ANZ Outlook / Issue 1

PlentyA land of

We take a look at New Zealand’s skilled workers gap

Sydney The capital of NSWTravellers guide Top 5 BeachesPets abroad Taking your pet Down UnderGoing out MelbournePLUS Migration news, Expert advice, Emigration checklist and more

expat profile Adrian Wallace on why he moved Down UnderLAUNCH

ISSUE“We love our

new life”

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AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALANDOUTLOOK

Around 200,000 Brits leave these shores every year to start a new life overseas and many move Down Under. Australia & New Zealand Outlook is dedicated to those people, others considering the move and those thinking about making Australia or New Zealand their next holiday destination. The magazine is filled with informative articles for travellers and migrants, as well as packed with expert advice on moving Down Under, real-life stories, working, living and travelling. This free digital magazine is ideal for you for information gathering, facts, news, tips and advice for all things connected with the continent. Australian & New Zealand Outlook aims to give you all the information you need to know and is designed to keep you fully informed of local news and important travel and visa information. In this launch issue we look at renting in Australia, New Zealand’s skilled workers gap, life in Sydney, moving pets overseas, having fun in Melbourne and the best beaches Down Under. We’ve also got news, emigration checklists, expert advice and expat profiles. Australian & New Zealand Outlook will be available every month as a digital magazine and every quarter we will produce a printed edition that will be distributed at selected outlets.

The adventure starts here!

Ian ArmitageEditor

Welcome!EDITORIALEditor: Ian ArmitageWriters: Colin ChineryChris FarnellRuari McCallionJane Bordenave

BUSINESS General Manager: Stephen WarmanResearch Manager: Don CampbellResearchers: Andy WilliamsElle WatsonDave HodgsonChris BolderstoneAdvertising Sales Manager: Andy EllisSales Executive: Jon JaffreySales Administrator: Abby Nightingale

ACCOUNTSFinancial Controller: Nick CramptonAccounts: Margaret RobertsAlexandra Buchlakova

PRODUCTION & DESIGNMagazine Design: Optic JuiceProduction Manager: Jon Cooke

TNT PUBLISHINGCEO: Kevin EllisChairman: Ken HurstPublisher: TNT Publishing Ltd

Australia and New Zealand Outlook, The Royal, Bank Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, UK. NR2 4SFTNT Magazine, 14-15 Child’s Place, Earl’s Court, London, UK, SW5 9RXTntmagazine.com

ENQUIRIESTel: +44 (0)1603 3432267Fax: +44 (0)1603 283602Email: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONSCall: +44 (0)1603 343267Email: [email protected]

www.anzoutlook.com

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www.anzout look.com04

CONTENTS

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30PAGE

34

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42


06 News The latest news from Down Under

10 Migration Update Up-to-date migration information

14 Whats on Unmissable events, holidays and celebrations

16 Going out Melbourne, Australia’s cultural mixing pot

18 Where to settle Sydney, where life feels like a holiday

24 Travellers guide to.... Top 5 beaches

28 Expat Profile Adrian Wallace on why he moved

Down Under

30 Housing focus Renting in Oz

34 Moving overseas Taking pets Down Under

38 Emigration checklist Our guide to a stress-free relocation

40 Ask the Expert Emma Smith-Jones tackles reader questions

42 Working Down Under New Zealand: A land of Plenty

58 Next month What to expect from our next issue

Profiles

46 Milspec Manufacturing Quality. Precision. Innovation.

Reliability

52 Wesfarmers Curragh Treasure of the Bowen Basin

CONTENTS

05

one purpose - to serve the Australian people.

“We will be held more accountable than ever before, and more than any government in modern memory,” she added.

The minority government is Australia’s first since World War II.

NEWS

Julia Gillard will stay as Australia’s prime minister after winning the backing of two key independent MPs, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott. “Our democracy is very, very strong indeed,” Ms Gillard said at a news conference. “With today’s agreement... Labor is prepared to deliver stable, effective and secure government for the next three years. Ours will be a government with just

The Australian economy grew at its fastest pace in three years in the second quarter of the year official figures showed.

The growth was fuelled by demand for the country’s iron ore and other commodities, mainly from China.

GDP expanded 1.2 percent in the April-June quarter from the previous quarter, compared with 0.7 percent in the first quarter. Australia has gone for 19 years without suffering a recession.

Gillard to form minority government

New owNer for Newcastle Jets


Air NZ goes All Black Air New Zealand has revealed plans to paint one of its new domestic jets black to support New Zealand rugby.

“Our first new A320 will arrive in January sporting a sleek black livery complete with silver fern motif and Koru on its tail,” said chief executive Rob Fyfe.

Air New Zealand has sponsored the New Zealand Rugby Football union, including the All Blacks, for almost two decades.

The black plane would operate on main domestic New Zealand routes from February, said Mr Fyfe.

AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALANDOUTLOOK 07

Iron ore demand boosts Australian economy The Australian economy grew at its

fastest pace in three years in the

second quarter of the year official

figures showed.The growth was fuelled by demand for the

country’s iron ore and other commodities,

mainly from China.

GDP expanded 1.2 percent in the April-June

quarter from the previous quarter, compared with

0.7 percent in the first quarter. Australia has gone

for 19 years without suffering a recession.

The Australian dollar is going from strength to strength, punching to its highest level in just over two years on anticipation that interest rates will soon rise again.

The Australian dollar gained one US cent to reach 95.64 US cents on September 22 on news that the Federal Reserve decided to pump more money into the US economy.

It was at its highest level since August 1, 2008 The prospect for a rate rise in Australia while official rates in the US are at near record lows around 0.25 percent has fuelled a run of money into the Australian currency, pushing it higher.

Australian dollar reaches 25-month high

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

NEWS

UNESCO has announced that four

former convict sites in New South

Wales have been included on the World

Heritage List. The sites of special

interest include Hyde Park Barracks,

Cockatoo Island, Old Great North Road,

Old Government House and Domain on

the Parramatta River.

Beachgoers could soon be fined up

to A$500 for flying kites, using

oversized umbrellas, taking photographs

or digging holes at a popular Perth beach.

Under a proposal to be considered by the

Town of Cottesloe, 60 clauses will be

added to the council's beach law, banning

a total of 100 listed activities.

Retail stores throughout the Perth

metropolitan area will be able to stay

open until 9pm on weeknights under

legislation passed by state parliament.

