Making the decision

[Stayorgo]

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! 

[NorthernLights]

I may be wrong but I was under the impression that accountant jobs are few and far between. There are actually caveats on choosing accountant as your skill with DIBP and from what I've read you may be in for a long wait even with 80 points.

i honestly wouldn't give up what you have without a job offer. Sorry.

[Stayorgo]

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! 

[NorthernLights]

Sorry, Department of Immigration and Border Patrol.

i wish you luck! You may want to read the thread about accountants on the next page of visa chat.

[ScottieGirl]

I am not sure the number of accountant jobs is the issue, more that there are plenty of experienced applicants to fill them so no need to import more.

Assuming you get the visa you are likely to take a financial hit moving as it could take some time to get jobs at a similar level. Only you can decide whether its worth delaying financial security for the Aus lifestyle.

I think you need to work out what it  is about the Aus dream that you want and whether you need to move there to attain it.  I have just returned from Sydney, there are things I miss particularly the stunning landscapes and climate but holidays back to Aus  will be enough for me.

 

[Stayorgo]

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. 

[Collie]

Hi there,

I'm a fellow beancounter, you should be ok for work in Sydney or Melbourne as there are plenty of big companies, both domestic and international.  If you had said Perth, I'd have advised caution as it is tough for work over here right now.  What sort of accountants are you and what areas do you work in?  (Financial accounting, Reg & Compliance, Mgmt accounting etc).  Sydney is better for FS although ANZ and NAB have their HO in Melbourne.

Have a look at seek.com.au and Linked In to get a feel for what is currently being advertised.  Maybe reach out to a few recruiters also to have a chat about the market and prospects

Only you guys can decide if it is for you.  There will always be an element of risk involved in the move.  Sitting down and doing the pros and cons of each option is worth doing.  It will cost you some $ but that is the price you pay for what you think will be a better life.  Just accept that and move on.

Your child is young enough to make the move and settle quickly through school, footie club etc (probably more quickly than you guys).  Kids settle quickly, IME for adults it takes 12-18 months  Only issue here is extended family, are they a big part of your life/your child's life at the moment?  Many expats make the move back after having having kids as they want them to know and see their grandparents, cousins etc regularly.

If you are going to do it, the next year or 2 is the time to do it.  They are tightening requirements all the time on the immigration front.  Plus you are both relatively young, the older you are, the harder it becomes.  Also you are both young enough (& your child is) to make the move for 4-5 years and get your citizenship, if it's not for you

Good luck and happy to answer any specific queries you may have.  Probably more work related as I have never lived in Melbourne, just lots of visits.

 

 

 

[Stayorgo]

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!! 

 

[Beaty]

1 hour ago, Stayorgo said:

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!! 

 

My advice is apply and if successful just go, rent the house - see what happens. 

B

[Quoll]

Don't give up your job, don't sell your house. Take a career break and rent the house out. Competition for positions is fierce and they do like the home grown experience. Accountants are always dithering about whether they will be on the list or not because they are oversupplied.

[ScottieGirl]

4 hours ago, Stayorgo said:

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 know the pharma sector well, 80% of the industry is in Sydney so hubby will probably be looking at another sector. GSK, BMS are in Melbourne as are Sigma the generics company.

You sound like you want to do it and you sound like you know what the pros and cons are. I say go for it!

[Collie]

5 hours ago, Stayorgo said:

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!! 

 

Ok.

Sorry my last post left a bit off (got distracted) - 

u are both young enough (& your child is) to make the move for 4-5 years and get your citizenship, if it's not for you - you can move back, all you will have lost is $ but you will know that you gave it a shot.

If he is Head of Finance in a large pharma co, (team of 20 or so?), he is well qualified.  He may have to move industry but should be applicable to fmcg or energy etc.  You should be ok.

Only issue is the more senior you are, the fewer roles there are.

You both may have a step or 2 backwards initially (this is what I am experiencing in Perth also).

Definitely talk to a few good recruiters.  Any chance of a transfer for your hubby (have they Australian operations?), would Sydney be a consideration?

Given the salaries that you will earn (combined), you could have a very nice lifestyle in either city.  Sydney salaries are generally 10% higher but so is the cost of living so evens out.