The Smith Clan

looks like PTE is my safest bet, how long does this last once you get the points? yes would have study before as really need the 20 points. thanks for he info on speaking part I won't forget that bit! what % do you have to get to get 20 points? thanks

Im a qualified social worker. The skills assessment looks like a mind field with so much information to provide, I'm guessing with dedication I could do this but still need agent for visa application as an error can cost dearly. thanks

I am looking at applying for 189 visa, i am a qualified social worker and would be moving with husband and children. Are the working visas only up to 31 years, just wondering if cheaper option for visas?

How difficult is it to get the 20 points? At present I have 70 points based on getting 20 in test, I lose 10 points in Jan as I turn 40. My dilemma is we visit oz in August and by then be too late to start visa process and submit by Jan as need to do skills assessment and English test. We need to go with an agent due to all paper work and want to get it right. Due to the costs of agent and if we don't wish to proceed I've help back starting process. Just wondering how difficult it is to get the 20 points?

We arrive august 17th until 6th sept, arrive in Brisbane, travelling up sunshine coast

Thank you, I am of the mindset that we will stay in UK, but the dh is undecided and wants to still consider while we are out there. My dh has friends in landsbourgh and we will be staying there for a few days, they moved from UK and love it there. Really looking forward to the experience if anything else. I will know for sure when we leave. I love to visit many places but happy to come back home. Thanks for your advice.

Good luck with your new life, how exciting, not sure we are ready yet.

Arrive august 17 th

Looking forward to 3 weeks in Brisbane, moving up gold coast. Will be seeing my sister after 11 months I guess we will know for sure if we want to return!

My sister has been in Melbourne since oct and has made many friends, also on a whv, she also travelled alone. You will be fine.

remember delete your cookies or prices will go up as it records searches yes hoping to travel

Ready to book flights to head out to Oz in August. Can anyone recommend days out, want to make the most of our time there. Plan to stay in Brisbane. All information much appreciated Maria

I feel I would get used to the heat, we go to florida and it gets very hot, that's a slight worry its just the finances and not having jobs to go to and the cost of the visas if we cant get work, I know we would not move until we got work, if we went ahead would plan a trip to activate our visas and hope to get work whilst there. Its such a risk. If we lived in the area we did 10 years ago and our financial situation then we would not have the same concerns. We are so grateful to everyone that has responded as its opened to our eyes to things we had not considered. If we had a lotto win of course we would be applying for our visas We are not put off by the country, just the concern of not getting work when we are stable here now, we have kids so need stability. We are yet to do our math on what we would need to move but its not looking good

I am a social worker but understand I may need to retrain to some degree due to policy/legislation. Sorry to read this, I hope it works out for you x

I am very much a person and dh that likes to have a plan of where we want to be and what we hope to achieve, generally a 5 year plan, up to now this has all worked well with lots of hard work and dedication along the way and the last plan was achieved a few years ago and I guess its now whats next? The sense of adventure is a factor of course and that's just my personality I like to dream big and go get it. However, as this involves a big risk its not so easy, some one put wait to retire and that's a good possibility (we have always joked about getting a camper van and travelling when we retire lol) The more |I read the more I think to live in the here and now instead of chasing dreams and I do agree with you, just can't seem to forget about Oz. As it happens I had training today and the trainer was from Melbourne, the irony, he did however tell me to bring a lot of savings until we got work and how expensive renting was but plans to return.

Yes that's the concern. I have a good job in that it enables me to work pt financially, dream home for us from where we were and what we planned for 10 years ago. DH qualifies shortly as gas fitter and will have work with no concerns. The children are settled at school and area is lovely for trips out, by holiday villages and semi rural location. I guess your think so what are we on here for? I was the dream 10 years ago and now we have achieved the home ect there is that part of me that says what if? and our last chance I guess due to me turning 40 next year (losing out on points) and hubby will be 47. As you say and rightly so its a lot to throw away! We will take the time but I thank everyone for your responses as with research as well and your experiences we are more aware of risks, concerns and also good points, sadly less of the latter. Thanks

Yes the more I read about the heat he more I wonder and for the children and pets. Thank you for your post.

As I read this I recall all the times on holiday when ive wished it to rain and the heat has been unbearable The medical side is a concern and something I have not looked at yet.

We are the same re the fear to try Oz out. On one day we are so positive like life is for living on other days we are like no its too much of a financial risk Know that feeling!

We are at the stage of deciding if we should commit to applying for our visas? This site has been great for information but also has highlighted things we need to consider seriously, the initial thought of moving to Oz seems to trigger excitement and the thought of a warmer climate but we also need to be realistic. What made you decide to move back to the UK? Appreciate any response?

We are considering the move to Brisbane, is it difficult to make new friends? As we will have no family or friends I will feel very isolated if we didn't make friends. Maria

Pleased to hear that you have been able to make that decision, yes its hard to forget the idea, even though you think you have made a decision, for us its that what if. Yes please keep us posted on your journey. Fingers crossed we can make a decision soon Good Luck to you all too Maria

Exactly the same position as you, found our agent and I have the qualifications to go (back in 2006 we tried but pathway changed for my dh skills) but we are a bag of nerves and the main reason is the financial risk and like you saw some negative posts on finding work. We plan to visit in august and hopefully will get an idea if we could live there but I lose 10 points in jan (due to age) making It too late then to get visa submitted by jan if we start in sept and feel like we need to make decision now as if I don't get 20 points in English test we would not make the 60 points. We have discussed that at the point of getting visas going out to initiate visa and then move out when we secure work. He qualifies shortly as a gas fitter/plumber and will be gas safe registered but as you put will need to pay$4,000 for course once there. Good luck and if we here of anything workwise we will let you know, we are hoping to find work in Brisbane. Maria

I believe you can choose which one you do, is this correct?

Thank you I never thought of that.