evets

Renting a property in Melbourne, is much better the last few years but you still need to be on top of it. Get you application in as fast as possible as first come first served is how it works. The process is quite different from the UK and is a little scary, as you turn up to open inspections and can/could see tons of people. Not entirely sure what the market is like now, but best to be prepared with forms and documents so you stand the best chance. Bring as much documentation as possible, credit check, mortgage statements, rental references, if you are letting out your property(rental agreements). Every little bit can help especially as you have no credit or rental history. I may have been a bit a paranoid but at the time the rental market was crazy. Also a good idea to download the application forms and get them completed prior to viewing with all the relevant forms. This all just makes it easier for you. Another thing to consider is agents put inspections on at times which mean you will have to usually take time out of the office unless you just attend the weekend inspections. A little annoying, but that is the way it works here.

Delete CalnGary, completely understood.

Delete not needed

Not sure why you removed the posts, not offensive and would have benefited others, unless you are going to create a sticky which highlights why some people use certain formats which are are not used commonly around other internet forums. I think you have been a little to harsh/rash in your moderation. With some power, comes some responsibility! The topic was being discussed, although of track for a bit but certainly added value. Did you want me to start a new post?

If his company is prepared to transfer him, and prepared to sponsor him, shame an expensive cost to transfer him for for up to 4 years unless on a specific project that was only for a set time. It is/would so much less hassle than a partner visa but then I would not know. If sponsoring him all he needs to do is collect the documents the immigration companies wants at the time. Cannot comment on the partner visa when married, but I had to write a reference letter for friends getting married in Australia which told a few attempts to get the wording right, she was being super picky, when she wanted to submit it.

I was just thinking about the additional costs involved, if the company is prepared to sponsor him. They will have migration agents involved and cover all the costs. It is really a win win for him. Partner visas can be more complicated, and come with the personal costs which is not cheap. My personal view, if the company will sponsor you and you are prepared to stay for the duration, go with that. Why fork out the visa costs from your own pocket if you have no reason to leave and the company will cover it. Also you are not having to justify your relationship. I was not aware of the abolishment, only took a quick look at the site today and just scanned it. Shame really as was a great perk if you could get it.

Go with Commonwealth bank(not a plug) if you come out on the 457 visa, they were recommended to me as they will issue you a credit card which will help you build up your credit history. Coming over best to bring as much supporting history about your credit background, as all will help(well in my mind it did) ie credit history report, if renting landlord/agency references, if home owner(and going to let it out) details of the rental agreement(think this looks good to estate agents as shows you are a homeowner yourself). As for finance, not really able to comment, as managed in Melbourne for years without really needing a car, but I think you may still be able to apply for a mortgage, not sure if linked in with your visa and date of expiry. Others can comment who probably know. The good thing your NCB will be recognized in Australia, bring a copy even though when I got insurance they accepted my word and never asked to see it. Find out from the company how long they plan to make the visa and if there is a possibly of sponsoring you down the line for PR. If so, this would be the best route as it costs a lot of money and time to do it yourself. Money I suspect you and you partner would find better uses for, downside it does tie you into your company for longer if you have plans on leaving. Find out if your company would offer you the living away from home allowance. Unfortunately my company did not, but other people I chatted too says it makes a BIG difference while it lasts. Would you be resigning from the UK and being hired as a new employee in Australia or just doing a relocation as a new assignment? Not sure if this makes a difference to the LAFHA.

So true, the suburb I am living in people are banding together to sell to developers. Who are then trying to fit as many units onto the block(s) as possible, some rooms do not even have windows. Also some being advertised as one bedroom, when in fact they are just a fancy studio due to the way they can advertise them. They are then constrained by building practices which limits them to only build one storey above the neighbouring houses. One main street looks to being bought by the same developer. I walk by so many properties that are unlived in and need off major repair, as people just holding on to them because of the crazy property market. In the CBD building high rise units so close to each other, you could have a conversation with your neighbour. Australia is pushing on immigration but not actually addressing the infrastructure or facilities to support the increasing population.

What are you main skills, as IT covers a lot of ground. Generally I see the (tech) job market strong for BA/PM, Front/Back end dev, Dev roles, UX/UI, InfoSec and Managed Server Providers(MS, Cisco, VM Ware certs). A lot of IT roles are getting offshored or oursourced, but depending on your skillset it can work for you as a lot roles are difficult to offshore. Have a look on seek.com.au and linkedin.com, as this will give you an idea of the roles being posted. If you are looking at Sydney, try to find a high paying job Lots of multinationals based in Sydney. Melbourne is another good option, and Canberra once you can get security clearance. The rest of Australia is not doing so great in the IT market.

I know this is a very old thread. Yes agreed racial discrimination is pretty large here even though is is generally swept under the carpet. Aboriginal people seem to face the most, but I have also noticed it towards to recently African refugees who are struggling to find work and get accepted. I think the same applies with the Indians. As for the 457 visa, I completely understand a lot of the Australian viewpoints on this. Local people are struggling to find work and then are having to deal with a huge influx of people on this visa and depending on industry you are in. I am not sure how some of the skills are still on the SOL or CSOL in this current climate, there are exceptions especially for niche roles. Also some companies do abuse it for cheap labour.

Sorry I doubt it, the population size and remoteness of Australia do not make it possible and also the logistics of having items stored locally. I do miss Amazon when I was based in the UK. I buy supplements and cycling gear from a couple of online stores, based in the US and UK, free shipping(if you get to a minimum value) and my experiences have been faster shipping the local retailers. Online shopping has the expensive postal cost in Australia, which is why I assume most people are using foreign companies, cheaper and quicker.

