TeresaNC
From: United States
4/14/2003 11:05 EST
Unfortunately it isn't that simple. Immigrating to another countrry is time consuming, frustrating, and expensive.
First things first. You need to apply for a visa that matches your reasons foe immigrating. For Skill Migrant Worker, the fee as of today is 1125 Austalian Dollars, that is roughly 667 US dollars. The Australian government requires a medical, police check, and may require other documents.
You also need a passport. Passports are 55 dollars + 30 dollars processing fee. Walamrt does passport pictures for 5 dollars i believe. After you have sent in your appropriate application and documents, have had your physical, etc, you then wait to be approved, and send in any further info required of you. BUT, before you do this, you should take a points test to see if you even qualify for a Visa. The best way to go is to get sponsored by a Company who is wlling to hire you. You need to have exceptional experience and work history for this.
Here's a catch 22, to get hired in Australia from overseas, you need to have a Visa(either temp or perm), and to get a Visa you most likely have to have a job waiting for you, unless you have great education and experience.
We are in the process of applying now. Just saving up some money for fees and such.
Passports are simple to get, just go to your post office and pay the fee.
For us(a family of three) the Passport, and initial Visa fee is 910 US dollars :)
Oh then there are a list of things you need to consider:
shipping
airfare
housing
transportation
Shipping: I have been advised to PACK LIGHT. Your electronis will be useless in AUS since they run on 240v. Shipping furniture or a vhicle is down right expensive AND you have to arrange for transportation from the port in Australia.
We are taking NOTHING except clothing, some of my daughters toys and books, my husbands computer(he will have it converted) and family photos. We are having a HUGE house sale before we go for some extra MONEY :)
Airfare: check around for lowest rates. Round trip is usually less expensive than one-way and selling the unused portion of your ticket in AUS should be fairly easy.
Housing: If you are renting(highly recommended) they require 4 weeks bond(as insurrance) and a first months rent. Rent is paid weekly and dependant on where you live ranges from 100-400 for an unfurnished flat.
Transportation: as I have mentioned transporting a vehicle is expensive AND you will have to have it converted when you arrive(which most liekly would be OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE), so if you don't have an vehicle when you arrive you will either have to purchase one, or use public transportation. Not all transport in every city is the same, and not always reliable. Choose a city or suburb with good transport service
Any other questions?
Oh and remember everything is the oppostie as the states.
The farther Nother you go the hotter it gets. The seasnos are in reverse, you drive on the opposite side of the road. Though it is an english speaking country, it may take a while to get used to the slang they use and their funloving way of TEASING you.
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