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Living overseas

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Original poster

Oz: is there any way to get over there (and stay!) with just a degree?!

10 replies

Tamz77 · 07/02/2007 03:35

Hello,

OH and I have been discussing emigration, we know the Australian job market is booming but don't think either of us will be allowed to go, really. We have a very decent deposit for a house saved up and only need a 2/3 bed place, are flexible about location (ie not after Sydney city centre!). Thing is, we have no work experience to take over with us; I have a First Class degree (history, unfortunately, so nothing vocational) but had DH straight after uni. OH drives a taxi and is a highly qualified scuba instructor, but apparently that's not the kind of migrant worker they need! I have family in Sydney but not 'close' enough family to make a difference, points-wise, on visa application (they are uncles, aunts, cousins etc).

Does anyone have any ideas? It's a bit of a dream but so frustrating to think that we wouldn't even need to earn that much once over there, but I guess you can't emigrate as a potential shelfstacker/cleaner/shopgirl...

OP posts:
Original poster
Tamz77 · 07/02/2007 03:37

Sorry, meant to say "had ds" straight after uni (Freudian slip there methinks ).
Point I was making is I have no work experience!

OP posts:
sunnywong · 07/02/2007 03:51

have you had a look on the website? It gives points for qualifications.

There is a way you can get in. One of you should apply to do a vocational trade course at TAFE. The fees for overseas students are high, I think it was about 4k for a full time student but if you qualify and then work on your field for two years I think, you get your PR. I brushed up chef skills recently and the course was crammed with overseas students who patently had not interest whatsoever in cooking but were sticking it out for a year or two in order to ge a PR visa.

Plus, if one or both of you did a building related trade you would NEVER be out of work.

Have a look here and bear in mind if you apply for a less popular/ated region like WA, SA or NT or even Tassie, you will get in faster than if you insist on going to the Eastern States.

Think about it.

I know I could never use my degree (17 y ars old though it is) but with my trade/vocational skills I am beating away work with a big stick.

Original poster
Tamz77 · 07/02/2007 04:47

Thank you! (Did you used to be suzywong?!)

I have browsed various websites and I get a few points for various things eg family links, my age, having a degree etc but not enough to just go.

Both oh and I are open to new career moves - I guess we have to be. Actually he in particular is keen to try something new and has completed an access course, so he's up to uni standard now.

Re. the TAFE, can you choose anything and work in that field to obtain a PR visa? Seems unlikely that I could do 'creative jewellery design' and get residency at the end...

The idea, I guess (without being cynical about it) would be to choose the course that's the shortest, in duration (as much to minimise costs as anything)...

And, say, if I was studying, would oh be allowed to get casual work while we were there? Are international students allowed to get mortgages? (sorry that is a very specific question!)

OP posts:
sandcastles · 07/02/2007 06:02

We came over in June 2006 as permanent residents. Dh enquired re mortgages & was told as long as PR, they would need 6 months worth of pay slips to apply.

I think (happy to be corrected) that you can't get a mortgage unless/until you are a PR.

sunnywong · 07/02/2007 06:56

No, I think it's only the trades that have associated apprenticeships, proper grafting sweat yielding trades not fannying around with beads.

I AM suzywong, I just like rubbing it in that it's sunny here.

You are only young, are you not? Plenty of time to worry about mortgages, and besides if youl hold your fire this housing boom has to burst.

dejags · 07/02/2007 07:02

tamz,

cat me. I have a fabulous immigration consultant. he will tell you (for free) if you qualify.

neither DH or I have a degree. However, DH has 10 years industry experience and relevant certification. We were approved but had to make up our points (we were 5 points short) by investing A$100 000 into a government fund for a year.

The guy we used is really well known and very, very good.

otherwise, look at British Expats an online forum for those relocating overseas

Original poster
Tamz77 · 07/02/2007 13:20

Thanks dejags; I'm pretty certain we don't qualify at the moment; have taken several of those tests online and failed every time! The point is, I have no work experience, and no vocational qualifications; ever since uni been pg or with ds! And oh's line of work doesn't win him any advantage either; he's an Edinburgh cabbie, not exactly a transferable skill. And apparently scuba instructors don't get any kind of visa they are already overrun with them!

What we're trying to do is to find a means of entry as we are, it seems retraining is
the only option.

What does 'cat' mean sorry I don't know!

OP posts:
sunnywong · 07/02/2007 13:21

Contact Another Talker, you can click a button but you have to pay 5 notes.

Re-train, you can work casual while ou are doing it.

Go on, be a plumber

Original poster
Tamz77 · 07/02/2007 13:34

Thanks for link too have posted a query

OP posts:
sandcastles · 07/02/2007 23:35

Lol at 'be a plumber'

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