H Sarah,
I agree with you. I think the common disappointment I've read about people moving to Australia is in regards to the job prospect. They were approved for the visa due to their specific skill/work experience. But when they arrive depending where they decide to locate, have a difficult time finding a job. It is not that they aren't qualified to do the job. But some are told by companies they don't have local experience. However, how can they get local experience when they have just arrived in the country? Like anywhere in the world, the more skilled people that apply for the jobs, the more competitive it becomes.
But in a way, this could be the same issue that this person may experience in another country. Like you said, no country is perfect. However, I believe Australia is the only country at this time, that I know so far offers a skilled migration program that allows people to apply for visas in order to live and work in Australia (temporary/permanent). This is in comparison to say the US and Canada which have limited the skilled visas they offer. Starting in July 2012, Australia is going into that similar route of somehow limiting the granting of visas depending on the skills demand of the country. Applicants will have to be invited to apply for the skilled visa after they submit an Expression of Interest.
So when a country offers this opportunity, in a way it misleads people thinking I have the visa and I have the skills. My life will be so much better. But in reality some of these people will have a harder time due to various reasons.
Lastly, here in the US, we don't really hear/read a lot of news coming from Australia except natural disasters such as flooding or bushfires. The other perceptions that people will get of Australia are coming from the movies, videos,etc. that show beautiful sceneries of the country. It seems like Australians are always happy and having fun. But we don't necessarily see everyday life and problems that they experience.
