NES Global now has Australian operations in Sydney and Perth, offering a range of technical and engineering recruitment services. If you are interested in relocating to Australia, the following information should be a good starting point for finding out what you can expect. You can apply online for any of the jobs listed at the bottom of this article. For contact details of either of our Australian offices, click HERE.
Australia is known throughout the world for its amazing beaches, tropical rainforests, wondrous mountain ranges and exclusive wildlife. The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayers Rock) combined with the sophistication of Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, stand as an illustration of the country’s diversity.
Estimates suggest that around 5 million residents or 24% of the population were born outside Australia, and as the expatriate population will tell you, it is a great place to call home if you have to consider the needs of a family – a stable economy, good standard of living and excellent education, housing and healthcare – have drawn families into the country for years following extensive recruitment drives by the government.
VISAS
The first step to take when migrating to Australia is to find out if you are eligible. You can do this by taking the Online Eligibility Test on the Australian Visa Bureau’s website (www.visabureau.com/australia). Engineering and construction skills remain on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) Australia. Your nearest Australian High Commission will also be able to assist you, and will supply you with any information that is relevant to your application.
Each visa application will be different in terms of how long it takes to secure. However, you should prepare to wait 12 months for a successful application to be processed. Make sure that all paperwork submitted is correct or your application will be returned and you will have to resubmit your application.
The costs of applications can also vary considerably depending on the category that you are applying through. Police checks, medical records and government fees as well as the cost of the application itself can make the process a costly one!
Visa requirements
As well as meeting basic requirements that relate to age and qualifications, applicants must pass the Australian Immigration points test in order to qualify for a visa. Points are awarded according to skill, age, language, work experience and a number of other areas (see the Australian Visa Bureau’s web site for a comprehensive list of basic requirements and points test).
NES can manage the process of obtaining the necessary visas and work permits. Indeed, in a number of countries, candidate visas are actually sponsored by NES and the entire process is completed by NES. In other instances, the visa process is managed on behalf of the NES client, but the candidate works under the sponsorship of that company.
Other services that NES offer free of charge to help with relocation include tax advice, country orientation, mobilization support (such as arrangement of flights) that can help to make your emigration run as smoothly as possible.
TRANSPORT & ACCOMMODATION
Even though the prospect of a fresh start will undoubtedly have great appeal, it is still likely that you will want to take furniture and other personal belongings with you. Most people use shipping containers for this, as they are the cheapest option. You will need to make sure you account for the fact that you could be without these possessions for a few months, so consider what you will do until they arrive.
As for your accommodation, there are a number of different options: units are in a block and are usually purpose built; two storey town houses can be set in a complex or on their own. Those in a complex will usually have a swimming pool and BBQ area, and some have things like a gym, tennis court and children’s play facilities. Sometimes telephone charges in complexes can be pretty steep, so it might be worth installing your own phone line if you’re planning to stay for a while.
A duplex, which is a kind of semi-detached bungalow, is unlikely to have a garden area but will have a patio area for the all-important BBQ and low set houses (or detached bungalows) usually have gardens and garages with them.
Many have swimming pools or spas too, but you should expect to pay more for these. Two storey houses that have gardens, garages and often swimming pools are another option, but these are less widely available and, as they are bigger, they are more expensive too.
Renting
If you are renting a property, you’ll need to decide whether you want to go for unfurnished, where you will need to buy your fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher as well as all your other furniture or fully furnished, which will usually come with everything except bed linen. A six-month lease will usually apply to rented accommodation, with a bond of a month’s rent payable in advance. You can expect this bond to be returned, minus the cost of any repairs, damage or cleaning, once you leave the property.
As part of your contract if you decide to rent, you will normally be required to pay phone and electricity bills and will be accountable for the cost of any damage sustained throughout your stay. You will also be responsible for maintaining the grounds, including the swimming pool if you have one. While many letting agencies request references before allowing you to rent a property, they are unlikely to insist on this if they’re aware that it is the first time you’ve rented.
If you decide to rent an unfurnished property and require stand-in furnishings until you’re reunited with your own, you can take advantages of services that rent out furniture packages to use until your shipment arrives. The contents of furniture packages will vary depending on how basically you can stand to live while you wait for your own to arrive and, of course, how much you are prepared to pay.
Buying
Deciding on a mortgage in Australia is a similar process to deciding in the UK. You should shop around for the best deal. Unlike the UK, mortgages in Australia can be paid on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on how your salary is paid. You only pay interest on the amount actually owed and not the total mortgage value, so you will see your payments decreasing over a number of years. Overpayments and offset savings are also possible, depending on the type of mortgage you opt for and the provider you choose. As with the UK, interest rates are subject to fluctuation so you should check repayments before making a decision. Council tax rates apply to all homeowners and are payable twice per year. The cost will vary depending on your location.
