Kinetic

Sorry mate, that's tough on you.

Hoff, from all of your posts I think there must be a pretty big expectation on the forum that you will go and live in Perth sometime. I for one am looking forward to your regular reports of just how great it is!

Do you have a link to this data? I would be interested to read it...

I am not so sure the Aussies are earning great wages when compared against the cost of living, especially in places like Perth.

I am not sure he/she exists, either in the UK or Oz...we all live in hope though!

And that was the main reason I started considering a move to Oz. With a wife and two children, the weather wouldn't be worth starting from the bottom for though. If the situation arose however, I like most people, would shovel the proverbial, to put bread on the table but it wouldn't be wise to knowingly put yourself in that position. The one thing that anyone considering moving town, city or country must do, is to research carefully...

I was recently offered a job in Perth on a 457 and the company said that visa processing time stood at 6 weeks. Have you been asked for police cents and medicals?

Stevieb, go for it, by the sounds of it, you will anyway! Good luck...hope it works out.

I would echo the comment about getting legal advice. In terms of a 457, you are entitled to be paid your return fares when you make that request - it doesn't have to be redundancy. With respect to possessions, I suspect that will be at your cost unless you have a specific clause that says otherwise. In terms of the redundancy and possible withdrawal due to a contract win, they would be able to do that in the UK and if you then said you didn't want it (assuming it is the same role), you would effectively be resigning, but get advice on the situation in Oz. Whilst it is a horrible situation to be in, if they did do that, wouldn't you want to stay with them, at least for the time being, or have you made your mind up to leave Oz. BTW, Sorry this has happened to you.

I didn't read it like that at all. Just another perspective, a little bit tongue in cheek...

You've sold it to me. I shouldn't have turned down that job offer! Wonder if they still want me to come over?

It is probably fair to say that the cuts were too deep too soon so more borrowing might have been a good thing. Unfortunately none of the political parties instil confidence IMHO.

The Government underwriting mortgages, does seem quite high risk I agree.

I agree that there is a slight upturn in the construction sector, however it is coming from a very low level. Current construction output is at the same level it was in 1998 and there have been a lot of business failures in the last few years. Wages have been depressed and the next problem we are likely to hear of will be inflation. I read a report recently which said that construction worker earnings over the last three years had fallen by 12% in real terms, so once people have a choice of who to work for, they will be looking to try and catch up. We will also soon see skills shortages IF the upturn continues (and as I work in the sector, I have my fingers crossed that it will), because there has been a chronic lack of apprenticeships and trainees. Who knows, we may see those affected by the slowing resources investment in Oz coming back to the UK.

Sorry to hear. Not sure what an Aussie style CV is and probably best I don't try and guess. Clearly if there aren't the jobs there, it is not you at fault, but yes, anybody would be disheartened by your circumstances. Personally I would say stay together, but thats easy for me to say. I have seen a few improvements in the UK economy but it is area dependant - it is just possible that you might find it easier to get work here, which after all people expect about a move to Oz, would surprise many. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I hate reading threads like this, especially when people have put so much time, effort, money and emotion into getting to Oz. Is it simply that the skills shortages have been largely addressed by the slow down which, in conjunction with the continued influx of migrants, means that they don't really need more people? I really feel for you and wish you luck for the future. If you haven't tried it already, LinkedIn is a good source for getting contact details for HR people in the large main contractors, but these guys are also pretty slow in responding. Good luck.

You can't beat talking to people about twin SU carburettors and rotor arms!

Based on my experience, employers in Oz are slow when recruiting, whereas in the UK, application to job offer is pretty prompt.

Thanks for the welcome. Been on Perth Poms prior to this site...

Is it really that bad?