Possibly transferring from company in UK to same company in Victoria?

catuk · #1 (**permalink**) 30th August 2008, 06:31 PM

Hello to everyone.

I'm Chris and can I firstly say what a brilliant site this is and how helpful it's members are.I've been viewing posts for a couple of weeks and the info is tremendous ( and a lot of it!).

I'd be most grateful if you helpful folk could clarify or provide suggestions to my particular situation.

I'm 36 and living with my partner and 3 children (daughters 13 and 10 and our son 8).We also have a 7mth old Border Collie and two cats.

For the last 17 months I have been working for the same company as a welder though I'm not a coded welder--based on experience before I got the job I'm in now.

I've looked at the PResidency visa and from talking to two immigration agencys in the UK I'm led to believe I can't go for PResidency at this stage. A student visa was suggested but after further looking at that option, I think the cost would be prohibitive.

Now as it happens the company I work for has operating facilities/offices all over this lovely planet of ours. In particular they have one in Victoria.

I made some enquiries with the Human Resources Manager where I work and she then contacted the Victoria Office with a request of any positions there I could take up. Yesterday a work colleague (one of our main Union Reps for the company) took me to one side and asked what shift I was on next week and that a meeting was going to be arranged for me,the human resources manger and himself next Monday. He then said a letter had come from the office in Victoria (email/printed off) that would be shown to me on Monday. He did say something along the lines of the Victoria folk wanting to just know about all my experience and abilities as I think he was indicating that they may place me not just in a welding position but something else suitable.

So I was feeling quite good at that point as they could have just said flatly there was nothing for me in Victoria.

Now until Monday and a few days after I expect, I can only speculate.

My question to you good people is based on the info I've just shared would I be looking at a 457 employee sponsored visa or?

If so, would it be fair to assume that the office in Victoria would be of the same understanding?

As far as the company paying all/some of the costs, if come Monday or next week they offer me a position should I ask if they'll cover any of the costs?

The company is in the Sunshine area of Victoria; with having 3 young children could anyone help me out with any suggestions for nice areas,housing(buying/renting),schooling---am I right no school fees to pay for state school?

Our aim is permanent residency.

I hope my first post was interesting and friendly.

Chris.

kaz101 · #2 (**permalink**) 30th August 2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catuk

Hello to everyone.

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catuk

My question to you good people is based on the info I've just shared would I be looking at a 457 employee sponsored visa or?

If so, would it be fair to assume that the office in Victoria would be of the same understanding?

I don't think you'll know until Monday. It sounds like a 457 employee sponsored visa to me too but until you have that meeting you won't know what they are thinking about. Quite a few forum members want sponsorship and it's a good secure way to get in as long as you like the job offered and the area you work in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catuk

As far as the company paying all/some of the costs, if come Monday or next week they offer me a position should I ask if they'll cover any of the costs?

As you've read through the forum you've probably realised that the offers differ. Moving our stuff from the UK to Melbourne cost us about £6000 for a 40ft container, so it's not cheap. If you can get those costs included then great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catuk

The company is in the Sunshine area of Victoria; with having 3 young children could anyone help me out with any suggestions for nice areas,housing(buying/renting),schooling---am I right no school fees to pay for state school?

I went through Sunshine on the train a few years ago and I wasn't impressed. I haven't been there recently though but at that time there was loads of litter and graffiti and it seemed that it had been named out of irony. That was from the train though so that impression could have been wrong. For housing check out the links in the "PLEASE READ...." post for property since that covers the whole of Australia. Searching in a search engine will give you more info on Sunshine, Victoria.

Regards,
Karen

Stan.I · #3 (**permalink**) 9th October 2008, 05:00 AM

Hi Chris,

I can perhaps help you with regards to the housing. If you decide to buy a property, I can give you some suggestions on what and how (depending on your situation). With regards to purchasing the property, at this stage I am not allowed to assist anyone because I do not have full real estate licence, but I am working towards it. In the mean time, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

I am a property investing coach based in Melbourne and I am very happy to accommodate if you have any questions.

Good luck with your move.

Kind regards,

Stan Iskhakbaev
Property Investing Expert and Coach

catuk · #4 (**permalink**) 15th October 2008, 11:16 AM

Hi all, just to let you know, the HR lady at the company only sent my resume/info off to Australia last week, so I'm waiting at the moment.

Let you know more when I know more

catuk · #5 (**permalink**) 15th October 2008, 11:41 AM

I notice a reply from BuyersAdvocate and that he has Banned under his username?

catuk · #6 (**permalink**) 15th October 2008, 11:42 AM

Not sure if he's okay to ask for info.

Stan.I · #7 (**permalink**) 18th October 2008, 03:56 AM

Hi Catuk,

I am sorry for the inconvenience, but the reason BuyersAdvocate was banned is because it was deemed an advertisement. I have now changed the name to Stan.I, so feel free to respond to my post.

kaz101 · #8 (**permalink**) 18th October 2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catuk

Not sure if he's okay to ask for info.

Hi Chris,

As Stan says he was banned through a mix-up when trying to get his user name changed since his user name of buyersadvocate was against the rules.

There are no rules against people offering help and this may include asking for your details, however you do not need to give out your details to anyone on this forum unless you want to.

I posted some video links from realestate.com earlier today and I don't know whether they'll have Sunshine on it.

You don't need a buyers agent to help you find property unless that's the way you want to go. We just contacted estate agents in the area where we wanted to buy and bought our house in Australia that way.

Regards,
Karen

Bluecookie · #9 (**permalink**) 18th October 2008, 09:40 AM

Hi CatUK

I was in the same situtaion a few months back. My company too has offices all over and they offered me a 457 sponsership visa for 4 years in Brisbane. So my guess is it would be a 457. Then you can apply for a PR later on when your over there. I thought 457 is a good way of finding out if you like Oz before having a PR.

I would see if you can have all your costs paid by the company as my company has a relocation system set up and they have paid everything.... and i mean everything, visa, shipping costs, 4 weeks accommodation when i get there, reimbusting my flights (mine and partner) when i get there. So far all i have spent is £100 for an xray!! which i can claim back when im there. So if you can get them to pay for it, it would save you thousands as i have seen what people have paid on here.

Keep us posted and good luck

Hels