Considering moving to Western AU from the US

[Dylan]

Hello All,

This may be an odd topic however I am looking for any advice that I can get. I've worked for years in the Corporate lifestyle here in the U.S. and am looking to go a different direction with life. I'm looking for somewhere I can go where english is the main language, not a huge populace but enough to where it won't be completely impossible to find employment, warm to hot weather, and close to the ocean... but no longer in the states. From the research I've been doing Western AU seems to be a good option but I haven't got a clue as to where to start.

I've applied for my passport, saved a bit over $10,000US not including the flight, and am now just looking for where the best starting point would be. I have no problem working hard as long as I can get by. I understand I'll be starting completely over and actually look forward to the adventure of it all. Might sound crazy but it's what I want to do. Right now I'm looking at Karratha but am not quite sure what the job market is like in the various cities along the coast. I've got experience in Social Media, Customer Service, IT, Graphic Design, Cooking, even DJ'ing nightclubs.

Any and all advice that can be offered would be greatly appreciated. I just want to know as much about the area before I decide to make my attempt to dive in.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Welcome to AULRO.COM

The west coast of OZ is a big bit of coastline.:eek:
There is probably room for one more:p

Having said that,, it is a VERY remote part of OZ, you need to understand how big this place is,, and how few people live outside our cities, especially on the west coast!

It appears cyclones are a yearly occurance but,,,
the fishing is excellent!

also due to the mining industry house prices will be,,, interesting.

[Distortion]

Hi,

Bit of an odd place to put a question like this but all good.

First thing I'd do is look at Department of Immigration & Citizenship (http://www.immi.gov.au/) and work out what you want to do in Australia and what visa you'll need

You haven't given a time frame for how long you want to be in Aus, is it a permanent move or just something you'd like to do for a year or 2 you'll need to apply for the appropriate visa.

[Dylan]

I would be completely happy fishing and living away from the larger cities the rest of my life as long as I can find a job that will support a modest lifestyle. I grew up in a small town and do enjoy it. Looking for at least 4-5000+ population but nothing too huge.

This would be a permanent move.

[Distortion]

For permanent residency you need one or more of a particular group of skills on the website I linked earlier

The fact you want to go somewhere regional may help your chances but you'll need to give them a call regarding this. Regional Initiatives - Workers - Visas & Immigration (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/regional-employment/)

My suggestion would be to look at getting a 12 month work and holiday visa then try and get work somewhere that will sponsor a long term visa.

Had a mate who ended up going to the USA as it was easier for him to get a permanent visa there than it was for his girlfriend to get one here which might give you an idea of the process

[Sully]

What a random thread!

Good luck getting here with only 10k, no employment prospects, no sponsors, no idea where to live, e.t.c.

They'll let you in on a holiday visa with 10k and a solid plan of what you'll be doing here during your holiday stay, but not someone who intends to live here without any particular prospects.

You'd be better off coming for a holiday first, to see if you like it. Then, go about applying for citizenship. It will take a long time to become a citizen.

[rockyroad]

Your on the right track, forget about the populated states. You should also take a look at regional Queensland, very similar lifestyle and climate with possibly a better chance of gaining employment but closer to the major services should you need them.

A town like Bowen or Proserpine would be worth considering, small populations each with two hours of major cities but within the Whitsunday region so perfectly situated for all the fishing, boating and hot young backpackers you can handle :eek:

[richard4u2]

pop an email off to the american consulate here in perth , nice bunch of peoples . my understanding with the visa if you come here on one type of visa you have to leave the country to apply for another type . dont go to a immigration agency they will only rip you off deal with immigration department they will help you to the max

[cartm58]

From a lifestyle point of view go Tropical Queensland not WA for starters more towns closer together if you want to move after arriving and see somewhere different. More towns is more job opportunities especially with your skill set and visually Queensland prettier countryside than Far North WA and cheaper to live

Karratha is a mining town and basically FIFO of population due to geographically limitation housing is limited and in demand expect rents of up to $3000 week

[Nero]

From a lifestyle point of view go Tropical Queensland not WA for starters more towns closer together if you want to move after arriving and see somewhere different. More towns is more job opportunities especially with your skill set and visually Queensland prettier countryside than Far North WA and cheaper to live

Karratha is a mining town and basically FIFO of population due to geographically limitation housing is limited and in demand expect rents of up to $3000 week

Work out what you mean by warm its autumn here I live south of perth and it will be a mild 31 degrees celsius today (88F) in during summer in Karatha 115 F is not unusual. If you are prepared to fly in fly out (FIFO) plenty of work if you have a rigid truck license although you will have to look at the skills set/ what immigration wants. Queensland is a bit of a double edged sword its alright but its full of people who will are certain its is absolutely wonderful most of them have never lived anywhere else I found it to be crowded and overrated tourist trap.

As others have suggest might be worth coming out and having a look around before making the big move.