Under the old laws, major retailers were

forced to close at 6pm on weeknights

with the exception of Thursdays. Now,

retailers can keep their doors open well

into the evening.

Gale-force winds, thunderstorms

and hail have reined terror on NZ after a

storm the size of Australia rolled over the

country in September. High winds and rain

have felled power lines and cut electricity

to tens of thousands of people. The storms

have now calmed.

NZ farmers hit by icy storms in the

middle of lambing and calving say their main

hope for a Government declaration of an

"adverse climatic event" in the region is that

taxpayer-funded help will be provided to a

rural support trust.

Department of Conservation staff are calling

a mass pilot whale stranding at Spirits

Bay in Northland "unprecedented". More

than 70 whales had been left stranded across

2km on the remote beach north of Kaitaia.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

will visit New Zealand in November.

Mrs Clinton was expected to visit in

January but cancelled the trip following the

earthquake in Haiti. The US Embassy in

Wellington said the trip was now scheduled

for November.

NEWS INBRIEF

The short-term income-loss cost due to business interruption from Canterbury’s earthquake will be about NZ$600 million over the September/October period according to Westpac economists.

Chief economist Brendan O’Donovan said that the economic impact on business would be “diverse”.

Canterbury’s magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused substantial damage. Seismologists regarded the past 30 to 40 years as a quiet period in New Zealand as there had been no big on-land earthquakes. On average, New Zealand can expect a magnitude 6 quake once a year, a magnitude 7 quake once a decade, and a magnitude 8 quake once every century, according to GNS Science.

Canterbury economy rocked by quake



Bhushan Steel has launched an A$8.16 million takeover bid for exploration company Bowen Energy.

Australian coal firms are currently takeover targets amid improving global markets.

Indian firms have joined businesses from China, the US, Korea and Thailand in the hunt for Australian coal assets.

India’s Adani Enterprises recently agreed to buy a non-core coal tenement in Queensland from Linc Energy.

Bhushan Steel is the largest manufacturer of auto-grade steel in India.

Bhushan joins India's Aussie coal push

The NSW government is encouraging Sydneysiders to give up on the big smoke and go bush. It suggests moving to one of the state’s seven most prosperous regional cities - Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.

Job opportunities in the seven centres, free of lengthy commutes and traffic jams, are said to be a big lure for Sydneysiders.

NSW Farmers Association president

Charles Armstrong said he was encouraged by the fact one in four Sydney residents would consider moving to a regional city.

“Sydneysiders are starting to realise the potential of places such as Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga,” he said in a statement.

“Each city can offer a unique opportunity to appreciate a metropolitan lifestyle that’s also distinctly rural.”

Sydneysiders consider moving to small cities

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

migration update

Scaffolders and automotive technicians will now find it easier to get a New Zealand work permit after their occupations were added to Immigration New Zealand’s Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL).

There have also been changes to the country’s Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL).

In bad news for architects, their profession will be removed from the LTSSL and 13 occupations, mainly in

Gillard good news for migration to Australia

Julia Gillard has survived one of the closest runs in Australian politics, securing the support of Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, which means she can form a government. Albeit a minority one.

This is potentially good news for anyone looking to emigrate to Australia from the UK, as state migration plans, which have been on hold while the election has been ongoing, will finally be approved.

Ms Gillard said: “There’s no walking away, no attempt to in some way not understand, the message from the result in the election. The Australian people have sent me, sent the Labor Party, sent this parliament a message. [I’ve] heard that message loud and clear.”

Rocky horror Creator

gets residencyRocky Horror Show creator Richard O’Brien has become a New Zealand resident, his immigration agent Dion Smart has said.

There had been a high-profile Facebook campaign pushing for O’Brien’s residency, which said New Zealanders should consider the 68-year-old entertainer a “national treasure”.

Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson waived immigration rules that ban family members from sponsoring relatives that are over 55 to accept O’Brien’s application.

He also passed medical and police tests required for residency.

His family lives in Tauranga.

Changes to NZ immigration jobs listthe building, design and racing industries, will be removed from the ISSL.

The ISSL includes occupations in immediate demand

in the New Zealand labour market and the LTSSL includes those in long-term and global shortage.

The lists are reviewed biannually by the Department of Labour.

© Antony M

cAulAy



Keep track of the latest news and developments on moving Down Under

Datamonitor has found 40 percent of Brits

aren’t happy with the state of their finances and

the future direction of the country. Its research

also revealed that 1 in 10 people would consider

emigrating in the next 5 years. The New Zealand earthquake may boost

the economy in 2011 according to JPMorgan

economist Helen Kevans. In remarks about

the economic impact of the earthquake that hit

Christchurch in September she said it could be

“positive for growth” with the biggest boost

coming in the construction sector.

A new report by the Australian Bureau of

Statistics shows that a higher proportion of migrants are unemployed after emigrating

to Australia, compared to the nation as a

whole. Data taken from the last census shows

that 5.2 percent of the population of Australia

are currently unemployed compared with

7.3 percent of skilled migrants that have

emigrated to Oz

New Zealand has experienced an overall

permanent population increase of 15,200

for the year, according to Statistics New

Zealand. The department said the net permanent and long-term arrivals for the year

was higher than the annual average of 11,900

for the years 1990-2009.

Western Australia has called upon the newly

elected government to tackle labour shortages and dump the controversial Mineral Resources

Rent Tax. Premier Colin Barnett voiced his

disappointment that the two independents, Bob

Oakeshott and Tony Windsor had gone over to

Labor and said that the mining tax will slow

down the growth of the WA economy.

NEWS IN BRIEF NZ-born nurse must prove English

competencyA demand to prove a New Zealand-born nurse is competent communicating in English before her registration is approved in Australia has been met with bemusement.

Joanne Hening moved from Wellington to north Queensland five years ago to embark on a career change.

She has since completed her diploma in nursing, but has been unable to work as an enrolled nurse in Cairns until she meets requirements specified by the new Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

AHPRA said Mrs Hening must pass an eight-hour English language test because she did not complete both her high school education and nursing training in Australia.

The test covers listening, reading, writing and a 15-minute conversation.

She described the examination, introduced by APHRA on July 1, as “revenue-generating, stressful and very frustrating”.

© Joseph DuDAsh

MIGRATION UPDATE

Australia continues

to welcomeInternational StudentsLarge numbers of overseas students

continue to apply for temporary

visas to study at Australian universities.

In 2009-2010, a total of 291,128 applications

for student visas were lodged, making it the

third largest program year on record.

