Stingray88uk Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Hello everyone I’m currently in my third year of a nursing degree, due to qualify in September... several questions really, so please bear with me. Firstly, what are the odds of me and my family actually getting accepted? Secondly, a holiday over for myself, wife and two kids is knocking on £15000, so would you recommend holidaying first or just taking the plunge- what did you do, and would you advise it? And my youngest daughter is 8, how does moving schools work? She’s one of the youngest in her year in the U.K. (July), so how would the different year start dates work with her? Thank you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 I don't think anyone can say what your chances will be … I would depend on how many points you have. I would recommend though that you get a bit of experience as it's a competitive market for RN jobs (I know an Australian grad that couldn't get a job for 12 months). Paul Hand, one of the agents who regularly posts, posted the other day that WA is reviewing it's regional lists and nursing and GP's were on that and there is a chance they could get removed. We had a holiday in Aus but not with the intention of migrating - we visited my brother in QLD and visited Sydney and Cairns - it was only after getting back in the UK that my hubby said that he thought he could live in Aus and we decided to look at the migration process. We actually decided to settle in WA without ever having visited this part of the country. A holiday, is a holiday and whilst you can look at areas and suburbs, it only gives you a little taste of what living in Aus is like (without the daily stuff of getting kids off to school, working and paying bills). I think if you're unsure that Aus is for you than defiantly a trip may be worth it. Each state might have slightly different cut off/start times for school. The transition is pretty easy and schools are used to children joining mid terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleowag Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 If you come to WA, the cut off date for school years is 30/6. So your daughter would end up being the oldest in her year instead. She may end up repeating a bit of a year she's already done in the UK but I wouldn't worry about that. Our son did the last term of pre primary when we arrived when he'd already done a year of reception in the UK. It was better for him though as he's a June baby so now the youngest in his year. Good luck with your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray88uk Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 Thank you both. I’ve done Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, but not Perth. In terms of employability and schools, where would you recommend? Being harsh on myself, using an online calculator, I score 70 points, but that would increase if I scored the highest in the English test- not sure if I would have to complete this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 15 hours ago, Stingray88uk said: Thank you both. I’ve done Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, but not Perth. In terms of employability and schools, where would you recommend? Being harsh on myself, using an online calculator, I score 70 points, but that would increase if I scored the highest in the English test- not sure if I would have to complete this? As part of your skills assessment, you will need to do an English test and do the academic version, slightly harder. Though, you don't need to score as high. But, if you want to claim points at maximum for English, then you need to score the higher score. Hence, nurses often do it twice. Once at the academic level as part of the skills assessment and again at the easier version for points. But, a couple of things. These are important. For a 189 visa, applicants currently need at least 95 points to get an invite. That leaves state sponsored visas (491 / 190). Unfortunately, WA has just announced it is reviewing all bar one of the nurse occupations. Meaning it is likely to stop sponsoring them. The remaining one (Child and family nurse) requires you to have a job offer from a regional area (Not Perth or Mandurah) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray88uk Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 @VERYSTORMY, not what I wanted to hear lol . Would it be worth emailing hospitals and enquiring? (And presumably not in Perth) It would be more advantageous to have a job offer in place wouldn’t it. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 11 minutes ago, Stingray88uk said: @VERYSTORMY, not what I wanted to hear lol . Would it be worth emailing hospitals and enquiring? (And presumably not in Perth) It would be more advantageous to have a job offer in place wouldn’t it. Thank you No hospital is going to offer you a job before you have a visa. After all, the whole process is going to take over a year - what employer can afford to keep a job open for that length of time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 16 minutes ago, Stingray88uk said: @VERYSTORMY, not what I wanted to hear lol . Would it be worth emailing hospitals and enquiring? (And presumably not in Perth) It would be more advantageous to have a job offer in place wouldn’t it. Thank you Afraid I agree with Marisa. In reality I think it is going to be hard to get a visa for WA. My advice would be to speak to a good agent to see what options you may have, though it is likely to be in another state. Though you could after a few years in another state then move to Perth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray88uk Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 Just now, VERYSTORMY said: Afraid I agree with Marisa. In reality I think it is going to be hard to get a visa for WA. My advice would be to speak to a good agent to see what options you may have, though it is likely to be in another state. Though you could after a few years in another state then move to Perth. That’s what I’ve just said to my wife. Where would your recommendation be? I like Adelaide, I spent six months there in ‘08 (don't know how much it’s changed since!). But yes, we’ll have to contact an agent- again, any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeNinja Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) I would focus on finishing the nursing course, whilst squirreling money for the move, if and when that happens. The reality is, nursing may well have been taken off the lists for most states by the time you have enough experience to be a desirable candidate. Unless you'll be turning 40 in the next 3yrs, which would mean losing 10 points. So if I was in your shoes, I would try and secure a challenging first job in the UK that would boost your employability, whilst giving you enjoyment. Be accepting of the fact that this might be your future. There's nothing stopping you from getting your skills assessment done in 3 years 1 month, and seeing what visas are available then. (0-3yrs experience = 