Australia

[soldave]

I'm just looking at future employment (post August 2007) when I'll hopefully be OWSI and MSDT trained. If I get the working holiday visa for Australia, it means that I can only work for an employer for up to 3 months? That wouldn't be great if I'm planning to work with them for a few years. Other than that it would appear that I'd have to apply for a Skilled Workers visa - does that sounds about right? I've looked on a couple of sites and used their online calculators. If I use my current occupation (English teacher here in Japan) then I'll have been doing it for 3 years constantly, and would qualify for it.

Sorry to sound dumb but I'm very new at this and have only just started looking on the net for info. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[jorawley]

good for you - i'm so jealous.
Hope to holiday in Oz next year with hubby (non diver) so i'm only likely to get 2 0r 3 days in so i'll keep checking this thread for updates on the best place to dive.

[MaryS]

Originally Posted by soldave

I'm just looking at future employment (post August 2007) when I'll hopefully be OWSI and MSDT trained. If I get the working holiday visa for Australia, it means that I can only work for an employer for up to 3 months? That wouldn't be great if I'm planning to work with them for a few years. Other than that it would appear that I'd have to apply for a Skilled Workers visa - does that sounds about right? I've looked on a couple of sites and used their online calculators. If I use my current occupation (English teacher here in Japan) then I'll have been doing it for 3 years constantly, and would qualify for it.

Sorry to sound dumb but I'm very new at this and have only just started looking on the net for info. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I've been through the skilled visa process and its a pain. But if you've totted up your points and you are in the pass zone (not the pool zone) then you will probably be OK. I wouldnt bother with an agent - its quite straightforward to do it all yourself - just follow their instructions. But it does take a long time, 12-18months. Mine took 2 1/2 years as they thought I had TB after a dodgy Xray and it took me a year to prove I didnt! Costs also start to add up as the medical isnt cheap and neither was getting my qualifications assessed.

HTH,
Mary

[triplefin]

Originally Posted by jorawley

good for you - i'm so jealous.
Hope to holiday in Oz next year with hubby (non diver) so i'm only likely to get 2 0r 3 days in so i'll keep checking this thread for updates on the best place to dive.

There have been quite a few threads recently about people going to aus and the best places to dive, I've contributed to a few as I was out there for 6months last year
try these
Southern Ocean Diving - from Perth?
Port Douglas, Oz
Dive guide recommendations - Melbourne, Australia
Anyone ever dived in Perth or SW Australia?
I've also written a couple of articles for travel-dive on busselton jetty in WA and the seadragons in NSW and South Aus, so that should give you enough reading matter to keep you going awhile!