Stayorgo

So we've now lodged our EOI....eek!! Decided to just go for it. 75 points as an accountant....hopefully won't be waiting too long!

Peach you are totally right, we have to focus on us. Whilst my sis won’t be moving anywhere I know that I wouldn’t be the first thing on her mind in a decision about her family. I desperately don’t want to miss the opportunity and would kick myself if we did. We’ve already taken our 7 year old over a few times and I’m also worried that if we didn’t move then she would do when she’s older as she loves it there (if we didn’t move we would still repeatedly holiday there so her love for the place would grow)...so would rather we all went now!! Themaccas thanks for for your reply and sharing the tough times. I hope your sister is doing well. The big C is rubbish. 6 months ago we thought that by moving now hopefully our parents would still be young enough to visit lots (only in late 50s/early 60s), and never ever thought C would strike my younger sister. Guess you never know what might happen or when it’ll happen so should just do the things you want and make the most of life!! Now to convince my husband we should apply now...he’s keen to make the move but the big step will be pressing submit on our (his) EOI which is all ready to go!! He’s flying over to Oz for work next week which should cement his thoughts.

Thanks Jonno. I know its not that far when it's only a day away, I've had a few week long holidays to australia and its not felt too far. I don't want to hold back my life and regret it further down the line. But feel so guilty and selfish for thinking about myself and my family. Glad to hear your uncle is stable. Had you already started the process to move when.you found out?

I know we have 5 years. My dh was keen to move within the year of a being granted so that we could apply for citizenship before needing a RRV. But I do know we would have the 5 years. How long do IELTS results last? He did it last March.I know his skills assessment lasts 3years but I wasn't sure on the English test. He doesn't fancy sitting it again!! Our plans had been to move August 2018....booked a holiday to Australia instead now to lessen the blow.

A few months ago I posted about making the decision. Well we did make the decision and decided we would submit an expression of interest. My husband had the info filled out online I just had to check it. We told our parents who were upset (mine particularly) but they understood our reasons. It was a Sunday evening in August and I had plans to check the EOI once the ironing was done....then my sister phoned.... My sister had just found out she has a rare cancer. We're very close (although I hadn't yet told her about Australia plans that conversation was planned for 2 weeks later when i saw her (we live a few hours away)!) And I could no longer consider moving at this time. I'm devastated about her diagnosis and the impact it has on our dream (selfish I know but it's changed what we wanted for our own family). The question now is what should we do?? Has anyone else moved whilst a family member so unwell? 4 months later her treatment is not even half way through and it could be the end of 2018 before it is (and that's assuming it's working). Long term we don't know what will happen. It could be years and this will still be hanging over us. I don't want to abandon our plans and dreams. We could wait but I know both our occupations have previously been Flagged for removal off the list and our points are currently already dropped from our maximum that they were in August (now at 75).if we wait a few years to see what happens we may lose the opportunity if our occupation is removed. Would love thoughts and advice from.others who have moved when a family member unwell or have dealt with a family illness in the UK whilst living in Australia. Or those who didn't make the move due to similar circumstances.

I've never flown to Oz with Emirates but have with etihad and Cathay both of whom were great! Flown Qantas, Singapore and Malaysian previously too, all been fine, though those ones were 5-10years ago. We tend to go with cheapest seats and avoiding Heathrow. Etihad are my current favourite. Great deals, no seat choice charge and great service.

How many points do you with have with the 10 for English? Would a new result change your skills assessment? I only ask as my husband's CA skills assessment includes his English results. Don't know if it matters if you had another result that was higher.maybe not!

7 academic is 7 general. Could you retake the test to get your points up?

Fingers crossed for those of you waiting today! We've decided not to submit our EOI for this round, maybe the next round or in preparation for August. Will see how this round goes and what is said about occupation ceiling and points requirements for accountants.

Thanks for the info. Hope to plan submitting our EOI to allow for making a visit within 9months post a visa being granted (working on assumption of a quick invite as have 80 points, 2 months to submit application and assuming a 4 month processing of application). Need to work it around school holidays.

