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Fresh Start

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  DanHoll 
#1 ·
Hello Expats!

This is my 1st post on the site however I have been reading and learning for months now, this is a very friendly place and the people here are all genuinely nice.

I currently live in Middlesbrough with my partner and 2 year old son. I’m 24 and partner is 25. We've been looking into moving to Aus for about 2 years now and looking at the best way to gain entry. Neither of us are on the skills lists so sponsored 457 seemed the best way. My father lives in Perth with this partner (Aussie national from Taz) and they have been looking at ways to get us out there.

I found a recruitment agency on the internet that are based in England (Roadhogs) who provide staffing solutions for the pig farming industry. Having been brought up on a pig farm I looked more into the site just out of interest really and found they were taking applications for a assistant unit manager for an intensive piggery in Goondiwindi, 4 hours south west of Brisbane, just on the QLD NSW border. There were around 200 people applied for the job and the 'company' in Aus chose 5 to interview. The guy from Aus came over and saw me and my partner at the end of November, we had a long chat about the position and about moving half way around the world, I must have said something right as on the 17th of December I was offered the job. Fantastic Christmas present!

So as it stands I have a job in Goondiwindi. The company are going to sort and pay for the 457 visa for me and my family, the flights and a re-location fee (I think its about $8000 AUD) Salary for the position is $70,000 AUD (I think around £44,000) They have also said that as it stands I can get the 457 but if I was to apply for permanent residency then my application would fail as I don’t have a relevant qualification. However they are going to pay for me to enrol on a Degree course that will give me the required points (with there help) to gain my permanent residency. Now I cant thank this company enough for what they are doing for me and my family, they have given us a massive opportunity to fulfil our ambition when it was looking more and more likely that it would never happen.

They have said they think the visa will take around 3 months to process and be accepted, looking at a move date of late March early April :D

So now I’m just waiting to hear back from them regarding visa arrangements. Now I now we will have to go for a medical before the visa will be granted but are there any other things I can prepare now to save time later?

Also was wondering is anyone knew that area of Aus? I’ve spoken to a few people on the Darling Downs and they all say its a beautiful area to live and work and we should have no problem getting settled there.

Sorry for the huge post but wanted to get it all down in 1. Any help would be appreciated.

Dan
 
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#2 ·
Hi Dan

If you were a City loving person, then Goondiwindi probably would not be for you, but for a person who loves the country, it could be ideal, especially with a good job and good salary.

For a first job, I think $70,000 is a reasonable salary.

Goondiwindi to Brisbane or the Gold Coast would be up to about a 5 hour drive, for reference.

A couple of local sites to look at:
Goondiwindi Region::A Great Place To Visit, An Even Better Place To Live.
Goondiwindi Regional Council - Home

Accommodation Sites:
www.domain.com.au
www.realestate.com.au

Hope all goes well.
 
#4 ·
Believe me I know how lucky I've been to secure this position.

I think he was after somone who was young with good experiance in management and as ive been a Transport Manager for 3 years I ticked all the boxes

I like the country life and have never been a big city kind of guy, I grew up on a pig farm with my mum and dad in Oxfordshire, Englad so that apeals to me.

The only thing is I play Football (Soccer) in the UK and wondered if there was anywhere to play in that area?

We've been told by the company that there are Schools and Pre-Schools for Luke to attend in Goondiwindi so thats a bonus.
 
#9 ·
The only thing is I play Football (Soccer) in the UK and wondered if there was anywhere to play in that area?
Goondiwindi Soccer Club.
P.O.Box 1235
Goondiwindi Q 4390

South West Queensland Football
South West Queensland Soccer Zone is bounded by Stanthorpe in the south, east to Laidley & Gatton, up to areas in South Burnett including Kingaroy, Yarraman, Wondai & Nanango, and out to Roma, St George & Goondiwindi in the west.
 
#6 ·
you shouldn't have issues if country life suits you well!
i've been to QLD, and generally speakin', once you're in the major cities, the feeling is like in any other major cosmopolitan centre of the world - and this goes for Brisbane, Gold Coast...you name it

speakin' from my own perspective, I was a "general" IT specialist, 25 yr old, when started to think about migrating downunda.
As there were changes to the lists, and high costs, etc. I did a complete career turn and change of companies (in home country!) to fit into the desired sponsorship profile(s) for 175 (176) visa process....I'm 29 now and still waiting for the state sponsorship with "chief information officer" occupation... and there are worse examples :) so it's a major blessing. Congrtaz! :plane::clap2:
 
#8 ·
thanks for all the replies guys, these little bits of info go a long way

Does anyone have an idea if there is anything I can do now in preperation for my visa being sorted?

Can I get together statements or anything like that?

I just want to speed things along, cant wait to start my new job and our new life together in Aus
 
#10 ·
Hi Dan,

congratulations on the job offer!

Have a look at the 2 stickies at the top of the forum page "A list of things........", that'll give you a good starter on what you've got to sort out.

Good luck!

Dolly
 
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