Emigrating to Australia. Advice? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: merlinb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 03:42:09 pm
content: Hi.I am from England, but in a about a year I hope to be somewhere else- ideally down under!So far the plan is to turn up on a temporary visa and then try and find work before my money runs out...I'll be bringing with me a BEng in Electronic Engineering and an MSC in structural geology and geophysics, and a couple of years' experience as an electronics technician. I'd like to do electronic design work if possible, possibly in instrumentation. Analog is my specialty.I'd love to hear from anyone who has emigrated to Aus, or any advice on the matter!Where is the industry clustered? I like the look of WE more than NSW, but I'm guessing there's more work on the east side?I have a first class electronics degree, but my experience is mild. Will employers entertain a young upstart like me, with no roots in the country?Help me out!

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 05:18:17 pm
content: the only stopping me moving to oz or nz is pledging elegance Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

author: merlinb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 08:07:34 pm
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on August 22, 2012, 05:15:12 pmInteresting...Doesn't Australia have free healthcare? It damn well ought to! Part of the commonwealth old bean!

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 08:11:14 pm
content: Most civilised countries have universal healthcare it - spot the major exception...

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 08:54:08 pm
content: Quote from: merlinb on August 22, 2012, 03:42:09 pmThe geophysics qualification may be a real money-spinner if you don't mind working out in the desert in a mine. There is stuff happening in WA - alot of it related to mining. Depends what you want to do. Original design? Project work? Wiring diagrams? PCB's? As an Australian who moved out of the country for work my advice is that you make sure you keep enough money for a return ticket in case you end up installing tv antennas for a living. Australia traditionally has a high rate of small business employment where the Sydney area is also the largest employer but keep your eyes on Adelaide and Melbourne, esp for government jobs.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 10:35:56 pm
content: Quote from: merlinb on August 22, 2012, 08:07:34 pmUniversal healthcare, yes. Free, no!No country has free healthcare, you pay it through your taxes.In Oz you pay a "medicare levy" on your tax at the end of the year, usually like $1500 or something.They also charge you an extra levy if you do not have private health care. So most people get "basic hospital cover" for like $30/month or something which works out much cheaper than paying the extra levy.Our health systems is generally pretty good by world standards.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 10:42:56 pm
content: Quote from: gregariz on August 22, 2012, 08:54:08 pmYes, that geophysics qual might make you highly sort after in the mining industry, the majority of which is based in WA. Perth isn't a bad place to live, but Geographically far from everywhere else.If you don't mind mining type field work, there could be huge money in that. I'd at least give it a shot.I do hope you are getting a proper work visa...Many companies will even sponsor your VISA and fly you over here, start applying now!I would actually suggest that be your plan. Leverage your geophysics paper to get someone in the mining industry to sponsor your flight and VISA out here, take any job you can get just to get a foothold here.QuoteApart from mining, very few jobs in WA really. Sydney or Melbourne has the majority of the work. Some in QLD, and some defence stuff in Adelaide. Darwin would be a desert, not that you'd want to live in the heat anyway. And Tas would have nothing either, and too cold.Yes, companies won't care were you come from, if you can do the job and they like you, the job is yours.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 22, 2012, 10:50:38 pm
content: http://www.geotechnicaljobs.com.au/Heaps in QLD by the looks of it.Dave.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 12:33:20 am
content: The concerns I'd have with a move to Oz is that it is rapidly becoming the 51st state of the USA.They've had much of the USA's draconian copyright law foisted on them already, private ownership of firearms is a joke and then there are all the horrible venomous, dangerous, vicious creatures to contend with (at both a state and federal level -- yes, I'm talking about politicians -- the snakes and spiders are nothing compared to these beasts!)

