DuffieldDownunder

If you want to go via the 186 transition stream, its two years. This stream does not require a skills assessment. You can then do a further year before citizenship. You can apply for a 186 visa and do a skills assessment without waiting... but, as I found out, this is not an option for everyone. My degree wasn't relevant for the role I was sponsored under.

My wife wasn't keen, she was 43. My daughter, 13, hated the idea. But the view was that is we don't do it, we'd never know. I gave up a 27 year career, took a 2/3 salary cut, sold up and lost a fortune on my old Cheshire brick house (also with conservatory).... and close to Wayne Roonies pad.... to live in a bed sit in Wanneroo. With a 4 year plan.

All this on a 457 visa. My daughter came back to the UK for a month as could not wait to come "home" to Australia.... my wife also loves it.... We could of played "what if" in the UK or just returned back if we hated it.... but we gave it a shot and it worked. 4 year plan delivered. But.... there is no right answer.... Good luck !

Shipped ours.... works a treat. Has done for 4 years. No license required. Shipped it from Macclesfield so it wasn't used to hot weather workouts....

Long shot. Works for me. Eat cherries. Lots and lots of cherries.

My wife is so scared about the exam. She has started prepping 3 months before she can take the test.

If your aim is to get PR then you would be ill advised to sign.

Biff Duffield, a rescue collie from Macclesfield (You'll find him on Facebook, no really, you will) joined us in 2011. Back then you had to spend 30 days in solitary . He's a nervous dog, the trip was not uneventful.

1) Pet shipping company brought crate that was too small - emergency wooden crate located at the last minute

2) Flight from Manchester to London, Biff escaped. New crate had to be ordered. Mean while we tracked a flight over that he wasn't on

3) Qantas went on strike - Biff had 5 days at Heathrow Animal Center

4) Perth quarantine was either full or closed so Biff ended up in Sydney

5) Qantas offered no compensation for the strike delays as he was cargo. They also wanted paying to fly him to Perth

6) People had been tracking his adventures on Facebook and ganged up on Qantas they funded the full trip. Biff is now friends on Facebook with their service rep.

7) Biff arrives in Perth at out house in a dog limo. He came straight to me (I'd not seen him for 6 months as I came ahead of the family).

8) Settled within the day and is currently giving me the "take me to Whitfords Dog Beach" look...

Conclusion, I'm sure he hated the flight but no long term impact. He has unified the family and this year, he's malting at the right time of year for the first time.

Good luck.

I quit the uk, aged 45, after 25 years service with one business. They made me work the 3 months notice. I handed my laptop and phone in on the Friday, got on a plane to Perth via Sydney on the Sunday, started work on the Tuesday.... I came out first, my wife said as I headed to the taxi, that I "Didn't have to go....".

Not wanted to look back. Enjoy the ride.

You can wait till you have done 2 years and apply for the 186 Transitional Visa (as I did) - benefit is you don't need a skills test or the degree level (or similar) qualification. I had the wrong degree, was 45 so this was the only option. If you can meet the skills / quals and pass the tests, you can apply now. Google 186 or visit the immi site. Good luck.

Haha does still listening to the Archers after nearly ten years count? Thank heavens for podcasts and BBC iplayer.....

Thanks GOD ! I thought it was just me, after 3 short years. Or as Ruth might say... Ohhhhhh Nooooooo !

As for British'ness, I drive my car, purchased from Fords of Winsword, just off the M6, with my dog, from the Border Collie Resuce center in Staffordshire for a walk by the water as I did in the UK... Ok I swapped the muddy River Bollin for the Indian Ocean... sort of same Sh1T, different Country really... Time for tea ! Hob Nob anyone?

In 2011, I was 45, that was the cut off age then. I'd passed a FdA at Manchester Met to get here. I'm a Microsoft Certified Trainer, ITIL and PRINCE2 certified. None of which helped. I came on a 457, did my transition to 186 last year and could not be happier. It was a MASSIVE risk. I have the posh house in the UK which I swapped for a bed sit in Wanneroo, I had 25 years service.... and joined an awesome company. Good luck... Oh I forgot, no skills assessment or English test to stress you out with a 457.