Immigration!

[Tailgunner]

Just a toe in the water, but how do you guys feel about skilled migrant workers coming to your country?

The reason I ask is because my wife lived for a year in Australia, and thoroughly loved it. The other day we were talking and she stated how she always has an inclination to return on a more permanent basis.

Now, she got me thinking, and I actually think I'd be very willing to emigrate.

Now, as this is a forum with Aussie members, I thought I'd ask how you would feel about an immigrant couple who can readily take up jobs in law enforcement and optometry?

[daveo]

I've heard the statement that Australia's and America's culture are more similar to each other than English culture is to the other two.

Any comments on the truth of that statement - from someone who has been to both countries?

[Tailgunner]

I have to say I'm not sure I agree. I think it depends mostly on where you visit/come from and your personality.

There are parts of the US where I imagine the no-nonsense approach is similar to the general Aussie attitude - probably Texas etc.

However, I'm sure you'd agree that there are massive differences between those who live in say Perth and Brisbane, as there are those between New York and Denver, and London and everywhere else! ;)

[RomperStromper]

NSW has bee recruting a lot of police from OS recently, especially to fill positions in country areas .... being a country boy, I'd much rather be a copper in regional Australia than in any of the cities...

What area were u thinking of moving to?

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[Dougal]

Western Australia Police are actively recruiting from overseas at the moment and hold recruitment sessions in the UK. Western Australia (Perth is the state capital) is booming due to strong resource prices (there is a huge amount of mining in WA) and the big salaries offered by the mining industry are adding to the attrition in the public sector, including the Police. Even the Commissioner of Police is English.

All the details can be found at www.police.wa.gov.au - follow the links to the Police Academy and International Applicants. There is a bridging course available so you won't need to go through the whole academy course again.

Hope this helps.

Dougal.

[iron_llama]

If they're holding overseas recruiting events, I can't imagine any professional issues. I know in the US, a few agencies will hire resident aliens (Green Card holders) but most (including mine) only hire US citizens. Might want to check to see if the optometrist license or certifications will transfer. I've got a few friends in nursing, and if they take a job in another state they need to re-register with the medical board of the state they're moving to. Some states are better about that than others.

Australia is a country I've always wanted to visit. I sailed on the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle once, and we did a crew exchange with a RAN ship. Great guys. Had us saying "cheers, mate!" for months after they went back to their ship.

Good luck, and cheers, mate!

[K1W1]

UK qualifications are usually accepted in Australia as the equivalent of Australian qualifications.
As a New Zealander who has lived and worked in the USA and now lives in Australia I don't think that you will have any issues if you truly want to move here just go through the professional organisations for your occupations and see what is available. This country suffers from a massive skills shortage in most professional areas so as long as you don't want to move to metro Sydney you will be welcome virtually anywhere.
If by some chance you can't get to Australia look to New Zealand. NZ has an even bigger problem with skills than this country and has an extremely open immigration policy. New Zealand is also motorcycling nirvana, has real beer and is the home of the greatest sporting team the world has ever seen. :) It's also only 3 hours from Australia by plane and if you take NZ citizenship you get automatic entry to Australia.

[K1W1]

I've heard the statement that Australia's and America's culture are more similar to each other than English culture is to the other two.

Any comments on the truth of that statement - from someone who has been to both countries?

I would say that is incorrect.
Australian politicians like to act as if they are George Bushs deputies and we have all the attributes of American globalism (name brands, fast food outlets, etc) but I think the general white population still think more like English people than American people. Having said that this is a hugely multicultural country (I was in a business meeting this morning and not one of the 5 people present was born in Australia) and large proportions of the population have neither a UK or USA family background.

[p10dc]

I moved a couple of years ago from LA to here as independent skilled migrant and I had no problems whatsoever with my engineering qualifications.
A workmate here has been 12 years in the NSW police, he has just left and joined us as Security Officer, I will aks him about LE opportunities here.
Tailgunner, I am loving it here and would highly recommend you to give it a go.
If you are serious about doing it I can give you more detail about the process, the Aussie consulate in LA was always helpful.

[Tailgunner]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll check out that website too!

It's turned from the wife wanting to go to her worrying about leaving her family behind and me wanting to go!! Will keep you posted! :D

[Tailgunner]

I police a mixed urban/rural area at the moment, and I do love the rural aspect. Not quite on the same scale here though!! :rolleyes:

I love working independently too - a bit of a loner - so the WA region looks ideal!

I had mainly been looking at WA, due to a colleague transferring back and saying Perth would be a great area to police. I will look at NSW though now.

Again, thanks from this POM!