Universities have seen a decline in

applications in recent months, and

some have questioned whether Australia is

still an attractive education provider for many

international students. Several factors have contributed to

the recent decline including the stronger

Australian dollar, the ongoing impact of the

global financial crisis in some countries,

increased competition in the education

market and improved integrity measures.

Australia’s student program remains

uncapped and student visas are not

included in the nation’s permanent

migration program numbers.

NZ visa changes unveiled NZ employers are set to benefit from changes to temporary work visas in proposals that have been described as a “bonus for businesses”.

“In most circumstances it [the new interim visa] provides continuity in the workplace as employers have the security of knowing their staff member can continue working legally while Immigration New Zealand processes their application,” says Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman. “For some time temporary migrants have been falling through the gaps because in the period between applying for a new permit and receiving that permit, their legal immigration status has lapsed. Knowing they can maintain lawful status while applying for a new visa will provide peace of mind for migrants.”

The visa will be introduced in March next year and the changes are part of the new Immigration Act, which comes into effect in November, when new sponsorship provisions will also be introduced. They will allow organisations and government departments to sponsor migrants when previously only individuals could.

© christopher hAll



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TNT Full Page Advert DEC 09.pdf 1 18/12/2009 11:36:57 AM

What’s on... Barbecue MadnessSydney, New South WalesSydney comes out in force at this series of pop-up barbecue events around the city. Nothing is safe, not even iconic Sydney landmarks! For more information on this Crave Sydney event, as well as its month long food festival, visit the website.www.cravesydneyfoodfestival.com.au

BOOLIGAL SHEEP RACESBooligal, New South WalesThe Booligal Sheep Races are as mad as they are fun. You can relax on the green lawn of the Booligal Cricket Ground, enjoy a cracking barbecue and then experience the thrill of racing your sheep. The day kicks off with the ‘Best Decorated Sheep’ competition and it just gets better and better from there. www.booligalsheepraces.com.au

Festival of the Sea d’Albora Marinas, Nelson Bay, New South WalesThe Festival of the Sea event celebrates the annual migration of whales along Australia’s east coast. Its a great family day out and includes a variety of activities. www.nelsonbaybusiness.com/

BooliGAl sheep rAces

crAve syDney

4-6th

2 nd

2nd



What’s on... Our guide to the unmissable events, holidays and celebrations in Australia and New Zealand this month

MELBOURNE CUP

New Zealand Labour DayNationwideIn New Zealand, Labour Day is a public holiday held on the fourth Monday in October. It is a celebration of unions, and celebrates people working and sticking together for fairness. It is 165 years since Samuel Parnell won an eight-hour day for working Kiwis.

Sri Chinmoy Triathlon FestivalCanberra, Australian Capital TerritoryThis is the ultimate triathlon event. There is a children’s race, novice event, sprint and Olympic distances and the Sri Chinmoy Peace Triathlon. All races are open to solo athletes and relay teams of two or three members. Check website for full details.www.srichinmoyraces.org/au

Melbourne Cup CarnivalFlemington racecourse, Melbourne, VictoriaThe AS$6 million Melbourne Cup Carnival is a four-day celebration of racing, style, fashion and glamour. 2010 is its 150th running and it is a celebration not to be missed.www.melbournecup.com/melbourne-cup-carnival/

not to miss

Brisbane, Queensland

This music, beer and ‘pretzelathon’ was

enjoyed by close to 30,000 people last

year. Fun, sun, beer, music, pretzels and a

whole bunch of happy Australians, can life

get any better than that?

www.oktoberfestbrisbane.com.au

8-10 October and 15-17 October

Oktoberfest Brisbane

MelBourne cup cArnivAl

30-6th

30-31th

25 th


Slick, edgy and sophisticated, Melbourne is Australia’s cultural mixing pot – the result? Character-filled neighbourhoods such as St Kilda and Carlton are full of life and the city

produces some of the best art, music and cuisine in the world.

Where to eat...Melbourne is often referred to as the foodie capital of Australia and it might well be. It has it all when it comes to food: Australian restaurants, Italian restaurants, Seafood restaurants, Thai restaurants, French restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Japanese restaurants, Mediterranean restaurants and Indian restaurants. You name it Melbourne has it! The best? Impossible to judge, but one of our favourite places is Esposito @ Toofey’s. We love its mouth-watering seafood menu.

www.espos i to food . com

going out

Where to drink...Fashionable, eclectic and eccentric, Melbourne is a melting pot of pubs, catering for every, and almost any, taste. From old-style traditional pubs to those transformed to attract young and hip crowds, you certainly won’t go thirsty! We have several favourites: the Hawthorn, Beer Deluxe, Waterside Hotel, Gertrude Hotel, Napier Hotel and Bridie O’Reilly’s. If you like the Irish, Bridie is for you.

www.br id i eo re i l lys . com.au

For the kids...How do you spell family fun? As far as

the kids are concerned it is spelt W-O-

N-D-E-R-L-A-N-D! Wonderland is a

sensational fun park located at Harbour

Town Shopping Centre, Docklands.

It has a number of rides and attractions,

including family favourites like dodgems,

a giant slide and a grand Carousel.The kids will love it.

ENTRy IS FREE.

operating hoursWeekends, Public and School

Holidays from 11am.

www.wonder landfunpark . com.au


Where to party...Alumbra is the place to be on a Saturday night thanks mainly to its sleek, contemporary design and ‘banging’ atmosphere. Situated at the end of Central Pier’s historic runway and housed in a 1914 heritage-listed cargo shed, Alumbra is surrounded on three sides by water and offers 360-degree views of the Docklands precinct, Bolte Bridge and city skyline. It is the perfect place to sit and watch the sun go down.

drinks• Selection of local and imported beers• Great wine list• Spirits for any taste

www.alumbra . com.au

Play time...Melbournians are devoted to their sport and they go ballistic for the Australian Football League (AFL; ‘footy’ to the locals). The MCG plays host to numerous teams, including AFL Finalists Collingwood FC and St Kilda.

They’re also passionate race-goers and will be out in force for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a four-day celebration of racing, style, fashion and glamour, at the end of October.

In December, the MCG will play host to the Boxing Day test as part of the Ashes series.

www.mcg .o rg .au

www.oznzout look.com02

SydneyLife in Sydney can feel like a holiday, great if you want to escape domestic woes

Where to settle...