As a first time buyer in Australia, you should also qualify for a First Home Owners Grant, to be used as either part of the deposit or as a homeowners loan. As an eligible applicant, you will be entitled to a one-off payment of $7,000, helping you to settle in your new home!
LIVING IN AUSTRALIA
Many expatriates find the cost of living in Australia considerably cheaper than in the UK. Converting the price of goods from Australian Dollars to British Pounds makes things seem a lot cheaper at first. In some cases, particularly the cost of fuel (50% cheaper than in the UK) and property, this is a valid perception.
However, once you begin earning Australian Dollars, your perception of the situation is likely to change somewhat, with your income falling into line with the cost of living somewhat. The longer you are in Australia, the less likely you are to work out the cost of an item in Pounds.
Climate
If you haven’t spent much time abroad, it is worth thinking about how you will cope with the Australian climate. If your job will involve working outdoors, you may find it unbearably hot in the summer, where temperatures can reach over 40°C in the day and stay as high as 20°C at night. The humidity is another consideration and it might take a while for you to adjust.
Thunderstorms occur frequently throughout the summer, but as a general rule, expect it to be generally warmer throughout the year in Australia than in the UK. In many parts of Australia there is very little difference between the seasons, whereas in other areas it can change dramatically. It is certainly worth visiting or at the very least, researching, the area that you are planning to relocate to, to get an idea of the type of climate you can expect.
Education
The education system in Australia varies little across states and territories. A preparatory year takes place at around five years old, but is not compulsory, primary schooling starts at age six and lasts for six or seven years. Secondary schooling starts in year seven or eight at around eleven or twelve years of age and lasts until the school leaving age, which can vary depending on the state. Leaving age for Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria is 16, and for the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland it is 15. Students must take an exam in year 12 to qualify for entry into higher education.
Almost 70% of Australian children are enrolled at free, government-funded schools. Independent, fee-paying schools and those run by religious institutions also exist. Children who live in rural locations often go to boarding school when they reach secondary school age, and their fees are subsidized by the government.
There are two options for post-secondary education, including Vocational Education and Training (VET) offered by industry and institutions and higher education programmes through universities and other higher education institutions. VET offered offers a large range of programmes under the National Training Framework and is competency-based. There are around 4,000 training organizations, which include universities, schools and assessment organizations, throughout Australia.
Healthcare
Australia’s healthcare system is responsible for providing comprehensive cover for all of its citizens. If you are from the UK, and are visiting or emigrating to Australia you will be eligible for healthcare benefits as your nation has a healthcare agreement with Australia, allowing you to receive free medical treatment. However, similarly to healthcare in the UK, private care can mean better treatment and will serve as a supplementary health insurance policy.
The Australian government, in an attempt to encourage those who can afford to pay for their own medical treatment to stop relying on public healthcare services, is providing great incentives to people to begin paying for private healthcare. If you are 30 years old or younger, your will receive discounts on your insurance, but this discount amount becomes less and less for every year that you are not covered privately. Insurance companies are required, by law, to charge the same premiums regardless of medical status or previous claims so that those with long-term illnesses or the elderly cannot be penalized because of their circumstances.
Banking & finance
Many people who emigrate to Australia open an Australian bank account before leaving so that they have some cash ready for their arrival. Westpac Banking Corporation offers a migrant banking service that can help you to organise a bank account before you leave home, which will mean that, upon arrival and after proving your identity, you will have access to your funds.
If you do decide to open your account before you leave, and want to ensure that you have access when you arrive, allow a month or so to make sure everything is processed in time. If you decide to wait until you arrive in Australia before opening an account, make sure your cards are linked with an internationally recognised organisation, such as Visa, which will enable you to withdraw funds from your UK account when you need to.
You can also apply for a savings account, credit card, Australian home loan or foreign currency account (if you don’t want to convert your money to Australian Dollars) through this bank. The Commonwealth Bank is also popular with migrants, with similar facilities available.
Seeking financial advice is certainly worthwhile when relocating to Australia as, in most cases, the tax status of all of your assets will change. As the UK tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April and the Australian tax year runs from 1st July to 30th June, it is important to time your move to ensure you are not caught out. Using a cross-boarder specialist who understands both UK and Australian systems will undoubtedly help.
If you are interested in relocating to Australia or New Zealand, you can either apply directly to any of the vacancies below or forward your CV to australiainfo@nesglobal.com with a brief outline of the type of position you are seeking, details of your preferred location and timescale for any move. One of out consultants will be in touch to discuss how we can help.