Moving to & Working in Australia

1940sGal

I've been thinking about this recently. I'm quite happy in the job I'm in now but at the moment I'm only on a temp, week to week contract, which is far from brilliant, though I know work is work right now which is better than nothing.

Anyway, I was thinking about what it might be like to move to Aus. I've got family out there, they live just outside of Sydney. I was planning on going out there for a couple of weeks in a couple of years (dad's getting his pension and has promised me a couple of £K so I was thinking dream holiday time), but the more I think about it the more I can't help but wonder if it could be possible. At the minute I feel like I'm stuck going from one temp job to another so I'm trying to consider all the options.

Anyhoo, does anyone know what it would entail, anyone done it? Are there any good websites that give good info? I'm looking at a few already that seem ok.

1940sGal

I have a degree in Photography plus other qualifications in art. Work experience largely in retail, with some logistic related experience.

agrinnall

You could watch a few episodes of Wanted Down Under.

Almo

I did it but I didn't need a visa. Are you thinking of moving for good or going for a year? How old are you (you may or may not qualify for a working holiday visa)? Check it all out at http://www.immi.gov.au/

Why do you want to go?

1940sGal

Almo wrote: »

I did it but I didn't need a visa. Are you thinking of moving for good or going for a year? How old are you (you may or may not qualify for a working holiday visa)? Check it all out at http://www.immi.gov.au/

Why do you want to go?

I'm 30 in June. I haven't given it a huge amount of thought, was just pondering it the other day. I've been feeling a bit down of late having been knocked back for a job i really wanted and, after talking to the family i have there, I thought a change of scenery might do me the power of good.

Almo

Fair enough, just checking. Met enough people who thought Australia would make all their problems go away to be cautious when advising people!

Well, from the info you've put here (and I appreciate you might not want to reveal too much online) it doesn't sound as if you'd be eligible for a visa other than a WHV. I might be wrong, of course. 30 is the cut off for a WHV so if you want to do it, no time like the present.

1940sGal

Almo wrote: »

Fair enough, just checking. Met enough people who thought Australia would make all their problems go away to be cautious when advising people!

Well, from the info you've put here (and I appreciate you might not want to reveal too much online) it doesn't sound as if you'd be eligible for a visa other than a WHV. I might be wrong, of course. 30 is the cut off for a WHV so if you want to do it, no time like the present.

Hmm I've just been looking at the list of skilled workers they look for. Certainly doesn't apply to me unfortunately. Though teaching is something i've always considered training for, but I need to re-take my GCSE in maths before I can begin on that.

Ho hum, I'll have a chat with my cousins and see what they say. Might have to give it a couple of years and see what's happening when I go over for a holiday. That at least is definitely happening

KiKi

You are very very limited in your options. It's a WHV before you're 30 (although you can stay until you're 31), and possibly a second WHV after that (if you work in the country for 3 months), but that's it.

Your only other option is to have a job offer with a career and job on the extended SOL, and go under the 186 Direct Entry visa. Without a job on the independent SOL you won't stand a chance.

Unfortunately family count for nothing now in Australia (unless they're dependent on you, or they're you're only family) if you don't have a job on the either of the SOLs.

So if you want to work - apply for a WHV before you're 30. If you wait, you'll never get the chance to work there without changing career.

loveabargain13

Hi, in 2010 I went out on a WHV I travelled around Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Bondi. In the end I only completed work experience at Melbourne fashion festival which was fab. My background is fashion / photography

I don't think I would be able to work again out there, I also have family out there and turn 30 in June but I'm just thinking about spending our next winter out there for 3 months on an E visa which is just for travelling....

Definitely try and get out there, and watching wanted down under makes me want to go even more!

louisemichelle

I think as long as you apply before you turn 31 you can still get a WHV but you won't get an additional year even if you do farm work. (My friend is 31 and is on her working holiday visa here- having arrived in August)

"be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) at the time of applying"

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/eligibility-first.htm

I'm 30 and moved to Melbourne just over a year ago to do my working holiday- I was in a similar situation to you, temping and not really sure what to do- and to be honest, moving here was the best thing I ever did. I'm now staying until 2017 on a student visa to complete my PhD so it all worked out for me.

I was lucky and managed to get admin work quite quickly when I was out here but that seems to be unusual- my cousin moved out here in November to do her working holiday and it took her 3 months to find work... so if you are planning a working holiday as opposed to just travelling I'd be prepared to wait a while before you will get work- make sure you have plenty of money saved up so you can enjoy yourself! The job market might be slightly better in Sydney though... Seek.com.au is the main website for job hunting here.

I def think you should give it a shot, especially if you are in a situation where you have nothing to tie you to home.