Irish Family moving to Brisbane

[Irish Sparks]

Hey Jacktimy,
Having spoken to people dowm under, both Perth and Brisbane are really busy, but Brisbane is just mental.
I've spoken and e-mailed employers there who are jumping up and down to get me to move my immigration date forward.
If you guys want to get together to have a chat about the whole process give us a shout and we can hook up for a pint or a coffee.

Hey Karen, did'nt know your fella was a ''Drog''.
We'll get the ''Star and Crescent'' down under yet.

If you dont stick your neck out...... you'll never get it broken.

Sparky.

[Dublin Lady]

Hi guys

just reading through the trail of queries of the Irish couples contemplating the move to Oz.

The questions, are you doing the right thing etc., - well that's a hard one to answer. When you emmigrate, you gain and lose something - yes I believe Australia has a better life style - the weather dictates that - and yes I believe that it is a better place to rear a family - however a lot depends on the burb/area you settle in. Like everywhere there are good and bad areas!!

On the downside, when you emmigrate with young families, the opportunity to return to Ireland on holidays becomes more difficult financially and time wise so you really do miss out on the family connection thing with the family you are leaving behind in Ireland regardless of your best of intentions - keep that in mind.

I have lived in Sydney for the guts of 20 years, I came out here as a traveller, liked what I saw, applied for residency and got it. I did return to Dublin with my daughter 6 years ago and stayed for 2 years. I personally couldn't settle back into Dublin, found it too expensive, too rat racey and that celtic tiger has a lot to answer for. I returned back to Sydney and the Northern Beaches and haven't looked back. My daughter had more out door time play in the first 2 weeks of our return than she had in the 2 years we were in Dublin. Regardless there is no such place as utopia - however Australia is a country whereby 'a fair go' is common place - which means regardless of who you are, where you're from, what school you went to; what accent you have - as long as you're a trier, you'll be given a good shot.

Work wise, there's plenty of work here at the moment - unemployment is at an all time low. I note that most of the people in the forum are construction background or tradies - there's plenty of buildings going up and a lot of the jobs you will find, is word of mouth. Yes there are lots of agencies however you might find that having a drink at the right tradies pub near a new project (high rise) at the right time (generally about 4pm onwards) and you will strike up a conversation with the people in the know - ie the boys on the ground floor in the industry. I know labourers can earn up to AUD1300 per week and can only assume that qualified tradies would earn more. Also the local rags are a good place to source work.


Word has it that Perth is the happening place at the moment - ie the mining etc., however with that - the price of property has soared there. I don't know a great deal about WA so I won't say too much on that area.

Brisbane is also a happening place - as is Victoria (Melbourne) and NSW (Sydney). Probably the good thing about Melbourne and Brisbane is that property is cheaper there than in Sydney - Sydney is the most expensive. Have a good look at the real estate websites and you'll get the idea.

Climatically I would say that Sydney has the best - ie no extremes. Melbourne is known to have 4 seasons in one day, Brisbane can be very hot whilst Sydney doesn't really have the extremes - however that is a personal thing...........

Well guys not sure if I have helped in any way - it is a big decision, one I made many moons ago and have no regrets - good luck.





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[kevin]

Well done Dublin Lady, you have given a very good run down of the place. It's not for everyone but it does have some great possibilities. I have been here more years than I care to think about and still love the place, but still miss the folks back home. Kevin

[Baby75]

Thanks Dublin Lady,

very useful and you are so right about the Celtic tiger if you thought it was bad the two years you were here its worse now not much work here for trades men any more very hard to find jobs and a lot of the big company's are shutting down so im glad we are going to Australia for a new start. hard leaving the family behind thank god for the internet good point about it might being hard coming home for holidays we have decided to make sure we always have enough there to come home on a holiday wont be for the first two years on till we are on our feet

Thanks again for all your information

[Richardb]

Hi everyone i am a plumber just starting skills assesment.My Wife and two kids hoping to go to brisbane/sunsine coast is there plenty of work for plumbing/gas fitting.Kevin is weather ok in brisbane ?

[Irish Sparks]

Hey Richardb,
I,ve just looked at a couple of sites today 25/02 and there are jobs out there ranging from $50,000-$110,000 if you look around.
Check out ''mycareer'' or ''Seek'' they constantly update the sites.
My wife and I are loking at moving to Brisbane later in the year with our two boys and I,ve been in touch with employers who tell me that the construction industry is booming and only going to get better.
If you need any advice on the TRA or anything elae, give us a shout.

[scottishcelts]

Hey Dublin Lady you are spot on with your breakdown analysis!!!

We considered moving to Dublin from Glasgow a few years ago but decided there was no point; same rubbish weather, lack of jobs, rat race as you say, outrageous house prices with low wages considering.

So we too are off to Brisbane with a view to moving to Adelaide if the weather is too hot for our celtic skin! Apparently property is cheaper in Adelaide than anywhere else in Oz, so we might just be there quicker than expected.

[Baby75]

Originally Posted by scottishcelts

Hey Dublin Lady you are spot on with your breakdown analysis!!!

We considered moving to Dublin from Glasgow a few years ago but decided there was no point; same rubbish weather, lack of jobs, rat race as you say, outrageous house prices with low wages considering.

So we too are off to Brisbane with a view to moving to Adelaide if the weather is too hot for our celtic skin! Apparently property is cheaper in Adelaide than anywhere else in Oz, so we might just be there quicker than expected.

only if i let you you cant leave me in Brisbane !!! we will just have to buy a plane!!!
although seriously Ireland beautiful country but Celtic tiger my A** My Hubby is searching for a new job here so we can earn extra money to bring with us and no joy he is thinking of working for security at the weekends and evenings he is a welder by trade its mad

[Richardb]

hi irishsparks thanks for that sounds promising in brisbane do you have any info on the skills assement for plumbers its no longer the TRA its an orginisation called VETASSES that does it a 3 stage process that involes 1 self assesment 2 send off all info to a place in melbourne 3 a practical exam in uk.am getting everything ready to send off at the moment its driving ne mad but hopefully will be worth it

[Irish Sparks]

Hey Richardb,
I applied last year through the TRA and it was a real pain as I had to get detailed references from all my previous employers, and being in the trade for over 20 years, that was a serious ordeal.
I've just downloaded the VETASESS application form to have a squint at it, and it seems to be a hell of a lot more straightforward.
The first two parts of the application process are basic enough, as for the third, some people I've spoken to have said that while you must attend an interview, if you talk a good game you may not be asked to do a practical exam as the interview is designed to weed out the wafflers and chancers.
If there is any advice I can give you, it would be,

1. Dont bother with an agent as you will have to do all the hard work yourself anyway.

2. Read and re-read the application form before you fill it out.

3. Keep photocopies of everything you send off, because when you start to fill out the actual GSM Application form you will see the same questions about previous addresses and employers will repeat themselves, and you dont want to contradict yourself on paper.

4. Just go for it man. IF YOU DONT STICK YOUR NECK OUT.... YOU'LL NEVER GET IT BROKEN.

If ther is anything I can do to help, just shout.

Sparky.