Ypudding

No doubt alot will have changed in the UK Jennie in 27yrs!!! I don't have answers to your specific questions, and the ones I did know have just been posted in the previous message. What I do know is during my holidays in Oz I try to chat to as many people as possible about their emigration experience. And I've lost count as to how many craved a return to the UK only to be dissapointed when they actually did return on holiday. It made them realise what they actually have in Australia compared to the UK. My sister living in Perth has done exactly that just 3 months ago, she really wanted to return after spending 4-5 yrs in Oz. After spending a months holiday here in December she noted, her children were full of flu type symptoms & were miserable because they were stuck indoors due to the weather. Other defining observations that made reminded her what they now have in Oz and how it will provide a better life for her children were: Industry in the north closing down (pits,powerstations steel works etc etc) all affecting her husbands profession in the rail freight business. Final salary pensions gone, European policies, the cleanliness of town centres and public places,the doom & gloom from her mates, the way they have all stagnated since she left. Traffic congestion & poundlands!!! Theses are just a few I can remember. What I'm saying is the grass is not always greener on the other side, it will no doubt be a difficult move and decision for you to take especially with two children involved ( if their dad allows!) But good luck anyway which ever way you decide to go. I live around the Leeds area in Yorkshire so if I can assist you in anyway just send me a pm.

$50k!!! Now way, that's poor...are you sure??? That fuels my fire if its true. My profession in oz pays in excess off $150k pity I can't get a pigging visa grrrr.

I will go with you Sydneysister

Thanks Jessica, I'm new on here....that's my excuse

Does a mechanical engineering HNC & ONC Qualification hold any sway in Australia? Or NZ. And what is the Australian academic standard this qualifications compared to?

Does a NEBOSH general certification hold any sway in Australia? Or NZ. And what is the Australian academic standard this qualifications compared to?

I'll take a look at that tomorrow lukescotty thanks

I had the invite to apply last year and didn't act on it, I'd not done any skills assessment when I got the invite it was something i read about just after. Last year I wasn't in a position to leave work, redundancy has forced that issue and released my pension early, my terms of the pension mean it's released at 50. So in short all I have paid out is £90 for an emigration company to look over my options.

Quite late in life Quikla this is very true, however the power industry in the UK is on it's knees, it's going like the coal and steel industries. Redundancy is just around the corner for me. I am financially secure (ish), no debts, a house that's paid for and a final salary pension that starts paying out when I reach 50! (hope that doesn't sound big headed) Though a move to NZ wouldn't be my first choice it is an option that would potentially give me 5yr + wages and access to Australia where my family members live. And who knows maybe it's an option that would make me fall in love with NZ and not want to leave. Ultimately I could get another 15+ yrs work should I choose to carry on. My big concern is my son who turns 18 this month, he wants to go but I'm worried he will feel isolated and want to return to the UK, everything else I will deal with.

My mistake Nemesis, yes I submitted the EOI then it suggested I make an application....I've been on night shifts!

The 20 points is for superior English, I doubt many will pass that easily. I'm waiting for the report from the emigration specialist to come through to see what they have to say. I did put a initial application through the skills select and was invited to submit an expression of interest, so yet again conflicting feedback from two different parties.

Problem is Captain I'm 44yrs old, turn 45 at the end of April, at that stage I lose the points for age and don't qualify I've wasted years trying to get my Girlfriend to go, she would qualify easily but she's not interested grrr. I've Looked at 189,190,489 type sponsored visas (family and state) but there are issues on each one of them.

Your right, yes I might like it and stay should I be successful. I'm just pondering at the moment, and Australia has an obvious draw to me because I have family already living there. Thanks for the feedback

It's a minefield Ryso lol ;( I've two lots of family over there in two different states, I've numerous friends and ex work colleagues spread throughout Australia, I'm assured some could almost guarantee me a job with their company but I'm still falling foul of this Visa mullarkey grrr. But hey ho I will soldier on.

So here's a new twist to my efforts to gain entry into Australia. I'm informed I may not have enough points to emigrate and work in Australia but have enough to get into New Zealand!!! So from reading bits and bats last night I can see IF I got a sponsored skilled visa in NZ which led to residence then permanent residence after 2 years, I could after 5 years apply for citizenship of NZ. At that point what's stopping me living and working in Australia as a NZ citizen? ? As they are entitled to do.

Claire, my points breakdown when I last did it was sufficient to apply, the agency i submitted an assessment to have said i'm short of points, Im presuming because i turn 45 at the end of April i lose those points. I will wait to see the report they are sending. Again my understanding was if i lodged an EOI before i turned 45 I would qualify for the points even though I turned 45 during the process. But probably something else I've misunderstood

I would of thought a nurse would waltz through the sponsorship process in any state ryso. Annoying thing with my case is i easily have the financial means, and qualifications as in ONC,HNC & NEBOSH to go over and settle but obviously not the right skill at this moment in time. Im also falling foul of the age criteria as Im now 44yrs old. Apparently New Zealands age limits are higher.

Well good luck Claire, i can't even get the ball rolling! Ive just been informed by a migration expert the state sponsored visa i was looking at is no longer available i wish i could buy myself in... might have to search for an Aussie bride at this rate grrr. They have mentioned perhaps I try for New Zealand now as the points and sponsorship might be available there.

Thanks Louisella, I think the 190 is my route, and yes im very near 45 so time is of the essence. I need to get a move on for sure.

Another confusing issue answered, thanks Claire. Jason

Does everyone on a visa application need to take the English test for a 190 state sponsored visa? I have a son who will turn 18 during application who would go to Aus with me, so would he also have to sit the test?

That explains the conflicting site information Maggiemay, I didn't realise they meant two different things. I will make a note of that thank you.

I live in Pontefract cjenky, had the urge to move over to Aus for years but the highly qulaified girlfriend won't go times running out now age wise so Im wanting the wheels in motion. I spent 4 yrs at college to better my qualifications just in case i ever got the opportunity. Do you still live in the UK???

Thanks for the reply cjenky...Yes that's the one, I'd read on one site South Australia was sponsoring for my trade but didn't know how up to date that information was or how often it changes from state to state...Is it a yearly review that changes state sponsorship? My brother in law was under the impression South Australia was struggling and a lot of industry has shut down, many of his new work colleagues are working up north on the railways now as a result.

Hi, I'm new on here and have loads of nagging questions about the types of visas and conditions that come with them so will try and keep all my questions as brief as possible. It not helped my cause reading some sites that appear out of date and contradict other sites, its like one step forward 2 steps back grrrr. I have a sister living in Freemantle WA who has perm residence and a cousin in mackay QLD who is now a citizen having lived there 12 years. Initially I planned applying for a skilled visa 189 until I finally realised there was a skilled list and a consolidated skills list, unfortunately for me my skills are on the consolidated list (Powerstation operator with a ONC & HNC certificate and NEBOSH). So now one option is the 190 visa providing there's a state/territory that will sponsor me for my skills. I'm looking at all possible options for now though, and am determined to live there somehow, ideally WA. This question is through the skilled regional (provisional) visa subclass 489. I read the applicant must live in a specified regional area for at least 2 years and work there for at least 12 months. The sponsor must also live in that specified area. SO if my sister lives in Freemantle and sponsored me and I was successful in achieving the visa would I be able to live in Bunbury? AND am I eligible for this visa with my skills being on the consolidated list? Sorry that was longer than what I planned...Next question will be shorter!!!