MaisieK

I've posted before about my situation so sorry if I'm boring anyone! Long story short - I want to retrain (legal background). I know for definite that I want to work in health care in some shape or form. I would love to be a nurse but I'm a single parent to my almost 1 year old and I want something a bit more family friendly. I'm looking for something that I would enjoy and that I could be passionate about but if whatever I choose is likely to be wanted in Australia within the next few years then that would be a huge bonus I've considered therapeutic radiography or occupational therapy so far. Can anyone tell me about the likelihood of how well these 2 are doing in Australia at the moment and whether they might be good options?

Nope, I'd never been - I was a strange child lol! I don't even know what it was that made me love Australia so much but when I finally went for the first time I just knew it was where I wanted to be. I had to return sooner than planned because sadly my mum passed away. Can I be nosey and ask what changed that made you want to return to the UK? And also, what part of Australia did you grow up in?

I completely agree that most people saying they'd love to move to Australia create obstacles and reasons why they can't, probably due to fear of the unknown or how daunting it might be to make the big move. I must be one of the unusual ones because I can't see any reason why I can't do it other than the possibility of whatever job I retrain for being taken off the SOL/CSOL. Not decided what I should go for yet but I'm praying it will still be there in a few years!

Thank you great post. Good luck with everything and hope you carry on enjoying it.

bristolman, I know your post isn't directed at people like me as I'm one of the desperate ones trying to get over to Australia BUT for what it's worth, I completely understood what you were saying first time round Please don't feel guilty that you had the chance to go but decided to return, you have to do what is right for you and your family. It's my ultimate dream to be able to move over to Australia and has been since I was around 8 years old when I used to beg my dad to apply for jobs over there. I'm now 25 and looking at careers I can choose that could help me get over there! The main factor urging me to put a plan into action is the fact that I have my own little girl now and would love to be able to offer her the opportunities I never had. Anyway, I'm rambling! Long story short, don't feel guilty

Aww congratulations on your little girl it sounds like we're in slightly similar situations but you're in front of me and actually at uni already. Are you going back to do your second year in September? What's the training like for podiatry? Your plan sounds great and I think you have the perfect attitude towards whether you'll move over or not. I suppose I'm just having a bit of a flap because I don't know what I'm truly wanting to do yet and don't have anything planned. I'd love to be a nurse but also considering radiography as I think it's something I would genuinely enjoy and also there are good opportunities for career progression. Will have to do some research and try and formulate a rough plan like you have done. You're completely right when you say time will pass no matter what so it's just about making the most of everything and having no regrets. I'm very excited for the future whether it's in the UK or Aus!

kiwi, WHY on earth would I need counselling because I (like you once did) want to try life in Australia?? I'm not sure why you're talking as though I'm neglecting my motherly duties and 'running away' from the UK but that couldn't be further from the truth. I want to create the best life possible for my daughter and for me too and I think seeing what Australia can offer us is what's best for my family. I really don't mean to sound rude but please don't make assumptions or give me pity by thinking it's sad or whatever. I'm perfectly happy with my life and I'm certainly NOT running away from anything.

I definitely won't restrict myself. I remember when I returned home after my WHV had ended and realising how much I missed and loved England (mainly the TV and family/friends of course) so it's not like I'm against living here or anything. I will live how I normally would and see what happens in the future. At a last resort I have an Australian friend in Cairns who I could persuade to marry me (joking!!) But in all seriousness, I know it's not the end of the world if I don't make it but where there's a will, there's usually a way, right?

Too late Quoll - my heart is set!

Thank you GiveAGirlShoes that's a very helpful post and I hope you're enjoying your podiatry training. I wanted to become a nurse a while ago but life got in the way and it never worked out. It really is a career that I would be passionate about, I know that I definitely 100 percent want to work in health/social care and I think nursing offers such a wide range of options upon qualifying. My only reservation is whether it's the right choice when it comes to having a family friendly career. Nothing is more important to me than my little girl so if it meant that I'd miss out on her growing up then I don't think I could do it. Although I'm really struggling to find a career that offers a good balance in that way. My brain is fried thinking about it all. I will definitely do my research and look into the different types of visas too, that's something I'd not even considered yet. Ahh I just really really want it to happen, I don't care how long it takes or how hard I have to work!

A friend who lives in Brisbane suggested aged care as well. Would being a home care worker be enough to get sponsored do you think? Or would I have to do a degree in OT etc?

