Justincredible

From a Google search I have found out which agent you're talking about. She is also dealing with my friends application and I'm worried for him to be honest. He's already lost thousands through other agents and I don't want to see it happen again. I'm currently using a great MARA agent and he said he'll turn to him also if this 'lady' agent lets him down, which I feel she will. I've done my own research on her and there's a few unhappy customers of hers. I'm so glad you didn't lose any money but my friend is standing to lose £2,000'ish and 9 months of his life if this agent doesn't deliver the goods. Anyone got any ideas? Has she has successful applications? Is she a con and should we be reporting her as this could be verging on fraud?

Going by what you've said, the student visa will be a last resort then, so if I go down that avenue, I will see what courses there are and study the SOL to ensure I'm studying the correct domain (thank you for that advice about not just studying what I want but what AUS wants). I've also read something that say's you can't apply for a 457 visa if you're on any other visa, so the student option maybe out the window... :-( Sorry to hear about your issues but I guess it's a long distance memory now you've got PR? I'm glad you've got it now too, as you've been kind to reposnd and help me thank you.

Hi Joebloggs - I've checked all the visa costs out and that's what I'll be doing. I wasn't aware of the employer costs not being able to be passed on, thanks for the info. I have done some research on the employers obligations and back awake at 5:30am and have been going through sites again all morning since. I've spent months going through pages, taking advice, watching related shows, travelling to events in the UK, joining forums etc and to be honest, I get varied information and conflicting info at times too, so sometimes it's tough to make an informed decision, but all advice is greatly appreciated.

And I think I'd rather 'get by' in Australia than existing in the UK. My brain works better in the sunshine.

I was thinking student visa > 457 > PR - is this possible? And thanks for the info about working hours as I didn't know both were limited to 20hrs. Would I be able to start up a business while my partner worked do you know? I suppose if I was limited to 20hrs also, I too could further educate myself in a trade on the SOL. Food for thought at least. ?

Hi jjgibbs - this is just what I want to hear - thank you. I know it won't be easy and I'm willing to jump through hoops and work my a85e off to get there, but I will get there somehow. Yes. ideally a bit of luck would be nice but I'm not banking on it. I've got 8 weeks to get some contacts up and then I'm in Oz for just over 3 weeks to hopefully learn more and move this dream forward. I will even fund the 457 Visa for them if they want me too, taking any risk and/or cost out for them. I'm even selling/downgrading my motor to fund any trips back this year if I get a sniff of an interview (yes I'd fly over just for an interview...mad maybe but needs must). Last resort would be, my partner gets a student visa and works 20hrs and I come with her and work full time. Does anybody see any issues with this? This is not my ideal but if I'm not further forward come June/July, this maybe our only option. Then I could also train while I was out there as have a nice amount of funds behind us.

Hi Rupert - sorry for delay, I've been away. There is nothing that stands out on the list but having also owned my own construction firm for 6 years, I maybe able to get over on the construction side doing project management, however I have no official qualifications in this field. I'm just applying for some roles who do take those without visas and if accepted, they offer you the chance of the 457 visa, so fingers crossed here. I will line up some interviews for when I arrive in April and fingers corssed I can impress face to face (which I'm confident I can). Appreciate the replies everybody and if anyone else has any ideas or input, please feel free to comment.

I can be too but I thought I was being nice :-)

Hi VERYSTORMY - thank you for your mail. I was unaware that you still needed to be on the list for sponsorship, so thank you :-( I think I will speak to an agent but I'm owrried about dead money. I mean I paid some agent a few hundred pounds last year to tell me that we'd be better trying to get in on my details but that was about it, so not great.

Hi Melza - my focus is on the family and I obtaining a visa I assure you. I suppose I was just pointing out a situation where 'one shoe doesn't fit all' and maybe should have left that bit off :-( haha. Not sure what his plans are for a job but I know he doesn't have one to walk in to. I could point him to this forum but he doesn't own a PC so may struggle (his invoices are in writing or he does cash jobs). Hi Tappers2Oz - thank you for your support - great points raised and I hope life is better now friend. And can we stop the debate around the 'rhetorical question', abz123 was just making a joke. Let's get back on point please.

