Janese,
I agree, why the hell we ever went to Europe I don't know ! we are a unique island and should stay that way.
Our immigration laws are prehistoric, in my opinion Aust has probably the best idea. By that, I mean people having to prove they can contribute before being allows conditional entry. In UK the conditions seem to be that if they have nothing to contribute they get let in. If they don't for some reason get allowed in they just dissapear..lol
I really want to migrate, we are in Austalia in December and its designed as a reconnissance mission to convince the kids (son mainly) how fabulous it is there.
But failing that, divorcing them sounds like a good option ;-)

Muck

johnj,

If that was to my question, it's because my wife's family is there. Not sure I see all that much similarity to the west coast US though, people-wise.

You have to have 500K to migrate, or is that just for points?

That seems like a lot! (even with exchange rate)

West Coast does remind me of Australia, but it's just not the same.

I see no similarity between the West Coast of the USA and Australia unless you count the fact that there are some palm trees and gums in California and they speak English - well most of the time!
I have no idea why one needs a Lawyer who specializes in immigration but they seem to advertise that fact everywhere here so there must be some sort of reason for them. Perhaps it's because they have some better knowledge of how to access the correct departments or it may be the usual lawyer/ self interest.
I only have information on immigration from the UK as 1/ my husband came from there and 2/ we have sponsored relatives from there and even in the latter situation I ended up going to my local member of Parliament to put a rush in things so that the rellies could start the school year at the right time and not be disadvantaged in that area.
It is only business immigration that requires any money and that is the only requirement if you go down that road ( i.e. that you are setting up a business and you have the 500K needed).
The main way to immigrate is to attend or contact the Australian Embassy/Consulate in your home country, make application and jump through any hoops that are required. However speaking to an Immigration Lawyer in Australia, if you happen to be here, could bring up some ideas that the rest of us don't know about.
There are many work areas that Australia is in dire need of filling i.e. teaching, nursing and and some areas of medicine to name just a few and if you come into those catagories then you get more points than you would normally and it is in those areas then that a prospective employer could help with immigration by providing the Government with a request for your services which cannot be filled by an Australian.
Mucky, hope you have some luck with your son and perhaps we will get to see you in God'sown in the near future. Remember that if you are in the Gold Coast area come up to Tamborine Mountain and see why we think that we are the luckiest of all!

I just had a thought!
I have one daughter aged 39, unmarried, Senior Quality Consultant B.Bus. M.Bus. ( whatever that is) , reasonably nice looking, has own house ( buying it ) in Brisbane - Clayfield which is a nice suburb. She spent too much time with her head in the study books instead of looking for a husband. Also have one son, 36, presently in the Navy but doing full-time Uni studies to become a teacher - reminds me of a Teddy Bear ( cuddly but useless) unmarried etc.
Any offers :0) The other son isn't married either - lawyer, own law firm, seems to have plenty of money, very good looking but I think 'finally' he has found someone, crossed fingers! But we could do with a back-up.

It's amazing what we (i.e. Americans) will do to relocate to Australia! I'm a well-educated young buck living in the Big Apple and I have also explored my options. What an exhausting process! I work for a very well-known classical musician and thought about applying under the "Athlete or Artist of Extraordinary Talent" category (with a letter of recommendation from my employer). Forget it! An Australian or New Zealander has to complete the form to attest to your talent and/or ability to make a contribution to the arts community of Australia. No offense, but Oz isn't exactly known as the mecca of high culture! Couldn't they use some people with useful experience? Nonetheless, I love it! An American working in film in Oz HIGHLY recommended using an immigration lawyer to help you navigate the process. If you got the bucks, do it! GOOD LUCK!

I just have to tell someone!!!!

Talked to my parents and convinced them to go to Oz with us next October instead of US going to Japan!!!

I am THRILLED!!!!! Since my Dad has been a few times and will be in Cairns next month (lucky Bas#%^$%) ;-) We will skip the GBR stuff but he may add on a few days and take my step mom so she can relate to him!