[bob10]

Dylan, come out on a holiday visa, do the backpacker thing, buy a clapped out campervan, see as much of the country as you can, then make an informed decision. For what it is worth, I have been all around the World, and I reckon you will find your little piece of paradise here. As said before, it's a big country, and if you stay away from the big cities, still a laidback lifestyle. Bob

[midal]

Dylan

I'm afraid I may burst your bubble; no offence meant but your idea is unfortunately about 10-15 years too late in regard to the Karratha area and permanent residency.

Whilst I admire your spirit of adventure I seriously think that you need to reconsider the prospect of Karratha as a final destination.....apart from the issues already pointed out by others in regard to immigration/visas etc, $10,000 or thereabouts will get you absolutely nowhere up here. You need a place to live and the housing issues are so critical and cost prohibitive that there are people sleeping in cars even though they have jobs and a sustainable wage coming in. Everything is expensive, and I mean everything! It is geared to the good money earned in this area but not everyone here actually earns that good money and I've seen a lot of lives ruined and families wrecked because of the fact.
You would be extremely fortunate indeed to simply rock up and land a job.....those days are gone. Sure you hear about the odd case but it's bordering on miraculous nowadays. Service industries like shops, pubs etc are always looking for employees so there are plenty of those types of jobs available but the catch is you have to supply your own accommodation in most cases and at the lower wages offered for those jobs you simply could not afford the costs of any accommodation if you were lucky enough to find them in the first place. That's the main reason the jobs are always on offer.
Very romantic and definitely adventurous, but also the stuff that dreams are made of....the real world in these days of the resources booms in this area is vastly different from how it used to be. I've lived here for 20 years, believe me a lot of the talk and gloss that goes around about this area is very different from the reality of the situation. I might add that I am very heavily subsidised by the govt through my employment which is the prime factor that allows me to remain in this area whilst not employed by a resource company (I get totally free accommodation and subsidised electricity, water etc)
By all means contact your consulate people in Perth and get some up to date info before you commit to anything at all.

Again, no offence meant and it's not a put down aimed at yourself but reality here doesn't just bite, it takes huge chunks out of people.

[CraigE]

You will definitely need to talk to the department of immigration. You could look at skilled migrant immigration and that may give you a leg up with your application. Also not sure who you work for but do they have any association with Australian based companies or offices out here? That would be your best way. The other way is to look at mining companies that may sponsor your application, BHPBilliton, Rio Tinto and all the big players do this depending on your skills.
Karratha straight up I dont think will happen. Rents there are ridiculous as they are here in Newman, so you would need company sponsored accommodation.
Perth, Geraldton may be a better starting point, at least rent is reasonable.
The NW will be a real change for you if you are not used to extreme heat and cyclones.
Seriously I would have a holiday first and see if you like Western Australia. Having said that for what you are after it is the best state in the country.
Let us know what you currently do for a crust and there may be some advice.
The web site for Australian jobs is Seek and would be a good start.

Failing that fly to Indonesia and get on a leaky boat and we will see you on Christmas Island quickly and you will be a resident in 12 months with bleeding heart groups falling over to accommodate and look after you, because you will be a refugee. Just tell them you are escaping the Obama admistration persecution.:twisted:;):angel::wasntme::angel:

[ATH]

"Failing that fly to Indonesia and get on a leaky boat and we will see you on Christmas Island quickly and you will be a resident in 12 months with bleeding heart groups falling over to accommodate and look after you, because you will be a refugee. Just tell them you are escaping the Obama admistration persecution. "

You just beat me to it Craige as I was gonna post the same bit of advice.
If he's lucky they won't even send him to Chrissy Island as they're flying them straight to Broome now.
Plenty of back packers there, casual jobs during the holiday mad season although boat refugees don't need jobs as everything they want is free:o.
AlanH.

[UncleHo]

G'day Dylan :)

First up if you are thinking of a move to a mining type area, I would suggest that you first check what type of driver's license you have and would suggest that you get the following qualifications,Truck ridgid up to 20tons,Forklift,Front end loader(medium/Heavy) that will help with job hunting in Aust in the mining engineering field and if possible get some hours up on a type,as most of the mining coys will employ drivers,you will of course have to have your US qualifications endorsed in Aust. and WE DRIVE ON THE LEFT OVER HERE :D;):wasntme:

I too would suggest that you holiday here,self drive,van station wagon,and see some of the country and it's size, if my school memory is correct, Texas fits into WA 4 times, and the United Kingdom into Queensland 6 times, just to give you a figure of scale. There could well be plenty of IT/customer service type of work in Nth Qld,as it is in the throws of rebuilding after heavy flooding caused by a recent cyclone (hurricane) in January so there could well be work in you fields


cheers

[Nero]

If you do look at dump truck driving don't bother with any of the courses locally which quiet a few $$$ involved. Most larger mining companies like to train you their way providing you have the license and get through the other requirements (including drug and alcohol) you should be right. Although I doubt you can immigrate as a dump truck driver.