Hi The Pom Queen - that's a great idea, thanks. How do I find and contact these please? (I'm new) Why wouldn't you recommend a student visa? My partner could study and I'd work full time to ensure a steady income (that was my idea anyway). I do want it bad enough and will get there, even if I have to go on a student visa but that will be my last option, based off what you're saying. Appreciate the support too - thank you. Hi Sammy1 - my partner was also a stay at home mum pretty much for 6 years, bar a couple of hours child care in the evenings, and yes she was lucky enough to have this privilege as my income is pretty decent. His family are in debt, can't save up to ever own and is on every benefit going (including ones they shouldn't be which is my point, and people are entitled for benefits if needed obviously - just saying before someone on benefits jumps down my neck...). And none of my business....well we'll have to agree to disagree here - he shouldn't moan to me about how cr*p his life is now and tell me about all the benefits they're on, that's how I know. Also, I pay all my taxes so indirectly I can judge. I am concentrating on ME, if I wasn't I'd be reporting them for benefit fraud and not be on this forum. And jealous lol, far from it, it was mealy a point and I'd not want his life for any amount of money or even a visa. Oz does need skills correct, well done you. But Oz is also in debt and his situation won't help that fact... I am not complaining either, just pointing out facts and asking questions about my possibilities, so if you don't wish to help, please keep your thoughts to yourself. Hi abz123 - I don't mind mate ;-) just appreciate the advice.

Hi Pom Queen - I certainly will overcome the obstacles, just weighing up the best action to take (which I'm thinking is a student visa at this stage). I'm very determined and I will do what I can to ensure my family and I are there within 18mths. Hi Johndoe - I will as a last resort. I've lived there before and just found the city and area not to my liking really and have friends in Perth & Sydney already. Hi Sammy1 - I know my situation is different, however, I can compare. I'm a drinker too but 4/5 times a week, more to get away from his family, is not a great example to set your children, in my opinion. She is a stay at home mum but the kids are 8 and 12, so between 9-3 she could work but he say's to me she is too lazy to find a job. And when I refer to renting a house, yes nothing wrong with it but surely you can see that going to Oz with the ability to be able buy or rent (or both) is far better than someone who can barely afford to rent. Yes it doesn't make you inferior either, it's just an observation. Flip it - does it make me inferior that I can't get into Oz because I don't have a trade? Oz seem to think so, hence the system. But what it fails to realise is that I sub contract my work to all these trades so I'm keeping them in business to a degree, and I know this as I stopped using as a particular builder and he ended up going bust. The reference to his family not visiting Oz was more of 'I know what I'm going in to' statement, as he will not have a clue and can he and his family cope. You're taking things too literally here. And I will focus on my own goals and I will get there, I was just asking for advice, hence my post. The question marks in the post refer to me looking for advice or answers to my questions, which you've not really answered but instead taken it as a personal attack as your life ticks some of my mates boxes, which wasn't the case. Hi Xenon4017 - you made me laugh. And in answer; "Your friend will walk it because: - He is a plumber & has been for 7 years (so is applying under the SOL visa) He has a useful skill JB - I agree - He nor his family have never lived or even visited Oz (so don't know if they can cope) No preconceptions and no "it was a lot cheaper before" JB - I know it's more expensive now and more than the UK, I'm under no illusion there - He drinks relatively heavy (4/5 days per week in the local pub) Support local businesses JB - so do I but in other ways - He rents his house in the UK (has never owned a property) Every Aussie and his dog have an investment property. Oz needs renters JB - I will likely rent to start with too so that will be handy. Can I have the contact details of the dog landlord please? - He's a 36 year old male (so older than me) He has the wisdom that only time can imbue JB - He is far from wise trust me... He also can't remember most of it as he's too drunk - He is in debt due to his drinking and gambling (not massively but he is & can't save for a deposit for a house) TAB will fast track his application JB - I'm not sure what TAB is? - He is taking his family (wife and 2 kids) Ideal number of occupants to fill a dual cab ute JB - I can't argue with that.... - His wife doesn't work and hasn't done for years (she's on benefits) Does she know a good deal on Chardonnay when she sees it? JB - she knows a good deal on chocolate cake...." Hi Que Sera, Sera - I will if I have to but wanted to explore my options first.

Hi Barbieshrimp - thank you for your kind mail. I thought Police could get in certain areas of Oz, as long as they had 2yrs+ exp and they are recruiting..? But I maybe wrong, just what I heard. Maybe you could get there on a student visa? Top up your qualification while there and get a 457 visa or PR while there? Just an idea. Hi Que Sera, Sera - thanks for the list. I may have to change the title of a job role to fit maybe.... :-( haha Thanks, Justin

Australian Visas: My favourite saying is "common sense isn't that common" and in terms of the following scenario, I believe this to be true (although I agree with the immigration policy). I have a friend who is in the process of applying to live and work in Oz and here are his personal details (weaknesses/benefits); He: - He is a plumber & has been for 7 years (so is applying under the SOL visa) - He nor his family have never lived or even visited Oz (so don't know if they can cope) - He drinks relatively heavy (4/5 days per week in the local pub) - He rents his house in the UK (has never owned a property) - He's a 36 year old male (so older than me) - He is in debt due to his drinking and gambling (not massively but he is & can't save for a deposit for a house) - He is taking his family (wife and 2 kids) - His wife doesn't work and hasn't done for years (she's on benefits) And this is me: - I don't have a trade I want to do in Oz (although I'm qualified in hairdressing & as a plumber but not got any exp). My experience has been in sales/retention management in the telecoms and banking world - I have owned and run a construction firm for 7 years but I don't have a trade as I sub contract the work - I lived and loved living in Oz in 2000/2001 and came back as I was on a WHV which is limited to 1 year - I drink once every few weeks I'd guess as I like to keep healthy and am more of a family man - I own 2 houses in the UK (one which I rent out). Both houses have at least £75,000 equity in them (AUD $275,000 total) - I'm a 34 year old male - I have no debt (bar my kitchen on 0% for 12 months haha) - I'd like to take my partner and 1x child - My partner has always worked and is level 3 qualified in child care (although this is not enough for a SOL visa) - And we've never been out of work or claimed benefits in 17yrs of working (apart from child tax credit which is standard) Now he will walk in and I won't be able to get in. What are you thoughts on this? Please be honest as I'm man enough :-) I could get in one of a few ways, please also let me know what you think; 1) I could pay to be a student for 2 yrs at $10,000 a year - which I could do but would only be allowed to work 20hrs a week. 2) I could apply under my hairdressing and if I get tested, my barber has said I can use the salon (do you get tested?) 3) I could apply for loads of jobs and try to obtain sponsorship along with millions of others :-( 4) I was offered sponsorship in Brisbane for an IT company in 2000 but turned it down, and the company has since gone bust but the lady who wanted to sponsor me now owns her own firm but it would mean asking her firm to become a sponsor and living in Brisbane which I don't want to do really, but would if all else fails. Which of the above options would be best? Many thanks for reading, Justin (newbie to the forums).

Hi all, I'm new to this forum so please be gentle. I visited Oz in 2000 for 1 year on a WHV and loved every minute of it. I was offered sponsorship for an IT firm (Re-Tech Global) in Brisbane in 2001 but turned it down as I was young, had only been traveling 5 months, didn't want to settle in Brisbane and I was also raised by my Grandparents, so felt a duty to be there when they needed me, so went back after my year. So, back in the UK, I met a lovely lady and we now have a child. We've been together over 10 years and my daughter is 6. I bore them daily about Oz and now they are both very keen on joining me in my dream move to either Perth or Sydney. My partner is a qualified child minder at level 3 but this is not on the SOL. I'm currently working in a bank as an analyst & incident manager. I qualified as a hairdresser when I was 18 but carried this on for only a year, so I don't want to go down this route ideally. Upon returning from Oz, I then worked in Sales roles and set up my own construction firm (part time /on the side) in 2007, knowing very little about construction but I knew I was great at winning contracts and knew how and where to win them. So I'd win contracts ranging from £30,000 > £130,000 and sub contract them to my friends who were all builders and tradesman to manage. So basically I was prospecting > following up > appointments > get plans > pass to build to quote me > I'd over brand the quote and make it tidy and more presentable with my mark up > present it > win 7/10 jobs (industry standard is 3/10). While doing this, I moved jobs and worked as a telecoms manager and was very successful here for 5 yrs and even traveled to India with the CS director to help improve off-shore sites performance. The site was then closed due to relocation up north and we were all offered a transfer but all took the attractive package which was offered. While here I also training as a plumber in the evenings (college course) to level 2 as I wanted to know more so I could advise on my building jobs, which it did help build confidence and help win more jobs. But I've never worked as a plumber. We own a couple of properties with a good amount of equity, so would be happy to sell both and could come to Oz finacially free if we wished to but the idea would be to pump a few hundred thousand dollars into a house and have a small mortgage and both work. Yet Oz seems to prefer 'skilled' trades with no financial acumen or little funds to start a new life or support the economy. The long and short of it is - I wish to come over and either work in telecoms or the financial industry, have very good experience in both and feel I could really offer something in those fields. My partner also wants to work with children in either a school or child care environment. So I think I need to come on a 457 visa but need sponsorship I guess? Can anyone help or advise please? Many thanks in advance, Justin. PS: sorry for the life story