Miss Fonz Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Hi. This is my first time posting in a forum. I guess this means I'm serious about this move right? I'm a single mum to an amazing 8 year old boy. I spent a year in Australia in 2003 and have visited a couple of times since. My best friend and her family live in Sydney and have tried to persuade me to relocate for the last 13 years! I'm finally ready. However, after over 8 years living back in my home town surrounded by family and friends it's pretty daunting for both of us!! I have an established career in recruitment and have been told job prospects and 457 sponsorship are good. I'm looking at $80-100k salary plus bonus ($200k+ package) Research so far suggests that we would have s good standard of living in this package. Career opportunities for myself and future opportunities for my son are two of the main reasons I want to leave northern England!! Areas of consideration are lack of flexibility at work (I get to drop my son at school most days & pick him up once or twice) and lack of family support - child care and general emotional support... Add to that the fact my son struggles with change and we would probably need to leave the dog behind (even more stress trying to get dog walkers etc!) then does this make me a selfish mum?? I know there'll be some short term pain for lots of gain. I just wanted to see if there are any other single parents out there who have made the move or any parents in general that can offer some advice please? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 On a 457? I would try to get a better one than that . Too much of a risk otherwise given you have a young child. If you can get a better visa , go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 You sound like you've got a great attitude, so that's a head start! You would need to seek permission from your son's father, to 'remove' him from the country. I don't know the background on this, but it's been discussed pretty often on this forum, if you can find the relevant threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Fonz Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Thanks. 457 would be quickest and easiest option I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Fonz Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Fortunately for me my son's father has no parental responsibility and has not been involved in son's life for 8 years so there's no issues here. I heard on the grapevine he actually lives in Oz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Fortunately for me my son's father has no parental responsibility and has not been involved in son's life for 8 years so there's no issues here. I heard on the grapevine he actually lives in Oz! Funny world Good job it's a very big country! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Fonz Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 True! And one of the reasons I've held back from relocating sooner. Time to woman up & get on with it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Fortunately for me my son's father has no parental responsibility You will still need to get his permission on a piece of paper - or get proof that he actually does live in Australia and therefore you can claim that you're moving the child to be closer to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Hi. This is my first time posting in a forum. I guess this means I'm serious about this move right? I'm a single mum to an amazing 8 year old boy. I spent a year in Australia in 2003 and have visited a couple of times since. My best friend and her family live in Sydney and have tried to persuade me to relocate for the last 13 years! I'm finally ready. However, after over 8 years living back in my home town surrounded by family and friends it's pretty daunting for both of us!! I have an established career in recruitment and have been told job prospects and 457 sponsorship are good. I'm looking at $80-100k salary plus bonus ($200k+ package) Research so far suggests that we would have s good standard of living in this package. Career opportunities for myself and future opportunities for my son are two of the main reasons I want to leave northern England!! Areas of consideration are lack of flexibility at work (I get to drop my son at school most days & pick him up once or twice) and lack of family support - child care and general emotional support... Add to that the fact my son struggles with change and we would probably need to leave the dog behind (even more stress trying to get dog walkers etc!) then does this make me a selfish mum?? I know there'll be some short term pain for lots of gain. I just wanted to see if there are any other single parents out there who have made the move or any parents in general that can offer some advice please? Thanks! I cant offer advice as I'm not w single mum, but noticed that nobody had replied so far and just wanted to say 'good luck' to you, whatever you decide. Your biggest problem (I was a working mum) will be what happens if your son is ill before he is olde enough to leave alone while you go to work - will your working hours be flexible enough to accommodate the odd unexpected absence? You have friends in oz so there are people to turn to in a crisis, but it isn't the same as having your own family round. I moved to live in Luxembourg from the UK when my daughter was eight, and we left behind a cat and a dog. My daughter was very lonely at first, missed her pets and her friends but settled eventually. BUT I had a husband for support and home was only a two hour flight away. If you go, expect there to be a few tough times at first, but it could work. Only you know if you are tough enough to cope with it all, but whatever you decide, i hope it goes well for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Golly, there are no Aussie recruitment specialists who would donate a kidney for that sort of package? I'm a little confused that a firm couldn't attract local talent for that sort of money. I guess if you can land it ahead of local candidates then no doubt it would be good even with $5kpa school fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Career opportunities for myself and future opportunities for my son are two of the main reasons I want to leave