I am considering moving to Australia...

[timetochange04]

I am turning 30 in a couple of months. I am single and I live in London, and I have been seriously considering moving to Australia for a long time when I can get the working visa before my 31st birthday. I don't like my job so the only thing that puts me off is how far away it is and that I will miss my friends and family a lot.

If you have any tips / advice / websites / videos that would be useful for me then please let me know! Even better if you ever made the move yourself!!

I would most likely go to Melbourne.

TIA.

The Working Holiday Visa as it used to be called is not Moving To Australia.

If you're thinking of doing a year or two over there and you've no ties (it is further than you think), and are happy to work hard and be flexible doing whatever crops up, then absolutely, go for it.

Definitely do it!! DH and I went in 2017, we were 25 and 29. We were in Melbourne for a year and loved it so much. I wouldn’t bother going for a holiday first, waste of money. We both got work really easily, on working holiday visas. It will be more likely to be temp work though as you can’t work for a company more than 6 months (unless they’ve changed this), we would have definitely stayed longer term (DH got offered work visa), but we didn’t feel we could stay long term due to distance from our families. But so happy we did the one year, then we went travelling in New Zealand and SE Asia.

God I’m shocked by the negativity here. Where’s everyone sense of adventure! You’ll get work but you might just have to be open to admin temp work, not necessarily a career job. I actually worked in HR admin in Melbourne, via temp agency

So you say you're considering moving to Australia and then follow up by saying you just mean for a year?

So the reality is you're considering an extended holiday? A late student gap year type thing

Can't believe people are trying to put you off!! 100% go, best thing I ever did.

Same age, went to Australia for 6 months and ended up out there for 2 years. It sounds logistically difficult but it's really not, and you'll meet loads of people who globe hop like it's nothing.

Worst case scenario you can just come home again.

Personally I'd book a 2 week trip before you make a decision and go and check out the major cities, I took a couple of trips out before making the decision.

I did exactly this in my 20s, going on a working visa for a year and extending it to two by which time I had to return. However I found to my surprise that I got sick of the endless sunshine and lack of seasons and missed our funny, clustered architecture. I had an absolute ball though and was so proud when locals thought I was an Aussie because I picked up the accent. I agree about using the time to travel. I will never forget the sights in the Northern Territory, camping out in the bush, the beauty of the Blue Mountains and the fun and good friendships I made. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world and neither must you, OP!

I did it, went with on a working holiday visa. Had a great time but it also made me realize how much I love my life in the UK. Up until then I had always thought I wanted to live in Australia permanently, so I’m glad I went and experienced it (and realised I didn’t want to live there), or I’d always be wondering. I travelled a bit too around Asia on the way there, which was really really amazing.

I think you should just do it, why not!

@timetochange04
I went at 30 and 8 months (9 years ago) on a WHV and managed to get my 88 days in prior to 31st to get a second year visa. Visa is a bit different now, so do research on what you need now to get extra years added.

But, it was the best decision I ever made!!

I made so many friends all over the world (so have so many cheap holidays now visiting everyone), met my now DP of 8 years (who moved back to UK with me when my visa expired). I learned so much about myself, made me realise what I wanted out of life and what I would and wouldn't accept of people and situations.

I stayed in quiet hostels rather than party hostels (reading reviews will give an indication of what they are going to be like), lived (& slept) in my car for 4 months on a (solo) road trip around Australia, worked all sorts of weird and wonderful jobs.

I went with very little plan after the farm work, and my plans chopped and changed all the time. I had every intention to move to Melbourne, but ended up only staying 2 weeks and spent much longer in NSW (at least 1 year) and Alice Springs.

Even after I met my DP I carried on travelling solo and with friends, as I didn't want to regret not taking the opportunities afforded to me.

There was a great Australia Backpackers Facebook group back then, not sure if it is still active.

Feel free to message me if you want any specific advice.

Do it!! I considered it in my 20's after backpacking around the world, but ended up not doing it for reasons of guilt amongst others. It's is my biggest regret to this day. I'm now 51 and would tell my younger self to go for it!

@Behappybepresent the OP posted her question over 18 months ago! I'm sure she's made her decision by now. What made you resurrect this thread?