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 12:55:06 am
content: Australia seems to have some of the worst government interference in private life of almost any Western country I have heard of. There are countless examples, but the prohibition on an individual touching mains wiring without a licence is just one instance often talked about here. You may think the UK nanny state mentality is bad, but OZ is worse.Of course government and bureaucracy has its problems in every country and the best you can do is bend and adapt like a tree in the wind.The question to ask yourself is why move from the UK to OZ? Most engineers move the other way from OZ to the UK, especially if looking for a better choice of jobs.

author: EEMarc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 12:58:48 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 22, 2012, 10:35:56 pmThat is better than the USA. We pay tons of money for defense spending to protect us from people whom we spent money decades ago to piss off. I guess that could be considered some form of health care against acute lead poisoning.

author: asbokid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 02:00:18 am
content: There is some dreadful TV programme that has been running for weeks now on UK satellite TV, about the bumptious and punctilious Immigration and Customs officials in Oz. We keep seeing footage of weeping visitors to the good country, facing huge fines for importing small seeds and berries, mostly in foodstuffs.As for domestic electrical wiring, the same is true in the UK. It's unlawful to perform anything beyond the most basic electrical work in your own home. Aside changing a lightbulb, so far as I know, it is illegal to do any electrical work in the kitchen or bathroom now. Yet perversely, anyone "competent" (qualifications not needed) can install and repair gas appliances, albeit not for profit. What logic to that?It seems that most rules and regulations are not there for the good of the people, but to protect business and specific sectors of industry.

author: David Aurora
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 02:09:50 am
content: Watch out for drop bears.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 02:19:52 am
content: Quote from: asbokid on August 23, 2012, 02:00:18 amDon't screw with our customs people, you won't win. The only other country as strict on quarantine would be NZ.That TV show is awful, but sometimes funny. I don't know how they can get away with filming people and making them all look like drug smugglers.Little tip for arriving in Oz. It takes forever to get through customs, but if you tick the option to declare something (like a pack of sealed nuts), you'll go through the much shorter quarantine line much quicker.Dave.

author: Portll
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 02:46:50 am
content: I emigrated 8 years ago now, I think. I love it out here, but I still feel 'english'. The things you miss aren't the things you expect to, sometimes - for me, it's been wood fires, apples with some kind of taste to them, kettle chips,the pubetc. It helps if you make friends easily and pursue a hobby and/or sport - I played soccer & squash, found a church (that might not be up most people's alley's, admittedly), went to audio meetups etc.It's best to take a holiday for 3-4 weeks to where you're going, rent a house, plan on living there like you'renot a tourist. Work out how waking up in a country with hot sun feels, how your evening routine changes etc.A lot of 'fixing' (ie. general contractor) stuff pays well in small-medium business situations, but the work would obviously be a little less steady. I agree with using your PhD to leverage job offers, too. Being able to say "I have spent time in Australia and am prepared to move" is better than "I am prepared to move" imo. While the mining industry is obviously massive in WA, in NT & QLD there are other resources, Tasmania has a massive bent toward efficiency + process stuff (but it's colder) and NSW has the most 'business jobs', while SA has smaller businesses, it's more of a 'town' feel around Adelaide. Feel free to pick my brains on anything - and I agree with getting a sponsored visa, it's much cheaper that way. Also, if sending documentation for stuff, get proof of purchase andtrack everything!Don't assume that the embassies + government offices are any better than the english/uk ones