We may squeeze in a day or 2 in Sydney but I want to concentrate this trip around Melbourne because I think it might be better job wise/cost of living/traffic etc...

Please tell me if I am wayyyy off course with that line of thought compared to Sydney.

As long as they have a good technical and medical job field --I think we will be safe.

AND I was born on the west coast and have visited a few times in recent years....IT IS NO AUSTRALIA!

Even the palm trees are prettier in Oz!

My dad is having his friend in Canberra email me to help out! He used to write for the local newspaper and now I think he is writing books. Figure he definitely has contacts with Government!!!!

My husband is out of town for the weekend and it is late...and I am just bursting with HAPPINESS about this next trip!!!!!

I will have the hardest time going to sleep--and I have to get up early for Steelers tailgating!! Well I am off to Wally World to pick up a smaller cooler that I can haul 10 mins to a friends car in the expensive parking section....

DO they have 24 shopping in Oz at all?

Hi Janese,
Thanks, Your daughter sounds like a 'good catch', but I will have to have a chat with my wife first though....lol ;-). I know she just wouldn't understand !!
I already know you guys are the luckiest and I havn't seen Tamborine mt yet ! But I will endeavour to get there in December.

Cheers

Muck

Aw streuth Mucky! there goes my 10% finders fee!
See you in December
Liz/Janese

Alise
Sydney has much more to offer than Melbourne. Although the accommodation may be more costly there is a lot more to choose from and the cost of living otherwise is about the same. It has a very good rail system too. Of course it depends whether you want to live there or visit.
In either sense I would take Sydney over Melbourne as they are not too different in size but Sydney has much better weather and a much better setting as well with more things to do and see.

Here comes the Sydney vs. Melbourne debate. 1 vote for Melbourne!

Although, Adelaide is where I studied abroad at, and I LOVED it.

I am a teacher, so maybe one day I could move there! Just my luck then they won't need teachers.

Let's not debate, let's try to figure out together how some of us can migrate to OZ...so is my best bet to get an immigration lawyer to help me figure this out? I did that test on the gov website and don't have enough points, but I work in school counseling and my teacher friend in Syd told me there are shortages in that area. I need a concrete summary of the route I should take so I can move to Sydney!!! Help!!

What if someone went over there pregnant and had the baby there. The baby would then get dual citizenship and could move to Australia if he/she wanted. Then perhaps that could get you, the parents, in? This is such a stretch but it happened to my friend, who was born in Ireland.

Abby43,

I am also a counselor/advisor, in a college setting. We have taken the points test (several times), and just can't get in. We are both 40, so that hurts. Is it true that counselors are needed, or is it just teachers? Did you find anything out?

I was in Sydney this August and my friend, who is a teacher, called his friend at work who is the careers advisor (I do a lot of college counseling at a high school). She said there was a shortage in that area as well as regular counselors who handle crises, trauma, emotional things, etc. I haven't really done any research. A friend's brother met a girl online who lives in Melbourne so he moved there and got engaged. He's an architect and got a job that sponsored him, but he said to consult an immigration lawyer and/or agency b/c that's what helped expedite his visa. I really have no clue as to how to do this, unless I can meet some Aussie sometime soon and marry him.

All-

The hysteria is getting out of hand! Here's the situation...it doesn't matter if a friend says there's a shortage of job "x"...there are about 10 jobs on the MODL list (occupations in demand) that will give you an extra 10 points if you don't already have a job offer down here. I have attached the link to the page that notes the jobs on the list. If your job is on the list and those extra 10 points put you above the "pass" mark, then you have enough points but must still go through the process of applying and waiting. There is no "fast track". If those points still don't get you above the pass mark, then it doesn't matter what your profession is...you don't have enough points.

http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/skilled/modl.htm

Thanks, Abby. I think we'll look into immigration lawyers.

Is it the same deal if you're under 30 and just want to live there for a year?