What’s your name?

Carina

Where did you move from?

From Port Elizabeth South Africa.

Where did you move to and when?

To Brisbane, Australia, in August 2008.

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

With four young boys, life was becoming a bit difficult financially and we heard there were great opportunities in Australia in my husband’s field. The more we looked into it, the more we liked the idea… The safety was also a huge driving factor for us, living in a country where we could feel safe from day to day become more and more appealing.

Why did you choose the country you chose?

Mainly… work opportunities and security. We also had old family friends who had been living in Brisbane for a few years already, and another friend in Cairns, so I was lucky enough to go on a scouting holiday with our oldest son… Having three weeks there allowed me to feel secure in the knowledge that this was where we needed to be. Once we had decided, it took a long time for everything to happen, but it was worth it in the end.

What is the best thing about your new country?

The friendliness of the people, the lifestyle, quality of life, the feeling of freedom and safety. The vastness of the country also means that like in SA, there’s so much to see if you travel around.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

I miss my family, I miss the Eastern Cape beaches. Mostly I just miss the different types of people in SA.

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

Initially, the cost of things.  Otherwise it was an overall adjustment, but we kept focused on the positive and kept ourselves busy from the start.  We’ve been camping all over and it gets hot, dusty and in some places there are a LOT of insects!!

Will you ever go back?

Oooh, that’s a tricky one. I am loving life here, but Africa is in your blood, so I can’t say I will never go back – we might go back if the corrupt government changes and SA becomes a safer place to raise children.

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Still SA!

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

SA – definitely!  We are developing a fondness for some of the Aussie players and teams, but our hearts are with South Africa’s teams.

How does the food compare?

Not bad at all. It’s the same, but different. We can’t find really GOOD biltong like we’re used to. We have loved braaing for our Australian friends!

Was it what you expected?

It’s even better than I expected. Somehow I think I thought the people would be rude, but they are quite friendly and straightforward, which I like.

How has your life changed?

We have as a family become more relaxed. My husband is much happier and we are far more active, doing things we never even considered in South Africa. Maybe because in the beginning we felt like we were on holiday in a way, so we were more adventurous than normal. Now it’s become a part of our lifestyles and my husband and 4 sons are always looking for the next thrill!!!

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

If you can, go and spend time in the city you’re considering moving to first. Get a feel for the place and the people. There is a LOT of red tape, so I would give the advice to be very patient and organised.  If possible, use a REPUTABLE immigration agency who can help you with all the paperwork!! Don’t expect it to be perfect because no country can be perfect. South Africans have a good reputation for being hard workers. If you are motivated and not lazy, you should emphasise that on your CV.  There is so much to see and do in Australia, but choose your city wisely, as the main cities and places are very different!

To find out how 1st Contact Visas can help you with your relocation plans, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com or call 0808 141 1664 (in the UK), 0800 003 163 (in South Africa) or 1800 039 300 (in Australia).

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Currently these applicants are required to provide a positive IELTS score as proof of English language proficiency to qualify for a student visa to Australia.  The TOEFL represents an extremely convenient choice as there are more than 4500 TOEFL test centres in 165 countries around the world.

“The integrity of English language testing is important because the language test results are a key component in visa application requirements,” Mr Bowen said.

Two further tests are also expected to receive recognition for student visas later this year. These are the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE).

“These additional English language test options will help to create competition in the English language testing market, while creating more test places for student visa applicants” said Mr Bowen. “They will also provide candidates with greater choice and enable them to more quickly obtain test results needed for visa applications.”

For any advice or information on Australian visas, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com.

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The Life in the UK test is used to test applicants’ knowledge of UK culture and civics and consists of 24 multiple choice questions. The test lasts for 45 minutes and a grade of 75% or higher (at least 18 correct answers out of 24 questions) is required to pass. Tests are carried out by Ufi Limited via a secure web connection and the cost for each test is £34.73.

Those affected are ILR applicants currently in the UK under the following visas:

• Tier 1 (Exceptional talent, General, Entrepreneur, Investor)
• Tier 2 (General, Intra company transfer, Minister of Religion and Sportsperson)
• Work permit holder
• Highly skilled migrants
• Representative of overseas newspapers or broadcasting organisations
• Representative of overseas businesses and overseas government employees
• Ministers of religion
• Airport-based operational ground staff of foreign-owned airlines
• Writers, composers and artists

Passing the Life in the UK test fulfils the requirement for “sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom” which was introduced for naturalisation on 1 November 2005.

To find out more about UK visas and Indefinite Leave to Remain, visit www.1stcontactivisas.com.

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For the first time, the Australian government is also actively encouraging skilled workers from outside Australia to apply for temporary visas and work in rural areas. These regional visas will be processed as a priority over others and the lure is that it will eventually be easier for these workers to gain permanent residency.

To qualify under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, interested overseas workers will need to prove their trade skills or in-demand professional qualifications, as well as competency in English.

The government also announced the introduction of special migration agreements for big resource projects, where the permanent residency process will be sped up for overseas workers who stay in a regional area on a 457 visa for two years, and whose employer can guarantee another two years’ work.