author: htassell
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 03:43:01 am
content: I thought i might respond with regards to work in the geophysics industry in Australia. I'm the principal geophysicist at a large Australian owned international engineering firm who employ some 10,000 people. There is a major shortage of geophysicists in Australia with any sort of experience. Just in the last three months, we employed four graduate geophysicists from GB/Scotland to work in our Perth and Melbourne offices as there simply aren't enough people locally to fill the positions available.With your combined skills in geophysics and electronic engineering, you should have absolutely no problem at all finding a company to sponsor you and assist you emigrating over here. As the others have mentioned, Western Australia and Queensland are the hotspots, but I think you would have a strong chance of getting a job in fairly much any state you choose.If you want any more advice or some contacts in the industry to chase up with looking for work, send me a PM, I'm more than happy to assist.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 03:44:46 am
content: Quote from: asbokid on August 23, 2012, 02:00:18 amTo the OP,I would say,do your "due diligence",research everything you can about Australia.It isn't some fantasy realm where the sun shines all the time,it's a real country like any other,warts & all!It rains sometimes,sometimes it's cold,or bloody hot other times!Your chances of being injured or killed by any wild animal are about as remote as winning Lotto.If you don't come here expecting to be given everything on a plate,you will do OK.Warning! If you do come here "to look around" on a visitors visa ,do not try to work,as youwillbe sent home!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 03:49:28 am
content: Quote from: IanB on August 23, 2012, 12:55:06 amList them please. Start with the worst ones.Maybe true for some things (usually minor), rubbish in others.What about the countless things the USA is interfering in your life with?Heck, you can jump on domestic flights here without showing ID, or removing your shoes, or getting groped.You guys are getting that crap after you getofftrains and bus terminals in some states now, and even the roads now it seems:We don't fingerprint or photograph you when you come here for starters, and the guys at the customs desk to greet you don't have guns.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 03:51:14 am
content: Quote from: IanB on August 23, 2012, 12:55:06 amIn terms of sheer number of jobs, yes, Oz isn't the best place to be.I suspect the OP is doing it for lifestyle or other reasons.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 03:56:27 am
content: Quote from: htassell on August 23, 2012, 03:43:01 amBam!Don't think, take him up on the offer and do it now!Dave.

author: David Aurora
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 04:10:25 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 23, 2012, 03:49:28 amHaha maybe YOU can, not me though! Australia really isn't the nicest place to look slightly ethnic in an airport. Because obviously, every remotely dark person with a beard is a terrorist...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 04:14:38 am
content: Quote from: David Aurora on August 23, 2012, 04:10:25 amStill infinitely better than the good'ol "land of the free"Dave.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 04:44:50 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 23, 2012, 03:49:28 amYup, certainly some culture shock moving from the UK to the US. The first time I tried to buy a train ticket and found I was required to show photo ID to the ticket clerk had me wondering what kind of country this is? Americans in general seem to be completely compliant and submissive to authority and have little notion of personal freedom. Petty officials will often order people around with no apparent sense of questioning or resistance from the public at large.We have suffered somewhat from this in the UK too, but there is at least some sense of indignation when people have their personal rights and freedoms infringed, even if people are ultimately powerless to do much about it.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 05:45:42 am
content: Quote from: IanB on August 23, 2012, 04:44:50 amSo would you like to rephrase your statement?QuoteAbout the only place I am ever asked for ID is the post office (or some other place) to pick up a parcel or collect an item.Like I said, I don't even show ID boarding local flights.Dave.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 08:47:17 am
content: Actually, the entire Western world is turning into something that most of our grandparents fought a war to protect against.During WW2, the "papers please" demand of the Nazis was symbolic of a police state -- something that the UK, USA, Australia and NZ all fought against.Now it seems, the very freedoms our grandparents fought to protect have been whittled away by successive laws which promise to swap our privacy and rights for safety -- namely in this so-called "war against terror".For example, the UK and Australian governments looking very closely at archiving all your online activities for years -- just in case you turn out to be a terrorist and the provisions of the Homeland Security Act are unbelievable -- totally usurping many of the constitutional rights that every US citizen ought to be protected by.We also have the situation (at least here in NZ) where police can (and do) stop you at random to check that you're carrying your paperwork -- even though you are simply going about your lawful business.I really believe that if our grandparents (or great-grandparents in some cases) were alive to see this they'd be asking "what was that war all about then?".I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"-- and here we are doing exactly that.

