Grass is Greener Syndrome?

[starlight7]

I was thinking maybe aged care might be a growing area because of the population getting older. Not necessarily nursing -could be occupational therapy, physiotherapy, home care workers etc. It seems to be an area where there are jobs in the Melbourne area at least.

[MaisieK]

A friend who lives in Brisbane suggested aged care as well. Would being a home care worker be enough to get sponsored do you think? Or would I have to do a degree in OT etc?

[Johndoe]

"aged care" per se isn't enough for PR. You would need to specialise in a (at least degree based) discipline allied to aged care. Sponsorship may offer an alternative albeit a temporary one. If you can find a sponsor, then you may find a route (via them) to PR

Edited July 29, 2015 by Johndoe

[Futureinoz]

It has been a long time since I have been on the forum, and would respond to MaisieK by say grass is different, and Australia is big enough to find a spot that gives you the right work/life balance, not sure if its luck, but have been in the right place right time, and being a social butterfly (my wife calls me that), it has enabled me to establish long term friendships, and network connections, that have landed the job I was aiming for when left the UK.

We visited UK back at Easter and we took some good weather over with us, and that was well received. We visited, as many of friends and family as we could, so great to catch up, but with social media so instant, it would take allot of reasons, for us to move back to UK. Yes agree about the hop over to Europe for the weekend (done it many times), but still find plenty to keep us focused on project OZ, with planning to build our home, and with prospect of a ever expanding four legged family, we never have a dull moment!

[GiveAGirlShoes]

Be careful if you retrain with a view to moving to Oz.

I originally looked at Occupational Therapy but chose podiatry as I found something I was passionate about rather than doing it for a visa. I think OT has some difficult criteria to meet once you're qualified.

 

At this point I can see you're just starting to think about your options, but the most important thing is to chose a career you love (or at least one you would be happy to do in the UK).

IF you then want to look into migration, or are certain you will in the future, get on the websites to see what the requirements and opportunities are (in health that would be AHPRA, any registering body such as ANMAC or ANZPAC, and the board who are in charge of assessing your skills if this is not the same).

 

I'm still in the planning and studying stage, but I feel familiar with a lot of the process, albeit only by research and this board!

 

And just a bit of advice, get to know your visas, but know their conditions too... such as (but definitely not limited to) which states you have to pay for children's education in if you're on a 457 temp visa. Or that you have to validate a PR visa within 12 months of it being granted by travelling to Aus in that time, and how much everything will cost!!

 

I do genuinely believe there are some people who wake up and decide they're going to move to Australia, and they actually do it, with no thought or effort, and it works out.... BUT I haven't yet found the discussion board for those people lol xx

[MaisieK]

Thank you GiveAGirlShoes that's a very helpful post and I hope you're enjoying your podiatry training.

 

I wanted to become a nurse a while ago but life got in the way and it never worked out. It really is a career that I would be passionate about, I know that I definitely 100 percent want to work in health/social care and I think nursing offers such a wide range of options upon qualifying. My only reservation is whether it's the right choice when it comes to having a family friendly career. Nothing is more important to me than my little girl so if it meant that I'd miss out on her growing up then I don't think I could do it. Although I'm really struggling to find a career that offers a good balance in that way.

 

My brain is fried thinking about it all. I will definitely do my research and look into the different types of visas too, that's something I'd not even considered yet. Ahh I just really really want it to happen, I don't care how long it takes or how hard I have to work!

[Quoll]

Nah, two first world countries, dont get your knickers in a knot about it. Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans you know!

[MaisieK]

Too late Quoll - my heart is set!

[Quoll]

Too late Quoll - my heart is set!

Well, live your life to the fullest in the process - don't restrict yourself just because you are desperate to be there - there is a tendency to do that. Go on holidays, make friends, enjoy new relationships, experience new things and if you end up there, all well and good but if something better comes along in the process, grab it with both hands and don't knock it back just because one day you might be in Australia.