northern England!! I loved living in Australia myself and it's a great lifestyle for kids, but "future opportunities" are NOT good reasons to come to Australia, because they're a myth. They were true 30 years ago when I came to Australia, but the world has changed and Australia has developed a great deal. It's no longer a growing country desperately short of skilled workers. Australia is much, much smaller than the UK, as you know. That means the job market is much, much smaller too. In most professions there are local candidates just as well qualified as migrants from England - and with so many companies moving their head offices to Asia, there are fewer senior posts available onshore. Plus of course, you have a constant inflow of migrants (about 100,000 a year). The unemployment rate in Australia is about the same as the UK, and rising. I'm not saying you won't do well - just that career prospects in Oz are no different to career prospects in the UK. So don't come expecting them to be better, they're the same. Career opportunities in Sydney will be better than your current location if you're living in a small place, but you could achieve the same result in the UK by moving to a bigger city. Similarly with opportunities for your son - further education in Australia is just as good as in the UK, but there is a LOT less choice of subject. If he wants to study something less common, he may be out of luck, or have to go back to the UK to study as an international student. Also when he's an adult, he'll be coming into the same small job market - whereas if he grows up in the UK, he'll have the whole of the UK and the whole of Europe on his doorstep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benj1980 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 The main concern I would suggest is that a 457 visa is temporary and therefore there are no guarantees you'll be able to live in Australia permanently after a period of time, although it is possible. Some states charge for school fees not sure if you are fixed on Sydney but the states that don't charge seem to be falling into line. There's also tax credit type things that you wouldn't be entitled to. That said we as a family love our new life and my children have settled very quickly into their new surroundings. It was hard for them to begin with but school provided them something else to worry about and they made heaps of friends as a consequence! Good luck with the move if it all goes through! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benj1980 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I loved living in Australia myself and it's a great lifestyle for kids, but those are NOT good reasons to come to Australia, because they're a myth. They were true 30 years ago when I came to Australia, but the world has changed and Australia has developed a great deal. It's no longer a growing country desperately short of skilled workers. Australia is much, much smaller than the UK, as you know. That means the job market is much, much smaller too. In most professions there are local candidates just as well qualified as migrants from England - and they have the benefit of "local experience" which, rightly or wrongly, counts for a lot with Aussie employers. Plus of course, you have a constant inflow of migrants (about 100,000 a year). The unemployment rate in Australia is about the same as the UK, and rising. I'm not saying you won't do well - just that career prospects in Oz are no different to career prospects in the UK. So don't come expecting them to be better, they're the same. Career opportunities in Sydney will be better than your current location if you're living in a small place, but you could achieve the same result in the UK by moving to a bigger city. Similarly with opportunities for your son - further education in Australia is just as good as in the UK, but there is a LOT less choice of subject. If he wants to study something less common, he may be out of luck, or have to go back to the UK to study as an international student. Also he'll be coming into the same small job market - whereas if he grows up in the UK, he'll have the whole of the UK and the whole of Europe on his doorstep. I can't entirely agree with this because I think our lifestyle has greatly improved since we moved here. We were outdoor people anyway but now we aren't shivering, having to cancel plans or having to hose a bootful of clothes/equipment. The kiddies are happier in school and enjoy all their new clubs and teams. No begging for an Xbox anymore suggests we are doing something right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I can't entirely agree with this because I think our lifestyle has greatly improved since we moved here. I suppose you must have skimmed my post and missed the bit where I said "I loved living in Australia myself and it's a great lifestyle for kids" I am not saying the lifestyle isn't good - I like it myself. However, the OP specifically said the attraction was career opportunities, I'm just pointing out that's not the case. Everyone is different. Some people are happy to settle for a less stellar career in return for a lifestyle they enjoy. Some are more ambitious and would find the limitations of the Aussie job market restricting. I don't know which camp the OP is in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I have merged both your threads together then all the answers are in one place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinker78 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Gosh, I'm a single parent and it's exactly one of the drivers for moving back to the uk. Amongst other things. Are you sure it's worth losing what you've got here? he sounds happy and settled with a supportive extended family and you've got a flexible job. happy days! you won't get that kind of flexibility there. i worked for a massive recruitment company on a 457 and they had us by the balls- we worked 8- 6 every day and no lunch break. you will see far less of your son. i'm all for adventure but do your homework. Australia is not the same as 2003. or even 2008. or even 2013. the best thing singe parents can have is support and that takes AGES to get in place. I've been ill all easter with a really bad flu- the only thing i could think was 'thank god i'm