author: MetraCollector
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:01:57 am
content: I sometimes consider about moving to Australia too.I would like to ask you - is it possible to get job in semiconductor industry ? (I am in ON Semiconductor now), but it will take at least 4 years to complete university. I study 'microelectronics and technologies' degree.The system in Czech is very bad, people are stupid, rude and unfriendly, but they ARE very good at cheating and corrupting, light version of wilderness in Russia, or Ukraine.Actually, the only thing I like about Czech is that you can do absolutely everything if you keep it in secret.For example, weedsmoking is much more liberal than in Netherlands personally I think. (I do not smoke it.)You can also wire your home at your own, the only thing you need is to call revision technician who gives you rubber stamp "yes, it is good".And ...mmm... czech women are really beautiful, however, most of them aren't very smart.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:11:09 am
content: Quote from: RCMR on August 23, 2012, 08:47:17 amIndeed.QuoteWTF?!First I've heard of this.What do they demand? and what happens if you don't have it.That sort of shit would make me deliberately go around without anything!Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:17:01 am
content: Quote from: MetraCollector on August 23, 2012, 10:01:57 amBasically, no.Australia has only one tiny tiny fab in Sydney that does niche work.Basically we don't have a semiconductor industry. What little we had we pissed it away.There are a more few niche jobs in the solar cell industry that could use those skills, but that's about it, for the entire country.I remarked on here or maybe the AmpHour a little while back that one semiconductor company in one state in the US currently had more advertised job openings than ALL of the electronics jobs in Australia combined!i don't know if I was 100% accurate in that, but I'm not far off the mark if I was wrong.Dave.

author: merlinb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 11:41:30 am
content: QuoteI don't have a problem with taxes for healthcare- its only fair. That's the one excellent thing about Britain- it doesn't matter if you have an ingrowing toenail or a terminal disease, you just turn up at the hospital and they fall over themselves to fix you, no questions asked.I just don't fancy the American third-world system where you turn up at the hospital with a broken lung and they tell you "Your insurance won't pay out because you forgot to declare you had acne when you were 15. Would you like to sign over your house or shall I direct you to the nearest undertaker?"QuoteThat's gold dust! Thanks DaveQuoteClassic!QuoteI only have an MSc (one year), not a PhD, so I don't have any impressive original research to show for it, or anything like that. My project was a seismic interpretation of a listric fault system over a gas field in Poland, although I don't have a copy any more. Plus I did it 4 years ago so I'm pretty rusty! Much more active in electronics.I don't mind working in the middle of nowhere- that's one of my reasons for wanting to go to Aus, I like the emptiness and wilderness. (You can't walk two steps here without treading on someone's feet. )And I am happy to work in mining (I love mines!), but I really want to be on the electronics side of things. Not too fussed what though. I thought maybe I could find work with a service industry making sonds or geophysical arrays or something, which would at least mix my two disciplines. The last thing I want to be doing is mud logging or staring at seismic sections on a computer screen all day.(Perhaps I should point out that my career to date has been a bit circuitous (pun intended)! First I did a BSc in geology, THEN I discovered the fun of electronics and got a job as an unqualified technician, THEN I did my MSC in geology, and NOW I am about to finish my BEng electronics!)QuoteI have a great deal of righteous indignation. It sometimes gets me in trouble.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 12:06:48 pm
content: Quote from: merlinb on August 23, 2012, 11:41:30 amThat's what happens here.Someone I know had a huge aorta (and in heart) burst, and was in having emergency open heart surgery within 6 hours, no questions asked. And then they went back in two more times, one of which was so big it hadn't been done in the country before or something. The best cardiac surgeons in the world worked on him time and time again, and it cost not much at all , Medicare covered 90% of it. It would be 100% were it not for some optional high priced scans. That was all public hospital stuff, and he used his basic private coverage to move to a private hospital for recovery (better view, better food, better looking intensive care nurses)Good to see my tax dollars being used right for a change!You of course have to pay taxes for healthcare, that's how the system works. But of course that's probably deemed "socialism" in the US!QuoteDoesn't happen here. AFAIK, no one has really gone broke or bankrupt, or died because they couldn't afford health care in this country.None of this crap about being unemployed and losing your health coverage.QuoteDon't tell them that!They won't care, you have a bit of paper that says MSc in geophysics, you are in!QuoteOur cities are probably as crowded as most major world cities. Not New York crazy, but still crowded, and growing. because all the immigrants want to live and work in either Sydney or Melbourne, so the cities aren't coping that well.I think we should open our doors freely to any immigrant or refugee who wants to come, on the condition that spend at least 5 years living and working in a small town! (we used to do this way back last century)QuoteHow about for 12 month to get you into the country and pay your relocations expenses? And big money to boot!We do a fair bit of R&D in those areas here in Oz, mostly in Sydney. I used to work for a seismic company that spun off another R&D group, and there at least another two in Sydney as well I think.QuoteI'm sure the consulting companies will be salivating at your resume!But unfortunately the electronics design field is not big here compared to mos other countries, just search the various local job web sites and see. At any one time there might be maybe a dozen or two decent electronics design jobs on offer in the whole country, tops. I'm not kidding.Dave.

