Waz05

My advice below but I would recommend get free consultation from migration agent. Google it as there are loads but make sure to check if registered migration agents. I have added a link to one I just found on google above. Step 1 - Check if your occupation is on Skills list - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list Step 2 - Do some research on type of visa available for your occupation, (pros- and cons), points required and etc. 491 - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/application 189 - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189 190 - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190 Others - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing Step 3 - You need to look at your budget (it's expensive process), you should budget between £6-8k for application process alone. Then there is relocation and setting things up for long run (start planning). Step 4 - Either go it alone or hire a migration agent who can guide you through the process. Step 5 - Depending on the visa you will more then likely required to do English test (IELT or PTE Pearson). Start prepping, not as easy as some people think. Step 6 - Get all your documentation (passports, birth certificates, degree, CV, references, driving licences, degree certificates, passport photo's and etc ) scanned and ready (earlier you start the better it is). Step 7 - Once the above are in place you will be ready to to go through visa steps (again the steps are heavily dependant on type of visa, above is based on 491 is regional skills visa ). Hope this helps.

Hi Guys, Interested in finding out which companies you have gone with and your experience. We are in final stages of visa process and started to plan ahead around what we want to take. Any advice on suburbs?

Thank you @rammygirl for you response. Can I just ask follow-up question, so we are in middle of 491 visa application which allows us after 3 years to apply for permanent residency. But for citizenship it's only after 4 years. Is this the process everyone follow's or do I need to watch out for anything else? Sorry for loads of questions but I wanted to take advice from folks who have gone through this process so I am clear in my head what I would need to do. Many thanks in advance.

Can I just ask, we are in middle of 491 visa application which gives us to the opportunity to apply for permeant residency after 3 years. I want to get a clear idea of steps you need follow. Any one able to advise? Many thanks

Just trying to find out a little bit more about the process. Is their a good website anyone suggest so I can understand what's involved? Does anyone know if you have to give up your British passport to become a citizen or can you keep it and still become citizen with Australian passport?

We are going through this process so here is my take based on my experience so far. By no means an expert so just my thoughts. I would start with Skilled occupation list Step 1 - Check if your occupation is on Skills list - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list Step 2 - Do some research on type of visa available for your occupation, (pros- and cons), points required and etc Step 3 - You need to look at your budget (it's expensive process), you should budget between £6-8k for application process alone. Then there is relocation and setting things up for long run (start planning). Step 4 - Either go it alone or hire a migration agent who can guide you through the process. Step 5 - Depending on the visa you will more then likely required to do English test (IELT or Pearson). Start prepping, not as easy as some people think. Step 6 - Get all your documentation (passports, birth certificates, degree, CV, references, driving licences, degree certificates, passport photo's and etc ) scanned and ready (earlier you start the better it is). Step 7 - Once the above are in place you will be ready to to go through visa steps (again the steps are heavily dependant on type of visa, above is based on 491 is regional skills visa ). Hope this helps.

All, We are also looking into NI contribution, I currently have 21 years worth contribution and wondered if anyone can advise on what forms you need to fill in to continue contribution if we move to Oz. Anyone know minimum years of contribution required?

Thought I'd provide an update, things have moved really fast, after submitting EOI we got the go ahead to apply for the visa, we have started the process of getting things moving on the application as there is set time to get this done.

Thanks for the reply, we had chat with our migration agent and decided to go with WA as Perth is covered under 491 visa option. EOI has now been submitted. We were considering SA but in the end went with WA. 189/190 is something we were keen on but the points and other factors have ruled that out for us. Does anyone have any idea on lead time for response to EOI, our agent is saying it's difficult to give an estimate timeframe? I just wondered what peoples recent experience has been.

Hope it's ok to ask some questions around 491 visa. We have had successful skills assessment for my wife who is main visa applicant as a Nurse. We are now at a stage where we are about to submit 491 EOI by the migration agent. One things that I am little confused about and maybe I should have done more research into it. There is designated area we have to live and work in. Does this apply both the main applicant and the partner? Am I correct in thinking the we can live and work anywhere within those postcodes? https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list/regional-postcodes I work in IT and my concern is it means I may not be able to work for organisation that not based out of main cities. There is also question around remote working does it invalidate the visa? Is anyone able to offer any insight or advice? Sorry for so many questions I am concerned in terms of securing a job.

Thanks @snifter

Do you know the average cost of after school clubs and also are there any school holiday clubs around Brisbane / Gold coast area?

I looked at Gumtree some people do offer delivery options.

Best of luck, we have not made the move yet but will do once we visit Australia. We did go to a seminar held by Visa Bureau which was very useful.

You are correct everywhere is slightly different. I guess we will have to see how we react and adopt to it.

I have been looking at Gumtree to get an idea of cost of car. We currently have Hyundai SUV which we love and ideally we would love to get SUV if we were to make the move. But I am very realistic about expectation and what we can afford in the first few years. Its about compromise, hard work and we could have a great life in the long run. We felt it was important to visit the place before jumping in and starting the visa process. In terms of coming over in August this was down to fact schools around here are very strict on school holidays and plus my wife doesn't finish her degree until July. We were in Dubai few years back for a holiday, it hit 45 degrees and last year we were in Rome when it was 35. We are aware it going to be very hot. Thank you, you have all been very helpful.

Johndoe – Thank you very much for the links, they have been very useful. I will certainly get in touch closer to time, any advice is always useful. Cal – Thank you we are going to hire a car but I wanted to check. We are starting in Sydney, then headed up to Sunshine coast first, back to Brisbane for few days before going up to Gold coast for our final week. Goofy2018 – We looked into those suburbs you mentioned. Springfield Lakes looks amazing but I worry about the commute. Our original thoughts were Gold coast we looked at Southport, Pacific Pine but again based on our research the commute back into Brisbane CBD kind of put us off. Part of our holiday for me is to get an idea of daily commute and if it’s do able. It's a difficult one, where we are trying to find the right balance between commuting and cost of living, childcare and etc. If my wife can find a job up at Gold coast, I will probably live with one hour commute to Brisbane. Bigfishybob – Very interesting to hear from you, as you said we are in exact same situation as you, I would love to keep in touch and hear how things progress for you. I spoke to a gentleman at Hays today and he has given me lots of food for thought. · The chances of finding an I.T job before arriving are pretty slim. · Look at contract work to start with. · Most of my experience is in public sector which may limit my options initially. · Busy time for I.T job market is June- September. · Salary expectation would be anything from $70-90k initially (BA or Project positions I have come across are above $100k but I am not expecting that on day one). Most of this confirms my own research. Finance is a big worry for me as we will be renting certainly for at least 3 years before we are in a position to buy. We have our savings, with a plan to have enough funds to support us for at least 6-12 months if we can’t find jobs. Downside is due number of reasons we can’t take any equity out of our current home or sell it. So we restricted with our savings and what we earn in Oz.

Hi, My first post, we are family of four with two boys (7 & 8). We are visiting Australia this summer and will be Brisbane mid-August. We are staying around the corner from Queensland Museum. We would grateful for any advice. 1. Family friendly inner suburbs to visit and schools. We want to get a feel of the place before starting our visa process. 2. Should we consider rental car or use public transport to get around? 3. Anyone know where I can find out list of all hospitals in Brisbane. My wife qualifies as a nurse and I have I.T background. We want get idea around commute. So far we have looked in Paddington, St Lucia and Toowong. They seem centrally located but any advice on these and other suburbs would be great. Thanks in advance, Waz