Migrating to Australia (from UK)

Ye' old general discussion board. Basically, for everything that isn't covered elsewhere. Come here to shoot the breeze, shoot your mouth off, or whatever suits your fancy.
This forum is not for asking programming related questions.

Moderator: General Moderators

User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Migrating to Australia (from UK)

Post by Chris Corbyn »

This is something I've "wanted" to do since secondary school but now that I have friends out in Melbourne and something my grandma was talking about over xmas dinner I've decided I'm just going to get off my but and take a shot at it.

I do realise that the best I may get is a working holiday visa right now but I do meet the points 2-fold for a skilled migrant visa -- that's not all they look at though. I'd take a year long working holiday visa if that's all I could get and then apply for my second year while I'm out there.

Has anybody else done this before? There are so many agencies waiting to charge you for services which should be free (according to immi.gov.au) so I was wondering where the best place to start is?

My "ideal" situation would be to secure a job offer before moving out but leave enough time to travel for a month or two before starting work.

I've filled in these online assessments many times before but I just want to actually do it now.
User avatar
shiznatix
DevNet Master
Posts: 2745
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 5:57 pm
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Contact:

Post by shiznatix »

do it! to get real information call the embassy, they are so much more helpful than anyone else.

Don't get a job either, what a bad idea. Working sucks. Just save money then you can kick it in the forests or on the beach or whatnot for your year no problem. I think you need like 3000AUD to prove you wont be a homeless bum when you get there, well that kinda money could last you a while if you tried.

Im going to NZ by summer so maybe I could surf over your way if you make it to that side of the pond ;)
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

Here's the crack.

Applications go through http://www.immi.gov.au
To apply you first need to be verfied as being eligibile for the visa in your work field (i.e. ICT) by paying 350AUD to the official assessor and providing a CV/Resume, Passport, References etc: http://www.acs.org.au/

The assessment takes 8-10 weeks and the visa processing takes over 6 months.

If you don't quite get it first time around they can keep your details on file for up to 2 years. You may voluntarily accept to be restricted to living in quieter rural areas for the first 2 years if your case is borderline.

You need to have a minimum of 18 months from the past 2 years experience in your field. Your field must be listed on the SOL and if it's listed on the SSASL (skill shortages in major cities such as Sydney) you have a better chance. Having somebody willing to sponsor you who lives in Australia is a help since they can agree to take any financial burden you may pose upon the state if you don't get off your ass when you're there.

All ICT jobs are on the SSASL which is good. Programmers get 60 points out of the required 70 purely for working in ICT.
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

Okie doke, the full-migration doo-dah is on the back burner for now. I just paid for a working holiday visa application which gets you n initial 1 year whilst travelling, then a possible second year if you reapply while you're there.

Let's see if it's approved :) If it is, I'll be going out there during this next year. w00t! :D
matthijs
DevNet Master
Posts: 3360
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:57 pm

Post by matthijs »

Very cool. Hope it works out for you!
User avatar
RobertGonzalez
Site Administrator
Posts: 14293
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:04 pm
Location: Fremont, CA, USA

Post by RobertGonzalez »

Dude, I can't imagine you as an Aussie. What about the music, parties and dancing? Is there any of that stuff for you in Australia?!?!?!
alex.barylski
DevNet Evangelist
Posts: 6267
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
Location: Winnipeg

Post by alex.barylski »

Not to mention the worlds most 10 deadliest animals... :P
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

Everah wrote:Dude, I can't imagine you as an Aussie. What about the music, parties and dancing? Is there any of that stuff for you in Australia?!?!?!
Damn right. Melbourne is rocking for breakbeat nights. A couple of the DJs I'm mates with here in Manchester have been out there before (as in travelling) and love the place. I know Evil 9, Dreadzone and a few others kick about out there quite a bit :)

Thing is, I've never travelled before (apart from on a fortnight package holiday). I've never even put foot outside of Europe. I gotta do something crazy/to remember while I'm still young if you know what I mean. Just gotta.

I do believe I'll move abroad before I'm 30 if I can get the permits to do so, and that's only gonna be one of 3 places; Australia, the US or Spain -- in no particular order.