[MaisieK]

I definitely won't restrict myself. I remember when I returned home after my WHV had ended and realising how much I missed and loved England (mainly the TV and family/friends of course) so it's not like I'm against living here or anything. I will live how I normally would and see what happens in the future. At a last resort I have an Australian friend in Cairns who I could persuade to marry me (joking!!)

 

But in all seriousness, I know it's not the end of the world if I don't make it but where there's a will, there's usually a way, right?

[GiveAGirlShoes]

I had a 6 year plan, which after the surprise arrival of my baby girl in February became a 7 year plan.

 

2011 I gained a vocational qualification in Anatomy & Physiology.

2011/2012 I decided on a subject and went to uni open days

2012 I applied to uni in sept

2013 I started uni in sept

2014 found out I was pregnant; deferred uni

2015 start back for my 2nd year

2016 3rd year, tale PTE (English test for extra points)

2017 qualify and start to complete a few forms and make enquiries about work/visas/sponsorship and hopefully get an application in

2018 move on a temp visa or validate on a permanent visa.

 

And that excludes any saving up, changes to immigration in general, selling/renting house and possessions... we'll, you get the picture, it's just the framework for my plan and so far so good xx

 

With the responsibility of a child I'm much more open to the idea of moving within the UK, or going to Australia with an open mind about the possibility of returning should it seems the right thing to do for her.

 

The time will pass no matter what you do, so creating opportunities in the time you have will reward you by you either taking them, or never having to think 'what if', or its too late.

 

I may never move to Australia, but if I want to before I'm too old to get a visa,the option will still be there x

[GiveAGirlShoes]

And try to speak to other nurses or students about whether it's family friendly, I have friends who are mums and nurses so fingers crossed x

[kiwiathome]

I will take a plunge here, have not read any post beyond what you said initially. I thought "that's sad" . Know matter what you think running away to Aus results in,

you have a child. In my opinion England is better than Aus. Nothing is better than the feeling in you raising your child. Stay in UK, get involved in your baby, and see

a counsellor. You are an adult now, have had a child, don't run away. Stay and face. Might be best for you. Good luck. x

[MaisieK]

kiwi, WHY on earth would I need counselling because I (like you once did) want to try life in Australia??

 

I'm not sure why you're talking as though I'm neglecting my motherly duties and 'running away' from the UK but that couldn't be further from the truth. I want to create the best life possible for my daughter and for me too and I think seeing what Australia can offer us is what's best for my family.

 

I really don't mean to sound rude but please don't make assumptions or give me pity by thinking it's sad or whatever. I'm perfectly happy with my life and I'm certainly NOT running away from anything.

[MaisieK]

I had a 6 year plan, which after the surprise arrival of my baby girl in February became a 7 year plan.

 

2011 I gained a vocational qualification in Anatomy & Physiology.

2011/2012 I decided on a subject and went to uni open days

2012 I applied to uni in sept

2013 I started uni in sept

2014 found out I was pregnant; deferred uni

2015 start back for my 2nd year

2016 3rd year, tale PTE (English test for extra points)

2017 qualify and start to complete a few forms and make enquiries about work/visas/sponsorship and hopefully get an application in

2018 move on a temp visa or validate on a permanent visa.

 

And that excludes any saving up, changes to immigration in general, selling/renting house and possessions... we'll, you get the picture, it's just the framework for my plan and so far so good xx

 

With the responsibility of a child I'm much more open to the idea of moving within the UK, or going to Australia with an open mind about the possibility of returning should it seems the right thing to do for her.

 

The time will pass no matter what you do, so creating opportunities in the time you have will reward you by you either taking them, or never having to think 'what if', or its too late.

 

I may never move to Australia, but if I want to before I'm too old to get a visa,the option will still be there x

 

Aww congratulations on your little girl it sounds like we're in slightly similar situations but you're in front of me and actually at uni already. Are you going back to do your second year in September? What's the training like for podiatry?

 

Your plan sounds great and I think you have the perfect attitude towards whether you'll move over or not. I suppose I'm just having a bit of a flap because I don't know what I'm truly wanting to do yet and don't have anything planned. I'd love to be a nurse but also considering radiography as I think it's something I would genuinely enjoy and also there are good opportunities for career progression. Will have to do some research and try and formulate a rough plan like you have done.

