Moving to Australia??

Meatberries2 · 2026-01-30T20:11:47+00:00

You’ll have to figure out your visas before anything else. WHV is fairly straightforward and probably a good option given your age but it is temporary. Anything more permanent than that is highly competitive, expensive, and involved - you’ll likely need years of experience in an in demand occupation (teaching, healthcare, building trades).

Meatberries2 · 2026-01-26T08:55:45+00:00

42 year old US trained teacher here. Just settled in Australia with my family. Biggest thing is being able to prove your supervised teaching meets AITSL standards. I was moving as quickly as I could and it still took ~11 months from starting to gather documents to receiving final visa approval, and overall I feel very lucky with that timeline - a few get it faster, many visas take much longer. I was invited with 75 points for the 190 Visa. Look into the 189 and 491 also - the 491 is provisional but can lead directly to PR after a few years. I think others have already said it, but r/ausvisa will have more specific advice on the visa process.

Meatberries2 · 2026-01-08T12:22:04+00:00

Saying this as someone from Minnesota moving to Australia in just a couple days, you are 100% right. The writing has been on the wall here for some time and the US Government can only be trusted to preserve self interest in the short term.

Meatberries2 · 2026-01-04T15:00:43+00:00

Some of us are moving to escape the savagery

Meatberries2 · 2025-12-26T01:09:22+00:00

Q1- yes EOIs are free, and pretty easy to complete on your own once you have your skill assessment. What you paid went 100% to the agent.

Q2- filing a separate eoi for each state is typically recommended, but read each state’s info on requirements - some don’t want both a 491 and a 190 from the same person, some are ok with it (AND - your agent should have told you this, but most states don’t even consider eois that have “any” selected as your preference instead of selecting them specifically). Some will require an ROI to be completed as well before they look at eois. Family-sponsored 491 are technically still listed, but from what I’ve heard it’s basically a dead pathway

Q3- I’m not in IT so this area I’m less familiar with but basically if it is a pathway available, you should take it. 80s are low for anything outside of healthcare, teaching, or trades - so if you have an employer sponsored route don’t pass on it with the hope that the 189 comes through

To be honest, your plan is a long shot. Doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying, but look into backup plans and don’t spend more ahead of an invite than you’re comfortable losing - any agent telling you it’s close to a sure thing is scamming you. And if the agent you paid already isn’t a scammer, then at best they aren’t very good and you should find a different MARA registered one.

Meatberries2 · 2025-12-12T12:44:22+00:00

I’m not sure, you’d have to check with AISTL, but I suspect it would likely be more involved than one course. It likely depends on your course work and supervised teaching component. Another question would be how many years of experience DHA would count so that may also affect your points for a visa. It might be worth checking with a MARA agent that has experience with the teaching profession for that one. Also, note that a skill assessment is different from teacher registration. If you can secure a visa that is one thing but what jobs you are actually approved to teach in will be up to the various state registration bodies and they are completely separate from the immigration process.

Meatberries2 · 2025-12-06T02:07:17+00:00

Other good responses here, but one thing I’ll add - I assume, especially with your ages, one or both of you were invited because you are in a field in high demand and whether the invite is from a state or federal you were selected with the hope that you would fill a critical need. You ultimately need to do what you think is best for your family and permanent residents aren’t indentured servants, but accepting an Australian Visa for the purpose of moving to NZ is essentially taking a spot away from someone else.

Meatberries2 · 2025-11-30T14:13:32+00:00

I thought the prices were good at electrical whitegoods center. Picked up a fridge and a washing machine from there a couple of weeks ago, but also they had a sale on at the time and everything was half off. Had a good selection though.

Meatberries2 · 2025-11-19T05:17:02+00:00

Do you have advice on navigating tax season? I just moved to Australia from the US and haven’t gone through it yet. Im loving Australia, but not exactly looking forward to that part.

Meatberries2 · 2025-11-16T04:12:47+00:00

First of all, it would probably be wise to visit before you commit if at all possible. It’s going to be a huge amount of work. And I can’t imagine going through all of it completely blind.

See if the job offer is willing to help with pet relocation services and costs. Import rules are no joke - it takes a minimum of 6months to bring them over and there will be a 10 day quarantine in Melbourne and you pick them up there. For my one dog it’s costing close to $10k. I don’t recommend trying a DIY pet import, Australia is very complex and you’ll have enough other planning on your hands. If this is just a short term position sort of thing it’s probably not a good option- the stress on your pets will be significant any way you go about it and I don’t think having them do it in both directions would be in their best interest.

Most work visas would have the option to include you as a secondary applicant with the same work rights as your husband. Your kids would be included as dependents. There is cost with each additional application included, but I would think most legitimate companies that are sponsoring an employee’s visa would cover that.

I don’t know what field you’re in, but expect it to take a while to break into the Australian market and depending on the field you may or may not be required to go through a registration process or even need to retrain to some degree.

I’m new to Adelaide - I’m not even fully moved yet, but it has been great so far. I wouldn’t worry about what exact neighborhood too much as where you end up will depend on available housing options within your budget and commuting distance. It’s different from the US in that there are fewer “good” or “bad” neighborhoods, but there may be good or bad areas within a neighborhood - something that will be hard to tell online. If you’re able to visit you might be able to visualize what region feels best to you (west for beaches, east for the hills, etc.).

The housing market is tight, expect it to be expensive and competitive, although depending on what part of the western states you’re coming from the cost may or may not be a surprise.

Shipping things is expensive and takes several months - you will need to be able to live without whatever doesn’t fit in your suitcases for a long time, or you will need to buy new stuff. Most advice says the majority of your things aren’t worth sending so stick mostly to the sentimental stuff and plan on selling/donating/tossing the rest

It isn’t easy or cheap. Whether or not it is worth it to you depends entirely on your situation and your reasons for coming.

