what should be my first steps?

[82benz]

Hello everyone!...this is my very first post. I am from Guatemala ,but I am currently living in the U.S I am a citizen of both countries I was wondering what would be the first step I would have to take to move to Australia. I have not been there before ,but I have been thinking of moving there for a long time. I am 19 years old I have been saving money for about three years now because I want to move to a different country and I have chosen Australia. How hard is it to become a resident and getting a job. I also want to go to school and eventually have good enough job. I will appreciate any information. THANKS!
-Edward.

[kaz101]

Welcome 82Benz.

If you check out the helpful websites post at the top of the forum you'll find a link to the Australian government ssite about visas and immigration.

Australia isn't an easy place to get into but loads of us have done it (I moved from the UK to Australia in July 2007).

There is a working visa that may be suitable but you may want to get some expert advice.

Regards,
Karen

[82benz]

can I contact them directly via Email or should I call the Australian embassy here in the U.S ?...I guess what makes it hard for me is being 19 and no real work experience. ,but thank you very much. I was also thinking Germany and Sweden ,but Europe is way to expensive to live...and the language thats another story.
thanks!

[kaz101]

Take a look at the government visa website and check you can get into Australia on one of the visas there. You won't be able to get in on some of the visas because they require work experience. The working visa is what I thought of although it may only be for a year.

If you are not sure after looking at the website then contact an immigration agent - Migration Agent Liana is the username of an agent on this forum and you can contact her through the members list. Most of them will give a free consultation (not sure if Liana does this but she does give free info here).

It's not worth contacting an Australian Embassy at this stage since they will probably only tell you to visit the website

I know you think that Aussies speak English but it is a version of English all of their own

Regards,
Karen

[82benz]

Thank you. yeah I understand there are many obstacles I am going to face yeah I will look in the website. if I contact the embassy will they maybe direct me to an agent? I want to speak to someone over the phone here in the U.S I will try giving the embassy a call. Are there any other forums or websites that I can ask people for more input on the subject?
thanks.
Edit: would trying to join the Armed forces be an option?

[kaz101]

You can search the Migration Agents register here
Migration Agents Registration Authority
but I couldn't find anything for either USA or United States of America.

On the MIA website (Migration Institute of Australia) they had a couple of agents in the USA
Overseas Members

You need an agent who is registered so that you will get expert advice.

Good luck,
Karen

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by 82benz

Edit: would trying to join the Armed forces be an option?

As far as I know that would not make any difference....

[Baby75]

Originally Posted by 82benz

Thank you. yeah I understand there are many obstacles I am going to face yeah I will look in the website. if I contact the embassy will they maybe direct me to an agent? I want to speak to someone over the phone here in the U.S I will try giving the embassy a call. Are there any other forums or websites that I can ask people for more input on the subject?
thanks.
Edit: would trying to join the Armed forces be an option?

hello Kaz is right with your age you would probably find going on the one year working holiday visa and when you are there if you do 3 months work on the harvest trail you can stay for another year it will give you a good i dea on if you'll like it or not as far as i know if you get a good job and your employer wants to keep you there is always the sponsorship option

if you need advice from an agent as far as i know well were i live any way the give a free consultation and go through your options just make sure they are registered i dont know any thing about the armed forces option an agent might be able to advise you on that.

good luck with it all

[82benz]

^^would the embassy give me information on the holiday visa?...yeah that was my idea find a job and eventually get sponsored. I still have alot saving up to do ,but I want to start moving strings from now. Thank you for your information.

[kaz101]

Hi 82Benz,

There are several replies to your post here. As I mentioned I don't give out info through private messages since I am not an agent on on here everyone can give you the benefit of the their knowledge.

Did you follow up with any of the suggestions posted?

Regards,
Karen