author: merlinb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 12:36:19 pm
content: QuoteJudging by Google Earth, they're notquiteas bad as Britain. And you only have to leave the city to become completely lost- I like that.QuoteYes, if it comes to it, I will do that. I'm notthatproud!QuoteHmm, disheartening.(It's kinda weird having a personal conversation with a guy on the other side of the planet that I've been watching on YouTube for the past two years. I can envisage your voice saying all these things to me..!)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 01:16:41 pm
content: Quote from: merlinb on August 23, 2012, 12:36:19 pmFor sure. you can drive an hour out of Sydney and you are in world heritage protected national park many time the size of inside Londons M25 ring road. Most countries don't even know what the term World Heritage means :->Just the Sydney region alone has over half a dozen national parks, and this is the most crowded city in Oz.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_in_SydneyNSW has so many National Parks it's hard to count:http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parktypes.aspx?type=nationalpark189 by the sounds of it:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_areas_of_New_South_WalesThe major city CBD's themselves are probably as crowded as most decent sized cities though, and locals complain about the massively overcrowded and unreliable public transport systems in Sydney for example, and the choked roads in peak hour.QuoteWhich is why I recommend you don't come here first andthenexpect to find electronics design work. Secure the job first, then come.Dave.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 04:34:54 pm
content: Australia's being crowded? Wow, that was weirdMy country's getting VERY packed due to the government's stupid decision to bring in so many PRC'sThat last time i went to Perth,WA i was amazed at how uncluttered the place was! Virtually land everywhere.I do not know about sydney but i know it takes a long time to get from Perth to Sydney even by car (The last time i was there, my cousin had to go Sydney for something)But hey, Oz's a really really nice place.Even when you take away the massive gap in the center of Oz, you still have lots of landAND I REALLY LOVE THE CHIPS THERE!

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 08:09:04 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 23, 2012, 12:06:48 pmSame in NZ -- except we have a nasty twist.This country has a government-run medical cover insurance specifically for accidents. It's called "The Accident Compensation Commission".Three years ago my wife became a victim of this insurer and we're still suffering the results.Google the corporation and you'll see how absolutely atrocious their performance has been -- both in respecting "client's" privacy and delivering the cover they're paid to deliver.Three years after my wife had a nasty workplace accident that resulted in significant brain injury they are still trying to duck liability and she has not received one single bit of treatment funded by the insurer -- we've had to pay for that ourselves -- and it has *not* been cheap.There are just too many cases to count where they have denied claims for things such as joint injuries by claiming "normal wear and tear". For instance, if you damage a shoulder or knee in an accident and you're over 40 -- forget any cover -- that's "natural ageing and if you suffer a hernia at work by lifting something too heavy -- that's tough too.What's promised and what's delivered is often quite different.In my wife's case we have had to appeal their decision not to cover her injuries *twice* and *twice* we have won -- but now they've sent her to a long list of "their" doctors, trying to find one who will find her "fit and well". The amount of money they've spent trying to dodge her claim has already exceeded the amount it would have cost to provider her with prompt and effective treatment -- and clearly they're not done yet.Unbelievable!

