Graham Fletcher

I was unhappy in my job in Darwin and just started looking for a new role. Saw the advert and spoke to the people and it clicked. The fact that they bribed me with a 30% increase in pay helped! I am pretty carefree when it comes to where I live. My girlfriend doesn't care either, I plan to retire in a few years so I just go wherever the wind takes me. There is really not much difference wherever you go, the people are all similar, the beer tastes the same, just outside of cities there's a damn sight less traffic. I have been to Thailand alot, my girlfriend is Thai, and have a block of land waiting for me to build a house on. There are some rules on ownership you have to get around but not insurmountable. The people are lovely too, it's called The Land of Smiles for a reason!

I bought an investment property in Melbourne and another on the Sunshine Coast when I lived in Perth - the best thing was avoiding land tax as you only pay it if you have two properties in the same state

Had one on a window in Perth about the size of my hand. It kept the flies out though so not a problem

Really? I'm abnormal then. Lived in Perth, Townsville, Perth, Darwin, Perth and now rural Queensland. My family are in Perth, that's the only reason I keep going back. The urge to move attacks me every few years though

I can hear the Queen Vic from my garden on particularly raucous nights! Thailand healthcare is as good as Malaysia's but everything is about half the price! The weather's the same, hot and sweaty

I am the Financial Controller of a car dealership near the QLD/NSW border looking for mechanics. It's a busy farming town with all the amenities you need (even a Harvey Norman) and it's ideal for a relaxed country life. There are direct flights to Sydney for those more adventurous weekends or about 5 hours drive! We have a nearly new workshop and service and repair predominantly Toyota, Nissan and Ford cars. Pay rates are decent and house prices are much lower than the city! If you, or anyone you know, may be looking to get out of the rat race please send me a message for further info. Thanks

Lived in Perth, as planned, on arrival. Various suburbs over the ten years I was there. Since then I have been to Townsville in N.Queensland, a few years in Darwin and just coming up to a year out in woop woop on the Queensland/New South Wales border. In a few years I will retire to Thailand... I guess I'm a bit of a wanderer!

We came straight in on PR, it was 1750 pounds in 2004, no idea what it is now! We have employed several 457's previously, most are now PR's - living the dream! hahaha

Thanks. As a migrant myself I obviously know a bit about the process and how difficult and also how scary it can all be. I was very lucky, an Accountant who was married to a Midwife. But it is a massive life change and having a job to go to is one less thing to worry about. I am the only former Englishman in the town where I live so if I can bring someone over and help them acclimate with my own experience I am happy to.

Car dealers, all of them

My agent has brought in several Mechanics for us from Sri Lanka and worked with numerous companies we have contact with. They are very well known in my industry and have an excellent reputation. I wouldn't be on here unless I was genuinely trying to find quality workers. And, as I have already said, it's not just about now but for the foreseeable future. There is a shortage across the country and it will not be resolved any time soon.

Yes it is. Social worker was added in November. I realise you are, for some reason, being negative as you obviously think I am trying to con people but I am not. My immigration agents are a national company and, quite honestly, I will take their advice rather than yours thanks

Totally agree, the list is definitely a moving feast. I am awaiting info from my migration lawyer, he tells me he has just had 5 mechanics approved but it seems there is no hard and fast rules for the exemptions. Each case is looked at separately. I will post any information I get, it may be useful to others

Thanks Paul, would definitely consider the Sponsorship path.

Came over with a wife who is a Midwife and they processed our PR in three months even after losing it for a fortnight! Nurse and Diesel Mechanic, perfect combination at the moment, you'll walk it

Arrived here with kids of 15, 13 and 10 but they were all totally in favour. Second child especially as his birthday in November meant he skipped forward a whole school year! Hahaha Fortunately they make friends really easily and are now more Australian than English, but still have English accents. My first grandchild arrived 18 months ago, the first Aussie born of my family

Feel for you mate. Our hard borders are painful. My girlfriend is actually stuck overseas and can't get back in. We have been very lucky, virtually no cases here and life is basically normal with the occasional panic by state Premiers. Hope the vaccines get everyone to the same level quickly so we can all have proper lives again

Thanks Cal, fingers crossed we need good quality staff

As I say, just going on our agents comments. In an ideal Covid free world I would still be asking!

sorry, got side-tracked (I'm actually at work). I meant to add that these are the current exempt categories but they are being updated constantly and you can request an individual exemption if you are arriving with a Sponsored job. People are still moving in and out of the country but it is difficult. I am more concerned about the long term, to be honest. Covid will be far less of an issue later in the year - it's not an issue at all already in Australia - so I would love to be able to help some Poms come over and start a new life in Oz whilst helping me out with my staff shortages

Travel restrictions and exemptions Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. Very limited flights are currently available to and from Australia and you may not be able to travel at this time. Travel restrictions are subject to change. Please check back regularly. See: National Cabinet media statement. From 22 January 2021, if you are travelling to or transiting through Australia you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline, taken 72 hours or less before your scheduled departure. If you do not have evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test, you should not go to the airport as your airline will not allow you to board the aircraft. Masks must be worn on all international flights, including at airports. More information can be found at Department of Health website. Unless arriving on a quarantine-free flight from New Zealand, all travellers arriving in Australia, including Australian citizens, must quarantine for 14 days at a designated facility, such as a hotel in their port of arrival. See Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for travellers. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. To find out more about quarantine requirements, contact the relevant state or territory government health department. You cannot come to Australia unless you are in an exempt category or you have been granted an individual exemption to the current travel restrictions. The majority of travel exemption requests to come to Australia are finalised within 7 days, but some complex requests may take longer. If you are not in an exempt category you can request an individual exemption to Australia's travel. Exempt categories You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are: an Australian citizen a permanent resident of Australia an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident* a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members a person who has been in New Zealand for 14 days or more immediately prior to arrival by air in Australia a diplomat accredited to Australia, including their immediate family members (each member of the family unit must hold a valid subclass 995 visa) a person transiting Australia for 72 hours or less airline crew, maritime crew including marine pilots a person recruited under the Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme a person who holds a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa.

Apparently there are exemptions for skilled migration visas, though I would have to get the details from our Immigration Agency. From what I have been told the process is no different to normal except you need a negative test before flying and do the 2 weeks of quarantine on arrival. Also, in the long term we will still need people so even if you have to wait 6 months we will still be asking!

The motor industry is crying out for car and truck mechanics in Australia, particularly outside of the major cities. I have 5 vacancies across my two dealerships in rural north NSW/ south Queensland. We are even offering sponsorships for up to 4 years (we pay for the visa!!!) Drop me a line for more details