Marisawright

Have you looked at the 491 visa? It's a provisional visa which requires you to live and work in a regional area for 4 years. You'd need to check the individual states to see which ones have your occupation on their list, and then check their requirements. The difference between the 482 (employer-sponsored) and the 491 (state-sponsored) is this. The 482 is designed to suit employers, so they can fill temporary vacancies. The government would prefer you to go home at the end. They (grudgingly) provide a possible pathway to PR but they're making it harder every year. The 491 is a provisional visa, designed to get migrants to live in the regions where workers are really needed. The government hopes you'll feel so settled at the end, you'll want to stay in the region for good. There isn't a guarantee things won't change, but given that expectation, there's a good chance they won't close the door. Living in a regional area doesn't have to mean the back of beyond. For instance, in NSW, "regional" includes Newcastle, which is a large city with great beaches and good work opportunities, right on the doorstep of the wineries. Also mid-sized beach resorts like Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour. Queensland also has several large coastal towns which qualify as regional.

No it is certainly not guaranteed. Employers will often promise to sponsor you for PR after 3-4 years but they are under NO legal obligation to do so, no matter what they promise All they have to do is claim circumstances have changed, and they're off the hook. There are several other obstacles you should consider. One of the most important is that your occupation must still be on the list in 3-4 years time when you're ready to apply. If it's been cut (and more are being cut every year), you're going home. Also, your employer must be willing to sponsor you, and then you're relying on them to do it properly. Check the 186 thread to see the number of people whose employer changed their mind and wouldn't sponsor them, or stuffed up the application so it got refused. Finally, you might not even get to that point, if the job doesn't work out. Remember, you've got to stick with that employer for those 3-4 years. What if you hate the job? What if you get retrenched? What if the business goes bust? Your visa relies entirely on that employer and if any of those things happen, you're going home, unless you can find another employer to sponsor you. The new 482 visa is much more demanding on the employer than the old 457 so it's hard to find employers willing to do it. Bottom line - if you've got a chance with a 189, 190 or 491 visa now, go for it now - don't put it off, because you never know what rule changes are on the horizon. Like I said, the 482 can be an adventure if you treat it as a short-term experience. If it doesn't work out, you've lost very little because you kept your home and planned for that eventuality. If you do manage to get PR, that's a bonus.

My understanding is that you will have to take out insurance because you must prove that you meet visa condiition 8501, and border control has no way of knowing if you'll get Medicare or not. Once you're settled, then you can cancel and get a partial refund.

No worries. You sound like you've got it under control, all I would say is that the longer you stay in Australia, the harder you'll find resettling in the UK. So I'd be a little concerned about following a path where you'll be long-term temporary. The longer you delay an attempt at PR, the harder it will get. Before coming to Australia, I spent three years in Africa while my oh (now ex-) was on a British aid scheme. We met many expats who went from contract to contract around Africa and Asia. Most still had a home (rented out) in the UK and all had started working abroad as a short-term thing, either for the adventure or the money or both. However those who had been away for several years said they didn't really feel at home in the UK any more. Problem was, they didn't have the right to stay in their preferred country either. It was called "the curse of the expat" - no longer knowing where they belonged. It pays to be aware of that, I think.

I've been in Australia for over 30 years and the process was a heck of a lot easier then. I found PomsinOz when my oh and I were planning to retire back in the UK (it didn't work out, that's another story). I've stayed because I work online and Poms is what I do when I need a few minutes break. I've learned a lot from being on the forums.

You'd be surprised. Just take a look back through some old threads on these forums and you'll realise how many people arrived on a 457 thinking they had a guaranteed pathway to PR - and then had a rude awakening when their employer wouldn't do the 186 or their occupation had dropped off the list. Or who didn't realise that they'd have to go home if they lost their job (I think the worst case I've seen was someone who got made redundant only a few weeks after he arrived). The thing is, people think they've done their research, but there is a mountain of misinformation on the internet, including websites created by shonky agents who sell people on the idea that a student visa or a 482 will eventually get them PR, without mentioning any of the risks. So I never, ever assume people have done the work. Let's face it - if they've done their research then I'm not telling them anything new, so no loss. If they haven't done their research, then I've given them imporrtant information about the risks and it's up to them to weigh the balance.

