Welcome to Australia Blog

Providing resources to people wanting to live or work in Australia and building a community

Archive for January, 2009

 

Largest Immigration Drive in 40 Years

The UK & mainland Europe are still the main targets for finding new immigrants to move to Australia.

Currently, Australia will offer immigrants four-year employer or state-sponsored immigration, with the option to stay on permanently.

Even if you can’t pass the ‘Points Test’, for ‘would be’ migrants under the age of 45, and with 6-7 years experience in a trade or profession, there is almost certainly an Australian visa available– when counting your years of experience, include years spent training, studying or in an apprenticeship position.
Saturday, January 24th, 2009 Moving to australia, Visas 2 Comments

 

Australia’s Most Affordable Towns

The most affordable towns in Victoria are, not too suprisingly, all country towns:

  • The Latrobe Valley

  • Mildura

  • Ballarat

  • Bendigo

  • Shepparton

Top affordable towns in New South Wales are:

  • Dubbio

  • Tamworth

  • Taree

  • Wagga Wagga

  • Albury-Wodonga

A few thought on Dubbo – it is in the Central West of the state and it’s reputation is the place you stop off at on the way to somewhere nicer! From here you can drive north to Brisbane, south to Melbourne, east to Sydney and Newcastle, and west to Broken Hill and Adelaide.

The most expensive areas in the country are:

  • The Gold Coast

  • Sydney

  • Sunshine Coast

  • Perth

  • Ballina

  • Brisbane

  • Adelaide

  • Melbourne

  • Mandurah

  • Mackay

How did researchers define the most affordable town? It compared the average household income for each state with the median house price for different regions, and calculated the percentage of income that would be spent on mortgage repayments.

The general rule of thumb is that spending anything above 30 per cent of your income on mortgage repayments or rent is classified as housing stress.

Friday, January 23rd, 2009 Cost of living, house market, Living in Australia No Comments

 

Top 53 jobs on the Queensland Skills Shortage List.

Well you’ve heard of the Skills List, you know, where you hunt for your occupation and see if there is a need for your skill here in Australia…. -below is the LIST for Queensland:

  1. Auto Electricians

  2. Electronics Technicians

  3. Electricians

  4. Refrigeration mechanics

  5. Boilermakers

  6. Carpenters

  7. Diesel Fitters

  8. Mechanics

  9. Tradesperson -all

  10. Bricklayers

  11. Fitters & Tuners

  12. IT Specialists

  13. Plumbers

  14. Tilers

  15. Welders

  16. Automotive Trades

  17. Building Trades

  18. Air Conditioning Mechanics

  19. Architectural Associate

  20. Building Engineering Associate Professional

  21. Chef

  22. Civil Engineering Associate

  23. Cooks

  24. Diesel Mechanics

  25. Electrical Engineers

  26. Electrical Engineering Associate

  27. Electrical Engineering Technician

  28. Electrical or Electronic Engineering Technologist

  29. Electricians

  30. Mechanical Engineering Associate

  31. Mechanical Engineering Technologist

  32. Painters

  33. Panel Beaters

  34. Plumbers

  35. Cabinetmakers

  36. Dental Technicians

  37. Electrical Mechanics

  38. Motor Mechanics

  39. Pressure Welders

  40. Refrigeration Mechanics

  41. Building Inspector

  42. Pastry Chefs

  43. Plasterers

  44. Boat Builders

  45. Metal Machinist (laser cutting & sheetmetal qualifications & experience

  46. Sheetmetal workers
  47. Spray Painters

  48. Construction Trades

  49. Bakers

  50. Business Machine Mechanic (photocopier Technician)

  51. Gas Fitters

  52. Hairdressers

  53. Metal Fabricators

Useful Resources:
www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2008/ce08015.htm
www.immigration-australia-blog.com/2008/05/shortage-of-workers.html

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 Jobs, Skill Shortage, Skilled workers No Comments

 

6 Things You Should Know About Moving To Queensland.

When thinking of moving to Australia it is worth weighing up the pros and cons with the knowledge you have available.

We’ve been living here for 5 years and have found overall, an improved quality of life. However, there have been one or two surprises along the way….here are our top 6.

1. Queensland Healthcare Crisis – medical staff are sought after for a reason! Whilst we haven’t experienced major problems ourselves we were left a little vulnerable with minimal community support after our first child – lucky we didn’t have any problems!

There is concern over medical staff and carer shortages here for locals and immigrants alike. There are no guarantees even with private healthcare that you will get the quality of care you need or that you won’t have to wait. Depending on the area you live in – the state hospital maybe the better service provider.

Your Doctor is a good resource as they often service both the private and public sector.

2. It’s Getting More Expensive to Live Here - see previous articles on tax rates, salaries, education and cost of living.

Calculate the Cost Both Finance and Quality of Life.