here not there' as i was looked after, as was my child. i've done a fair few years in oz with no support and it stinks. it's different if you've not got support here, but think on- it's a massive thing to give up. not being negative. just my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 457 is just about the last card in the pack. May I suggest that you take advice about possible alternative strategies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodipodi Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 You will still need to get his permission on a piece of paper - or get proof that he actually does live in Australia and therefore you can claim that you're moving the child to be closer to him. I disagree with this one Marisa. If it's UK law, only those with parental responsibility / lawfully permitted to determine where the child lives are required to sign form 1229 I believe. In the UK, without parental responsibility this father has as much say as Joe bloggs when it comes to decisions about the child...and because it's the law of the jurisdiction in which the child resides which applies then I'd say she doesn't need his permission Xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Fonz Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. As expected, getting a mixed response... I know that opportunities in Australia aren't the same as they were 30, 10 or even 5 years ago and have spent the last few years thinking I'd missed my time and trying desperately to fit into life and be happy here. Unfortunately it's just not happening! My main concern is feeling isolated and lonely as some of the replies have pointed out. However, even with family close by, I can feel this way anyway. If I can get the work then I think I could look at it as a 2 year secondment and see what happens. I think my son would be happier to see it as one long holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. As expected, getting a mixed response... I know that opportunities in Australia aren't the same as they were 30, 10 or even 5 years ago and have spent the last few years thinking I'd missed my time and trying desperately to fit into life and be happy here. Unfortunately it's just not happening! My main concern is feeling isolated and lonely as some of the replies have pointed out. However, even with family close by, I can feel this way anyway. If I can get the work then I think I could look at it as a 2 year secondment and see what happens. I think my son would be happier to see it as one long holiday! If you treat it as a short term move (ie a year to 4) then I think why not give it a go if its what you really want and your son is happy to have the experience and see more of the world. Nothing wrong with a year or two living in another country at any age IMHO. Once here and you'll be able to see if Aus could be a longer term possibility and if so, plan for it accordingly if you and your son wanted to. But until then, don't view it as permanent, not on a 457 thats for sure. And has has been said, be prepared for an employer to suck big time and expect long hours etc. And if tied to the 457 you are up the creek without the paddle and all that. Ensure you get costs that a 457 entitles you to covered (including the airfare back, research if you get this upfront not once you leave etc) and get a decent package. Keep in mind also that its a 4 term school year, no half terms. So long 10-11 week terms are the norm. Out of hours school care I find much much better than in the UK thats for sure. Most schools have an OSHC attached and childcare before and after school till 6pm ish is covered, as are most holidays. However, ours shuts for 2 weeks over Christmas and new year. Plus public holidays and school closure days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 If I can get the work then I think I could look at it as a 2 year secondment and see what happens. I think my son would be happier to see it as one long holiday! Do, please, take Thinker's post seriously - "I worked for a massive recruitment company on a 457 and they had us by the balls- we worked 8- 6 every day and no lunch break." You may think you wouldn't agree to such conditions - but if you go to Australia on a 457 visa, you are completely at the mercy of your employer. On a 457, you can only stay in the country as long as you're working for your sponsoring employer. If you lose your job for any reason, you'll have 90 days to leave the country. So you could see it as a 2 year secondment, but you have to be aware that if you fall out with your employer, or they go broke, or restructure, you could be home in six months. So if you do decide to do it, treat it as a short adventure and don't bank on it lasting any set length of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Have to say, I don't know where you are getting the salary figure from. One of the few interviews I had when unemployed was in recruitment - I did it for a number of years in the UK. The salary was nothing close to that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Fonz Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Really appreciate the advice. Won't be much of an experience for my boy if all I ever do is work though!! My English and Aussie friends seem to have a more relaxed approach to work and better work / life balance than in the UK. However, by the sounds of it they may be lucky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Fonz Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 I was quoted those figures several years ago and lately too. I'd have hoped they'd have increased with the cost of living over there but unfortunately they've remained stagnant. As you know, you get back what you put in with recruitment and I've had no problem doubling or tripling my salary in the UK! That said, I don't actually have an offer on yen table as yet so we'll see. I really couldn't consider moving for less than $80k base could I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Average working hours is about the same in both countries, the work/life balance being better in Australia is a bit of a myth I'm afraid https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=ANHRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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