Migrating down under? Come share your experiences

[Kangadrool]

My indicator is 165...

Do they need accountants??

 

They are good in counting sheeps.

 

Better chance if you're not "white-collar" professionals like accountants, lawyers, etc. Better chance if you're skilled professionals like engineers, dentists.... even tradesman like carpenters, brick layers stand a better chance than accountants. Sorry to puncture your hopes.

[Jamstart]

NZ needs handyman. Maybe this can score some points.

[Kangadrool]

NZ needs handyman. Maybe this can score some points.

 

Most of these Ang Mohs countries like NZ, OZ, UK are short of handyman. They are not short of "white-collar" professionals. If you look at UK job market, the pay for Accounting and Finance professionals is relatively low. I think train drivers get more.

[Taipan49]

If you like boats, or can work with carbon fibre, or something related to the yachting industry, plenty of work on. This is one of their latest creations in Auckland for the next America's Cup.

 

[Shull]

yah because of you came over, GST here from 0% 12 yrs ago to 7% now

 

[laugh] [laugh]

[Evillusion]

NZ needs handyman. Maybe this can score some points.

Most handyman can do DIY

[Darryn]

Most handyman can do DIY

 

I remember one "hidden camera" show many years back, the plumber was caught on camera diy with house owner pantie.....

 

Got into a lot of trouble

[Evillusion]

No wonder i have been losing my undies everytime the plumber comes around!

[Darryn]

No wonder i have been losing my undies everytime the plumber comes around!

 

Just be thankful that he tampers with you undies and not your plumbing!

[Shull]

If i apply under the skilled migrants category.. must i work in the profession for my whole working life in NZ? Or until a certain point of time, i can switch or start own business?

[Darryn]

If i apply under the skilled migrants category.. must i work in the profession for my whole working life in NZ? Or until a certain point of time, i can switch or start own business?

 

I don't know that you have to work in your industry at all, I don't think they will know they difference.

 

I haven't looked at the requirements however.

 

 

[Boyboy]

If i apply under the skilled migrants category.. must i work in the profession for my whole working life in NZ? Or until a certain point of time, i can switch or start own business?

 

For Oz, not at all.

 

You could go there on under that skill, and do something entirely different. But I'm not sure why they allow that. Perhaps they don't want to scare potential migrants off, and the logic is that they will likely continue to work in the same industry anyway, so let them be 'happier' knowing they can always try something else if they want to?

 

No idea for NZ, but Oz PR covers NZ (that I know), and I SUSPECT vice versa as well... But NZ immigration website <<<<< Oz one. Maybe that's why you are asking this question

 

Edited to add on:

 

Btw, even for regional skilled visa - for e.g., I apply to be state-nominated for extra points - I would be restricted only to living working in the state for I think 2 out of 5 years. I believe that's the scheme Trex101 is on..

 

Can still do different job/industry. For now.

Edited March 10, 2013 by Boyboy

[Tungsl]

just read a book by peter schiff

 

the real crash

 

in it

there was something about Singapore in the last few chapters

 

"there is zero unemployment in Singapore"

 

how can this be true

[Trex101]

Mine also under skilled migration but not regional, can stay anywhere but i choose Melbourne because my parents are staying here.

[Raymondism]

just read a book by peter schiff

 

the real crash

 

in it

there was something about Singapore in the last few chapters

 

"there is zero unemployment in Singapore"

 

how can this be true

 

Why not? Depends on u justify the stats.

 

 

[JackRabbit]

For those intending to migrate to Oz, I can share a few 1st hand experiences. I migrated to Perth last year. Yes, I am now typing this post on my Samsung smartphone whilst lying in bed at my hkme near Fremantle.

 

I migrated for all the usual reasons. I can now dispel a few housewives tales about some things and confirm some others.

 

Racism: I have not encountered any yet. Definately not by white Aussies in Perth anywayq. I can safely say the more racist Here are the Asians themselves. When you go to an Asian grocery store, you get nary a smile or acknowledgement from the cashier. But when an Ang Moh patronises the same store, the Asian cahsier fawns over the Ang Moh machiam he's God. But go to Woolworths or Coles, and the Ang Moh cashier will greet everyone with a cheery "G'day, how are ya!" That's the closest I have encountered racism yet.

 

Cheap cars: I could only afford a Toyota Vios on a 7yr loan when I was in Singapore. But in Perth, now I have 3 cars, albeit 2nd hand, all for.less than $15K in total.

 

Salaries: Waaaaay higher than SG. Nuff said.

 

Taxes: Yes, higher than SG... But its deducted at source... And my take home pay is enough to pay all my bills and still save a few hundred a month.

 

Jobs: There are lots of jobs advertised... but very difficult to get jobs. They are biased about hiring people with "Aussie experience". It's a chicken and egg thing. You can't get a job without experience, but you can't get experience without a job! It took me nearly 5 months after kigrating before I got my job. And it's not in the right industry. SO I am still job hunting, but at least there's an income now.

