A cry for help: Should we even bother trying?

[Battletank]

Hi all,
I'm a new poster but long time reader of this fabulous forum.
I know you will no doubt read a hundred such cries for help, but I really need a little help and encouragement from some of you as to whether to bother seeking to immigrate and a starting point for us.

My wife and I have recently had our first child and this was always going to be the catalyst to (finally) get our fingers out and start the process of trying to immigrate to Australia (preference) or New Zealand.
Now our little girl is coming up to six months we're ready to get our teeth stuck into the possibility of immigrating.

However I have some quick questions for you guys, which if you could help would really get us off to a start:

1/ Should we even bother? - Neither myself or my wife have the skills required for on the skilled worker shortage list. I'm a Director of a small company that I set up a couple of years ago, previous to this worked freelance in the leisure industry. My wife works (currently on maternity leave) for a high street bank. Neither of us have the qualifications or skill sets required/requested, so what do you suggest? Is this pointless and are we doomed to fail?

2/ I'm that desperate to move that I'm even considering going back to college and re-training to gain the 'skills' / desired qualifications. It would take 2 years but I'm seriously considering this option if required. Would you advise this?

3/ Is our only option the hope that we can source a 'Sponsorship' / 'Job Offer' for our dreams to happen?

4/ Has anyone been to the Australia Expos? Are they worth attending?

5/ Any other pointers in terms of recommendations of agents, next/first move for a complete newbie would be fantastic.

If you could spare the time and advice I would be forever grateful as we start this daunting task....

Thanks
Mark

[kaz101]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by Battletank

1/ Should we even bother? - Neither myself or my wife have the skills required for on the skilled worker shortage list. I'm a Director of a small company that I set up a couple of years ago, previous to this worked freelance in the leisure industry. My wife works (currently on maternity leave) for a high street bank. Neither of us have the qualifications or skill sets required/requested, so what do you suggest? Is this pointless and are we doomed to fail?

Have you spoken to any immigration agents yet? When we were thinking about moving from the UK to Australia in 2002 we contacted several agents. The first two agents said we didn't stand a chance because I was the main applicant, an IT contractor without a degree. Although my skills were in demand it would be had to prove anything since I moved around so much and some of the companies weren't in existence any more. The third agent asked whether I had to be the main applicant and I said no - my husbands skill set was in demand as a gardener. It was a trade and he had some college qualifications and that got us in. First interviews with agents are usually free and they will tell you your chances of getting in.

We have several agents on the forum including Veronika (SOMV), Alan Collett and pc. Drop them a line and see what they think.

Originally Posted by Battletank

2/ I'm that desperate to move that I'm even considering going back to college and re-training to gain the 'skills' / desired qualifications. It would take 2 years but I'm seriously considering this option if required. Would you advise this?

I don't think it's that easy since you also need experience as well as qualifications and although you may have the training it would still take a while to get the experience.

Originally Posted by Battletank

3/ Is our only option the hope that we can source a 'Sponsorship' / 'Job Offer' for our dreams to happen?

There are also state sponsorships but you have to have the required skill set that the state is looking for. Employer sponsorships are usually for required skill sets too since I believe that they have to show that they have looked locally and couldn't find the skill set needed.

Originally Posted by Battletank

4/ Has anyone been to the Australia Expos? Are they worth attending?

I've been to the expo at Sandown a couple of times. The first time to get general info and agents and the second time to see about jobs and movers. It was useful for info, agents and movers but not useful for jobs for us. In the end we are both self employed just as we were in the UK.

Originally Posted by Battletank

5/ Any other pointers in terms of recommendations of agents, next/first move for a complete newbie would be fantastic.

For agents do a search on the forum since this comes up frequently. I used the emigration group but that was in 2002 so I've no idea what they are like now.

If you haven't already done so read through the sticky posts at the top of the forum since they contain loads of helpful info.

One thing that shouldn't be overlooked is the cost of living here and how much you'll need to set yourselves up over here.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Regards,
Karen

[Battletank]

Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for taking the time for such a detailed response.
Where you were fortunate in that your husband's job was on the skills shortage list and you could get in on the back on him, we are a bit ******ed as neither mine or my wife's skills are required.

I'll start contact some agents first thing on Tuesday and see what the response will be.

Though I'm thinking that perhaps I should have tried harder at school than I did! Doh!

I'll keep you posted on the research/developments!

Wish us luck.

Mark

[Si T]

Originally Posted by Battletank

Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for taking the time for such a detailed response.
Where you were fortunate in that your husband's job was on the skills shortage list and you could get in on the back on him, we are a bit ******ed as neither mine or my wife's skills are required.

I'll start contact some agents first thing on Tuesday and see what the response will be.

Though I'm thinking that perhaps I should have tried harder at school than I did! Doh!

I'll keep you posted on the research/developments!

Wish us luck.

Mark

As a company director you may be able to look at the General Manager code 1112-11.

There are restrictions to it depending upon the number of employees in your business etc but its at least worth a look.

[fatass82]

hi! i would just want to know if you were able to contact an agent specifically allan Collet. I also have inquiries of my own regarding character references. i need an agent to sit down with since my husband has a criminal record in the past. i am a qualified nurse with years of experience but i will not bother applying if there is no possibility of reuniting the family.... so May i quote you,,, "should we even bother?" please do reply whether you had contacted an agent and how. thank you

[_shel]

I would contact an agent. How substantial was your husbands sentence and how long ago did he receive it?

[fatass82]

he got 8 years for assault with a deadly weapon and it was a gang related incident but it happened when he was a juvenile. he was 16 then but was tried as an adult. he completed his sentence 6 years ago and never had any encounter with the law or had any contact with his gang mates anymore. we just want a fresh start and think of the future of our family. i would really want to talk to an agent but i do not know how and i cant find allan collet in any threads. please do help. thank you

[_shel]

You really need some advice as thats a hefty sentence for a serious offence! The fact he was a child at the time helps and that he has no offences since. But still advice would be needed.

Here is alans company Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Visa, Tax, and Financial Planning for Australia

And another, Westly Russell Home Page