DukeNinja

As above. Get the application in. If it does take longer than 12 months you'll end up having to do both medicals and PCC again otherwise. 

I have no control over the travel arrangements. They are made and given to you by the company administrator. 

Two lots of travel a year and you are giving up 6 days of your personal time.

I see where you're coming from, but what is "well paid"? I would say my salary is comparable to what it would be in the public sector. I don't think they'd try to pull this off though.

As part of my job I am expected to travel overseas maybe twice a year for training.  It's to Germany, China or US. The last one I went to was Germany. Travel times are a weekend at each end. Employer is only offering 1 day back.

Can I challenge this? This "rule" is not in the Travel policy or the employee handbook. I've said the latter and my manager said this will now be included in the next revision. 

Commuting from Brissie to the GC can be hit and miss. Minimum 1hr, with good traffic. 

23 hours ago, StevenP said:

Hey, I have found the answer I was looking for thank for the advice. 

Just a head's up: the language requirements for the visa and ANMAC may be different. Might help you in your points.

Give them a call. Best to get the correct answer from the mouth. They're generally helpful.

We've got a 10kW set-up and a 310L Sanden Heat pump. Haven't paid a cent in power bills for 2 years. Definitely worth investing in solar.

9 hours ago, Constance said:

I'm really worried by this post as we are heading to Brisbane in May and my prime concern is finding a rental as its a common thread of difficulty right now. It's also one of those things that you really can't do much about until you are there. If you have any advice, I'd really appreciate it? 

Regarding your doubts, I can relate to struggling to go with the flow. I'm a project manager by nature and profession and planning things is how I roll, even if when I think I'm not planning something out, I automatically am. 

I know it's the common theme through the responses but if you had never tried it you'd never know. If you don't give it a bit longer you still won't know. 

Home will always be there for you to go to. 

I find it helpful to set myself a date in a calendar and think 'how will I feel on this exact date'. Far enough away to let you forget about the date but long enough to remember what you were asking yourself.

Everything will work out no matter what. 

And Christmas is a stressful time of year for most, without all this! It's definitely not 'the most wonderful time of the year' for many. 

It also depends on where you want to live in "Brisbane". Competition is fierce in the usual hotspots.

On 16/12/2022 at 15:14, Cobs_Ahoy said:

You’re spot on @Jon the Hat about waiting for the kids to find their feet, it’s awful watching them cry and I think that’s feeding into my worries. Actually my 7yo seemed to make a good start, but I know she is finding the change hard and missing her old school/friends/family.

Kids will adapt sooner that you think. My friend moved over with a 9yo and a 11yo. Both were fully immersed in friendship, activities and education in the UK. They took a while to settle. 18 months on, they might as well have grown up here as they are well and truly settled.

Not being able to secure accommodation also hasn't probably helped in feeling unsettled. Have you thought about possibly finding a job somewhere where it might be easier to find accommodation? This could be a way to get grounded. We're in Brisbane and rentals are fiercely competitive. 

Remember how hard it was to secure passage to Oz, and how hard you worked for it.

We gave ourselves a five year timeline, at least until we managed to get citizenship. Then we'd have the option of coming back to Oz if we returned to the UK.

On 05/10/2022 at 21:15, bicek said:

Is the priority pathway worthwhile

Application received by passport office on the 13th September. 

Issued on the 14th of September 

Despatched on the 15th of September 

Received on the 27th of September. 

Just hop on a plane and come visit. In most Aussie airports there are not many manned desks, so you'll probably be greeted with an automated immigration portal.

16 hours ago, award92 said:

Hi, just looking for other peoples experience with how long this process has taken recently. My husband is a carpenter, we have 70 points and are looking to apply for a 491 visa for South Australia (we are using a MARA agent to help with the process). 
 

Our EOI was lodged with SA as our preference on the 31st August. How long has it taken for this to come back recently for other tradies with an invite to apply? Just wondering if we are potentially looking at a long wait…
 

Any advice or tips for the whole process would be gratefully received

Immitracker is a website where people lodge details of their application voluntarily. It might be worth checking on there to get an idea of past applications. Remember that it's not a website that's related to the actual immigration department.

Fyi, the express pathway for first adult passport has a 1 week turnaround at the moment.

189 and 190 are permanent visas. 189 allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia. 190 visas are state sponsored visas. These are offered by the individual states for occupations that are needed in that state. These occupation lists vary from state to state.

A simple google search gives you the list of electrician categories that are eligible for visas and the respective visas (search for electrician in the occupation box):

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list

Another search shows you that Migration Queensland requires you to have 80 points to be eligible for the 190, and 65 points for the 491 visa:

https://migration.qld.gov.au/visa-options/skilled-visas/skilled-workers-living-offshore

The 189 and 190 are the most desired visas, but also the hardest to qualify for.

491 is temporary whereas 190 is permanent...

Be aware that cars over here are much more likely to have been thrashed. Especially since a P plater can drive anything, compared to the UK where a new driver is more likely to have a Fiesta/Corsair etc.

Buyer beware.

You might even be better off importing a car from Japan. You can get your hands on younger SEVS as opposed to the 25 year rule vehicles.

@Iron Lady Imports has got a Japanese import service here as Iron Chef.

7 hours ago, pob said:

There are a lot more computer chips on a new car than there are on a motorcycle

I'm not so sure about that. My MT-09SP has got cruise control, wheelie control, traction control, power modes...

Things to do:

1. Get your skills assessment (ANMAC)

2. Get your AHPRA registration.

3. Apply for 189/190

4. If granted 189, work for anyone in any state.

As above. Evidently Brisbane City Council aims to clear most of its backlog this week. 1000 yesterday, 2600 today and tomorrow. Ceremonies all week.

8 hours ago, DXW059 said:

Thanks.

yes potentially

Be aware that it's a really busy hospital as its the motherland of all the Qld hospitals. It has the 2nd largest hospital campus in Oz iirc.

Not sure how the Adelaide job compares but the work life balance might be better there. Best to try and get some inside info from some someone who works there.

Have a look at the Brisbane interactive flood map: http://floodinformation.brisbane.qld.gov.au/fio/

It's very helpful when you're checking out properties.

Some of lower bayside is at risk of king tides, but in the whole there's not much flooding that happens. But definitely check the map above. Sounds like you're heading to the RBWH?

4 minutes ago, DXW059 said:

Will rent initially for first year or so.

Budget no more than $700/week.

Willing to commute up to 40 mins 

I live in Bayside (Wynnum, Manly, Lota area). Off peak it takes me 30 mins to drive to Herston. Peak times can be up to 1 hour. Train is about 1 hour to Bowen Hills. 

Great schools (Wynnum and Manly State schools for public primary).

Here's a rental example: 29 Kitchener Street, Wynnum, Qld 4178 https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-wynnum-434854955

Objectively much less boganism happening than on the peninsula.

2 hours ago, DXW059 said:

Thanks for all the responses. 

For those that know Brisbane, could you suggest some suburbs to look at where we will hopefully get some sea breeze, won't flood and is commutable to Herston? I was thinking perhaps areas of Sandgate, Brighton, Aspley etc. 

What's your budget? Are you renting/buying? How long are you willing to commute for?

Thanks Bobj,

We'll keep that in mind.