 

Cost of living: f--king expensive to eat out... Each meal in food court at least $10-15. But if cooking at home, much easier to survive.

 

Petrol slightly cheaper than SG, abt $1.37 per ltr this week, after discount. Parking is free most places except Perth City and Fremantle town centre. Servicing is more expensive as labor costs are very high. Mechanics charge abt $100 an hr for repairs.

 

Public transport is ok.. Frequent during peak hours, but very infrequent during off peak and holidays. BUT they are very accurate in their timings. If it says bus arriving at xyz bus stop at 7:06am, it will be there on the dot or +/- 1-3mins. And within town centre and city centre, public transport is free, to encourage people not to drive.

 

Alcohol is part of general lifestyle here. Everybody drinks. There are dedicated liquor shops everywhere. Local beer abt $1-2 a can for a carton. Wine is super cheap, for $10-15 can get great table wine. But police are very strict abt drink driving. Much more serious than SG cops.

 

What else you need to know?

 

(All prices mentioned are in AU$)

[Leclair]

a few questions if you dont mind answering

 

1. how did you manage to migrate to oz?

 

2. what job are you doing now?

 

3. Can i stay there for a year or 2 without migrating officially first? just to try it out? as in go there then look for a job or i must get a "work permit" before i move over?

 

4. young kids in primary school - what are the options for their education there?

 

 

 

[JackRabbit]

a few questions if you dont mind answering

 

1. how did you manage to migrate to oz?

 

The whole process began a few years ago... when I decided that there was little future living in Singapore and competing with the FTs to survive. I started hunting for info about migration. A few friends had also already migrated. I considered Oz, Canada and the US for destinations. But eventually decided on Oz because of weather, closeness to Singapore, the booming mining industry in Oz at the time, and I had many friends and relatives already living in Oz. I then sought out a migration agent and started the process. (You can do it without an agent.. but having a migration agent made it relatively easier for me - YMMV).

 

I qualified on their old points scheme. (I understand the system has changed so not sure of the current criteria. You may need to do some research on this.) So once my application was submitted, I just had to wait till they processed it. It took a while, because Oz does not work as fast as Singapore, haha! But anyway, it was finally approved, and I moved here last year.

 

2. what job are you doing now?

In Singapore, I was an engineer. But when I came here and applied for these jobs I was not getting any replies. I only got very few interviews. Eventually I understood this unwritten thing called "Aussie experience". It's something practiced by many companies that limits opportunities for newcomers into the country. So even if you qualify for PR, it does not mean you can easily get a job. In fact, the pressure is on to give Aussies 1st chance at jobs, rather than foreign talents. I can't blame them, since I am pissed about how easy it is for FTs to get jobs over Singaporeans in Singapore itself.

 

Anyway, after months of searching, I finally got a job in the retail sector. But within the job I found no racism. I was quickly promoted to manager, and now I am a branch manager. Asians are more hardworking and "hungry" than the white Aussies, who are more relaxed. Still, even though this is a steady job, I am still continually looking for a job in my own field as I am more familiar with it, and the salary is even better.

 

3. Can i stay there for a year or 2 without migrating officially first? just to try it out? as in go there then look for a job or i must get a "work permit" before i move over?

 

I have quite a number of casual staff who are on "work visas". They are granted 1/2 year or 1 year work visas where they are allowed to live and work in Oz You can find out more in the Aussie immigration website. However, I am not sure if Singaporeans are on the list of countries allowed to apply for work visa. You need to research a bit.

 

4. young kids in primary school - what are the options for their education there?

Primary school here is pretty fantastic - at least from the kids point of view. I got my son into primary school here. It's walking distance from our home, though I bought my wife a car to drive him to and fro from school. It is full day school - from 9am to 3pm. Class size is about 25 kids. There is absolutely no pressure in primary school. No cramming. School is mainly English, Maths and Science. No exams. The teachers will judge if a kid is keeping ok with the subjects and recommend if need to stay on in a particular class. Lots of playtime, games like footy (Aussie version of rugby), cricket, soccer, swimming, etc. Lots of excursions and camping. NO HOMEWORK ... waliau... my son is so happy about that! They have a strong belief in letting kids enjoy their childhood.

 

In fact, being the kiasu Asian parents we are, we bought books from Popular bookshop before we came over - and give him some maths to do at home.

They also have online lessons can do from computer at home. Being from Singapore, (and most of the other Asian countries), the asian kids come out usually at the top of the class.

 

However, once they go to Secondary school - there will be a culture shock as suddenly they will be cramming as much as Singapore secondary schools do, because by the time they reach uni age, the Aussie kids are supposed to be ahead of Singapore kids, as there is no NS here, and the Aussies go to uni earlier. So that's one of the reasons we are not letting my son relax too much.