markd1982

I know it's difficult but could anyone suggest a salary that would be sensible for surviving as the sole earner? Should I be looking in the 50s or even 60s?

We are going on my wife's Early Childhood Teaching experience so think it's a 459? Need to check with migration agent as can't remember. The job is in real estate and I am confident I would be earning well within the 6months but I am wary, especially now I've heard everyone's feedback. Does anyone out there work in real estate? Would be good to hear from someone who has done what I'm planning on doing. Real stories would be appreciated.

Hi Not sure if this is the right place to write this but hopefully it is. My family and I are about to embark on the life changing move to Australia, specifically Adelaide where I have family already. The reason for my post is the conflicting information I am finding out about the cost of living compared to the UK. Can anyone shed some light on this? I have been offered a job where I will have a basic salary of $41,000 which will be for 6mths before I start earning commission which should hopefully dramatically increase my salary thereafter. My concerns are those 1st 6 months and whether we would be able to afford to live without using savings? I have worked out we could rent somewhere for $350p/w which leaves $500p/w as disposable income. It's the rest I need to think about - food, council tax (Australian equivalent), fuel etc. We are a family of 4 (5yr old and 1yr old daughters). I am under no illusion that we would need to be froogle but is it affordable. Some places say double the cost in the UK and that will give you an idea and others say it's relatively comparable to the UK. Anyone care to advise from a "real persons" point of view? Thank you in advance

Her experience is recent (still teaching early years - our nursery - now). I assume there would be some sort of skills test or would it be a case of employer references?

Looks like it'll be £5025 for our Visas then. Ouch! If we are unsuccessful in our Visa application would we get this refunded?

With regards to family sponsorship, does this have a cost implication to them? My sister thinks there's quite a big cost involved?? Also, I have 1yr & 4yr old daughters. Would I have to get Visas for them or would they come on our Visa? The Estimate on the immi.gov site says applicants under 18 and charges about £600 per child but wondered if this was over a certain age?

I think you're right Verystormy. This will be my first call on Monday morning There seem to be a few options, all of which seem to have conditions attached. It's a minefield

If only! Wish we were secret millionaires! With regards to "early years teacher" what age does this cover? My wife's degree is primary education (5-11yr olds) but she also has 4 yrs experience teaching early years which is 3+ yrs. would that be sufficient to qualify as early years for the purpose of getting our visas? I don't think she'd have any probs passing the tests If we did get a visa on this basis I assume there's no need for my wife to actually work, is there?

Is it possible to get a temporary work visa and then apply for a more permanent visa when in Oz? Was thinking we could try approach things that way? Would this approach make it easier?

My wife did a 4 yr teaching degree so that part of the criteria isn't a problem fortunately. Can we apply for a Visa for another territory but still move to SA or are there restrictions to stop this happening? Could we, for example, get a Visa in NSW but move to SA for me to start work? We want to be in Adelaide due to family already being there.

Thanks again Rupert. Have you got any advice re how we should approach? Is there a cost to applying for a visa or can we just keep applying and hope one day we get accepted?

Thanks Rupert that's really helpful. I knew it wasn't going to be as simple as I'd hoped. My wife's a primary school teacher and we thought about using that as our way in but she wouldn't intend on working and I would just start work when we got over there. Is that worth considering?

Thank you for the info. In order to get a sponsor is it a "simple" case of trying to get a job secured before going? Would my future employer take care of the Visa application or are they simply a name to go on the application? With regards to a 489 Visa, would this allow me to get a visa automatically or would I still need employer/state sponsorship? I have been speaking to a number of agents who seem keen to have me on board but the sponsorship thing seems to be the sticking point. Can I get a Visa with a job offer without sponsorship? thank you for your help so far. An evening on immi.gov ahead

Forgot to mention my sister and family already live in Adelaide. Would this help our visa application?

Hi i am currently researching a move to Adelaide to work in Real Estate and wondered if anyone could help with regards to where to begin with visa application, expected timescales, migration agents etc. i am already speaking to immi and some real estate agents but wondered if someone could advise how they started and what I should expect to face re challenges along the way. Thank you