To find out more about Australian visas or start your application process, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com.

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In this article we look at what exactly attracts UK families in particular to the land down under, as well as the steps to take if you’re considering the move.

One of the World’s Most Popular Destinations

Australia has always been a popular destination for young professionals and families seeking greener pastures. In fact, since 1945 more than six million people having left the country of their birth and made Australia home.

ECONOMY

Australia’s economy is one of the strongest in the world – stable and growing. The country has a relatively low unemployment rate and is open to skilled migrants and entrepreneurs, making it an attractive place to find work or start your own business.

LIFESTYLE

This continent has a massive shoreline, a variety of climate zones and plenty of leisure activities to match.  The inhabitants take full advantage of the weather and spend much of their time outdoors, having “barbies”, surfing and enjoying all sorts of other sports and recreational activities.  Australians are friendly and it is possible to have a “good life” in Australia – whatever that means to you.

EDUCATION

The education system is world-class, with great public schools, as well as many famous private schools and universities.

HEALTHCARE

The country has a sophisticated healthcare system which, although often criticised locally, is excellent by world standards.

LOW CRIME RATE

A seriously low crime rate further strengthens the argument for Australia as a top destination for UK families or single professionals.

How to Go From Dreaming About It to Doing It

If you’re sold on the idea of uprooting and making Australia home, you’re probably wondering how difficult the process is?  You may have heard it’s not easy; that it’s a long and complicated process. The truth is, it’s not the easiest immigration process out there, but like most things in life, if it’s something you really want to do; something that will positively influence the rest of your life and the lives of your family, then it will be absolutely worth any red tape and admin you’ll be subjected to. Just ask the millions who’ve already settled happily in the Land of Oz.

These are the simple steps you could take towards your Australia dreams.

1. DO RESEARCH

One way to immediately get the ball rolling is to start doing research. You could frequent forums and chat rooms where people discuss the move from the UK to Australia, read books and articles about the subject and speak to both experts and family and friends who have already settled in Australia.

You could also do a little research into which area would best suit your lifestyle and career. Most people moving to Australia from the UK choose to live in one of the main cities: Adelaide in South Australia; Perth in Western Australia; Melbourne in Victoria; Brisbane in Queensland; or Sydney in New South Wales.

Find out too if your skills are in demand, which will automatically make it easier for you to qualify for a visa – http://jobguideaustralia.com/Contents/jobs_skilled.asp.

2. SPEAK TO THE VISA EXPERTS

Once you have done some research you may decide to go through with the visa application process. It’s vital that you partner with an agency that really understands the process and has a history of success.

Australia has a notoriously complicated visa process with many types of visas and an experienced company will be able to cut through the clutter and tap into all the right resources, first time.  1st Contact Visas have offices in Australia and an excellent track record for helping their clients get organised, moved and settled.

From visas to bank accounts to practical information about the country, they have all the experience needed to help you get started. The Kickstart package is extremely popular and has been described as a survival kit for anyone moving to Australia.

3. HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

Don’t be put off by the red tape. If this is something you truly want, find ways to make it happen or at least explore the possibilities!

Let 1st Contact Visas asses your eligibility and if you have all the right criteria in place, they can do all the behind the scenes work and apply for a suitable visa on your behalf.

You have nothing to lose and a brand new life to gain!

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According to expert immigration group 1^st Contact, recent changes to Australia’s immigration policy presents good news to both current domestic workers as well as to hopeful migrants seeking to relocate to Australian shores.

In a bid to head off an impeding skills crisis, the Australian Department of Immigration has radically shifted their focus onto attracting more highly skilled professionals by scrapping the current Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) in favour of the new Skilled Occupations List (SOL).

This dramatic change was announced by Immigration Minister Chris Evans on the 8th of February 2010 who went on to say that   ‘Immigration should be demand rather than supply driven.”

Sam Hopwood, managing director of 1^st Contact’s Australian office says “It is clear that the government’s intention is to focus the migration policy toward sponsorship. Their view is that this particular change in policy will attend best to the problem caused by prior defunct policies that lured many thousands of accountants to Australia, who did not continue to work in their professions, and left continued shortages for local employers to cope with.”

It is clear that the government’s intention is to focus the migration policy toward sponsorship

The SOL is a far a more comprehensive and targeted list, making the MODL redundant. The most critical shortages are in the health-care, engineering and mining sectors.  The need for international recruitment came on much faster than anticipated largely due to the 5.3% drop in unemployment rates and a positive upturn in Australia’s economy.

“The skills shortages that have occurred on the back of these low unemployment rates has directly caused the shift in immigration policy – a change that is vital in order for Australia to continue to feed its growing labour market.” Hopwood adds, “Skilled workers living outside of Australia would be best advised to employ the services of a specialised recruitment and visa company, such as 1st Contact, who have the contacts in Australia to be able to seek out appropriate employers who are searching for their skills.”

For more information on this issue, contact 1^st Contact on www.1stcontact.com

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