STRONG ECONOMYAustralia’s economy is robust and grew at its fastest pace in three years in the second quarter of this year. Official figures showed GDP expanded 1.2 percent in the April-June quarter, the growth fuelled by demand for the country’s iron ore and other commodities.Remarkably, Oz has gone for 19 years without suffering a recession. Yes, it was hit by the recent global downturn, but less hard than most other developed countries, and has come through the crisis better than most, although it still needed a stimulus package of $A42 billion.Starting from scratch in a new place is not easy, but Australia is one of the best places in the world to move to for all those reasons and more. It is after all a beautiful country where “living is easy”.


WHY SYDNEY?So why Sydney? Before I answer that, let me tell you more about it.

Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia. It is also one of the most popular. It is a vibrant, dynamic city and moving here for - a while at least - is at the top of the ‘to do’ list for many backpackers. That said, it is very popular for families looking to permanently relocate - they pick Sydney as their new home for a number of reasons.

Sydney, which was the site of the first British colony in Australia, is great because while you are there you’ll be able to enjoy the beaches, nightlife, restaurants and everything else you would expect from one of the most diverse and beautiful cities in the world.

Are we Brits doomed? With the way things are at the moment, you could be

forgiven for thinking we are. Cuts, cuts, cuts. That’s all we’re hearing. We’re worried.

Is it time to jump ship? Perhaps (some 200,000 Brits leave these shores every year to start a new life overseas).

You have every right to be worried and it isn’t surprising that you are looking into starting a new life. The fact you are looking down under has to be applauded: the quality of life is superb, the climate is excellent and the career prospects are strong.

Australia has a big appeal with us Brits and with Julia Gillard recently surviving one of the closest runs in Australian politics this is a potentially good time for anyone looking to emigrate to Australia from the UK as state migration plans, which have been on hold while the election has been ongoing, will finally be approved.

ABOUT SYDNEY

• Australia’s largest city

• The city sits on the famous harbour

• Golden beaches in the suburbs

• Multi-cultural and multi-lingual (29 percent of Sydney residents speak a foreign language)

• More than 500 flights a week

• Finance hub

• 5 of the best-recogniseduniversities in Oz

19

where to settle...

There is a lot to this renowned, dynamic and cosmopolitan city; it combines excellent business and education facilities with great leisure and it is hardly surprising that it is one of the world’s favourite cities and is regularly voted “world’s best city” (Sydney is 10th on the Mercer Top 50 cities: Quality of living ranking).

LIFESTYLEPeople living in Sydney have a very high quality of life and many Brits living here liken life to a permanent holiday. There is a lot to do and see. And the laidback lifestyle is like nothing we experience in the UK. Everybody wants to be outdoors and, when the sun is on your back 340 days a year, you’d be mad to stay in.

Where can you play? Well, we couldn’t mention Sydney without saying a thing or two about its harbour. Sydney harbour plays

a major role in the lives of Sydneysiders with yachting, surfing, sail boarding, swimming and water-skiing available. The harbour separates the city into north and south, with harbourside villages, beachside suburbs and inner city areas full of life and their own distinctive character.

Sydney also has the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House and we couldn’t not mention its easy-to-reach sandy beaches. Beaches, especially miles of beautiful ones, have a strong appeal with us Brits. So do does the weather. Importantly, Sydney has a sunny, moderate climate, which contributes to Sydneysiders’ relaxed lifestyle and love of the great outdoors.

But there is more than just beaches. There are also five major national parks around Sydney with 8,000 square kilometres of open space – plenty of room to explore.

Sydney is a city where old meets new and it has a bustling and lively restaurant and cafe scene, where you can sample delightful local fresh produce and world-class wines. Perfect when you get tired from all the walking!


CLIMATE

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate with a mild winter, and has more than 340 sunny days a year. Average minimum temperatures in the winter months of June through to August are around 9C. The summer season is from December through to February.

• Temperatures soar to 38C on a summer’s day

• Can drop to 4C in winter’s night

• Daytime temperatures in the 20s are normal all year

• More than 340 sunny days a year

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BUSINESSSydney – so-called the “gateway to Australia” – is a great place to do business. It is of course the capital of Australia’s leading business State, New South Wales, whose economy is larger than that of Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia or Singapore and accounts for more than one third of Australia’s GDP. Sydney is economically resilient, politically stable and a globally competitive business location. It has a healthy financial services sector (third in the world behind New York and London according to most sources) and is also home to many of the world’s pharmaceutical and manufacturing giants.

New South Wales is also a significant producer of low cost mineral resources and a major world supplier of coal.

WHERE TO LIVESo where should you live in Sydney? It’s a tough question and depends on your needs and circumstances. Given that Sydney is huge, you certainly have a lot of choice. If you want beautiful beaches and have a few bob, I’d recommend the north. House prices are extremely high and can get to around $800,000 for an average house. However, it is an area popular with Brits seeking the Australian beach and lifestyle dream.

SHOPPING AND DININGWell, going out in Sydney is impossible to sum up briefly (it is something we will revisit in future editions of the magazine). The city has everything you are looking for. In terms of food, Sydney is literally all about food, glorious food. The city caters for all tastes from international cuisine and fine dining restaurants through to contemporary eateries, pub fare and cheap eats.

WHERE TO SETTLE...

We’ll move onto business/work more in a minute, but the great thing about Sydney is that employment prospects are plentiful, education is world-class and healthcare readily available. That all contributes to a wonderful lifestyle and the city offers a secure environment for families, with excellent facilities and transport.

Ok, so what’s wrong with it (there must be something!)?

Well, not much. Yes, price levels in Sydney have risen substantially due to the strengthening of the Australian dollar and you often hear jokes from Melbournians (Sydneysiders’ great rivals) along the lines of ‘the great thing about Sydney is that you can earn A$200,000 a year and still not afford a house’. But don’t be put off by either of these. Tackling the dollar strength specifically, the same rise means wages are high and employees in Sydney enjoy some of the highest hourly wages (after taxes) in the world.


TOP 5PLACES TO STAY IN SYDNEY:

1. Haymarket/Central Station2. The Rocks/Circular Quay3. Darling Harbour4. Potts Point/Kings Cross5. Bondi Beach


If you are in for some retail therapy, Sydney is for you too. It is Australia’s leading shopping destination and there are a number of large department stores and shopping centres to choose from. Shopping in Sydney is great on those rare rainy days - you can make your way around under cover using the intricate system of malls, arcades, interconnected department stores, tunnels and overhead walkways that link a number of retail outlets. My favourite shopping centre is The Queen Victoria Building (www.qvb.com.au).