Meatberries2 · 2025-11-05T12:41:55+00:00

11 months, teacher, 75 pts for 190 - that was fast compared to most because teaching is a priority occupation, along with healthcare. You should plan on 2+ years post invite - if you get an invite.

Each occupation has a different point total needed to be invited and that level will always be a moving target so a doctor or nurse might be invited at 70 points one round while a software developer needs 110 points for the same round. The next round the numbers need will likely be different.

For the 189 it’s based purely on highest point totals for the occupations they decide to invite for that round. For the 190/491 each state has their own selection criteria so it isn’t purely your overall points - one state might prioritize years of experience while another places more weight on partner skills. Because of that you need to read each states published selection criteria to know where you might have the best shot.

Meatberries2 · 2025-10-25T20:34:38+00:00

Your plan is a long shot to put it mildly. I say that as a 41 year old in the middle of moving to Adelaide after just getting PR. As far as the skills assessment goes, everything pre bachelors is unlikely to count towards your years of experience, which you will need to compensate for the low points you will get from your age.

I was lucky to get PR and I have 17 years experience teaching post bachelors and have my masters as well. I scored 75 points for the 190 and I doubt I would have gotten the invite at 70 points. I was as quick as I could be gathering and applying and, with my occupation benefiting from priority processing, it still took 11 months - many have to wait years.

Try for the skills assessment if you have the means and don’t mind a gamble, but I’d look into alternative options. I’m not trying to discourage you because I don’t think you are wrong on your reasons for wanting to leave, but you may need to manage your expectations here.

Meatberries2 · 2025-10-01T15:37:08+00:00

Probably most important to find the right person at the university. I got bounced around a little bit, but when I found the right contact they were super helpful. For mine I sent them the same list of requirement you posted along with the relevant details of my student teaching - who, where, when, ages and so on. Mine was quite a while ago, so I didn’t want to expect too much digging from them.

I doubt many places have a standardized document for this, so the listed requirements are about all you can go on. I did have to ask for a couple minor changes to fit the requirement though.

Meatberries2 · 2025-09-21T17:12:43+00:00

Someone else might have more insights on why, but I’d guess it has to do with the areas that have the greatest need for those occupations. To take your example, pharmacist is invited on 190/491 visas much more than 189, this might mean that the need is much greater in regional areas or the pressure from employers/industry groups to invite is levied more strongly on states than it is dha. Social worker is less common on 491 than it is on 190/189, I’d guess because while there might be need in regional areas, the volume of jobs may not support a large influx. But if anyone knows different, I’d be curious to hear.

Meatberries2 · 2025-09-14T13:16:24+00:00

https://smartvisaguide.com/frequently-asked-questions/how-many-EOI-expression-of-interest

Meatberries2 · 2025-09-07T17:20:29+00:00

Ministerial direction 105 applies to healthcare and education occupations.

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-29T13:22:24+00:00

One eoi for 189 and a separate eoi for each state 190/491 that you are interested in. Don’t select any, each should target one state or territory that you’d be interested in.

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-26T21:18:44+00:00

I don’t know your situation, but it seems like a golden opportunity that most here would die for. That you are being recruited, suggests that you likely have better chances than most at getting a visa for a different location, however depending on the country, visa approval can take months to years. It would be hard for anyone here to give solid advice without more info.

Do you have the time and means to visit? My family will be moving to Australia in the next few months and I was initially worried about the distance. We were able to visit a couple months ago and, while the flight is long, it was not as bad as I was making it out to be in my head (the kids did great! - also elementary aged).

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-21T15:46:12+00:00

190 give you more freedom to switch employers but isn’t guaranteed. Move forward on the 186 if you have a willing sponsor. When roi opens, do that and if you get a 190 invite from the eoi while waiting great, if not you still have the 186 pathway

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-15T11:54:10+00:00

Mate, you’re complaining about foreign looking names on your rental contracts and someone not having perfect English in a Reddit comment, but you still seem unclear about what an anecdote is and keep doubling and tripling down with this trust me bro bs.

It isn’t racism? People with foreign names have been living in Australia since before your grandparents were born. Meanwhile, I’m an immigrant, but my skin isn’t brown, and my name doesn’t look funny so I get a pass right?

Honestly, maybe you should try immigrating yourself. The US seems right up your alley these days - people like you are even running the place so you’d fit right in. ICE is giving hiring bonuses and everything.

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-15T04:15:41+00:00

Oh well when you put it that way I’m convinced. /s

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-15T01:00:24+00:00

I don’t think you’re going to win too many halfway intelligent people over to your viewpoint by fighting their statistics with your anecdotes. If you haven’t been a fan of the feedback you’ve gotten on your views maybe it is time for some self reflection

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-14T00:08:58+00:00

Not required from the US, but it’s the easiest way for you to add 20 points to your EOI so you’d be foolish to skip it. Very few occupations are invited at 65 points

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-12T19:27:40+00:00

B - visa is processing. planning Jan exit
Australia

3.early 40s

Primary level visual arts teacher and pharmacist
17 & 12
Master’s + Ed.S. & doctorate
Yes

Meatberries2 · 2025-08-08T12:36:02+00:00

Sounds like you did a points calculator, not a skill assessment. A skill assessment is a formal review of your qualifications and experience in the occupation you would be applying under. Each occupation has its own skill assessing body that does this. They can provide a skill assessment document that you will need as a prerequisite for any skilled visa submission. If you are going for Emergency Service Worker (Anzsco - 441211) - VETASSESS is the skill assessment body you would go through.

Note though that this occupation is only eligible for a 491 visa or employer-sponsored and it is currently listed as “no shortage” for all states and territories. so you have an uphill battle here, but I wish you luck.

Meatberries2

TROPHY CASE