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:00:17 pm
content: Ya NZ is a ways right of Aus and I wouldn't recommend going there.Aus isn't that good for electronics but if you can find a job ahead of time, definitely go for it unless you find a job in... well, the Scandinavian countries are nice.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:18:21 pm
content: Quote from: HardBoot on August 23, 2012, 10:00:17 pmTry here..in english.. lots of work here in Norway, besides there is a very good econmmy in norway(One of the 6 tripple A countries in the world) and we have a nature not far from the one that You would find in NZ, and like Oz we are a net exporter of camels!! (True!!)http://www.nav.no/English

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:28:11 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 23, 2012, 04:34:54 pmNo, the major cities like Sydney and Melb are getting overcrowded, compared to what they used to be 20-30 years ago for example. It's a big talking point in Oz politics. It's getting hard to install the infrastructure to cope with the growth.As a country we still have a population density of 2.8 people /sqkm, compared to the UK at 256 people / sqkmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories_by_population_densityWe are very similar to Canada in most respects.QuoteYes, we have plenty of space.No one drives from Perth to Sydney, it's about 4000km and takes a week!Dave.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:28:42 pm
content: Some info for you..Unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits are a partial replacement for lost earnings. In order to receive unemployment benefits you must register with the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) as a jobseeker and actually apply for work in addition to meeting the further requirements.Who may receive unemployment benefits?The main requirements for receiving unemployment benefits are thatyour hours have been reduced by at least 50 percentyou were paid wages of at least 1,5 times the National Insurance Scheme basic amount in the last calendar year (last year), or at least 3 times the National Insurance Scheme basic amount over the past three full calendar years. Parental benefits (foreldrepenger), pregnancy allowance (svangerskapspenger) and sickness benefits in connection with pregnancy count as earned income and are included in the minimum income requirementyou are registered as a jobseeker, and submit your employment status form every 14 daysyou actually apply for work (including that you are an active jobseeker, and that you keep your CV up-to-date onwww.nav.no)you live or are present in Norwayyou are not a student (as a rule)You may also be entitled to unemployment benefits if youhave been partly or completely laid offcreate your own businessare unemployed because of bankruptcyare an EEA citizen, pursuant to specific requirementshave recently been discharged from the armyWhen to applyThe general rule is that you can apply for unemployment benefit at the earliest from one week before the first day of unemployment.How do you apply?First, you must register as a jobseeker at nav.no, or at your local office of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). At our office, you can also get help to use our computers to register as a jobseeker online. We provide information about how to use a computer to submit your employment status form online, apply for vacancies and enter your CV.The application form is under the "Skjema" ("Forms") heading in the menu on the right. When you select a form, you are automatically taken to a guide to completing the form. Here you must indicate which enclosures and what sort of documentation you must submit with your application. A cover page will also be generated. To help us process your application quickly and efficiently, please submit the information given on this cover page. Please enclose the cover page at the front of your letter.When will you start receiving unemployment benefit?Unemployment benefits can be paid no earlier than from the day you make your claim (the day you register as a jobseeker is generally counted as the date of the claim). This assumes that you apply for unemployment benefit within a reasonable time after you have registered as a jobseeker. Four weeks is generally considered a reasonable time. If more than four weeks have passed, unemployment benefit can only be backdated to the date on which NAV received your application, unless the delay is due to circumstances beyond your control, and for which you cannot be held responsible.Most applications are processed within three weeks.Appeals against the decisionYou may appeal against the decision if you think it is made in error. Your appeal must be submitted in writing to your local office of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). You