Norma

Hi, thanks for the info. Lots of food for thought there. Yes, the agent is reputable and registered. One option that we may have, is to liaise more with the firm he works for and have his employment/contract papers transferred to their Australian office and do it that way. Thanks again.

Briefly, my husband has worked up to senior construction level and is now working overseas as an ex-pat in Saudi, visiting us at home in the UK just a few times per year. In the meantime, I am to instruct an agent to do the paperwork for us to live permanently in Oz (the new job has meant we can now afford the migration expenses). Husband would then come and see us there. instead of in the UK. He would be the lead name. He is 46yrs. Husband still has his original apprenticeship papers for carpentry and joinery etc, however, he hasn't been 'on the tools' for some years and it isn't within his job description anymore, so a skills assessment wouldn't be appropriate. A couple of years ago, we met a visa agent who told us of a document that could stand in place of a higher level qualification. For the document to be approved, we were told that he would be interviewed, his work history would be gone over with a fine tooth comb to check that his experience is genuine etc but it would then mean that he could apply for a visa as a Project Manager, which was the closest match to my husband's skills, that the agent could find at the time. Does anyone know what this document was? Your help is appreciated.

Hi. Husband was told yesterday by colleague at his work that, when he was in Oz on a 457 (don't know where/when), he had to pay additional tax toward his child's education at a state school. Apparently, the additional tax will only be required whilst you are not permanent. The sooner we apply (2 years into the 457) for PR the better, because once approved, the additional tax requirement will stop. Is this correct?

Thank you both very much. That was really helpful and at least we don't have to wait the full 4 years before applying for PR.

Well, it looks as though we may be taking the temporary 457 route and going for sponsorship with my husband as the lead name. My question is, after the 2 years are up and we have to reapply to be permanent, does it still have to be my husband as the lead, or, if I have been working full or part-time, could the permanent application be made as me as the lead, even though by then I would be around 54/55? (husband will be 47/48) I should add that I was a legal secretary for years, but am now moving over to hospital work - possibly lab technician.

Hi - yes, read some of them but didn't find anything recent, so wasn't sure if it had changed. Did you have to bring your own tools and materials, or was everything provided?

Husband is qualified carpenter (City & Guilds etc) but over the years has worked up to Construction Manager. However, because he didn't take a degree in Construction Management, it seems he will have to apply for visa under the title of carpenter. Does anyone know what he can expect in the skills assessment? Thanks.

I think I'm going to have to do a lot more research and get a thorough breakdown, like you did. Thanks so much.

Thanks, that's reassuring.

Hi - it sounds as though you have everything tied up nicely! I would be interested to hear what you thought of the overall service, once you have settled in. Have a fabulous birthday!!! xx

Hello there. Yes, I've been reading about the quarantine locations being limited. It would seem to make sense to have at least 1 quarantine holding area in each territory but for reasons known only to the authorities, they've chosen not to do that. In turn, this could force owners to use cheap pet couriers, who cut corners to the detriment of the welfare of the animal. It's forcing migrants into a very difficult position of possibly choosing not to take their animal with them .... Thanks so much for your feedback.

Hi - Yes, the size of container is a big issue for us too. Airpets have told us over the phone, that an oversized container isn't a good idea as the animals can feel insecure rattling around in so much space, so they prefer to use something snug. Sooo, if a courier is using something even small than Airpet would use, yes, I would be very concerned about that too. Thank you for your feedback. It's very helpful.

Hi Zack, I think I probably would have done the same as your wife did. Now though, the more I think on it, the more practical it will be to let it all be done by one firm. I have spoken with PetAir briefly and they gave me a ball-park figure of around £7k for both dogs and the cat. Very expensive but I suppose it's a case of, you get what you pay for. We'll be asking for a more detailed breakdown shortly. I'm hoping that the £7k was an overestimate!! Kindest - Norm.

Hi - I would be interested to hear how their transfer worked out. Norma x

Hi there. Yes, the more I read, the more I notice that PetAir's name keeps popping up. Thanks for your help.

As ours isn't a straightforward case, we are instruction a migration agent, and after some phone calls, it looks as though we will be choosing ISA Group (UK). We've searched on-line and have read positive feedback on them, but I wanted to make a last check on here to ask if anyone has used them and what they thought. Your honest responses would be appreciated. Kindest - Norma

Hi. At long last, we will be instructing a visa agent later this month (not a straightforward application, in case you were wondering why we're not doing it ourselves). Anyway, we have two labs and 1 cat, all three were chipped some time ago, so that's done. Worst case scenario (or best - depending on you look at it), is that the visa is approved by Christmas (unlikely), and husband offered job, before our pets are fully approved etc. We have a kennel/cattery that we trust (have used them before) who will prepare and pass the pets over to a pet-courier firm, for the flight etc. Our plan is to kennel the pets in the UK for a couple of weeks, whilst we move, settle in and get everything ready for their release from the Oz quarantine. Sooo, to get to the point, we need details of procedures and quotes from pet-couriers please. I would also like to hear of companies that you are not happy with, so that we can make an informed choice. No, detailed gruesome stories please, that would be too heart-breaking. Thank you.

Hello I am a senior construction manager, seeking a permanent placement preferably within WA but would certainly consider other regions, including FIFO options. I currently work for a major player (in London), within the construction industry. But, if the overall package is right, I will give serious consideration to working with a smaller, independent company and bring with me a solid history of domestic and commercial construction from the ground upward. Please PM if you would like to discuss this in more detail. Kind regards. Steve.

Thanks PomQueen, you reaffirmed my own thoughts, that they should come with us at the beginning, and you've highlighted some aspects that hadn't occurred to me. You've been very helpful. Thankyou.

After a very promising interview, it looks as though my husband may be offered a permanent job in New Zealand - find out for certain in about 1-2 weeks time. One small hiccup is that although we've been to Oz, we've never been to NZ but we're quite well travelled etc so the prospect of moving to NZ permanently doesn't worry us - we're all very pleased with the idea. If it's a yes with the job. Great. But we must consider the "what if ..." scenarios, with the main one being that even though the prospect of moving to NZ permanently sounds lovely, we have to remind ourselves that there is a chance of "What if after 6 months-1year we find it isn't for us?" My husband has said he should go ahead and then bring us out later. Personally I think it's going to take at least 2 years to begin to settle in properly. Also, (and knowing my husband) if he is without the family to support him for a long time, he could have a knee-jerk reaction and come back home only after 2-3 months. Sooo, to get to the point: I'm trying to find a way that we can experience this as a family, so that we can be supportive to one-another. If we do that, we have to seriously consider what to do with our 2 dogs and cat - if we go with him, do we leave the pets behind - temporarily until we're all 100% that it's permanent? We don't have relatives that could take the pets for that length of time, and although we know a very good kennels that the pets have stayed at before when we've had holidays etc., I doubt if we could afford the fees for such a long stay and aren't keen for them to be in kennels for that long anyway. I think we'll end up having to bring them with us - it doesn't feel right to leave them for so long - and have to swallow the costs. OR..... is there something that we haven't thought of???

Hi - unfortunately, our details aren't at all straightforward which is why we need an agent to sort it out. (it's too long-winded to bore you all with the details) :wacko: Thanks very much though. :wink:

Hello again. We're going through some decision-making at the moment. Since my initial queries here regarding immigration and jobs, we've now been approached by a NZ introduction agent (he finds suitable candidates for a company or recruitment agency, depending on the job requirements). He has already given us a preliminary Skype-interview. It's a very odd scenario, trying your best to be natural, smile and laugh occasionally, whilst out of the corner of your eye, seeing the little image of yourselves on-screen, looking like startled rabbits!! Aside from that, it seemed to go well and they will be in touch with us again this coming weekend. (By the way, we have already asked who pays his fee and he has explained that it's the company, NOT the prospective employee.) Has anyone heard of them: "NZ Skills In Demand"? In addition, we maybe using a NZ visa agent, that we met at a job fair in London recently (also have an office in NZ), and have seen a rating of 5*, from their one and only reviewer on www.migrationagentreviews.com Has anyone else on here used their services or heard anything about them: "Migration Agents (UK) Ltd"? Thanks. Norma.

Hi Will, It's always helpful to hear what someone else has been through. Sadly, it wasn't the smoothest ride for you by the sounds of it. Glad it's all over now. Norma.

Hello, I currently work for an international construction management company, who have had the good fortune to win contracts to manage several high-profile, multi-million pound projects based in the city (London). Unfortunately, there isn't a suitable vacancy available in their overseas office, hence my message here. I have been in the building/construction business for all of my professional life and have a continuous, on-going track record. I am employed as a long-term contractor, and have the flexibility to give relatively short notice, to commence employment elsewhere. I would not like to "use" a smaller company as a stepping stone, just to get my foot in the door and then move on, but would prefer to hear from large companies/corporations, into which I can transfer my skills and building up a permanent career. I appreciate that some companies only recruit via agencies, so would welcome enquires from those as well. On a personal note, my wife and I, have reached the stage where we feel it is the right time for us to look forward and put down roots in the Australasia region, so that our daughter can have the life that we didn't have, when we were younger. I would like to hear from companies based in Australia (a preference to WA but will obviously consider other areas inc FIFO/DIDO options), and New Zealand (a preference to regions around Auckland but again, will consider other areas). Please send your enquiries and contact details via the private email link on this site addressed to Norma, and I will respond asap. Thank you. Steve.

Hi Pablo, thanks. :smile: