Readingfam

This is really reassuring, we don't expect to live richly in oz with a pool or boat and loads of eating out. Having been out a few times to perth, I know how expensive it can be, but obviously being in holiday mode is very different to actually living day to day life. But the fact that you feel that you are not literally counting and budgeting every penny and worrying about if you can afford essentials is very positive. Rob

Ok, il good to know that some garages offer some sort of bonus or overtime. Used to work for a garage that has a great bonus structure but have recently changed garages so we are used to suddenly have less money . Might be worth taking a few long weekends when we get there to explore different areas, although have to settle on a state first! Thanks very much for your advice, rob

Yeah exactly, some sort of mining job would be ideal but won't be holding my breath for that to happen!

What sort of wage could we expect once I have established myself in a garage? Are mechanics able to earn over 60,000 if there is an overtime or bonus structure?

Thanks for your replies, so if my wife was able to secure part time work that fits in with the children, we might be ok? So difficult to gauge if we will be ok as having read some other posts, I have found people saying that they have managed ok, through budgeting and living quite simple lives but obviously the majority of people feel they need to earn more to make ends meet. The only problem s that I doubt we would have a "small" mortgage based on what we can bring over. Having looked at for example adelaide area, we would have about a 30% deposit based on the real estate websites. I definitely think the skilled visa is going to be the best option for us. Just wished we had done this when we first discussed it, ie before children would've seemed less risky!!

Hi everyone, we are new to this site, just found it while researching oz stuff. Sorry in advance for the essay and multiple questions! But any advice or personal experiences would be gratefully received! I am a light vehicle mechanic, 10+ years of experience. We would like to apply for a state sponsored visa, although the employee sponsored one is tempting as they help with relocation costs etc and there seems to be lots of garages willing to sponsor mechanics. However, we have 2 children and would like to have one more at some point and therefore the instability of the 457 worries me so am definitely leaning towards state sponsorship. We are about to start the process of applying for a visa and we were wondering if anyone has any personal experience or knows of anyone who emigrated over to oz for a job in my salary bracket. Having looked at and researched some jobs, it seems that mechanics get about 50,000-60,000. Although this seems great at first, having read some posts on this site, it seems below average which is weird considering they seem to have such a shortage! My wife is a secondary teacher and I think she would probably get more money if she worked full time and I stayed home with the kids (who are not school age yet) but as we would like another, it seems more logical for me to get started with a career in oz and for her to start teaching again once all the children are at school. So I think I will be the breadwinner for a few years. Are there any mechanics who have been the sole earner in their family? Or any occupation for that matter on that sort of wage? If so, how have you found it? Is it Point blank impossible? I think we are naturally fairly frugal without even realising it, as my wife frequently points out, she doesn't go to the hairdressers often as she has curly hair (??!!) and when she does she goes to training colleges, we shop at aldi and any clothes are either ebay or primark/supermarket type places. So I don't really think we have an expensive lifestyle at the moment, maybe a few too many take always though! We had our house valued very recently and after fees I think we should walk away with about £90,000 which at the moment is about $150,000 and is obviously a great sum of money to us but I would really like to buy as soon as possible and so would like to use as much of it as poss for a deposit. Would we be able to get a mortgage within the first year or two and would we even be able to get on the property ladder with me as the breadwinner and that sort of deposit? My wife would be happy to get some sort of part time job, maybe a couple of evenings and a Saturday but not sure what the job market is like for part time hours, I know a lot of part time jobs around our area are automatically filled for the 16 year olds. Tutoring is another option. If anyone has had experience of getting by on this sort of money or has friends that have, please so let me know how it's been for you and if any mechanics have a mo to let me know how working as a mechanic in oz is-stress, attitude, bonus and overtime availability, main dealers or smaller garages please feel free to let me know as well. Any info people are willing to give is going to be so helpful. Should also say that we are torn between south oz and Queensland at the mo, and maybe WA too as we have a few contacts in that part. thanks again everyone, rob and family