What do you class as the "Australian Dream"? The definition I have in my head is slowly disappearing, and will probably not exist in the coming years. Australia is turning into a high cost centre for companies, which is such a shame a great location for multinational's to take advantage of the the time zone, but far cheaper to hire in SE Asia

Yep agreed about gumtree, so far been lucky and sold most of my stuff, but the lowballers take the p@#$. If you can hang around long enough then you generally find people who will offer you a fair price/offer or just pay the asking price Friends have told me to use the facebook pages for selling items as that seems to be very popular now, so going to try with the last big ticket items. Shame to hear you are going to be so financially hit with the move so down sizing if a must and also agree the furniture here would not be appropriate for a large majority of the houses in the UK. I personally do not think you are being materialistic, you work hard to build a home you want to live in. Circumstances chance which mean you have to sell things off for next to nothing. It really sucks, but for me it is changing my outlook on what I need to buy new after my move. Since I am selling stuff that is very good, can I be prepared to wait to find some great bargains. Honestly, I think if you can sell the items whatever the cost it is much better than ending up on freecycle giving them away for nothing.

Would you be looking to buy straight away or see how things progress for you? What part of the UK are you looking to move to and would any equity from the sale in Oz be all you have to get back on the ladder in the UK?

I am originally from central Scotland, but spent a large amount of time in SE England after I turned 18 then after a WHV with most time spent in Sydney, I did not want to go home. Opportunity at work came up and made the move to Melbourne. Again a new opportunity has arisen and moving again. Reading so many posts about people moving back to be closer to aging family and it really sinks in, how far far away Australia is from them and you miss the little things like quick visits. I see you a SA based, the housing market there is flat from what I understand, so yes it may be worth your while selling and hopefully having some decent equity to transfer back to the UK with the low pound. Think the best thing out of this for you, your kids now have an Australian passport which gives them opportunities in the future that most British children will ever have, if they want to move.

Do you have a dropbox, google drive or equivalent then upload copies to there as a backup just in case. Also opticians records, if you or the family wear specs. Maybe, and I do not think this required for the UK, a full list of the items you are shipping and any receipts/invoices you may still have.

Ask yourself how much is it going to cost. Can you live without it for 2 or 3 months. What is really of any value to you, I am having a big clearout, even with stuff that I came out to Australia with. I think I have not used it for many years, shame to see it go but all adds to the new shipping cost in terms of space. Kinda nice to have a clearout and get rid of stuff you have just had in a cupboard gathering dust.

Can't help you about the caravan. But the job market is quite tough in Melbourne also. What do you do?

Agreed and this post is that section, I created based on another topic I was following about what people had done today to get to Oz. The posts in this thread I do not feel are negative so far, just peoples observations about the changing culture, lifestyle and general day to day living. I certainly do not have any negative feelings towards Australia and am still torn about my decision on relocating but due to certain circumstances I am hoping it is the right decision. Everyone's experience is truly different and reading a lot of the posts, some people are not moving back to the UK because they have had a negative experience in Australia, but due to factors beyond there control and at the time it seems to be the best decision. And after spending so much time over the last number of months and reading such threads, I feel so much sympathy and empathy for numerous families who have made this decision. It certainly cannot be easy for them due to the time and investment in moving to Australia. And agreed, yes internet forums (all) threads seem to take on a life of there own and sometimes degenerate in to chaos. Amazing what hiding behind a computer screen can do to some people, who would never talk to someone in real life like that.

I think your parents feel the same way as mine, everytime I talk with my Dad he says never to come back all doom and gloom. Then again they are in Scotland, which I am not sure is a good or bad thing in the current economic climate. Do you ever think you would come back, ping pong pom as the cost of relocating both ways can mount up especially if funding both trips yourself? Would you consider renting your property out in Adelaide, as a backup in case you change your mind in a few years time? Have you had any shipping quotes and consider if using a sole container verses a shared container, as this can have a big impact on delivery time. Would you be thinking of shipping your car back, as if quite new not really going to cost that much extra and even the charges on some of the changes required in the UK are minimal.

As others have mentioned, Grad jobs are hard to come by in Australia at the moment. Lot of grads here already struggling with fierce competition. Your best bet is to try to get into a multi-national company gain a few years work experience and look at an internal relocation. Since you are a recent grad, do you have the finances to support the cost of a visa and the relocation without a job to come to?

Agreed, spring in Victoria is glorious but autumn does miss out. Look at parts of NE America and the season in autumn is breathtaking, the colours really define the area.

So true, the Australians I know think the personal carers leave is like a duvet day and must be used, and not classed as sick leave but a day off when they want for any reason.

So true, programs like wanted down under screened in the UK show the Australian dream which is disappearing fast. I look at the area I am living in SE Melbourne, and all crappy small and expensive units being built. People grouping together to sell the mcmansions and capitilise, good on them, but the government and developers are not building anything that is family or community orientated in the central suburbs. The units I am seeing being built want top dollar and some rooms from what I can gather do not even have windows. Even in the outer suburbs, houses and communities are being developed, but lack any infrastructure, schools or amenities. My vision of Australia was from a WHV in 2002, and how this country has changed since then. Next to my office is a private school, and I commented to one of my colleagues(white Australian) that it was mostly Asians. Her response was Asian families value education and push their children while Australians do not, which does kind of sum up a lot of professions in Australia.

So true, when I completed my apprenticeship in the UK and got assigned to my craftsman. His exact words, as the more you have to go back to it the messier it becomes and the harder to fix. I did find the Australian work ethic very different from the UK, well London. Morning and afternoon tea breaks without fail, 1 hour lunchbreaks and then the most surprising, my first Friday in the office and realising I was the only person left after 3pm.