Travelling to Oz - Potentially to emigrate

[Guest rogue0809]

Hi all,

 

Right first off I’m looking to visit Australia with my girlfriend next summer for as long as possible but it’s looking to be between 2 – 4 weeks. We are actually going there with the thought of moving out there eventually!

So my first question is, does anyone know what the cheapest way to travel to the land of Oz is? I mean is it cheaper to book well in advance or last minute or go on standby, as we are flexible over our dates. Is there a nice cheap airline anyone knows about?

Also does anyone know of links to hotels that are cheap or hostels or even apartments to rent short term? We are looking to go to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and possibly Adelaide, not sure about Pert yet either. If anyone knows of any tips regarding any of these places then that would be awesome too.

 

The second part of my question is regarding the actual emigration. Has anyone gone through this process?

My girlfriend and I are looking to go out there in the next 5 years. By then I will be early 30’s and my gf mid 20’s (we may also be married by then hahahahaha, fingers crossed). We both have degree’s and I’m an ex RAF officer (not sure if that counts for anything lol). Does anyone know what our chances are in general terms? At the moment I’m in the process of going into the police and my gf is about to finish her degree. I’m seriously considering re-trading a skill that is in demand in australia to increase our chances! Anyone have any thoughts about any of this?

 

Any constructive advice would be most welcome and much appreciated!!!

 

Thanks again!!

 

Rogue

[Guest rogue0809]

Hey guys,

Well I’ve been reading various threads on here and I must admit, I feel like I have been brought back down to earth at an almighty rate of knots!!! I just don’t know if my partner and I would make it in even if we tried due to our lack of specialist skills.

Like I said before, I have a degree and various other fitness and random qualifications and I spent 2 years as a RAF officer (so highly trained in leadership and management etc but I don’t think that counts for anything either!), and I am now a fund raising officer for a university until I go into the police next year (oh and I have just turned 28). My girlfriend is 20 and is soon to be completing her degree and is not entirely sure what to go on and do (we hope to get engaged soon).

We would love to move out to Oz in 4-5 years time max but after reading stuff here (and its been very useful and helpful if not a bit depressing lol) I’m just not sure how we are going to get out there as I’m certainly not skilled in any particular area apart from military and fitness skills (not in demand for sure L) My Girlfriend is in a bit more of a healthy situation as she is younger than me and is a bit more of a blank canvass than I am.

Now I desperately want to emigrate from the U.K with all my heart (hope this doesn’t offend anyone) but I’m just not sure how. I’m willing to do almost anything to make this happen. I’m willing to re-trade / re-skill to something that is required out there but that will require years before I’m qualified and experienced enough to be regarded.

Now I do have family who live in Tasmania, but they are only Uncle, Auntie and Cousins so I’m not entirely sure that means anything to the Australian High Commission.

Can anyone please give me some advice as to what to do that could help please? When applying I would almost certainly use a recommended migration agent to help matters but if there is anything at all that could help then I’m certainly willing to take it on board and give it a lot of thought. For example, would working out there on a holiday working visa help? Or would doing some form of tertiary study out there add to the points?

Thanks again and I really do appreciate any advice you can give me!!

Rogue

[Guest Inky1978]

Welcome to Poms in Oz. My girlfriend and myself are on about going out for 3-4 weeks next August as well. The cheapest flights out for 4 weeks (July 25th - 22nd Aug 09) £2074.92 to melbourne. (Cheap Flights | Package Holidays | Cheap Holidays) If you find any cheaper than that let me know. Like you I don't know whether it would be better to book early or so leave it to the last minute.

You don't mention what degree your girlfriend is studying? Could she apply for the Visa? For you, if your willing to do some training you could look in the skills shortage list for Oz (type in a search engine) and see if there's anything you think you'd like to do, but obviously you may well be short on experience.

As I said, I can't really comment on the immgration process but no doubt someone will be along at some stage who may be able to help.

Best of luck to you and keep looking the site and asking questions, the people on here are really helpful.

[lizg]

Welcome. Happy to have you on board. Can't help you on the immigration process but if you are not fussed when you travel the best thing is to trawl the usual airline sites, quantas, emirates, cathay pacific, signapore, etc. and look for special deals. Eva is a budget airline that comes up with pretty good deals if you don't have too many expectations re food, entertainment, service, etc . After all you want the cheapest route from A to B and as it will only be around a day's travelling does it really matter?

I just got an email from Cathay Pacific highlighting flights (inc tax) between 1st and 30th November from London to Sydney for only £728 (subject to availability of course!) but give it a go.

I booked ahead with Quantas for a special deal in Febrary and then Emirates came up with same deal which if I had held out would have allowed me an upgrade because I'd flown with them before, but because of ever changing fuel costs you just have to take the bull by the horns and take a chance.

 

Usually, just after you've booked you find something cheaper! You can chance last minute but not guaranteed it will be cheaper, especially around Christmas where you'll pay through the nose the longer you leave it.

 

Same too with accomodation. Once flights booked start trawling t'internet.

I got a fab deal in Melbourne where 2 of us stayed city centre for £17 a night b&b - for 2!! Lovely accomodation. If i remember who I booked it with I'll update you.

 

You haven't said what your girlfriend (future wife!) is studying and what her options are and she may well be your route to Oz!, e.g., nursing?

 

Godd luck in your quest,

 

Liz x

[Guest apartmenstsrent]

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