must continue to submit your employment status form, even if you are appealing our decision.The deadline for appeals is six weeks from the date the decision arrived in your letter box. If you have good reasons for appealing too late, we can disregard the deadline for the appeal.If the appeal is accepted, you will be paid unemployment benefits only for those periods you have been registered as an actual jobseeker and meet the ordinary terms and conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefits. You must also meet the general requirements for receiving unemployment benefits.Employment status formWhen you submit the employment status form, this tells us that you wish to continue to be registered as a jobseeker. If you have worked, it also tells us how many hours you have been working during the 14 days the form covers. You must also tick off the boxes for illness, holidays, courses and other information. The employment status form must be filled in accurately and be submitted by the deadline.You can do this on your own:Register as a jobseeker onwww.nav.noPost your CV for employers onwww.nav.noSubmit an online employment status formSearch for job vacanciesSign up to receive job vacancy notifications via emailHow much will you receive?You will not be paid unemployment benefits for the first three days of the period for which you have been granted unemployment benefits. These three days are called "waiting days" and serve as your deductible.Only days on which all the terms and conditions for unemployment benefits are met are counted as waiting days.If you have not had as many as three such days in the course of the first three weeks (for example because of work, holiday or illness) you must submit a new claim for unemployment benefits.The amount you will be paid depends on the basis for your unemployment benefits. The unemployment benefit basis comprises earned income and any National Insurance benefits you were paid during the last calendar year or on average for the last three years before you applied for unemployment benefit.The benefits may include:unemployment benefits (dagpenger)sickness benefits (sykepenger)care benefits/attendance allowance/training allowanceparental benefits on birth or adoption (foreldrepenger)pregnancy benefits (svangerskapspenger)Lump sum grants for births and any income above 6 times the National Insurance Scheme are not included in the basis for the unemployment benefits.The daily unemployment benefit is 0.24 percent of the basis for the unemployment benefit. On average, this is 62.4% of your previous income before tax.If you are a parent of a child below the age of 18, you receive an additional NOK 17 for each child. If both parents receive unemployment benefits or a work assessment allowance, the additional supplement is only paid to one parent.Holiday supplementYou will receive a holiday supplement if you have received unemployment benefits for more than eight weeks in the course of the calendar year. The holiday supplement is 9.5 percent of the gross unemployment benefits you have received during the year, and are normally paid in January/February of the subsequent year. This applies even if the unemployment benefit period ends earlier.You may receive partial (reduced) unemployment benefits if youare partially unemployed and work 50 percent or less of your regular hours. The payment is reduced in proportion to the number of hours you have worked during the reporting period.you are partly on sick leave.you receive partial pensions/benefits.How long may you receive unemployment benefits?The duration of your unemployment benefits depend on the income you have earned the previous year or on average during the three calendar years prior to your application.104 weeks if you have had an income of at least twice the National Insurance Scheme basic amount52 weeks if your income was less than twice the National Insurance Scheme basic amountSpecial rules for certain groupsThose who have recently been discharged from the army can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeksIf you are laid off (made redundant) such that working hours are reduced by at least 50 per cent, you can receive unemployment benefit for up to 30 weeks within an 18-month periodWhen are unemployment benefits paid?The unemployment benefits are taxed, and are paid on the basis of the employment status form you submit every 14 days. If the unemployment status form is correctly completed and sent at the right time, payment will be made six to twelve days after the unemployment status form was sent.Loss of entitlement to unemployment benefitsPayments are stopped if you no longer fulfill the requirements for unemployment benefits.Report changesReport changes in conditions that might affect your benefit payment to your local NAV office as soon as possible

