Temporary move to Oz with 7 year old - worth it?

[Marisawright]

@vixk1, I'm afraid we're getting way off topic!    The fact is that for every person who can't tolerate the heat and humidity, there's someone else who laps it up.  It's a personal thing and depends on your own physiology.  Consider how you feel on hot days when you go to Spain or Italy in summer.  Have you ever gone on holidays somewhere hot and sticky, and how would  you feel if you had to go to work in that heat, or cart shopping bags?   Maybe you'd hate it, or maybe you'd be fine - only you know.

To get back to the point - we're talking about the pros and cons of the move, but are you sure you are eligible for a visa?  That's the first thing to work out.   Employers can't hire just anyone.  The occupation has to be on the "skilled list", and the employee must have the qualifications AND experience specified on that list - otherwise, no go. So if you haven't looked into that yet, that is your first step.   The visa you are interested in is a 482 visa. 

The easiest way is to see a migration agent.  All the reputable ones will give you an initial consultation free of charge (if they want to charge you, find someone else!).  

[Gbye grey sky]

5 hours ago, Marisawright said:

When?  Where?  I can just about imagine that happening in the south of England on a few rare occasions during some summers.  I remember having to suppress a smile when people in Southampton moaned about not being able to sleep because it was so "humid".   They had no idea what a sticky Sydney night could be like.

I certainly experienced hotter days in Surrey than I have in Brisbane.  Our small bedroom with poor ventilation in England would be just as hot and humid at night as here during those spells.  There are obviously more of them here but the house is designed to be cooler and we have air con to make it comfortable to sleep.

Sydney does get higher summer temperatures than Brisbane.  Something people don’t realise.

[vixk1]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply.

Marisawright thank you for your really informative message about costs etc, it's really hard to know where to start and that has helped a lot. 

My husband's job is on the skilled list (and my old job as a hairdresser but that's not something I want to do). His job is in quite a specialised IT field. We have already seen quite a few vacancies in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide... It could be another story getting a sponsor but we will just have to see how that goes if we decide to take the leap.

[Marisawright]

57 minutes ago, vixk1 said:

My husband's job is on the skilled list (and my old job as a hairdresser but that's not something I want to do). His job is in quite a specialised IT field. We have already seen quite a few vacancies in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide... It could be another story getting a sponsor but we will just have to see how that goes if we decide to take the leap.

I believe hairdresser is about to be removed from the list, but not sure when.   However, you are not obliged to work in the occupation once you've got the visa - you can do any job you like.

[vixk1]

That's interesting. Although I will be a SAHM so likely no job for me while we are there.

 

So ultimately, taking into consideration all the hard work you have to go through to get out to Oz and taking my son out of school for likely 3 years, do you think it is worth doing for temporary amount of time? Would you?

[Tulip1]

32 minutes ago, vixk1 said:

That's interesting. Although I will be a SAHM so likely no job for me while we are there.

 

So ultimately, taking into consideration all the hard work you have to go through to get out to Oz and taking my son out of school for likely 3 years, do you think it is worth doing for temporary amount of time? Would you?

Only you can answer that. You could all have the time of your lives and have memories that will last a lifetime. If that happens, yes it’s worth some financial sacrifice I’d say. That said, if you aren’t flush and the money you spend would give you some amazing holidays and pay off a big chunk of your mortgage, that I assume would bring happiness too.  It’s a very difficult thing to decide as there’s no right or wrong answer.  It could go wrong and you’ve lost out but that’s the same with many decisions in life.  Honestly don’t worry about your child though. He won’t hate you for dragging him away. He will hardly remember it. How much do you remember of when you were 6 or 7, little bits I’m sure but it will be vague. I can’t even remember the name of one friend I had at that age.  Armed with all this information, why not pursue the likelihood of your husband getting sponsored. Put time into seeing if it actually could happen first. If he gets interest and is asked to do interviews then it’s looking positive. Then you’ll need to sit down and make a decision. Good luck.

[vixk1]

Thank you, I appreciate your honest opinion.

[Marisawright]

1 hour ago, vixk1 said:

That's interesting. Although I will be a SAHM so likely no job for me while we are there.

 

 

Very few women are a SAHM in Sydney because of the high cost of housing (double the cost of most other cities in Australia). Most people find they need a double income to be comfortable.. 

 

Edited June 17, 2020 by Marisawright

[vixk1]

That's something also to consider.

[Marisawright]

2 hours ago, vixk1 said:

So ultimately, taking into consideration all the hard work you have to go through to get out to Oz and taking my son out of school for likely 3 years, do you think it is worth doing for temporary amount of time? Would you?

I would not worry at all about your son.  He'll be at the perfect age to adapt, both moving to Australia and moving back.    I'd say the finances will be the deciding factor.  Do the budget and work out what it's going to cost (I forgot to mention the agent's fee and the visa application fees BTW).   At a guess, you're probably looking at around £60,000 all up.   If you don't go to Australia, what could you do with that money?   Would that be a better choice?   You might feel it's worth it - after all, it's your last chance now, because once he's older, it'll be far more difficult to do overseas contracts.   My question would be, is Australia really that important to you?  Or are you just feeling the need for some kind of adventure while you still can?  It's a not-unusual feeling that happens to young parents...and maybe you could find an easier way to have some adventures.

A thought - there are so many people eager to migrate to Australia, employers don't have to offer enticements to recruit foreign workers. It might pay to see if there are other international opportunities, with more generous relocation and salary packages, which would mean you don't have to be thousands of pounds out of pocket to have your adventure.  

 

Edited June 17, 2020 by Marisawright

[vixk1]

I understand I will be expensive, but could you break the £60k down a little for me please. We are looking at finances later tonight.

[Marisawright]

13 minutes ago, vixk1 said:

I understand I will be expensive, but could you break the £60k down a little for me please. We are looking at finances later tonight.

It includes the kind of things I listed in my previous post.   A figure of 30K is often quoted as the cost for the initial move, and of course, you have to budget to move back again as well.  

[vixk1]

Thank you

[vixk1]

I know it is very expensive to rent but so I can guage and idea of round about costs in the suburbs of Sydney, from your own experiences what suburbs are reasonable prices (although I know potentially very expensive), have good state school? so I can compare costs.

 

Many thanks

[vixk1]

Also, if prices are just too much for us to balance. Where would you recommend looking? I know it would depend on work but we have seen a number of potential vacancies. Brisbane being one of them.

My son is very much into steam trains and it would be lovely to be near somewhere that can satisfy his interest.

[Dusty Plains]

1 hour ago, vixk1 said:

My son is very much into steam trains and it would be lovely to be near somewhere that can satisfy his interest.

There are a number of steam railways just outside of Sydney, as well as reasonably frequent steam excursions that run on the main lines from time to time.

I would recommend the Zig Zag Railway, and The Thirlmere Steam Museum.

Here is a Video of the Garrat steam Locomotive "The City of Canberra" heading up through Wingello to Thirlmere.

 

 

[vixk1]

That looks brilliant, thank you.

[Marisawright]

 

7 hours ago, vixk1 said:

Also, if prices are just too much for us to balance. Where would you recommend looking? I know it would depend on work but we have seen a number of potential vacancies. Brisbane being one of them.

My son is very much into steam trains and it would be lovely to be near somewhere that can satisfy his interest.

Sydney is the most expensive city for housing in Australia by a long shot.   Melbourne is next - prices are around two-thirds of Sydney.  Brisbane comes third, followed by Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.  I'm assuming the vacancies would be in one of those cities.

I live in Melbourne and love it, but most Australians think the weather is too cold and unpredictable. It's certainly not the typical Aussie sun-and-sand lifestyle.  Neither is Hobart.

Like Sydney, Brisbane gets hot and sticky in summer.  However, you're more likely to afford a spacious home with good air conditioning and ventilation. A lot of housing stock in Sydney is not built for the climate, and even six years ago when we were renting, a lot of places we looked at didn't have air con.  

Perth is a nice city but the downside, if you're here for a short time and want to explore the country, is that you've got an expensive three- or four-hour flight every time you want to visit any of the other states.  

Steam trains around the country:

https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/brisbane-for-train-loving-brisbane-kids/

https://www.weekendnotes.com/best-steam-train-rides-melbourne-victoria/

http://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/

 

[Quoll]

13 hours ago, vixk1 said:

I know it is very expensive to rent but so I can guage and idea of round about costs in the suburbs of Sydney, from your own experiences what suburbs are reasonable prices (although I know potentially very expensive), have good state school? so I can compare costs.

 

Many thanks

Be aware that on a temporary visa and paying fees for state schools, the department is under no obligation to offer you a place in your catchment area if that school is full. Of course, they wouldnt make you trek across town but they are clear that they cannot guarantee a particular school.

[vixk1]

Thanks for making me aware.

[vixk1]

What are the areas a little further out of Sydney centre like for living and commuting? Places such as : South Coogee, Marourbra, Little Bay etc.

[LKC]

Those areas are pretty expensive, from what I remember. You'd probably be looking at quite a high rent. Have a look at www.domain.com.au, have a search for the type of property in the areas you're looking at, and you'll get an idea of the likely cost of housing. Most rental amounts are quoted per week, rather than per month as they are in the UK, which is a mistake I've seen people make in the past.

If it's any help, we lived a bit further south of that in Sutherland Shire, and that was a bit cheaper as it's further from the centre of Sydney. Still a nice place to live though. You will find that beach/river side suburbs are MUCH more expensive.

[vixk1]

Thank you

[vixk1]

I'm being told on another forum that there's apparently a potential 3 year wait for Temporary visas at the moment. I guess we will have to decide what we want to do and then put this idea to bed if it's not going to be possible.

I appreciate everyone replying. I've found your advice very helpful.

I welcome extra information if anyone feels it might help. 

 

Many thanks

[vixk1]

I have checked and I think the individual was getting confused with the 457 visa not 482.