LisaJ

Ozzydreamer is correct, I have 2 children 18 & 20 who are on my visa but they are in full time education (uni) so are dependant on me & my husband to fund their lifestyle, this we had to prove. Im not in IT but an OT and am 45, I had to get a regional sponsored visa to get the points so do not give up hope. If in doubt speak to an agent if you feel overwhelmed.

I am moving to Oz in October with my husband, we are leaving our 2 children in the UK to finish uni before they hopefully join us. Due to our age we have secured a 489 visa to The Orana region of NSW, around 4 hours inland from Sydney. It doesn't look like a popular area to emigrate to and have had mixed reviews/comments on the forum but 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. My husband has job opportunities in Sydney but they will have to go on hold for 2 years until we can apply for a permanent residency visa. I am going through mixed emotions at the minute regarding the move but we have worked for 6 years to get the visa. I can honestly say it's a roller coaster ride that I thought would have got easier once the visa was granted, I'm strapping myself in for the last few twists and turns. Congrats to you all that have made the leap & I wish you all the best for the journey ahead. :hug:

That's a wide area, Sydney is great but can be expensive. I've not been to Perth or Melbourne but I found every area is slightly different. I love Sunshine Coast and other areas on the East but we are off to Dubbo inland from Sydney, due to age we had to go for regional sponsorship on a 489 visa. You may find it easier to get employment as your not on a sponsored visa. I've noticed you are from Ilkley, I'm from Skipton! Looks like 2 OTs are leaving North Yorkshire.:chatterbox:

Thanks Stacey, I'll give it a go having a visa may be a plus.:wink:

I have applied for several OT jobs based in the UK as I have my visa but so far have been unsuccessful the standard reply is that they are not taking applicants that aren't on shore and/or sponsored visas. I am going to continue to apply whilst here in the UK but do not hold out much hope, fingers crossed I will have better luck when I land in October. I have been told recruitment is very different in Oz as they like you to contact them, drop in and have a chat with the prospective boss (mini interview?) I have been in touch with Global health and they are very quiet at the minute for OTs, radiographers are the AHPs required at the minute. With a little hope OTs will be back on demand soon. I am still very positive and OTs are on the skills in demand list so there's hope for us all; good luck everyone.:hug:

Thanks Wakeboard for your support and getting this information to me. It's difficult finding things like this as I don't know the area and 'google' only gives you so much information. Being new to this forum has been a real eye opener and I am great flu for all the information and advice posted. I will pass these on to my husband to research and contact, thanks again for taking the time to do this. :hug:

When I posted the thread Freckleface I was not expecting much if any feedback, and it's great to hear all the comments however the positive ones make me feel better. I feel Dubbo is a place that gets more negative comments which I have found on other forums but it will not put me off going (although I will be looking at mudgee too as it sounds delightful). We have been to a few places on holiday in Australia and they all had good & bad parts, we are realistic people who are a little older and have travelled so we are approaching this as an adventure. Work obviously is an issue that we will address and hopefully have at least 1 job prior to coming. I believe the government are investing in this region, fingers crossed work will be available. You are right coming from the UK the winter won't be cold but I am sure our first summer will be an experience, can't wait. I also agree it will be an adventure/experience living in a regional area. (Not sure this will be good for hubbies work options though). We have a lovely community where we live now so it'll be nice to have that in Oz. I will keep you update when we get there and how it goes. Thanks for the post Freckleface :hug:

Thank you for your help Wakeboard :hug:

:hug:Yes he would do anything, he's looked into mining previously and is up on health & safety in the UK. He hasn't been on the tools professionally for over 27 years but as he say he can still lay a brick & is very handy with a lot of aspects of building as he likes to still get his hands dirty. He was offered work in Sydney 2 years ago but the company lost the contract to lend lease so the job never came off, he's not adverse to travelling either as long as he can do that within our visa restrictions as he does this at present. He lives away Monday to Friday in the UK.

Thanks for the help Marisa, I'll look at the site. :hug:

:hug:I am an Occupational Therapist and my husband is in construction, he is currently employed as a projects director for a large firm in London but he is a bricklayer by trade and is prepared to take a step back. I work for social services in the community supporting people with physical and mental health issues.

Not considering, doing! I'm too far down the road to turn back! You think they wouldn't go there then?!?

Unfortunately Orange and Mudgee are in the central west region not Orana. I will just have to see what it brings for 2 years before I can change my visa to a permanent residency visa which would give me more freedom. Enjoy your retirement in the UK. :hug:

:hug:Hi Marisa, thanks for the information, I never thought of my husband setting up a business so that's given me food for thought. So Dubbo is the place to go in Orana and I need to be looking for a house with air con by the sound of it. Is it a similar heat to the Sunshine Coast?

Thanks Dave, have you been to any other towns in the Orana region? I know Bathurst is on the way to Sydney as my hubby found a job there but it's out of our area. Not sure where orange is. :hug: