BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?

Subject: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 06:39 PM

Like I said--totally non music, but I have a friend (24ish) who is thinking seriously about emigrating to Australia. Any advice on:
1) How to go about it from the Oz end
2) Specific places to go
3) Specific skills, jobs, industries, etc. that would help him be accepted?
4) Other?

Thanks, all in Oz.

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 12:51 AM

I migrated here 8 years ago.... so I can tell you how it worked then.....

there are a few ways to do it

1. you can be brought in as a family member.. but you have to have family who are Aussie citizens, (and it has to be close - ie spouse, father, mother, brother, sister.)
2. As a refugee - ie you are escaping from somewhere dangerous.

or the way I did it....

3. the Points system.....

basically you score points for being young (under 30 gets more points than over 30 and the number of points goes down drastically after 30.........) points for being in a profession that is needed.. (when I applied they REALLY wanted Japanese pastry chefs!!!) extra points for having tertiary education, and speaking a 2nd language.....etc...

you have to prove that you have enough money to support yourself for a while (you can't get any government benefits for a year if you are unemployed (I think)..... so if you have a relative who will "sponsor" you.. that is a benefit.......

and you need to pass a medical.....

depending on your score you can be fast tracked through... there are only so many migrants allowed each year.. and the ones with the highest scores get in.. the rest go on some sort of a waiting list......

basically your friend needs to get in touch with the local Aussie consulate and find out where to apply for an application form... and start filling it in....

specific places to go if you want to work...... any of the big cities........ although the remote areas are desparate for medical staff.....

it is a great country and I'm glad I made the move..... we did intened to travel around a bit... but jobs are good here... and we were both employed within weeks of arriving.....

let me know if you need any more help

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 02:32 AM

I should also have said that he could apply for a holiday or a working visa... I think the working holiday one you need to be under ?25... and you can stay for a year and get whatever work you can......

that way he could "try before he buys"....

migrating is a BIG step.. and no matter where you left.. everywhere is a LONG way from Oz......

the first few weeks / months can be very lonely... we made a decision before we left Ireland that even if we hated the place, we would stay for 2 years before we went back........ don't think we'll ever go back.. except for holidays......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: GUEST,Callie at Mum's
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 03:52 AM

Can't help with immigration info, but suggest your friend look at one of the major newspapers to get a gist of what jobs are most numerous. Some of these may be available on-line. Basically, jobs in the city are easier to come by, unless he's interested in farm work or fruit picking. If the latter is the case, he'll need a car as distances are enormous.

If he wants to move to Sydney (which of course is the best city) he could look at the Sydney Morning Herald. If it's Melbourne, the paper is called The Age. Each other capital city will also have its own rag.

I'm happy to help with more specific info - send me a PC if you/he get stuck.

My choir is looking for a good bass - does he fit the bill?

Callie

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 09:40 AM

Thanks friends. Keep those cards and letters coming. I slightly suspect he doesn't know quite what he is getting into......and sorry, Callie, I don't think he sings.

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 09:48 AM

Callie..... get in touch with immigration and see if they can include "good bass voice" in their "get you extra points" category..... *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: GUEST,John in Brisbane
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 09:06 PM

Hi Sorcha,

Australian immigration quotas are pretty tough as the Australian Dept of Immigration web site will show. http://www.immi.gov.au/welcome.htm

Other advice:

Marry an Australian!

There is unrestricted access to Australia from New Zealand. Consider the possibility of migrating there instead.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 09:29 PM

when I was thinking of emmigrating New Zealand wasn't a possibility.... apparently its easier to get to after you ahve been accepted to Oz..... not before...

also considered Canada... very difficult ... and the US didn't appeal (sorry... didn't know all you lovely folks then)

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: GUEST,Callie at the new computer
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 09:43 PM

Alison: I tried. Immigration told me to get a life.

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 10:36 PM

Still listening, here......keep sending. Sent him to the Aussie Consulate site in Denver.....have my doubts, but his step father is US Army...does this make a difference? He says he can get a passsport/visa in 24 hrs.....and my question is "SO?".......doesn't mean you can stay....

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Amergin
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 10:43 PM

Hmmm, what about another poet?

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 07:44 AM

you can probably get visas quickly.. but they are for a fixed stay (usually a few weeks or months)..... not permanent....

Amergin.. there's always room for another poet.... you'll have to learn some Henry Lawson though... *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Terry K
Date: 06 Jan 01 - 02:20 AM

I'm off to Oz at the end of this month for 3 weeks in the sun. I'll be "doing" a fairly touristy run, Sydney, Cairns, Port Douglas, Brisbane, Noosa, then back to Sydney - any recommendations for good music anyone?

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Lena
Date: 06 Jan 01 - 04:59 AM

Being about to be kicked out of Oz after an year of attempts(australian father doesn't help...),I can answer to every possible question.Sort of: I went through it.If you want,you can give your friend my e-mail [e-mail],and I swear I can tell her about everything I tried,and what might be more convenient.Just warn her,it's very very very difficult and even if she comes just on a working holyday visa,it's very very hard sometimes to get regular jobs & stuff.

love people-and happy new year!!!

Lena

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Jan 01 - 05:01 AM

And to think, all one had to do 150 or so years ago was live in the Empire and steal some bread....

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 06 Jan 01 - 08:42 AM

Terry..... check out the Folk Australia website

especially the what's on

how long are you in Sydney? PM me if you want to get together and we'll sort something out... there is a great festival on towards the end of February in the Blue Mountains just west of Sydney... always great acts....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Callie
Date: 07 Jan 01 - 05:53 PM

Terry K,

There's a friendly singing session at the Shannon Hotel in Broadway on Friday nights. All welcome!

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Lena
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 06:05 PM

Here's what I can tell you.A visitor's visa is the easiest,and it's free if it's up to three months,but it doesn't allow you to work and cash in hand is quite a dream.

Skilled migration,which means,how many points can you get and such,has to be done from his/her own country and requires more than an year processing,and remember,nothing is guaranteed and the thousands of dollars you spend on it(4 thousand australian or round there,if you include the fees for the immigration lawyer),is in no way refundable.

A student visa allows you to stay and work in the country for schooling purposes,and you're allowed to work up to 20 hours a week.Once you take taxation off,you can barely pay rent and I wouldn't advise it.

a working visa allows you to work for holyday purposes up to 12 months,provided a curriculum vitae,a letter and a bank statement showing you have a minimum of 7 000 au$ savings to support yourself.By law You are not allowed to work for more than three months each employer and that gives you a pretty hard time.I nearly forgot,you have to be under 25.

Marrying someone is better if processed in her/his own country.It costs around 2000 au$,between taxations and various examinations.More if done in Australia. First they have to get married,then provide documents,letters from witnesses,correspondence,love letters,joined bank accounts statements,joined bills and things,then they wait for a certain amount of months and remember,in those months he/she won't be allowed to work.Then the Immigration office might allow the spouse to be a temporary resident(no social security,medical assistance or rights at all) in Oz for two to five years.Then she/he'll be given permanent residence,provided documentation that the couple is still loving and happy and such.

an altrnative to marriage is de facto relationship migration,but he/she'll have to convive together for 12 months before claiming it.

There are many other categories.i'm going to the bloody immigration office this thursday so if you have any question I might forward to the immigration monsters,let me know.

Lena

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 06:09 PM

I will show him this, but I doubt if he will believe it. He seems to think that just because he wants to go there, they will let him in.........ho ho ho. (He also has a US Federal felony record for marijuana poss. in the State of Utah......I figure that right there blows it.......) He is sure that he can be in Oz as a working resident/immigrant by the end of the summer.....ah well.

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: alison
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:56 PM

They are VERY strict about any sort of criminal record... we had to get police statements to say that we were good little law abiding citizens....... looks like he may have a problem........

I think ours was processed in under a year... but I did have a high point score on the criteria they wanted....

sometimes if you already have a job to go to.. they can speed things up...... I know nurses who have got in very quckly when Australian agencies have gone to do recruitment drives in the UK..... but again they would be short term (ie a year) contracts......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:59 PM

Thanks, all Ozzies, but to me, it looks like a No Go. If he believes me, he will be disapointed. If he doesn't believe me, he will be even more disapointed if he gets there and is kicked out after a year. Oh well, kids, ya know?

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:03 PM

My heart goes out to anyone undergoing the immigration process. I did the full routine going from Britain to America, and it is quite an ordeal, believe me. By the sound of it though, the Aussies may be even tougher.

Murray

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 12:29 AM

Well, he can go up to Canada. They'll take anybody....

Subject: RE: BS Non Music: Emigrating to Oz...?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 03:17 PM

Today's papers in UK are full of the story of Oz Immigration officials hunting down 8 overstayers from the UK Olympic party (and about 100 Olympic overstayers in all) so it sounds as if Alison is not exaggerating their zeal.
(Mind you there are enough Ozzies here on tourist visas keeping all the pubs in Earls Court staffed!).
RtS (just because I'm dogmatic doesn't mean I'm right)