Thevans15

Hi, Thanks for the reply. Are you in Oz at the moment? I really didn't want to go down sponsor route but OH is dead against the IELTS route. Dyslexic and never given the opportunity to put it right when at school, so he suffers now. Quite happily price up a house for materials etc but not happy to write an English essay and the thought of failing isn't going down well. My only hope is a firm wants him and keeps him or I increase my degree to full-time and pass in the next 2 years

Hi All, Hubby is classed as multi-skilled trades man in the UK, however he's a qualified Painter and Decorator (apprentice) and a self taught plasterer (Over 15 years) we have run a very small family business and he sub-contracts as well. What's the building work like in AUS and what areas are doing well? I'm in Adult Social Services and currently year one out of six (part time) of an OU degree. Hubby is 41. He won't take the IELTS as doesn't feel he'd get the 8/9 score needed, so we've got to go sponsor route. Any suggestions/ideas would be great Thanks Sue

Hi, Are you still looking for Plasterers and willing to sponsor? Cheers

Yes that was weighing on our minds. We are going to try and keep our house and let it out, mainly because the pound being more than the $ and its a good pension, but also the thought of coming back to the UK with nothing is rather scary. Cheers

Sorry being blonde here -PR does that mean permanent resident? happy with meds and police search etc, it's just the IELTS test that's putting him off. Ask him to look at a house and he could re design it and work out how much materials needed and the cost and he's happy, but doing an English test, a different story lol

Hi All, If OH was given/awarded a 457 visa, I understand it lasts for 4 years, But what happens after the 4 years??? Can we apply to become Aus Citizens? Also will he still need to take the IELTS test as at present he only has 40 points? Cheers

Hi All, Have any of you used an agency for the immigration process?? I've just got off the phone from Go Matilda, fella sounded lovely and gave me lots of info, however price is a concern, I know its not going to be for free but just want to know if its an ok price (£2220) or is it just as "easy" if you'd call it that and do the whole process yourself?? Visa Fee is £4300.00, TRA Fee $1000, IELTS Fee £140.00 Also why do some web sites and some TV programmes say your trade is needed in Aus, only to find out your not that much in demand and struggle for work??? Is it like the UK 1 post and 40 to 80 people apply for post!

Cheers for that. My eyes have turned square from looking on the PC for several days trying to source info. Wish I'd none about this site first, would have saved me time and stress levels lol

Hi, How did you get a mortgage?? Is it the same way as the UK application process? We need to sell our house, well we need to apply for a visa first but I'm trying to get as much info as poss. Did you come out for a holiday first or just take the plunge ?? Cheers

Yes I'm slowly learning thats its more expensive for stuff, broadband and utlities etc. Considering a holiday out ther first just to satisfy hubby as hes swaying to stay UK side, but I'm thinking a holiday out there will eat into our visa fees.

Hi all, been told oh needs to take the english test to get extra points (20 needed) for the 189. Having looked online there are 2 tests, general and acedemic. I cant see on the Aus web site, which is required. Can anyone help please? Cheers

Cheers re info on Fraser Island. Geography isnt my thing in the UK, so must learn it for Aus. Re points, just got off phone to an agency and hubby currently has 40 points, to gain the 20 needed, he needs to take the IETLS test, however not sure which one General or acedemic??? If he only scores 10 points we have to go out on a sponsored area visa !

Cheers - I've just emailed them. Based on points we'd scrap through. Higher points if he took the English test, but tests are't his thing so trying to avoid it.

Hi all, Hubby and I have had a discussion every year about moving to Aus but we've always put it to the back of the head and got on with life in the UK. Nothing wrong with that but we are working to live and the weather here is dire (South East, 40 min from London) Hubby is a trades and we hope to get in on his original qualification of Painting & Decorating, even though he now does loft conversions and Plasters (solid) I've contact the TRA and they want $1000 to asses his certificate, however they can't tell me if the City & Guilds qualifcation is acceptable until I've paid the fee (I have asked them again to look at this) He has to have his trade assessed as when I took the Express an Interest questionnaire on the Aus immigration site they said they wouldn't invite us at this time as skills not assessed!! Has anyone else had this happen and what did they do?? Could any one say wheres best to move also? We have 3 children 8 weeks, 3yrs and 9yrs and if we made the move I'd really like to do it before the eldest goes to Secondary school. I've been googling (best friend atm) and the house prices in Fraser Island look good and we've be able to buy or have a better chance of buying given their prices. I've trying to look at the pros and cons of moving to Aus and after looking at the Moving back to UK part on this site I'm now undecided. I know and understand there are going to be down sides, but why are 40% of brits moving back from Aus???? Also I work for the government in benefits, no qualifications. Does the Aus benefit system vary much to ours?? Whilst in NZ I obtained my Bar managers licence (expired now) and have a NZQA in Food and Beverages, will this help me find work in Aus if government don't need me?? What is Childcare like? IS the cost of living really as high as my price comparision chart tells me?? Would Hubby be able to find work easy ?? He use to work for Carillion but they are no more in Aus and he also has his PTS (Personal Track Safety) as does building maintence on the rail stations. Will this help for work? One last thing, how many of you did the whole process on your own and how many used an Immigration agency? Were they any good and how much did they charge and did you get in quicker with them and were any of you regreted even though you used an agency? Any info you have would be great - Good or Bad Cheers