Stokie

Hi Jess, You're right in everything you said. There are websites like TES out here but they're not used as much. Just go door-door and you'll get enough work. The state system is different - get in touch with Education Queensland for the facts. With private schools it depends, small private schools - no need. But you might want to register with Catholic education. Bring copies of EVERYTHING - uni transcripts, degree certs, teaching quals....EVERYTHING. Queensland College of Teachers (who you'll have to register with to have permission to teach) will throw spanners into the works - deep breath before you deal with them. If you're gonna organise it when you get here it's worth knowing that there are Justices of the Peace set up in shopping centres and places like that each week - they'll authenticate your documents for free - can save you a small fortune. Good luck!

Came out to QLD on a 457 4 years ago (but they're scrapping that visa now). Pretty straightforward regarding the visa, I'd heard stories that it was tricky to get in but DIBP were great - be open, be honest, do everything exactly as they ask you to. Only sticking point was the Queensland College of Teachers (pretty much the same thing as GTC in the UK) - they are incredibly pedantic and slow to act. It took them longer to decide if i could teach (my degrees and experience - 12 years science teaching met their 'high' standards) than it did for immigration to check me out. The system in QLD is phenomenally different to the UK (and I found that hard to adapt to - but all good now), other states are the same, South Australia (Victoria/NSW) is more similar to the UK. After making the adjustment, pedagogy is the same. I love it out here. You could do 60% of what's expected in the UK and they'll think you do tons here. There's not the same pressure - it rekindled that joy I had when I started teaching. If only they'd realise back home that if you give teachers more time, more spares, more cash and less pressure you'll get better value, instead of squeezing every bit or work out of us and checking on us all the time. Evenings and weekends are mine again. I plan and mark because I want to not because there's a work scrutiny coming. I haven't had that 'OMG it's Monday' or 'I don't want the holidays to end' for years, I enjoy work and look forward to going in. The country is awesome - so big and so diverse, and the quality of life you can have here is exceptional - as good as you want it to be! Easy to fly around. You think nothing of a 3 hour flight for a days PD/weekend away - when would you ever have thought hmmm.....shall we fly to Turkey for the weekend, it's only a 3 hour flight??? Climate depends on where you are - I get blue skies and sunshine each day, which is just priceless. Working in/near a city is a completely different game to working 'rural' - that doesn't mean in the shadow of Uluru either. Anywhere in North Queensland is rural. I know so many teachers who were ready for the scrap heap who have recharged and are back in the game out here. Don't not do it. Best thing I ever did!!!!

Hey Telle, Have you registered with QCT? (Queensland College of Teachers), if not it takes aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggges for them to process your application and they require lots of certified documents/transcripts etc. The Queensland way I was told - nothing gets done quick up here. Without that you can't even be in a classroom. I'm physics too and they're screaming for maths and physics - plenty of work in and around Cairns if you fancy living in the tropics! If you get moving now you could be ready for January (the physics thing is a huge bonus), get appointed with a school and they can hussle things along - plus they'll pay you from the start of Jan but you won't start until near the end of Jan - bonus again. Cover/supply work is hard to come by but once they get to know you you work your way up the list and get lots. Sounds like history repeating - I was in the same spot last year (but had got an appointment) and JUST got things sorted to start in Jan. QCT!!! Good luck - you'll love it, Stokie

Thank you

Thank you rammygirl. I told them this morning - they were unsure how to act, but at least I have told my employer. Spoke with an agent on the phone just as well and he said that I shouldn't get in lots of trouble if I allow her time to start her own visa application but that as soon as its lodged I need to contact immigration. Honest - I don't want to make things tough for her but I really don't want to jeopardise myself. STRESS. Thank you for your comment, Stokie

It gets worse. She is now applying for her own visa and this can take up to 10 weeks for a skills assessment and other things before she can then apply for the visa?? I've had her father on the phone telling me to stay quiet, keep my mouth shut and let her get sorted and her brother in Brisbane doing the same and threatening to get my visa cancelled too? Because I am abusive to her - God knows how. A web of tales is being spun. I told my employer today what was happening and they suggested that I speak to a lawyer, which is what I will do. Surely if she is planning to apply for a visa then this will flag up a change in circumstances and jeopardise things for her? WHAT A MESS!!

Job done! Cheers Mark Stokie

Thank you all, nasty business but EVERYONE who I speak to/ask advice from says the same as you guys. Thank you for the advice, Stokie

Hello all, Can anyone give some advice please. Myself and partner came out on a temporary 457 visa, I was sponsored by an employer and she was attached to my visa. The relationship has broken down. She has moved out, cancelled joint accounts and posted to Facebook that she is single. I have no animosity towards her and am not looking to cause her trouble BUT the conditions of the visa have changed (and this can be evidenced by the lease agreement/bank account etc.). IMMI say you must notify them immediately or the visa can be cancelled. I have planned to work here for a minimum of two years and do not want to have my visa cancelled for not notifying IMMI/DIAC. I also don't want to make them aware and have her given the 28 days to leave/find an alternative visa. Sounds very selfish but i'm looking out for myself and the job position I hold. The relationship has ended badly and her moving out left a lot of destruction that I am still cleaning up. Has anyone been through this or know of anyone who has. Can anyone suggest what to do - best I've managed so far is to tell her what I am thinking (as posted here) which went down like a lead balloon and suggest she speaks to a specialist. Any help at all is appreciated, Stokie

Morning Melza, Home for a visit or moving back? I'm back visiting at Xmas for 5 weeks and looking forward to it. Thanks for the message, Carl

Thank you. Feeling quite settled now. Job is good and building up friends. Weather and scenery is an absolute gift! Are you settling in well? Thanks again, Carl

Hi Kaiden, Me too, as of this week, you'll find that people will get in touch with your fairly quickly and it's a good feeling. I'm teaching up in Cairns. Got here last Xmas. It's taken a bit of getting used to but much better than the 'wet' and 'grey' of home. Are you new to Oz or the website?

Hi Happyheart, Stoke-on-Trent (honestly not being sarcastic), if you know the area then I started in Fenton (kid), moved to Joiners square (spotty teen) - Uni - then back to Keele for my PGCE and bought a house, that I still have, in Penkhull. Unless you mean here - then that would be Cairns, FNQ. Yourself??

Hi VERYSTORMY, I get my first experience of Sydney (not just the airport) next month. I've signed up for the half marathon and can't wait. Said I'd give Australia two years and then re-assess. It's a fantastic place but I do miss family, sometimes more than others. Determined to explore while I'm here though. Thanks for the reply, Carl

Thank you adonna, only signed up the other day and people are starting to get back to me. Should have done this ages ago. How long have you been out?