0 points, 3-5yrs = 5 points) I work in a public hospital, and nursing jobs are very competitive, with most new employees here being offered a temporary 1 year contract initially, which is often not renewed. New nurse grad salary isn't that great, relative to the cost of living, especially if you are a sole income family. Think extras health cover, rent for a decent sized home in a good catchment are, commuting costs etc. Nevertheless, there's nothing actually stopping you from contacting an agent to see how things stand currently. Hope this helps. Edited February 3, 2020 by DukeNinja 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) On 02/02/2020 at 09:43, Stingray88uk said: I’m currently in my third year of a nursing degree, due to qualify in September... several questions really, so please bear with me. Firstly, what are the odds of me and my family actually getting accepted? Secondly, a holiday over for myself, wife and two kids is knocking on £15000, so would you recommend holidaying first or just taking the plunge- what did you do, and would you advise it? And my youngest daughter is 8, how does moving schools work? She’s one of the youngest in her year in the U.K. (July), so how would the different year start dates work with her? To stand a chance of getting a visa, you need both qualifications AND experience. So you need to qualify first, then get some experience under your belt, before you can even consider applying. I wouldn't bother with a holiday. When you're on holiday, you tend to get a rosy view of the place wherever you go. So if you're both keen to go, then having a holiday won't affect your decision - just go for it. If your wife isn't keen to go, then a holiday won't be enough to help her decide. Most people just get their visa and go. You book a holiday let for four weeks when you first arrive, to give you time to look for a long-term rental, and you arrive with enough money to survive on for about six months, in case it takes a while to find a job (it's worth mentioning that Australia isn't a young country desperate for workers any more, in fact unemployment is about the same as the UK - so you do need to be realistic about finding work). But like I said, you've got another year or so before you can do much about it. Edited February 3, 2020 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 3 hours ago, Stingray88uk said: @VERYSTORMY, not what I wanted to hear lol . Would it be worth emailing hospitals and enquiring? (And presumably not in Perth) It would be more advantageous to have a job offer in place wouldn’t it. Thank you I work in mental health - last year we had 52 applicants for an RN position. Where I work, priority is given to Citizens and PR holders, we didn't short list anyone asking for sponsorship (as our service no longer offers this). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix16 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 I would just comment that nursing is extremely competitive right now. Australian Universities are churning out many nurses each year for a much disproportionately lower number of available graduate nursing positions, which is realistically the only way many graduate nurses get their ‘foot in the door’. As a newly qualified nurse you would be competing with many Australian trained nurses in the same position, many of whom have had placements in Australian hospitals and made the vital contacts needed to even have a chance at obtaining an entry level role without securing a graduate placement. It is a harshly competitive situation at the moment and Australia does quite rightly prioritise it’s Citizens and Permanent Residents first. On the other hand, many nurses tell me the job market is cyclical and there may come a time when more nurses are needed, with this in mind my advice would be to get as much experience as you can and perhaps gain specialised experience and skills that would be attractive to Australian hospitals. I’m newly into a graduate role and it took me nearly 2 years to get it, my last chance really! We were told in orientation that for each of us here 5 others were disappointed, pretty humbling and very sad. As has been said previously, it would appear that some areas of nursing may be leaving the list, I know there was a time when many nursing graduates went into rural jobs after graduation as a way to gain experience but I hear even rural graduate programs and jobs in general are much more competitive now and no guarantee. My apologies to sound doom and gloom but the situation seems to be very much different even from just a few years ago... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray88uk Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 Amazing how things have changed over the recent years. It’s the polar opposite here, there’s been a decrease in nursing students, and jobs are aplenty. Firstly, I’ve gotta qualify, then get 5 years experience- as per the visa requirements- and then try. If anyone has any positive news before then, please let me know! Thank you for your replies, I hope this isn’t the end of our dream before it’s begun X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeNinja Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Stingray88uk said: Amazing how things have changed over the recent years. It’s the polar opposite here, there’s been a decrease in nursing students, and jobs are aplenty. Firstly, I’ve gotta qualify, then get 5 years experience- as per the visa requirements- and then try. If anyone has any positive news before then, please let me know! Thank you for your replies, I hope this isn’t the end of our dream before it’s begun X Good luck mate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray88uk Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 Just now, DukeNinja said: Good luck mate! Cheers buddy. I’ll post updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 4 hours ago, Stingray88uk said: Amazing how things have changed over the recent years. It’s the polar opposite here, there’s been a decrease in nursing students, and jobs are aplenty. Firstly, I’ve gotta qualify, then get 5 years experience- as per the visa requirements- and then try. If anyone has any positive news before then, please let me know! Thank you for your replies, I hope this isn’t the end of our dream before it’s begun X Are you sure it's 5 years post grad experience? I didn't think it was that much for nursing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobHatton Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Holiday first if you can afford it as it'll give you some appreciation of what Australia is all about - it's not the UK with more sunshine. If you do holiday here, try and get a feel for living here; in other words don't treat every day like it IS a holiday. Do the normal things, go grocery shopping, drive into the city at 8am...... We made the move over 20 years ago and love it but it's certainly not for everyone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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