Yes, it's very competitive. Australia is not a young country desperate for immigrants any more, it's a developed country with unemployment issues like anywhere else. Our current government is quite anti-immigration and closing the doors steadily. If you have enough points to go for the 189, then go for the 189 because it gives you the most freedom. As for jobs - no point in looking yet. The application process will take at least a year, and no employer will wait that long. There are employer-sponsored visas, but they are only temporary for 2 to 4 years, so don't get confused by them. If you want to move permanently, then the process is that you get your visa, you all travel to Australia, then you look for a job. It's rare to find a job before you move. Also look into whether you need to do any additional courses to get registration in Australia, or if there is registration (I have no idea for social workers, sorry).

TBH, I'd be making sure they are keen to move before you pay the application fee, police checks, medicals etc. It's a lot of money to waste if they decide they don't like it during the activation visit. I think that's especially true if you have older children. They need to be on board and looking forward to the move. Take primary school children to Australia and even if they throw tantrums or get upset about leaving their friends, they'll get over it and enjoy their new life. Drag teenagers against their will and they are much less likely to settle (especially as nowadays, they'll be able to spend all their time brooding about it on Insta or Snapchat with their British friends) - then as soon as they're adult, they'll be off back to the UK and you'll find yourself with a split family.

The 489 visa no longer exists. There is a new visa to replace it, the 491. The 189 is the best but the hardest to get, second best is the 190, with the 491 the easiest but also has the most restrictions. Did the migration agent tell you how many points you could score? That is THE single most important thing for the 189 visa. As I said, it's a competitive process and the people with the highest points win. Although you only need 65 points to be eligible to apply, right now you would need over 90 points to even be considered. Anything less and your application will simply expire and you've lost your money. You probably know that Australia is made up of states. The 189 visa is a national visa, whereas the 190 and the 491 are offered by individual states. Points still matter, but not as much as for the 189 visa. With the 190 visa, you can work anywhere in your chosen state. With the 491, you usually can't work in the capital city (it varies by state) because it's designed to get migrants to live and work in regional areas. You need to look at which state wants social workers, then look at what the regional areas of that state are like. In NSW, for instance, there are a few smaller cities which have good work prospects, for yourself and your oh, but that may not be the case in all states.

Some people do decide to arrive in Australia first to find a place to live and get a job, then send for their family. But that is entirely your choice, you're in control. By the way, when you get the visa, you'll be given a deadline. You and your family all have to visit Australia by that deadline, but it can be a holiday, it doesn't have to be a forever move. Then you have a window of 5 years to make the permanent move. So if you're thinking you need to get ready first, then apply, that's not really the case. Do your research, by all means, but if you're sure you want to go, then you can apply first and then take your time to get ready.

Some people do decide to arrive in Australia first to find a place to live and get a job, then send for their family. But that is entirely your choice, you're in control. By the way, when you get the visa, you'll be given a deadline. You and your family all have to visit Australia by that deadline, but it can be a holiday, it doesn't have to be a forever move. Then you have a window of 5 years to make the permanent move. So if you're thinking you need to get ready first, then apply, that's not really the case. Do your research, by all means, but if you're sure you want to go, then you can apply first and then take your time to get ready.

The question is, are you allowed to walk on your moon boot or not? If not, then the mobility walker will be a pain, because you'll have to apply the brake every time you try to hop. The knee walker, on the other hand ,is designed to be used one-legged.

There's no need for personal insults. Didn't you read this bit: If you're looking for an adventure and your employer is offering a decent relocation package, it's a great opportunity to experience Australia and you'll enjoy it. I suggest you browse through the 186 and 187 threads, and all the threads posted by people who came on 457's and ended up broke and back in the UK. It certainly doesn't go wrong for everybody, but it does go wrong for a sizeable percentage of people. To pretend otherwise is just living with your head in the sand, and that's a stupid way to make decisions when the future of your family is at stake, don't you think?

I feel for you! I was walking on Mount Thredbo and went over my ankle. Ouch! Walked the 5.5 km back to the pub, it only niggled. Had a beer, then when I tried to stand, the pain was agonising. Went to the local doctor and he said, "You've broken your ankle" before he'd even seen the x-rays (being a ski resort he saw broken bones all the time). He said people with a sprained or torn ligament can't walk after the injury, whereas people with broken bones usually can - bones don't feel pain. It's only once the tissues around the break swell that you start feeling it. Anyhow, that's not answering your question. I couldn't manage crutches AT ALL, so you're not alone. I felt embarrassed and stupid about it. Nothing to do with balance, it's muscle weakness. For crutches to work, you have to be able to brace your shoulders and arms to keep everything square. We all lose muscle progressively after the age of 50, and it's not till something like this happens that we discover how much! It might pay to see a physiotherapist to get them to check your crutches. I was just handed the crutches and left to my own devices, but apparently it makes a big difference if you get them adjusted precisely for your height and weight, and they are easier to use if you're taught the correct techniques. So maybe that would help you. Otherwise, the knee scooter is the answer. There are several models, try to get a smaller one because the bigger ones are too bulky when you're indoors. I had a shower seat, then my husband helped me hop from the shower to the toilet seat, where I could dry my leg and put the moon boot on.