I'm really excited about this year abroad though -- if I get it. Just need to save a spare 3500GBP before next December/November :? :P
qads
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1199
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 10:02 am
Location: Brisbane

Post by qads »

Well....this is weird, my working holiday for Australia was approved today, I am in love with Brisbane, great place, i spent 6 weeks there last year, never wanted to leave :P.

I am pretty much in same boat as you d11, I meet the skilled migrant visa requirements + I speak other languages (+5 points for that btw), but the cost is kinda high (close to $2000 AUD last time I checked) so i went for the working holiday, filled up the application online and few days later, bam..i got it =), I plan to apply the skilled visa once I am there and secure a nice job, might even get sponsored by the employer with some luck.

1 major thing to keep in mind with working holiday visa is that you can not work for same employer for more than 6 months, which kinda sucks if you happen to find a nice job in the first month or two.
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

qads wrote:I am pretty much in same boat as you d11, I meet the skilled migrant visa requirements + I speak other languages (+5 points for that btw), but the cost is kinda high (close to $2000 AUD last time I checked) so i went for the working holiday, filled up the application online and few days later, bam..i got it =), I plan to apply the skilled visa once I am there and secure a nice job, might even get sponsored by the employer with some luck.
Nice one, pleased for you. I'm confused about the status, because within an hour (yeah I know!) mine changed to "approved" but all the other links say "unavailable" so I don't trust it. I thought it would take 2 or three weeks minimum.

When I read the info at immi.gov.au it suggested that an independent skilled migrant visa was more likely to be granted than an employer sponsored one so you may want to have a re-read of that stuff :)
1 major thing to keep in mind with working holiday visa is that you can not work for same employer for more than 6 months, which kinda sucks if you happen to find a nice job in the first month or two.
Well, it's kinda fair enough I guess. I mean, you wouldn't really wanna go out there and stay stuck in the same place for that year anyway so you're likely to trek about a bit. I'll probably just do bar work with some cheeky freelancing on-the-sly (shhhh... ;)) Certain (skilled) occupations require special visas anyway.

At the very least I'll see Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne**. I'd like to pop over to NZ but it depends how much ££ I can save first.

When do you plan to use the visa? You have 12 months from now to start it right? :D

** EDIT | How did I forget Queensland?
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

d11wtq wrote:I'm confused about the status, because within an hour (yeah I know!) mine changed to "approved" but all the other links say "unavailable" so I don't trust it. I thought it would take 2 or three weeks minimum.
Hmm... no, this is too clear:
The status page wrote:Applicant approved - you may now travel to Australia.

You do not require a label or stamp in your passport before you travel to Australia.

The approval letter, confirming this decision can be accessed from the Application Status Page by selecting the Applicant Approved link. The terms and conditions attached to your visa are included in the approval letter.
Does that seriosuly mean I got a decision within hours?
User avatar
feyd
Neighborhood Spidermoddy
Posts: 31559
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:24 pm
Location: Bothell, Washington, USA

Post by feyd »

It would certainly appear you are approved for travel.
User avatar
Chris Corbyn
Breakbeat Nuttzer
Posts: 13098
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by Chris Corbyn »

My heart is racing :D How cool is that.

/me smacks self in face.... mustn't get too hopeful, it may still be wrong.
User avatar
feyd
Neighborhood Spidermoddy
Posts: 31559
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:24 pm
Location: Bothell, Washington, USA

Post by feyd »

Why not call them to verify?
qads
DevNet Resident
Posts: 1199
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 10:02 am
Location: Brisbane

Post by qads »

My application took just over a week, question after question (thats what i get for being a muslim, dont blame them though) and they took a little longer cos of christmas etc.

Hard to say about the status, i couldnt even check mine, it kept saying the TRN is wrong, everywhere I read it said 2 days minimum unless the application needs to be referred (upto 4 weeks if thats the case).
d11wtq wrote:When I read the info at immi.gov.au it suggested that an independent skilled migrant visa was more likely to be granted than an employer sponsored one so you may want to have a re-read of that stuff
hmmm...better not do it myself I guess, I know someone who knows someone else that knows someone who did this few months back....er...lets just say i'll get some help :P.

And yep, 12 months which start as soon as you enter AU (your initial entry into Australia must be no later than 12 months from the date the visa was granted), so no rush, although my aim is feb....ticket price is gona sting but ah well, its worth it.
Post Reply