SYDNEY vs other cities...

Population Sydney: 4.3 millionMelbourne: 3.8 million Perth: 1.5 million Adelaide: 1.1 million Brisbane: 1.8 million

Median House price (2009)Sydney: $590,000Melbourne: $515,000Perth: $510,000Adelaide: $425,000Brisbane: $445,000


world?world?Following a recent poll which named Whitehaven Beach as one of the best in the world, Australasia experts Austravel reveals four worthy contenders for the title

TRAVELLER'S GUIDE

The most beautiful beach in the


When Whitehaven Beach topped a recent poll* as one of the world’s most spectacular shorelines,

it prompted Austravel to do a straw poll amongst its expert staff to find their top five beaches in Australia. The winners are:

Cable BeachCable Beach is 22 kilometres of crisp white sand and being situated in Broome, Western Australia, it enjoys tropical temperatures all year-round. Stay at Cable Beach Club, Broome’s first ever luxury resort which has recently undergone an AUD $20 million refurbishment, adding another restaurant and a day spa.

Austravel is offering five nights for the price of four with prices starting at £349 per person. The offer is based on two sharing and valid for stays between 11 October 2010 to 31 March 2011.

*The poll of the world’s eight greatest eco-friendly beaches in the world was conducted by the Mother Nature Network with results published in July 2010.


TRAVELLER'S GUIDE

Wineglass BayWineglass Bay in Tasmania is a perfect crescent of white sand, lapped by turquoise waters so no wonder it’s such a popular choice amongst those in the know. The bay is part of the Freycinet National Park, a vast and beautiful park that is best explored with Austravel’s six-day self-drive tour. The Freycinet Escape costs from just £499 per person including six days’ care hire and five nights’ accommodation.

Bells BeachBells Beach is iconic amongst surfers and movie-lovers alike, being both the home of the long-running Bells Beach Classic Surf competition and the filming location for the final scene in Point Break. The beach is a highlight of the Great Ocean Drive, itself one of the most iconic road trips in the world. Austravel offers a five-day self-drive tour from Melbourne to Adelaide from just £399 per person based on two sharing and including car hire and accommodation.



Whitehaven BeachAustravel agrees that Whitehaven Beach deserves its place as one of the best in Australia, if not the world. Part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the award-winning sparkling sandy white beach is made up of four miles of silica sand. Stay at the four-star Reef View Hotel from just £389 per person, based on two sharing. Austravel can also organise cruises of the area from just £99 per person.

Vivonne BayOn an island as beautiful as Kangaroo Island, it takes a special beach to stand out from the rest, but Vivonne Bay succeeds, so much so that it was voted the country’s best beach by Sydney University students. The votes were based on its clarity of water, cleanliness and privacy, making it an all-round perfect beach. Austravel offers a three-day self-drive tour of Kangaroo Island from just £349 per person based on two sharing and including car hire and accommodation.

To book, visit www.austravel.com or phone 0800 988 4834

About AustravelFounded 32 years ago, the leading Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific specialist Austravel is perfectly placed to introduce travellers to the superb diversity and attractions of these countries.As well as providing great deals on holidays, cheap flights, hotels, cruises and organised tours, Austravel prides itself on its expert knowledge and always finding the right holiday for its customers.

Consulate and got a working holiday visa,” he says. “Just over a month later I was on a plane with no idea what lay ahead of me having left behind family, a now ex-girlfriend, house, shared mortgage and a friendly, safe and well paid job with good career prospects.”

Adrian opted to start a new life in Brisbane, landing on a wet, grey and generally uninspiring day in August 1998. He was initially motivated to move to Brisbane because he didn’t want to “fall into city life” or get “trapped by urban big city problems”. The city has grown a lot since then though. “Brisbane, it seemed to me, was small enough that I could escape the city easy, but big enough that I could find work,” he says. “Luckily for me my pre-flight research included talking to a few locals in an Internet chat room, a young and immature technology in those days. I was met at the airport by one of the girls I’d been chatting to and offered a space on her neighbour’s floor for a couple of days until I found my feet.” His first day was spent wandering aimlessly around Brisbane in the rain, nursing a healthy dose of jetlag.

When Adrian Wallace, 38, completed his arts degree at university, he was quick to build himself

a career as a software developer, despite it being outside the realm of his studies. But something was missing. He needed adventure. “Eventually I realised that sitting around in the UK wasn’t making me happy so I pulled a sickie from work, grabbed a train in to London, walked into the Australian

Wanderlust l e a d s B r i t t o B r i s b a n e

Adrian Wallace decided to live and work in land where “women glow and men plunder”. He is now an Aussie citizen

Expat in brief

NAME: Adrian Wallace (38)

Occupation: IT Consultant

Moved from: Newbury, UK

Moved to: Brisbane, Queensland

Expat PROFILE

FINDING A JOBWithin a few days Adrian found a room in a

unit in Spring Hill just north of Brisbane’s

central business district (CBD), sharing

with a couple. Rent was cheap and the

location great. He visited a few employment

agencies and within a week found a job

with a small local firm. “After 3 months my

employer wanted to keep me on so arranged

for me to have a sponsored temporary

residence visa - everything was good,”

Adrian says. “I was earning good money

working 4 days a week and having plenty of

time to explore at weekends.”

After a year the firm had moved in a

direction that didn’t suit Adrian and so he

looked around for something new. IT in

1999 was pretty strong and he found work in

no time at all, with his new employer again

sponsoring a temporary residence visa. “I

changed employers once more in 2000, again

with the employer sponsoring my temporary

visa,” he says. “At the end of 2000 I finally

sold my old house in UK, a 1.5 bedroom

character cottage in Newbury, and bought a

4 bedroom house with a pool in The Gap on

the leafy hilly north western edge of Brisbane

for the same money. My boss agreed to assist

with sponsoring permanent residency and

with IT skills being on the MODL list it was

a straightforward process despite their being a

lot of paperwork and bureaucracy; I had some

difficulty persuading the relevant authorities

that I was a genuine IT professional since

I didn’t have an IT degree, but a CV full of

employers including IBM, Intel and a range

of small IT consultancies together with some

professional certifications eventually made

my point.”

GETTING TO WORKAdrian loves his new life. He typically gets up at 7am and is usually at work by 7:45am. He leaves work at 4pm every day and is at home with his family by 4:15pm.

