Emigrating to Perth

[SGKG102]

Hi, my name is Karen and my husband's name is Steve. We are looking to emigrate from the UK to Perth possibly around Freemantle. Steve is an Australian citizen and carries an Australian passport. We have 2 children who will be emigrating with us one of whom is from a prevous marriage of mine. We understand that our daughter can be give Australian citizenship which we are in the process of dealing with. There are a few questions that we have and wonder whether there is anyone who can help us. The first is would it be better for me to apply for a Spouse Visa prior to emigrating? Would it be best for Steve to secure employment before we emigrate? Is there anyone who could advise on renting a property for the first few months until we are settled? What is the best senior school in the area in which we wish to emigrate? Will I be able to obtain employment? Steve is a Precision Engineer and I work for Hampshire Constabulay as a Bail Manager. Can anyone let us know if there are any Precision Engineering companies in close proximity to our chosen destination? Sorry if this seems a bit exhaustive but I am really excited about the prospect of emigrating. Thank you in anticipation of a response.

Regards

Karen Gant

[kaz101]

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

The first is would it be better for me to apply for a Spouse Visa prior to emigrating?

How would enter the country otherwise? You will need some sort of visa to get in so I would have thought the spouse visa would be a good option (but I'm not an agent so get some professional advice).

Originally Posted by SGKG102

Would it be best for Steve to secure employment before we emigrate?

Most people come to Australia without jobs unless they are sponsored.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

Is there anyone who could advise on renting a property for the first few months until we are settled?

You can check out websites such as
Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au
www.domain.com.

they both do rentals as well as sales all over Australia.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

What is the best senior school in the area in which we wish to emigrate?

Check out the "PLEASE READ..." post towards the top of the forum since that has links for schools. I can't help you with personal experience there.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

Will I be able to obtain employment?

You need to check out the terms of the spouse visa if you chose that route to see what you can and can't do. There is a link in the "PLEASE READ..." post towards the top of the forum.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

Steve is a Precision Engineer and I work for Hampshire Constabulay as a Bail Manager. Can anyone let us know if there are any Precision Engineering companies in close proximity to our chosen destination?

Check whether the Steve's and yours qualifications for your jobs allow you to do them here (see if you can find the associations related to your jobs and check with them).

The sticky posts at the top of the forum have a lot of info that may help you out.

Regards,
Karen

[SGKG102]

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your response. We are really grateful. Would Steve necessarily need to have qualifications given that he is an Australian citizen and has 20 years experience. I have a B'Tec National Certificate in Business and Finance therefore assume that I would be elligble to obtain some kind of related employment? With regard to coming to Australia without a job how hard would it be to obtain employment once we arrive. I have to say it is really nice to be in touch with someone who has made the move. We have to sell our house as we intend to move out with the equity which obviously will not last for to long. Would I not be able to apply for a Visa once we arrive in Australia? Thanks once again.

Kind Regards

Karen

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by SGKG102

Thank you for your response. We are really grateful. Would Steve necessarily need to have qualifications given that he is an Australian citizen and has 20 years experience.

I don't know anything about Steve's profession but most professions need qualifications here (they like their bits of paper) and it's worth checking that whatever qualifications Steve has are still relevant for the Australian markets.
Some people move here to find out that they need different qualifications from the UK ones. I don't think this is dependent on where you are from, it's just what is required to do your profession and I would hate you to get here and then have this as a delay in getting a job.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

I have a B'Tec National Certificate in Business and Finance therefore assume that I would be elligble to obtain some kind of related employment?

I wouldn't assume anything. I don't know if B'TEC certificates are recognised here so it would be worth checking that out.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

With regard to coming to Australia without a job how hard would it be to obtain employment once we arrive.

You need to chose an area where you know you and Steve can get work. Since he's a citizen he may be able to apply for jobs from the UK.

Originally Posted by SGKG102

I have to say it is really nice to be in touch with someone who has made the move.

There are several of us on this forum who have already made the move

Originally Posted by SGKG102

Would I not be able to apply for a Visa once we arrive in Australia?

You will need some sort of visa when you arrive otherwise you will not be let in at all. You need an agents advice as to whether you can come in on a tourist visa and then apply for a permanent visa when you're here. If you come in on a tourists visa then I don't think that you are allowed to work (please check this on the government's visa website in the "PLEASE READ..." post) so that could stall your plans.

Regards,
Karen

[SGKG102]

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your response. I think that you are right we really need to get in touch with an agent to help us on our way. It doesnt really sound very hopeful for us at the present even though Steve is an Australian citizen. May be this will just turn out to be a pipe dream as it all seems rather longwinded and complicated to me. We will have to have a rethink on our plans. Thanks again for your response.

Karen

[kaz101]

Hi Karen,

Why doesn't it sound hopeful? I think you have a great chance of moving over here - better than most since Steve is an Australian citizen. This is just the process that we have to do to get here It took us about 2 years to get the visas to move here, and you do things in steps, whereas you just got a load on info given to you

It is long winded and complicated but it's much easier with an agent, although it's more expensive then too. Once you've been to an expo and had a free consultation with an agent you'll have a much better idea of what to do and whether you really need an agent or not.

Think about why you want to come to Australia since it is a big move, even though Steve is from here originally. It was our reasons why we wanted to move here that kept us going through the process.

Regards,
Karen

[Sunnywa]

Hi Karen

I think what Kaz101 (Karen) is trying to say is that unless Steve was trainned in Australia, he might need some additional licenceing. I think that precesion Engeneering is what is called a mechanical fitter , does Steve do fitter and turning /Milling or is he a CNC machinist that type of thing? Most of the industrial areas are located not to far from Freemantle in Kewdale/Canningvale /Cannington etc also in Kwinana.
KAZ101 is correct in saying that your will need a visa, I would suggest that you contact the Australian Embassy in London if you dont want to work thru an agent regarding a Spouse visa.

Good luck

[SGKG102]

Hi Sunnywa, nice to hear from you.

Steve was not trained in Australia he has always worked in the UK. What kind of additional licencing would he require? He is a CNC Wire Spark Erosion Machine Operator. It is really good to hear that there are companies close to where we wish to live that is if Freemantle is a good choice. We have only chosen Freemantle by elimination really and are not sure what other areas would be best for our budget. I undertsand that I will need a Visa and have decided to go for a Spouse Visa and am currently in touch with an Agent although I have completed the application myself. Do you think it best to use an agent? I also now have another problem in that I need to get my ex husband to sign a Statutory Declaration giving permission for me to remove my son from the UK. I am unsure as to the wording needed. Being a Legal Begal I would intend to draw up the Statutory Declaration myself. Do you know anyone that can give me any idea? We are hoping to be able to emigrate in or around November but sooner would be nice.

Kind Regards

Karen

[SGKG102]

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your positivity you really have made things clearer for us. I have been so busy at work (to many criminals breaking the law) that I have only just had the time to respond to your last message. Just to let you know I have decided to go for a Spouse Visa that way I could (possibly) obtain employment after settling the kids in etc. Sorry I seemed so negative but I am one of those people who like everything done yesterday. Impatient I think is the correct description only don't tell Steve I said that ha ha.

Regards

Karen

[kaz101]

I know the feeling of impatience - it took us 5 years in total to move here (not just due to visa). Unfortunately this is just one of those things that can't be rushed.

Good luck with your spouse visa.

Regards,
Karen