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:36:12 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 23, 2012, 04:34:54 pmIt's a bit illusional... depends what you want from that land. Most cities in Aus have strictly controlled the release of land available for residential building. As a result house prices have been very high now for a number of years. You may be stuck doing very long commutes from the western suburbs to get to your job. Based on wage earnings it may take you 10 or 20 years to pay off a house. Compare that to the US where I can buy a new house and have it paid for about every 5 to 10 years. There are pluses and minus's everywhere, you need to consider what they mean for you. Someone once said to me.. make money then live like you want. Its harder to live like you want without much money. Australia is great for the lifestyle... I'm sure I'll end up back there one day.. but I probably won't be doing much engineering. I can understand the attraction when coming from a place like singapore but there is the other side of the coin. I had some of the best coffee I've ever had in takashimaya... and there is nothing like Sim Lim square in Australia. If you want parts... its all mail order... no whipping down a small maze of parts vendors to find something. Over the years I've learned ... short visits are nice.. plane tickets are the way to go

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2012, 10:50:35 pm
content: Quote from: gregariz on August 23, 2012, 10:36:12 pmSydney and Melb are two of the most expensive cities in the world to live, yes.That's because everyone wants the "Australian Dream" which is owning your own home on a decent block of land.Apartment accommodation is now becoming more common, and absolutely essential if you want to live close to the city CBD.For example, you can't get a house on your own land under say $500K for at least 15-20km radius of the CBD in Sydney.I'm about 25km out and houses prices are around $550K-$2M in my area.Dave.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 01:16:34 am
content: For people living in Sydney, the world ends at Penrith at the Eastern edge of the Blue Mountains, which is great for people like me living 90km due west of Sydney. We are on the western side of the Blue mountains, but higher then the Blue Mountains - if that makes any sense.We live on about 2.2 hectares of land on a property with a few hundred trees, masses of open space. 5 minutes out of town, we can park directly in front of the supermarket when we need to get food, etc. The price of the land would be less then a 1 bedroom apartment in Sydney with an ocean view. We can park in front of the supermarket, or wherever else we want to go.I have good ADSL2+ Internet, great free to Air TV (not from the local antenna in the town which is 5 km away - from the 500KW transmitters Mt Canobolus transmitters over 100kM away!)We never even have to use an ID at the post office as they know who we are, so I cannot remember the last time I needed to show anyone an ID. Rents are lower, insurance premiums lower, council rates are lower. No water rates as all the water we need falls from the sky - for free!If I need to get to Sydney, it is a 2 1/2 hour drive which sounds a lot, but it is easy to need 1 hour to get between two points even if you live in Sydney.I spent over 40 years living in Sydney, and maybe I will eventually go back but it is a much tougher life. Definitely it is now much harder living in Sydney then when I was a kid.So as long as you can find suitable work, you can have a great lifestyle without needing to be a millionaire. Just don't tell anyone in Sydney - we are trying to keep it a secret.Richard.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 01:28:47 am
content: Quote from: amspire on August 24, 2012, 01:16:34 amYou don't have to worry there. The city dwellers live in the city because that's the lifestyle they enjoy. They would consider your lifestyle pretty miserable by comparison!Each to their own.It's still possible to buy 5 acres in the Sydney area for the same price as my house.Dave.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2012, 02:11:27 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 24, 2012, 01:28:47 amI spent over 15 years living at or near Manly, so I actually understand exactly what you are saying. It was an incredible lifestyle. Manly itself has about 50 great restaurants. Step out the front door, walk for 5 minutes and I was at a world class surfing beach with 3 lifesurfing clubs patrolling different sections of the beach and coves offering things like scuba diving. Or walk south a bit and there is a great sheltered bay for sailing. Jump on the Ferry or Jetcat and you have this trip across maybe the best harbour in the world to the Sydney CBD. Jump in a bus and you are soon at the home ground of the 2012 premiership-winning Manly Rugby League team.I do miss that, and I can understand that if you live in Sydney, giving up that kind of lifestyle can feel like the end of the world. What I discovered is that the lifestyle is actually pretty good out of Sydney as well.And I can still go to Sydney when I want.Quote