He doesn’t work in the CBD and since buses tend to run just in and out of the city catching the bus to work isn’t convenient for him. How does he get to work then? On a motorcycle! He says it is cheap to run, fun, quick and easy to find parking. “Others in our office mainly drive although there are some who catch the train,” he says. “Transport in Brisbane can be a challenge. The city has grown very fast in the last 10 years and the infrastructure does struggle. Some roads are choked in peak times with busiest times being 7:30-8:30 inbound and 16:00-17:30 outbound.

“From where I live the drive time into the CBD would be 45 minutes in morning peak and about 20 minutes any other time of day. Parking in the CBD can be outrageously expensive, but if you get in early enough most car parks have early bird rates for all day parking. Buses are cheap, improving all the time and although are often overcrowded they are at least now all air-conditioned and comfortable enough. The days of buses being like mobile saunas seem to be behind us.”

HAPPY EVER AFTERAdrian ended up marrying the girl who he’d met at the airport when he first landed in Brisbane in 1998 (he did so in 2002) and in 2004 they had their first child. Becoming a father prompted him to “make things even more permanent” and he is now an Australian Citizen.


Australia is a country renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and Aussies are very outdoorsy, with beaches, alfresco dining and sport occupying a large part of

their time. Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or an amazing 70 percent of the total possible hours. It is easy to see the appeal and why you are considering the move.

But emigrating can be a daunting experience. One of the biggest challenges, of course, is finding a house.

Ideally, you are wise to rent a property for a period of time when you first get to a new country, because if you find your new lifestyle does not suit you, then you can always return home (you have not paid out a huge amount of money to set down roots).

RENTING IN AUSTRALIARenting in Australia is not much different from the UK in terms of finding a property. Renting a house or flat is usually done through real estate agents that act on behalf of landlords or you can rent directly from a private landlord.

housing focus

RentingRentingin Australia

Our guide to renting a house in Australia


Jacksons St in Hamilton, QLDCost: $220 - $270 p/n*

Description: Jackson Street is a near new home located in the inner city suburb of Hamilton. The house is air-conditioned with beautiful polished timber floors and spacious open plan living and dining areas. All bed and bathroom linen is provided. Features 3 bedrooms upstairs all with a queen size beds. The master bedroom is large and spacious with private ensuite facilities and balcony to sit back, relax and unwind. There is also a 2nd bathroom upstairs to service the remaining bedrooms. Sleeps 6, 3 X Queen

VISIT: www.rentahome.com.au TEL: +61 2 9319 0888WEB: www.rent-a-home.com.au/8695

Properties are typically advertised in newspapers, but there are a number of online resources out there – we recommend sites like Rent Australia or rent-a-home.com.au.

Be warned, housing in Australia can be difficult to find and rent can be expensive. The best place to start is trawling agents in the areas you think you want to live.

THE BASICSIn Australia, it is preferable to have a written agreement between a tenant and a landlord, so any terms and conditions can be easily identified. A lease (or tenancy agreement) will usually be for a fixed period of 6 months. You are, however, allowed to negotiate the period of lease with the landlord or their agent before signing.

At the start of the tenancy you will generally be asked to pay a month rent in advance as well as a rental bond, a deposit paid to the landlord. The landlord or agent must lodge the bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. When you move out, you get the bond back if you do not owe any rent when you leave and the property is clean and without damage.

Before you move in, the condition of the property is recorded in a document called a ‘condition report’ and is completed by you and the landlord or agent. This document can help avoid disagreements when you move out as it accurately records any damage that was already there when you moved in.

BE CAREFULDon’t sign a lease unless you have inspected the property and fully understand the terms and conditions in the document, as it is legally binding after you sign.

There can be costs involved if you break a lease, so it isn’t advisable to not commit to a lease that is for longer than you are able to stay.

Be aware that references from employers and previous landlords will be checked. This could be difficult and waste time if you have just arrived from the UK, so it may be worth speaking to some agents before you leave.

The amount of deposit you will be asked to pay will depend on where you are living.


Brisbane

31

housing focus

Cambridge in Port Melbourne, VIC Cost: $310 - $500 p/n*

Description: Vibrant 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home in Port Melbourne, Victoria, with quality furnishings and views from roof-top terrace accross the city skyline. Enjoy luxury Melbourne accommodation with easy access to the city as well as Port Melbourne attractions including Bay Street and the beach. Contemporary in design and extremely well appointed, the open plan living and dining areas extend through bi-fold doors to a decked courtyard with BBQ, perfect for open air dining. The light, bright and fully equipped stainless steel and stone kitchen with Miele appliances, including dishwasher is adjacent to the dining area which seats six. The spacious open plan living room with timber flooring features a 50” Plasma television with Blue Ray DVD and comfortable sofa. Sleeps 6, 1 x King, 1 x Queen, 2 x Single

VISIT: www.rentahome.com.auTEL: +61 2 9319 0888WEB: www.rent-a-home.com.au/19857

Jersey in Woollahra, NSWCost: $250 p/n*

Description: A recently renovated 2-storey terrace situated in one of the best streets in Sydney. There are 2 bedrooms and a huge loft bedroom, 2 bathrooms both with baths. On the ground level is the lounge with plasma TV and DVD and 2x2 seater off white leather sofas of very high quality. The dining room is off the lounge room and has a great white square table with 6 chairs. Kitchen and one bathroom to the rear of the property. There is crockery and cutlery for 6 people, serving platters and everything is totally new and of good quality. Sleeps 5, 2 x Queen, 1 x Single

VISIT: www.rentahome.com.auTEL: +61 2 9319 0888WEB: www.rent-a-home.com.au/17189

Melbourne

Sydney


Pickfords has a national network of branches in

the UK, Australia and New Zealand, which means

wherever you are moving to, you can rely on a

personal, local service, door to door.

Local to you at home and down under

Visit us at www.pickfords.com a move as individual as you

To contact your local branch, call us free on

0800 088 4005

z Our global network has over 600 locations

in 45 countries

z 37 Allied Pickfords branches in Australia

z 11 Allied Pickfords branches in New Zealand

z Full house, shared loads and baggage services

z UK and international storage services

Moving overseas

your petDown Under

Taking

Taking your pet Down Under doesn’t have to be difficult as Ian Armitage discovers


Relocation can be a very sensitive matter for your pets. There are many things to be arranged such

as paperwork for your pet’s entry into a new country and carrying out the vet’s instructions before shipment. You want to know where to start and probably have a lot of questions? Don’t despair. If you have questions, pet relocation specialists are able to guide you through the process and there are a number of useful resources out there.