Thanks fifi. Would you recommend anything other than nursing as a safe bet to be able to get over there in the next few years? I know it sounds desperate but I am willing to completely change career directions which might seem crazy to some! I don't fully understand the different types of visas to be honest, so for the 457 visa I wouldn't need a job on the SOL?

I've been thinking about it and I'm considering retraining as a nurse when my little girl starts nursery. I would qualify when I'm 30 so providing Australia still wants nurses then I would have until I'm 32 to get a bit of experience and start the ball rolling. I'd be more than happy being a nurse wherever I am. I know it's not the most family friendly in terms of jobs but what job is?! I don't know. I'll have to see.

I'm newly single actually so finding an Aussie guy to marry would be ideal haha! I would love to become a nurse and have thought long and hard about it but I just can't commit to such a time consuming job when my daughter is so young. I'm willing to work my socks off at anything I do but the long working hours etc just wouldn't fit in with being a single mum without much support. Back to the drawing board I suppose. I'd also enjoy social work/counselling but from what I can see, it's kind of hit and miss in Australia?

Can anyone kindly offer advice regarding options I might have? Would it be a case of retraining and praying that my chosen job will be on the SOL/CSOL in a few years?

fifi I live in South Yorkshire so know Meadowhall very well Thanks for all of your input. I think I've built Australia up to be some kind of utopia in my mind but know that realistically it wouldn't be all beaches, BBQs and sunbathing. I would love to at least give it a try though. I know that I'd always kick myself if I didn't. Am I being unrealistic to think that I could make it there one day? Is retraining/changing my career the only option I have?

I'm desperately seeking ways of moving to Australia but without having a job on the SOL/CSOL I highly doubt it will ever happen. I suppose I'm just wanting to know whether I'm just assuming that the grass will be greener in oz or whether I would probably be disappointed. I spent time in oz in 2012 on a WHV and fell in love with the place but seem to remember feeling extemely lonely at times, despite the amazing beaches, scenery and everything else I loved about the country. I'm 25 and have a 10 month old baby but don't really have much family in the UK so I wouldn't really miss anyone (without sounding harsh!). I know this board is for people moving back to the UK but I'm just interested in finding out the reasons behind wanting to come home and wondered whether anyone went out there expecting to 'live the dream' and discovered it wasn't all it was cracked up to be?

Oh right thanks!

Thanks Lorna. I'm not sure what the difference is between a 190 and a 176? Sorry, I'm new to all this and it's confusing lol.

I have some questions that I hope someone will be kind enough to answer We're hoping to migrate to Australia in the near future but my partner's occupation is only on the CSOL, not the SOL - I understand that this means we would need either state or employer sponsorship. His occupation would be assessed by the TRA - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics). Now I'll break my questions down into 2 sections, I would be so grateful if anyone could answer even one of them. So.. State Sponsorship: 1) How does SS work? 2) Do states often reject applications and, if so, what are the most common reasons? 3) Are there any back up options if SS fails and you're not on the SOL or would Australia be completely off the cards for us? 4) Is being on the CSOL a disadvantage compared to the SOL or is it just different? Skills Assessment: 1) Is it difficult to pass skills assessment with the TRA i.e. is there a tough criteria? 2) Would a migration agent even take you on as a client if they thought it couldn't happen? I think that's all for now lol. Thanks so much to anyone who replies.

Just called Jenny at Ian Harrop and she was very lovely and helpful. She said that my partner would need 3 years post qualifying experience for state sponsorship but that the kind of experience was irrelevant as he could basically work wherever he wanted if we were granted a visa - so pretty much what you said flybyknight. We're obviously not in a position to apply just yet as he isn't qualified until the end of this year so we just have to hope that in a few years time when he's gained some experience that AME (Avionics) hasn't been banished entirely from the SOL/CSOL! She advised that we should apply before he turns 33 so that gives us 6/7 years by which point he will have got his B2 license. So fingers crossed that his job stays on the CSOL and also that there'll be a shortage of AME's in a few years time. If not then it obviously wasn't meant to be and we'll have to deal with that but hopefully it works out wish us luck people!

I stayed at dreamtimes when I first arrived in Cairns and when I felt a bit 'braver' moved on to Gilligans lol.

Noo don't say that they're not employable, that's not what we want to hear lol. Thanks for the links etc. He finishes the apprenticeship in Sept so when do you think we should be speaking to agents?

Thanks Danny, that's good to know! We've emailed asking for any internal opportunities so I'm praying that one day they decide to send us over there but I realise I'm being a bit of a dreamer lol. He's worked on hawks so a job like that would be perfect.

Who is wrussell and how do I contact him lol?