fourcandles

We stayed in Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast which was fab but we wanted to live in North Lakes (which is also fab) and wish we had stayed in Scarborough or Redcliffe as it would have been much easier for us. I don't know which hotel would be best in Scarborough but it is a lovely spot.

Many thanks to all for taking the time to reply with all your tip and suggestions....much appreciated. Looking forward to the trip even more now!!

Hi all,

we live in Brisbane and are contemplating a short city break soon to Sydney.....because we havn't been yet. There will be 2 adults and 2 boys aged 7 and 11. Can anyone recommend or advise on any reasonably priced hotels or apartments not too far from the CBD? Also any where we should visit in our 3/4day stay. We have looked on websites etc, however, lots of them don't have twin singles for the lads. They could top and tail a double however, from experience I get very wary refereeing the bed wars when its light out! lol. Thanks in advance,

Gary

Good evening everyone,

my husband and I have tried before to find a route to Australia, I am a police officer, but with 21 years experience, age 44 doesnt help and I havent managed to get a police job on international recruitment. My husband is leaving his job very soon and doesnt need to work, so I have suggested he goes back to college/uni and get some qualifications that might qualify him for a visa. Its an opportunity for a new career. He is a qualified trainer and specialist in CBRN response, which is not on the list! I am looking for sugestion on something he can qualify in which is in demand. He is 45 so time is running out for us. Any ideas?

Hi,

if you do decide to retrain in any particular field prior to landing in Oz make sure that the training is recognised in Australia before you fork out any cash. Alternatively take a course in Aus and then try for work. Don't know if that is feasible for you or not. They are also big on relevant local experience over here too. How you get any local experience without anyone giving you an initial go is the problem...even with relevant and recognised skills and quals! I speak from experience. Keep an eye on the WApol and SApol websites re Intl recruitment. They change the goalposts all the time. Good luck...

We bought a house on line and picked up the keys when we landed....was very scary as it needed completely renovating and extending but we knew the area and we guessed it would be easier to get a mortgage based on salary in Oz (still have no idea how we managed to do it but we did). We were lucky enough to stay with friends (there are 5 of us so it was a squeeze) for 10 weeks while the renovations took place (Re wiring, re piping new kitchen, bathrooms, installing new central heating, new floors etc).

 

Husband got a job pretty son after. We'd only been away for 8 months s we fit straight back in....although friends of ours did exactly same as us at the same time and they'd been away for nearly 6 years, very daunting but possible. Good luck xx

I hope you don't mind me asking who did you get your mortgage with? Likewise, our salary is greater in Oz than back home but didn't think that sort of thing was possible. Cheers.

I have been back in Oz for almost 2 years now and I am absolutely fed up with the job situation here. I am an ex Police Officer with 7 years experience and welder/ fabricator previous to that. I got a job here within 2 months of arriving and still in it. It is mining based ( not on site but manufacturing for mines) and I cannot for the life of me get a better paid/ rewarding job. I have mostly applied for Govt jobs and have had only 2 or 3 interviews from about 15 applications. I will concede at the very beginning my CV may have been not 100% up to scratch but I had it professionally reworked and now looks great - I can say this as I recently was tasked with taking on a new member of staff and saw the very low calibre of CV layout that was sent to me.

Most Govt jobs have criteria to address using the STAR method which I can do fairly well, yet still I wont get an interview. One interview I went to for an admin officer for NSW Police I was asked 4 set questions - are they serious ?? or was the job already gone ?? how could you possibly recruit someone after asking 4 simples questions without probing further into their work/life history ???

I am not in any way saying that I am the best person for every job but to get such little response is quite hard to accept. I spoke with a family member who works for a federal agency and was told there are a lot of internal moves happening which begs the question why advertise the job if it is earmarked for an internal member of staff.

 

Am I the only one getting this ?? if I am then so be it I am not up to scratch and can work on it. Most times when I ask for feedback I get the old " although your application was of a high standard it was not considered for the position or some crap"

 

I have considered my skills were not the same as Oz skills so forked out for Oz certs but sill no luck,

 

is anyone else finding this??

You are not alone mate... will send you a pm:policeman:

I have just done this. We returned to the UK a couple of weeks ago. I officially retired since I was over 55 and took all the money out of super before we left and transferred it to the UK.

Jean, that's sound interesting. Is there definitely no UK tax implications doing what you have done? If not its definitely something else to consider. Hope the move back has gone well!

Well the usual mantra when moving to Aus is that you need to give it 2 years - the converse is true too, I reckon, you need to give a return the same. Work out what it is you want out of life and go from there. It's always hard to return to the mundane (in both directions) and it is so easy to compare the bad of the now with the good of what you had (in both directions!) - heck, even I, who came to loathe Australia can now actually think of it with a bit of positivity especially when the going gets tough here (as it does). Go where you have the best opportunity in hand I reckon - if you're doing ok in Scotland then stick with it (ie don't chuck what you've got on a prayer for better). If you're struggling in Scotland but can get your Aussie job back then move. Nothing is forever!

Quoll makes a good point. We are Ping Pongers, went back to the UK and liked being home. However after a few years wanderlust took effect again and with the luxury of a career break decided to come back to Oz but to a different state which has been good. As Quoll says, nothing is forever, and we will return back home after we have done the Oz thing again for a couple more years at least. However, might be sooner if I don't find another job as the one I've got now is doing my head in!:arghh:

My Mrs is in the same boat!!! However, unable to do every weekend because I work shifts and we have 2 young kids. Willing to travel too within reason. Likewise, did not think a person with her experience etc would find it so hard to find part time work.

all the best!

Hi all,

recently moved to mango Hill along with my OH and 2 boys aged 10 and 6 so feel free to PM if anybody would like to catch up,

cheers,

gary