Do I leave my job in the UK to follow my dream of a life in Australia?

[Guest MrCain]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on POI and i'm looking for a little advice please.

With the economic climate being as it is in the UK, my employer is looking at making savings and I have the opportunity, should I choose, to take a fairly decent redundancy package. This would hopefully give me the money needed to apply for visas etc., so that I can fulfill my dream of moving to Aus.

The question is, are things any better over there? Are there jobs to be had and is it worth leaving a decent job in a country that I don't really want to be in anymore to move to a country that i'm almost certain i'd be happy in (I have visited Australia before and I have friends and family in the country).

Just a bit of information about me; i'm a 32 year old Building Surveyor who would be moving on my own. I've got 11 years work experience am looking at living in / around either Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

I look forward to your comments / advice.

Thanks in advance.

[Bobj]

Mate, do it. If you don't, you will always wonder.

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[ausdreamer]

Anxious, apprehensive, excited, nervous…many emotions rolled up in to one. My advice is have a plan b to fall back on but have a go if you get the chance....best of luck.

[Guest chris955]

You are single, give it a go. You won't necessarily find it any better here but you won't know unless you try. Many end up going home because the reality of living in a country is different to being on a short holiday but many others love it. Workday be hard depending on where you go.

[Guest MrCain]

That just about sums it up ausdreamer.

I've got another job lined up (all be it not as well paid) that will stop me from spending all of my redundancy package before the long visa / relocation process, but i think it will be difficult to find another job like mine in the UK for a good few years. So if I leave the job, then my decision to leave the country will also have been made.

[Guest]

Welcome to PIO

 

Before you go any further do you know if you would qualify for a visa and do you know that the basis of the points system changes in July? If not before spending any more time agonising over the 'should I / shouldn't I' I would focus on the 'can I'.

 

You will be able to get help on here with that and all the information you need is on the DIAC website BUT it is complex and I strongly suggest you have an initial consultation with a migration agent and get a professional view on the liklihood of success and critically the timescales involved.

 

The timescale is a critical factor and unless you get employer sponsorship you are probably talking about 2-4 years to get a visa granted therefore the decision to migrate may not be a factor in your potential redundency right now.

 

Welcome to the rollercoaster ride of your life. Enjoy.

 

Jules

[Guest MrCain]

Thanks Chris955. I guess you don't know until you try.

[Guest]

That just about sums it up ausdreamer.

I've got another job lined up (all be it not as well paid) that will stop me from spending all of my redundancy package before the long visa / relocation process, but i think it will be difficult to find another job like mine in the UK for a good few years. So if I leave the job, then my decision to leave the country will also have been made.

 

Oops that probably already answers the questions I raised.

 

If you know you are eligible and have employment to see you through the wait I'd say go for the redundency.

[Guest MrCain]

Cheers Jules2409.

I've checked, and currently I do qualify, although I wasn't aware of the changes due to be applied in July; think i need to look into that.

[billington22]

Hi, I ummed & ahhhed (prob not correct spelling!!!) for years wondering the same. Should i take the plunge? We applied and got our visa granted in Feb this year. Was still very unsure on what to do. My hubby & I both had good jobs, my little girl was about to start primary school and i had a 5 month old baby! Plus we didn't know a soul in OZ.

We thought long & hard and the truth is you'll never know unless you try it. You will always be wondering what if? So, we sold the house, gave up the jobs and moved to Victoria. Arrived at the end of September. I won't lie..It's been HARD!!! But my husband and I have now found jobs. I'm teaching and its much better paid than the UK! Still not sure if the move will be a permanant one but if we do go back..at least we tried.

I say, go for it. You don't always want to be wondering....what if?

[Guest MrCain]

Thanks billington22. This is something that i've had in my head for quite a few years now and you're not the first person to say to me that i don't want to be wondering what if. I guess I can always come back if it doesn't work out.

Hope everything works out for you and your family.

[Pumpkin]

Cheers Jules2409.

I've checked, and currently I do qualify, although I wasn't aware of the changes due to be applied in July; think i need to look into that.

 

I have just checked too, I didn't see Building Surveyor on the SOL?

[Quoll]

In this day and age I tend to work on the principle of if it aint broke, dont fix it. It isnt so much a "dont die wondering" as a "how much are you prepared to gamble". On the one hand you are young enough to start all over again pretty much anywhere but what would you do if, for example, you took the redundancy and hooked up into a relationship which was all of a sudden more attractive than living in another first world country? Or if the visa regs changed so much that your chances of getting one were between slim and none?

 

In the normal course of events not so long ago it would have been quite feasible to get an opportunity not to be missed and to up sticks and grab it with both hands but in this economic climate that is an incredibly risky venture and, sure, some folk get an adrenaline rush from the risk but then spend a lifetime playing catch up.

 

I'd say go if you had a job to go to and a decent bankroll behind you to cushion the shock. It is just another first world country after all with different weather.

[docboat]

The question is - or should be - "what future path do I wish to take?", not "what past do I want to leave behind?" That is to say, plan to move into your better future, not escape from your present. If you accept that life is an adventure, and Australia is a very good place for adventures, then go for it!

[ausdreamer]

Hi, I ummed & ahhhed (prob not correct spelling!!!) for years wondering the same. Should i take the plunge? We applied and got our visa granted in Feb this year. Was still very unsure on what to do. My hubby & I both had good jobs, my little girl was about to start primary school and i had a 5 month old baby! Plus we didn't know a soul in OZ.

We thought long & hard and the truth is you'll never know unless you try it. You will always be wondering what if? So, we sold the house, gave up the jobs and moved to Victoria. Arrived at the end of September. I won't lie..It's been HARD!!! But my husband and I have now found jobs. I'm teaching and its much better paid than the UK! Still not sure if the move will be a permanant one but if we do go back..at least we tried.

I say, go for it. You don't always want to be wondering....what if?

 

 

What a truly positive post. All the best. These posts also help me with my big move ahead. Merry Christmas x

[Life on easy street]

If you have a dream job in the U.K think long and hard before you give it up.

 

Until you have the PR visa stamped on your passport.

Or you have a company to sponsor you.