“The procedure for moving your pet Down Under is relatively straightforward; it is as complicated as you want to make it,” says Andy Symons of pet relocation experts TransFur. “I think there are two ways of going about it. You can either do it yourself, or rather try to do it yourself and probably come up against huge stumbling blocks, or you can use a pet migration agent like TransFur to do it all for you and forget about it. Personally, if it was me, given everything else that goes on when someone is emigrating, I would put it in the hands of someone who knows and that you can rely upon.” He would say that won’t he?

In all seriousness though, it is probably true. But be warned, taking your pet with you to Down Under is a costly process. In reality it would be a hundred times cheaper to buy a new cat or dog when you get out there. But wait, “Bruno is a part of the family and has been for a number of years now so he’ll be making the trip down under with us,” one migrant told me recently. Fair point.

“Most people feel like their pet is an integral part of their family and so there is no question. In some cases they are more important than the kids are!” Symons says.

A government department called AQIS deals with animal imports in Australia. They have some really useful information and forms, which need to be completed if you’re taking your dog or cat with you Down Under.

“To get the import permit you would have to apply to AQIS. Once you have done that and paid the amount of money they are asking for – for animal one you are looking at around £240 – you move onto the next step of the process,” Symons says. “Your pet will not be allowed to enter Australia without a valid AQIS permit to import.”

APPROVED COUNTRIESCats and dogs may only be imported to

Australia from approved countries. And the conditions for importing cats

and dogs from approved countries vary depending on the country of export. These conditions may involve a longer quarantine period or restricted breeds. Fortunately, the UK is seen as a ‘clean’ country

from a pet perspective with only New Zealand being viewed better where no

quarantine periods are required at all.

Taking

TransFurTransFur are specialists in

transporting pets and are

dedicated in offering the best pet

relocation service available and

are able to make all necessary

travel arrangements for your

pet worldwide.

www.transfuranimals.com


The UK is classed as Category 2 so and dogs and cats being brought into Australia need to spend 30 days quarantine in Australia before you can pick them up and take them to your new home.

“You need to make sure that your dog or cat is eligible for export to Australia,” says Symons. “Your dog or cat must be at least 12 weeks old and you must complete the necessary vet checks, medicals, forms, restrictions and quarantine periods. There are currently three main quarantine stations covering the whole of Australia: Eastern Creek Quarantine Station, Spotswood Quarantine Station, and Byford Quarantine Station.

“In a similar way to us humans, your pet needs to undergo health checks by a government approved body before being allowed into the country,” he adds.

RESTRICTED BREEDSIt is important to note that certain breeds of dogs cannot be exported into Australia. These breeds tend to be the more fierce breeds such as Pit bull terrier or Japanese Tosa. “Snub nose breeds need special consideration as well,” Symons says. “Some carriers won’t take them and those that do require them to be transported in a larger container. To stress, you should take extra care when transporting these breeds.”

Your dog or cat must also be micro chipped for identification purposes. The chip must be able to be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

“Importantly, your pet must travel in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved container for dogs and cats,” Symons says.

Your dogs must also be vaccinated against several things including distemper, infectious hepatitis and canine parvovirus before entering Australia and you can choose whether to send the dog before you go, have it travel on the same day as you, or import it after arrival. “You can send the dog ahead,” says Symons. “Some people do that. Some people like to get out there first, get established and invariably people go into temporary accommodation first and they won’t typically allow pets. You have to be mindful of that. Sometimes they wait to get out there, get accommodation sorted out, and send for the dog that is probably left with relatives or friends. Occasionally they go into kennels before they go.

Moving overseas


“A lot of customers, though, wish to go on the same flight as their dog,” he adds. “So what we tend to do is get their travel containers to them two or three weeks before they go so the dog can get used to it – that is a major consideration.

“Simple tips?” Symons continues. “Well, the travel container must be of a size that allows the dog to lie down, sit up, turn around and stand up inside the container. That is an airline requirement. Some think they’ll be quite smart and buy a smaller container to save a few bob, but they find themselves checking the dog in only to be told, ‘sorry’ this container is too small.”

Conversely, if you have too bigger container, the dog has too much room to


move around in and could be subject to injury because if it gets caught in turbulence it will be thrown around in its container. That is something else to watch out for. “Add in the cost of the bigger container,” says Symons. “That is an important consideration as you get measured by metric weight of the container, not the actual weight of the dog.”

TransFur prefers to use wooden containers, which are made to measure. “There are various ranges of plastic

containers on the market,” Symons says. “These conform to regulation. A lot don’t. But the ones that do come in seven sizes, so your dog could be too big for one size and too small for the next one.”

If you are a bit lost still, AQIS have all the information on their website. Of course, there are whole bunch of pet migration agents who will manage the whole process for you (for a fee).

“We take everything off the shoulders of the individual as TransFur, yes,” Symons concludes. “Each pet travel agent has their own way of doing things and some want the customers to apply for some of the permits and things themselves. We believe that if you are going to do the job you do it properly and you do the whole thing.”

Transporting pets doesn’t have to be a difficult task, he stresses. TransFur can arrange everything for you.

Most people feel like their pet is an integral part of their family and so there is no question. In some cases they are more

important than the kids are!

Andy symons, transFur

37

Is this what you want? Do you really want to move? And do you really want to move Down Under? Consider this carefully; it is a long way to go only to change your mind.

Jobs: Investigate employment options and business opportunities.

Research: Check out expat websites and talk to as many people that have immigrated as possible. Think about where you want to live. Research house prices, salaries and costs of living.

Pick the right agent: You need to choose a migration expert carefully as they’ll help plan your relocation, check your eligibility and get you a visa. They can also help with a host of other issues.

Health: Get a health check. If you have any serious medical conditions you

need to check they wont affect your plans. Some health conditions can exclude you from migration.

Age: Are you too old? In Australia, for example, the cut off for skilled migration is 45. If you have turned 45 the options are limited. These are the sorts of things you should consider.

Documents: Make sure you have a valid passport (we recommend making sure it is valid for at least 5 years after arrival, to save problems later on). Also dig out all your personal paperwork including birth, adoption and marriage/divorce certificates, employment references and qualifications.

Finances: Get them in order. Consolidate bank accounts and reduce debts. Avoid entering any long-term contracts.

EARLY PREPARATIONS

emigration checklist


6 MONTHS LEFT You’ll need a medical at this point, as

well as police checks.

