you'd be applying for roles like that) It's down to the fact that ego gets in the way of professionalism. Good agencies know this (and will tell you before you waste your time applying) but are working for the client, so they don't really care who fills the roles and are not in a position to challenge silly recruitment choices. In the UK I often worked for PMs with less overall experience than me - as a change manager or BA I took the position that they were in charge of the project and called the shots. it was never a problem but I worked with capable professionals who cared more about getting the work done well rather than looking good (no reason why you can't do both). After months of applying for jobs I could do standing on my head in Brissie and getting no-where due to 'lack of experience' I joined a consultancy and didn't look back. It's hard to find seriously capable people in charge with the experience and ability to really appreciate hard working experienced personnel. So you're getting punished not for your age but for the fact that you're perceived as too good. Which sucks.

Hey Supercow - I'd say BA is a lot easier than PM and Change Manager in Brisbane at the moment. Be prepared to consider government work, but Suncorp are a big recruiter and take a lot of BA's especially with Agile experience What is the market like in the UK? Heading back in the opposite direction to you next year

Science teachers(+ manual arts) on shortage list in secondary and shortage planned to exacerbate - Prospects very good, especially rural/remote - plum locations are snapped up of course but you're in the best teaching subject for work - you may be expected to teach maths as well

Of course being good is important - but for generic BA, PM, Change Manager roles it's all about contacts. I work for a consultancy that keeps me busy with contracts because I'm reliable and deliver, but mostly because I get on with everyone and they like me. Loads of the work I do is a stretch given my experience. I was referred to them after asking around. Some excellent candidates are passed to us - and if the time is not right they are considered briefly and then rejected. Age discrimination rife here in Oz - advice to keep to last 10-15 years invaluable. Have never got a proper job via agencies despite being constantly praised on the quality of my applications.

Helz you must be on your way! Best of luck with travelling and next stage in your life. Don't be a stranger - those left behind for now need these stories to inspire us!

The market is saturated with high quality candidates at a time when cut backs are starting to bite. Some with niche skills can do well but you need contacts. The skills shortage list always lags behind - I doubt for instance that there is any shortage of business analysts in Australia. I'm afraid immigration is a nice little money spinner for the Govt.

You're nearly at the 'no more Mondays, no more Tuesdays stage' V Jealous but wish you well - and don't be a stranger. These stories of people getting over the fence keep us existing inmates inspired.....

It will be what you make it. Quite a strong work ethic in Sydney compared to Brisbane but be prepared to switch the lights off of you leave at 6pm.

Which city will you be working in? Lots of experience working as consultant/contractor in government in Brisbane and TBH people (even senior positions) work far less hard than in UK public sector and nothing like the hours you'd be working in an investment bank. You may get a boss that requires their pound of flesh, but I suspect you'll find it a comparable breeze workload wise. The politics and infighting are a different thing altogether though, and I am still shocked by the immaturity.

At your age you are very much in demand in Australia - this changes as you get older, so if you're unsure now may be a good time to spend some time here, get your citizenship and keep options open for the future. Once you have kids you are more constrained - and it is very challenging for young mums (and maybe dads) to be away from their support group and network of friends once they have a new baby. If you do have a baby here though it is a good 'in' to friendship groups - but you will miss your family! It's a difficult one but right now you are pretty free to come and go as you wish - as for being selfish, so what? It's your life so go with the flow....

And not in January - If it's anything like Brissie, the job market will be closed for the hols!

in Brisbane would be around 80K - don't know how Victoria differs & not sure what you get extra (if anything) for a doctorate

Too many primary teachers here as year 7's have moved up to secondary so getting a role may be tough. I'd suggest getting a teaching assistant role anywhere, failing that volunteer at your local primary - that will put you front of mind for any vacancies - In Brisbane who you know not what you know is the rule!

Don't desert us entirely fourcorners!!

I really didn't want kids until my early 30's then came over all hormonal and started lusting over the romper suits in baby gap. Shallow I know. I know very many people who have a fulfilled life without kids. It is very tough and so expensive. I think one of the biggest tragedies of rampant house price inflation is the pressure on young couples to have to work full time just to keep a roof over their heads when they have young kids. I worked full time outside the home until my kids were at school as I was the major earner and hubby didn't want to give up his job or cut down. It was absolutely exhausting . I worked out of financial necessity, not ambition or career interest but you learn all about guilt as a mum working full time...... We talk about women's 'right' to work outside the home, and fine if that floats your boat - but I do wish mums (and dads) could have a choice to spend more time with their kids if they want to and not to be forced into this endless grind just to meet mortgage payments.

I did loads of spreadsheets before I had kids until I found some sums to make it work. Lots of things are cheaper - It's expensive going to work, commuting, buying work gear. You won't be going out for about 10 years - think of how much you'll save in pub visits!! We couldn't afford it really but at aged 32 I thought bugger it I'm not getting any younger and went for it anyway...

Same with BA's... maybe just an oversupply of people in the market?