3. Lifestyle Factors – You’ll hear all the great stuff about Queensland ‘the lifestyle state’ – the big outdoors, beaches, sports, tropical rainforests etc…and then when you get here you’ll discover the local problems of drugs/alcohol/obesity/skin cancer….

Plan your own lifestyle and live your own way

4. You’re Not From Around Here - A big frustration! however, as with anywhere you go new, coming in as an outsider means some locals meet and greet, some don’t. Some people’s friendship lists are full and are clicky, some aren’t. Some employers get excited about your overseas experience, others ask what you know about the local market or have no idea of your value and worth.

Get Networking, Get Known, Move on until you find your niche

5. Shift from Casual friends to Close Friends – Getting settled tends to mean not only finding good satisfying work and a home base but also a good solid network of people you can rely and be understood by/really relate to.
It Takes Time & Effort

6. Integration - There are many stages and phases from the initial honeymoon feeling of being on holiday to the ‘we live here’ -with a journey of discovery, experience and confidence in the State & Country, in between.

Keep a Sense of Humour
www.immigration-australia-blog.com/2008/12/8-reasons-to-enjoy-living-in-australia.html
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 Living in Australia, Moving to australia No Comments

 

Overseas Doctors – Visa Brief

This is a good time for well qualified medical staff seeking to immigrate to Australia.

The Visa Deal:

  • A temporary visa is possible – this allows Australian employers to sponsor doctors quickly.

  • The visa lasts for 4 years.

  • It can mean working in areas of high demand, for medical staff, such as rural and regional areas.

  • Radiologists, doctors, or specialists in any medical field are Skills in demand.

If you’re thinking of making the big move and have any of these skills, this is the good time. Other interesting medical service are the Royal Australian Flying Doctor to check out are: http://www.flyingdoctor.net/

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 Job focus, Job sponsorship, Visas No Comments

 

Job Focus: Nursing Down-Under

If you’re a nurse dreaming of moving to Australia, here is the criteria in brief:

1. Your Qualifications – You will need to be assessed by either the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council http://www.anmc.org.au/
(ANMC) or the nurse regulatory body in the State or Territory in which you wish to work.

2. You will need to pass a health check-up, including a chest x-ray.

3. If you’re not English native speaker, you will need to pass an English test that is specific to your profession.

Sunday, January 18th, 2009 Australian healthcare, Job focus No Comments

 

eVisitor Visas, Easing the Way for the EU

Tourists and business people from all European Union member states now have access to a simple online visitor visa service to travel to Australia.

The new European Union eVisitor online service means anyone from the 27 EU member states will be able to apply for an eVisitor over the internet, free of charge.
‘All EU member states currently provide Australian citizens with visa-free access, with about one million Australians expected to visit Europe in 2008-09,’ Senator Evans said.

‘The EU-wide expansion of the eVisitor service is the culmination of Australia’s reforms to deliver reciprocal short-term entry arrangements for EU nationals visiting Australia as tourists or for business purposes.
‘This service will further enhance the convenience and speed of online applications, with eVisitor holders able to visit for up to three months at time for tourist or business purposes as many times as they like over a 12-month period.’
Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said the eVisitor online service would provide a boost to Australia’s $38.9 billion tourism industry.
‘Making travel to Australia simpler for more than 1.2 million people from the EU each year will encourage tourism growth, strengthen cultural links and facilitate business relationships with Australia’s largest continental trade partner,’ Minister Ferguson said.
Senator Evans said there had been a steady growth in applications from the EU since the 2007 abolition of tourist visa application charges for EU nationals.
It is anticipated about 260 000 eVisitor applications will be lodged online by July 2009.
Senator Evans said the convenience and ease of the application process would be complemented by technological advances and improved efficiency to enhance Australia’s already robust security and immigration risk screening.
Web-site: http://www.evisitorvisa.com/
Saturday, January 17th, 2009 Visas No Comments

 

A Rumour: A Difference in Migrant & Local Salaries

From what I’ve heard on bush telegraph, skilled temporary migrant workers in Australia are earning on average $15,000 more than Australian counterparts.

That is to say that holders of 457 visas, a 4 year temporary skilled migrant visa, migrants are earning more than the average salaries of local workers across all industries in which they are employed.
There is a local debate on this….foreign workers were blamed for driving down local wages yet at the same time unions and the Rudd Government insist that still many visa holders are exploited by unscrupulous employers.

The 457 visa was introduced by The Howard government in hope of alleviating the growing skills crisis – However, the skills crisis has worsened and the Rudd Government cites it as a key contributor to upward pressure on inflation and interest rates and promising a massive program of skills training as part of its “education revolution”.
Friday, January 16th, 2009 Immigration Australia, Salaries and wages No Comments
« Previous Entries Next Entries »
Welcome to Australia Blog

Search

 

Links

Categories

Archive