Hi Collie. My husband is Head of Finance for a large company in the pharmaceutical industry. I work in Regulation for a utility company (previously worked in a more traditional accounting role for te same company). We're both chartered accountants. I've seen a number of jobs in my specialism in Melbourne (with energy companies and water companies), and there are more opportunities than i have at home. I might contact an agency to find out more. Family are part of our life, but we do have some of my husband's family in australia, as well as friends I've kept in touch with from 10yrs ago. I'm not overaly worried about that. We don't rely on family for childcare. Eek i so want to do it!!

I've a question about this too. Initial arrival date...how is this date set? I cant find anything out about it on the visa website. A friend had his 189 granted in May and had to arrive before late October...doesn't seem long? In addition if spouse and children are on the visa does everyone have to arrive by that date or just the visa holder (ie my husband)? We're thinking about the cost of extra flights and accommodation if need to arrive in advance of when we wish to move.

It's a huge decision! We could have got 85points but that required me to do the English test and skills assessment as well in order to get the 5 partner points and we decided for now the cost of that wasn't worth it. Good luck to you for 12 July. Where are you hoping to move to? And can i ask what is driving your decision to move?

Thanks ScottieGirl. We want the weather (and having lived in Melbourne for 18 months we know it has winter and rain!) because this would suit our life more as want to spend more time outside. We love sporting events and there is so much happening in melbourne. The country feels like home whenever we have visited since we returned to the uk, it's just a feeling that both of us have. We feel young enough to take the hit financially, as we are currently very fortunate but know we could manage with less (I've had 3 holidays to Oz in 13months so have been spoiling myself!). Overall we feel it would be a great place for our 7year old to grow up. We've discussed me quitting work in the UK in order to have more family time but ultimately i don't think that would satisfy me. I want a career, plus the family time and think oz could offer me that. Having worked there previously I'm not disillusioned about how hard they work....it's as hard as it is here.

Following this with interest. My husband and i are about to press submit on our EOI. We have 80 points for a 189 visa. We've got reservations about submitting it though as thoughts are that with 80 points for accountant general (including superior english, 10yrs post qualification experience, and a relevant year of experience working in australia) we might get an invite quite quickly, and are we mentally ready to apply for a visa?? A friend of mine submitted his EOI with 75 points as accountant general in January and got an invite in the first possible round. We plan to move to Melbourne, but concerned about jobs and how quickly one or both of us would find work. Both have great jobs here and would be giving those up. This fills us with fear!! We went in 2007/08 for 18mths on 457 visas and it was all so easy then.... now its so hard.

DIBP? A friend had 75 points as an accountant a couple of months ago and received an invitation in the first round of invitations after he submitted his EOI which was what made us hopeful for a quick invite!

My husband and I are seriously considering making a move to Melbourne. We spent 18months there 10 years ago, but would now be moving with our 7 year old. We've had a skills assessment done and are looking to have 80 points. All we have to do is submit our EOI. Based on our points we would expect an invite pretty quickly. However, we're now getting concerns about it and i wanted advice/thoughts from others. 1. We both have well paid jobs and very successful careers here and would be giving those up. Not sure how quickly we would both get jobs? Both qualified accountants with 10years plus experience. 2. Financially we are very secure (thanks to the jobs) and could be mortgage free on a good sized house before we are 40 (5yrs off yet) A move to Oz would mean restarting with a much higher mortgage. Is it silly to give this security up? 3. We don't know where in Melbourne to go to get the lifestyle we want? Want easy access to the city (on a train), affordable housing, I'd love to be close to the coast but not essential as happy to consider out as well, and an area with good enough schooling. We've considered Geelong purely as housing is more affordable but are unsure because it's v line not metro trains. Or what about Upwey or Diamond Creek or Morang? 4. Will it all be worth it??? It's expensive to move, leave our jobs, and leave the great lives we are already fortunate enough to have! Hmmm or will we regret it? In hindsight we shouldn't have left Australia 10yrs ago and the Australian dream has never gone away. Would love some thoughts from others who have gone through the same dilemmas but made a decision one way or together and why you've chosen your decision. Thanks!