susanbro

We're using Skilling Australia - chose them purely on the fact that they were based in Edinburgh and easier for us to visit should they need to see us for anything. We are through TRA tho rather than vetasses - no idea how much for the solicitor - forgot to ask the OH when we called me today re the appt. It just seems to be more money after more money aarrgghh lol at least the end in nearer lol Will keep you updated - and likewise xx

Hi Adele, Currently jumping through the same hoop with my OH who was self employed for a period we need covered. They really make it difficult for you. Our agent has been great. We have a copy of the start and end date of OH's company from Companies House, a reference from his current employer who he was a subcontractor to during his self employment and its all stated in that letter. We have some invoices, his VAT reg letter, Company insurance letter as well as a signed statment with all this info and we were asked for 3 customer contact details for refs for each year of his business - the same 3 can be used for every year if they dealt with him every year. Got the solictor appt booked for Monday so hopefully that will be us ready to submit our info to TRA. Good luck. Susan x

Would ove to hear how others are shipping. We have a tool bag and golf clubs that need to go to Perth and are looking for the most cost effective method of shipping. Thanks x

Thanks everyone for your input. I spoke to a couple who recently moved to perth and they used IOM Australia who will come back with costs and allowances for various carriers doing special price and luggage alowances for new migrants. I've attached the link if it's of any use to anyone http://www.iomaustralia.org/index.html We haven't been granted our visa yet so can't contact them for a price but might be worth checking out if you have your visa and haven't booked flights yet x

No worriesd Claire, if we get anymore information I'll let you know. When are you planning on moving out there? x

I've heard there are special air fares with a higher baggage allowance for migrants, is this true? Can anyone shed any light on it? Thanks x

My fiance and I are in the same boat. He's a painter to trade as well though working in the management side now. We're hoping to be in Perth early next year and have friends there just now who have checked out with painting firms he is coming into contact through his work (joiner) & he has said there is loads of work for my fiance either on or off the tools. Don't know salaries though, best bet is to check Aus job boards xx

Thanks for your update, these posts from people who have first hand experience makes all the difference and are reassuring xx

Are you still in Perth?

Unfortunately my skills are not listed here but definately a good read.

We're hoping around the same time but I think we have finally settled on Perth for our destination but we still haven't actually applied for our visa's yet. My fiance's trade was done back in the YTS days with the council and no one can find his trade papers so he has had to sit the AQF III which he has now completed and they are coming out to assess him on the 8th Dec - only then can we do the TRA Skills Assessment and then submit our EOI. Feel like we are just jumping through hopes and haemorrhaging money left right and centre. I ha a look at the Cube but trying to get anyone to call me abck was a nightmare. Did they give you a cost? xx

I read this article today http://www.staffingindustry.com/row/Research-Publications/Daily-News/Australia-Improvement-showing-in-the-job-market-32252 which is saying things shouldn't get any worse now and should start picking up again over the course of the next year. Fingers crossed.

The Australian AQF III can be done in Scotland no problem, my fiance is doing his through a company called Skilling Australia but it is expensive at just over £2k but as its a recognised Australian Qualification we thought it best to do this before we went to put us in a better position when we got there. As above, before uyou apply for your visa you will either be assessed by Vetass or TRA and I think that costs about £600 - you need have that before you can even apply for your visa - 189 Skilled Idenpendent will be your best bet - means you can live and work where ever you like in Australia and be treated as permanent resident. Hope this helps x

We've decided on Perth. My fiance has an ex work colleague who moved there last year and has offered to put us up for a few weeks to allow us to do a reccie of surrounding suburbs before laying down roots. Thanks everyone for your kind input xx

Laura where are you in the process now - I'm also using OE as an agent? xx

Really good idea to update on your progress, might help to put people at ease if they are moving to the same location xx

We're using Oversea's Immigration who have been great - really depends on where you're based I suppose as they are local (ish) to us.

A traffic infringement, such as an on-the-spot speeding or parking fine is not considered a conviction.

Hi Colleen, Have you moved yet? Looking for some comments from you if you're there and what you think so far? Thanks

My fiance and I are in the same boat just now - we are still undecided on which location to ove and have thought about Adelaide due to a potential job offer there. He is a painter to trade but is in the management side now and I googled painting and construction companies and fired his CV out to them - most are really good and will come back and advise if they have any positions available. Also if you use the aus job boards they can help yolu get a ball park figure on salaries. I did a salary survey this week but didn't look at painting jobs cos we are hoping he will go straight into a management position - I'm thinking I may need to do that so at least we are prepared if his dream job doesnt materialise straight away lol

Thanks all. Melza, it's nice to atually here someone from Adelaide say nice tings about it - some of the forums have people born & bred there slate it terribly. The thing that concerns me most is everyone saying the lack of jobs there. My partner has two potential offers - 1 in Adelaide and 1 in Perth which is great for him but I also want to continue working so don't want to be stuck somewhere were my chances of finding work are slim. And before anyone says, yes, I have been searching the jobs boards lol and there are significantly more roles advertised everywhere else than Adelaide at the moment.

Thanks Flag & Fifi - so hard trying to decide where to move to. Want a good location thats nears the beach and CBD, if I'm going all that way I want some kind of beach life lol I keep hearing bad things about Adelaide which is starting to put me off.

My fiance & I are currently applying for perm residency and have potential job offers in both Adelaide and Perth - can anyone help us make the decision on where to go as I've only visited Melbourne and Sydney before?? Thanks.