 

You're completely right when you say time will pass no matter what so it's just about making the most of everything and having no regrets.

 

I'm very excited for the future whether it's in the UK or Aus!

Edited July 30, 2015 by MaisieK

[kimkev]

We moved to Oz 9 months ago to an inland city called Toowoomba in Queensland near Brisbane (never heard of it but I got an amazing job there). It is different, sleepy and a little like being in the UK in the 60's where shops close at 12 on a Saturday. However I kinda like it, we get time to walk through the park (instead of shopping), drive down to the beach (even if it is 3hrs away) as the weather is pretty good most of the time and we are less stressed and out of the rat race (although if you moved to Sydney etc I am sure the rat race would be very much the same). We came here with the theory, if we don't like it, we go home but we didn't want to wake up when we were 50 and wonder 'what if'. I do get very homesick sometimes though and that is something that you will have to deal with, I have travelled a lot but never been homesick before (not pleasant) but we have an amazing supportive family back in the UK.

Everyone is different though and we may stay, we may not, who knows but I would never regret giving it a go, no matter how hard it was and how much it cost, as life is short and the world has shrunk with cheaper flights and Skype.

Good luck and at the end of the day, do what is right for you :-)

[Keith and Linda]

We moved to Oz 9 months ago to an inland city called Toowoomba in Queensland near Brisbane (never heard of it but I got an amazing job there). It is different, sleepy and a little like being in the UK in the 60's where shops close at 12 on a Saturday. However I kinda like it, we get time to walk through the park (instead of shopping), drive down to the beach (even if it is 3hrs away) as the weather is pretty good most of the time and we are less stressed and out of the rat race (although if you moved to Sydney etc I am sure the rat race would be very much the same). We came here with the theory, if we don't like it, we go home but we didn't want to wake up when we were 50 and wonder 'what if'. I do get very homesick sometimes though and that is something that you will have to deal with, I have travelled a lot but never been homesick before (not pleasant) but we have an amazing supportive family back in the UK.

Everyone is different though and we may stay, we may not, who knows but I would never regret giving it a go, no matter how hard it was and how much it cost, as life is short and the world has shrunk with cheaper flights and Skype.

Good luck and at the end of the day, do what is right for you :-)

 

Well said, a classic example of having the right attitude in accepting and adapting to what you have and where you are.:notworthy:

[MaisieK]

We moved to Oz 9 months ago to an inland city called Toowoomba in Queensland near Brisbane (never heard of it but I got an amazing job there). It is different, sleepy and a little like being in the UK in the 60's where shops close at 12 on a Saturday. However I kinda like it, we get time to walk through the park (instead of shopping), drive down to the beach (even if it is 3hrs away) as the weather is pretty good most of the time and we are less stressed and out of the rat race (although if you moved to Sydney etc I am sure the rat race would be very much the same). We came here with the theory, if we don't like it, we go home but we didn't want to wake up when we were 50 and wonder 'what if'. I do get very homesick sometimes though and that is something that you will have to deal with, I have travelled a lot but never been homesick before (not pleasant) but we have an amazing supportive family back in the UK.

Everyone is different though and we may stay, we may not, who knows but I would never regret giving it a go, no matter how hard it was and how much it cost, as life is short and the world has shrunk with cheaper flights and Skype.

Good luck and at the end of the day, do what is right for you :-)

 

Thank you great post. Good luck with everything and hope you carry on enjoying it.

[GiveAGirlShoes]

Yes I'm going back for my 2nd year in a few short weeks!

The training is ridiculously hard in some ways, but it flashes before your eyes while you try to take it all in.

I understand when you talk about career progression as I have lots of opportunities within podiatry too!

[kiwiathome]

Sometimes the best towns or places are the "sleepy" ones, where community steps in over anything else. Toowoomba, wonderful. I use to live in Ipswich, and I went through the floods and saw what happened.