Do you have a regional accent?

Sounds like you've done your homework. As long as you're aware of the pitfalls. For the two years of your course, you and your partner can work for only 20 hours a week (except during the holidays). There's no guarantee the Work Ready program will still be available in 2 years' time, There's a possibility your occupation won't be on the medium to long-term lists in 3 years' time. You may have noticed they're cutting the list down every year. It's important to understand that Australia isn't crying out for immigrants any more. In fact, many Australians have the same attitude to migrants as Brits do - "they're taking our jobs". It's an ill-informed attitude, but governments are sensitive to public opinion. Because of that, they're steadily making it more and more difficult for migrants every year. That's why I say it's risky to plan on the basis of programs and visas still being available in 2 or 3 years' time.

Not that I can think of. I know this is not what you asked, but I'm a bit concerned that you're going for a 482 with a family. You do understand that it's only a temp visa? If you're looking for an adventure and your employer is offering a decent relocation package, it's a great opportunity to experience Australia and you'll enjoy it. However, be aware that there is a high risk it won't ever lead to a permanent visa and you might not even last the 2 to 4 years you've contracted for, so make sure you plan on that basis (i.e. don't sell your home, rent it out instead).

It's not a question of whether you're a citizen or not. It's a question of whether you were legally resident in the UK immediately before you arrived in Australia. If you were living in another country, you're not eligible (unless that country also has reciprocal cover). You'll be required to take out an insurance policy as part of the application for the TSS visa, but some health funds (e.g. BUPA) offer a cheaper policy for people who have access to reciprocal cover.

I would allow three or four weeks to find a place to rent. However, I'm very worried that you're coming on a student visa with a family. What kind of course are you planning to study? You are aware that you'll be going home at the end of the course, as there's no clear pathway to get an employer-sponsored or PR visa at the end?

When you apply for the skilled visa, you include your husband and children in the application and they all get a visa when you get yours. Have you spoken to a migration agent about your plans? Which visa will you apply for and do you understand what your chances are of success? Just qualifying for a visa is not enough, it's a competitive process and only the top scorers are invited.

You're right, you can't ship the goods in your own name. You will have to put them in your son's name. You can tell the removal men the precise date when you want them to pick up the goods.

Hi KateB and welcome. From what I've seen, the UK is much less ageist than Australia and you'll find it easier to get a job in the UK than in Oz at that age. Moving home is as easy as packing up your stuff and getting on the plane, but there is one important thing to be aware of before you take the plunge. If you leave before you reach pensionable age in Australia, you won't be able to claim the Australian pension. You'll still be able to get your superannuation (though it will be taxable in the UK), but not the govt. pension. And unless you've been paying National Insurance contributions to the UK all this time, you won't get a British pension either. If you've got heaps of superannuation, enough to last the rest of your life, then that may not worry you. If not, then it's a big issue and one you need to understand fully. I won't bore you with it now because maybe you're already well aware - but I'd be happy to fill you in if needs be.

Don't forget to check the weather. Go to Dubai at the wrong time of year and you won't want to step outside the hotel, except to go to the air-conditioned shopping malls. It's like stepping into an oven. Of course, Thailand can be hot and humid at the wrong time of year, and it has a monsoon season too.

Excellent idea, but it's worth noting that the process itself takes about half an hour. It's only the queue that takes time. I know Centrelink offices have a reputation of being horribly busy and having long queues, but it varies a lot from place to place. I had to verify my identity and went to the Coburg Centrelink. The process is that you queue at the service desk and explain what you need. They then allocate you a number and you sit down and wait till your number is called. When I arrived at 2pm there was only one person in the queue in front of me. I was allocated a number and then waited less than half an hour before my number was called. All done and out the door in an hour total.

I know the queues are long, but she could try going in her lunch hour. Alternatively, maybe she could ask her boss for a few hours off? Centrelink offices open at 8.30 in the morning and if she's at the door on the dot, she might not take too long.