 

People, family, support matter more than anything else. If you come to Australia, going more rural and community minded, wonderful. I look forward to achieving that back in England. Bless.

[bristolman]

Sometimes the best towns or places are the "sleepy" ones, where community steps in over anything else. Toowoomba, wonderful. I use to live in Ipswich, and I went through the floods and saw what happened.

 

People, family, support matter more than anything else. If you come to Australia, going more rural and community minded, wonderful. I look forward to achieving that back in England. Bless.

 

I love sleepy communities here but hated country towns in Australia, it's weird. Ipswich wow, we have a few friends there. I could never live in Ipswich, too many bogans, stinking hot and brown in the summer and cold in the winter.

[Marisawright]

Everyone is different though and we may stay, we may not, who knows but I would never regret giving it a go, no matter how hard it was and how much it cost, as life is short and the world has shrunk with cheaper flights and Skype.

 

 

Great that you are enjoying yourself and for singles and young couples, I agree with you 100%! Where I start to worry is when I see families with two or three kids making the move - in their case, going for it "no matter how much it cost" can be a dangerous thing. It can easily cost $20,000 or $30,000 to move a family - and another $20k or $30k to move back if it doesn't work. Not many families can afford to lose so much money, so it's not something to be undertaken just for the sake of a "what if".

 

I don't really understand why people have this "what if" attitude to Australia. Why don't they say, "if I don't go and live on the French Riviera/Florida/Buenos Aires I'll never know"?

[kiwiathome]

Absolutely right, Ipswich not great end of day. Reason we moved there end of day, did not like what we would get for same money in Brisbane. Nothing! We are renovaters, and hard workers, and we took chance on city out of Brisbane, kids into private school in Ipswich, bought a Queenslander to do up!, end of day, I made some lovely friends. In Ipswich!! go figure! I don't think living in Brisbane, no private school, or friends, or at least 3 bedrooms would have made up for it. Some times humble pie is a good thing.

 

And I would still choose Ipswich over Brisbane. I actually made friends and thought it was a place trying hard to go forward. More value for money. Go Paul Pissale. I am sure comments will come in, but sometimes, cities are not always the best.

[kimkev]

Great that you are enjoying yourself and for singles and young couples, I agree with you 100%! Where I start to worry is when I see families with two or three kids making the move - in their case, going for it "no matter how much it cost" can be a dangerous thing. It can easily cost $20,000 or $30,000 to move a family - and another $20k or $30k to move back if it doesn't work. Not many families can afford to lose so much money, so it's not something to be undertaken just for the sake of a "what if".

 

I don't really understand why people have this "what if" attitude to Australia. Why don't they say, "if I don't go and live on the French Riviera/Florida/Buenos Aires I'll never know"?

 

 

I completely agree with you on the moving of families as it is very expensive and shouldn't be undertaken without a lot of thought and planning, I would hope people do meticulously plan, especially if there are children involved. We may not have moved if we had children due to cost and also job security. It is also the hardest thing I have ever done and I do get the 'I want to go home feeling' every now and then, I imagine even harder with a family in tow and that lack of support network! My folks moved here in the 70's (for $20) and went home 4 years later (for about $6000) an expense some people forget about and don't plan for (the journey back if needed).

Regarding the 'What if'. I was brought up on the philosophy 'if you don't give it a go you will never know' but obviously you have also have to be realistic. That doesn't involve bankrupting yourself or making life harder, also doesn't mean you don't plan and turn opportunities down if they're not right for you. But I can see that some people have that attitude to a move here and fail to plan and see the bigger picture. We probably wouldn't have said 'what if' if we couldn't have afforded to do it, we would have stayed in the UK and found a different challenge.

Hope you enjoy retirement (when you get there that is) and hope it doesn't get too costly for you. Something I think we need to make sure we plan for.

Edited August 2, 2015 by kimkev

[Jacaranda]

Marisa,Im with you on the "What if's"Read so many posts over the years with those two words added.Yeah consider this people......"What if" you stayed in the UK and were happy further down the line????Not possible?or is it just your mindset?