Start getting quotes from removal

companies and for flights and other

services. Book them as early as you can.

If you are taking a pet (see page 32),

take them to the vet and make sure they

are fully inoculated. Book

pet shipment.

Get rid of any unwanted goods,

perhaps at a car boot or by giving them

to charity.

Get more aggressive on the job hunt,

if an employer isn’t sponsoring you. 6

months will fly by.

If you have school age children, talk to

their schools and get hand-over files.

Ask for medical hand-over files from

doctors and dentist.

Open an Australian or New Zealand

bank account.

Put your house on the market, if you

are choosing to sell. If you intend to

rent it out after you leave, wait a few

months – you don’t want to be left

homeless.

T here are lots of things to consider before you move Down Under and it can be extremely stressful. Follow our emigration checklist for a seamless, stress-free relocation to Australia or New Zealand:

2 MONTHS LEFT Sort out temporary accommodation. It is advised to rent when you first move Down Under, that way if it doesn’t work, you can come home with relative ease.

Register your children (if you have them) in new schools.

Book pet kennels. Get up-to-date statements on any savings or pensions.

Get credit check, or a credit reference from your bank.

Collect all hand over files. Give notice to your employer and collect P45.

Give new address (if you have it) to your bank, the passport office, DVLA, Inland Revenue, accountants and pension company (and anyone else

you need to tell). Collate five months’ bank statements and file them.

Make sure all bills are paid up (council tax, utilities etc.) and pay any outstanding debts.

Cancel accounts for you mobile phone, landline, broadband, insurance etc. Make sure you sort out direct debts and standing orders, cancelling most of them.

Transfer funds to Australia or New Zealand.

Arrange insurance and private health care cove if needed.

Make final checks to paper work. Make sure you have everything in hand.

Arrange hire car.


the things you need to know and do before starting your new life down under

A WEEK LEFT Cancel car insurance.

Get post redirected.

Sell car.

Get some currency for new

destination.

Make sure the goods you

intend to ship are well on

their way.

Sort out getting to the

airport (and getting from the

airport when you land).

If you are moving into a

rented home, make sure

everything is ready.

Double check everything!

WHEN YOU'RE THERE Register at local embassy. Get tax file number. Sort out phone line, Internet and things of that nature. Set up standing orders for utilities. Register with local doctor and dentist. Explore the area you would like to live in, experience it firsthand, and ask the locals for info (if you haven’t already decided).

Review finances and meet with a mortgage broker to discuss borrowing capacity (odds are, with the exchange rate, you won’t need to borrow).

Transfer pensions. Enjoy the new life!

Expert advice on all things

visas, migration and more

ASK THE EXPERT

A: Registered nurses

are still very much in

demand in Australia

so you are in a good

position to consider migration. Firstly you

would need to decide whether a move to

Australia would be a permanent or temporary

arrangement for you and your family.

Many hospitals will offer sponsorship of

nurses under a temporary S/C 457 visa. This

is probably the quickest way in but you are

restricted to only working for the sponsoring

hospital and if the job becomes redundant

or the sponsorship runs its course then you

will be expected to leave Australia or find

an alternative sponsor pretty quickly. Some

employers are willing to sponsor nurses for

permanent migration, usually after they have

worked under a s/C 457 visa for a few years.

If you do not have, or do not wish to

consider sponsorship by a particular hospital

then you would need to look at Skilled

Independent or Skilled State Sponsored

migration. In order to qualify for these

pathways, you would need to meet the

requirements for a skills assessment and

meet the points mark for the respective

visa (120 for Independent and 100 for State

Sponsored). Unfortunately, most states have

suspended their sponsorship programme

at the moment while they work on a new

system of State Migration Plans. These

are due to be rolled out some time in the

next few months and each state will set out

its own requirements based on the skills

shortages within that state.

The first step, if you are looking at

permanent migration, would be the skills

assessment. Nurses are assessed by the

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council

(ANMC) and you will be expected to provide

documentation which shows you meet

their requirements. This includes evidence

of formal qualifications, registration,

employment, English language etc.

If you are looking to use a migration

agent then you need to make sure they

are registered with the Migration Agents

Registration Authority (MARA), who

regulate and police the profession. Which

RMA you use may be based on personal

choice, financial incentives, reputation or

recommendation but if they are registered

then they will be bound be a Code of

Conduct, which will ensure you are

properly treated.Different migration agencies have

different methods of operation but a decent

agent should be able to offer you a free basic

assessment as an initial option.

ABOUT THE EXPERT

Emma Smith-Jones is an experienced migration agent

with expertise in full assessment, skills assessment,

skilled, family and employment sponsored visas.

Tel: 0845711613Email: [email protected]

Company name: Grist International Pty ltd

Q : I’m fed up with life in the UK (and the climate!) and want to build a better future for my two young children, aged 5 and 7, with my husband. I need advice. I’m a nurse and my husband is a media salesman. We are 32 and 35.


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PlentyA land of

We take a look at New Zealand’s skilled workers gap

working down under


Around 200,000 Brits leave these shores every year to start a new life overseas and New

Zealand is currently the third most popular place for them to move to. It is popular because of the cost of living, the climate and quality of life. But big job opportunities are the main lure at the moment and New Zealand Immigration is actively encouraging Brits to migrate as it attempts to find up to 50,000 people to fill the skilled workers gap.

The country recently released its long-term skilled shortage list and it shows a clear need for people within a number of professional and skilled careers.

The jobs vary. New Zealand needs to fill vacancies in education, health and social care, trades (mechanics, carpenters and electricians), accountancy and finance, construction (we’ll get onto this again later), customer services and telesales, energy, mining, legal, office support, property, engineering, and IT.

Leading recruitment consultancy firm Hays agrees that New Zealand is full of potential and the Hays Quarterly Report for July to September revealed a growing list of skills in demand across New Zealand.

It says the job market is gearing up for growth and that New Zealand is, in the words of Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand, “beginning to see skill shortages in certain areas”.


The job market is gearing up for growth and New Zealand is beginning to see

skill shortages in certain areas

43

working down under

“In order to capitalise on the improving market conditions and gain market share many employers are recruiting now before the talent war really takes effect,” he says. “Employers are aware it can take up to six months for a new employee to reach 100 percent productivity and in the wake of the global financial crisis, productivity is top of mind.

“While some industries such as residential and non-residential building, retail and government sectors are experiencing pressure, other industries are gearing up for growth. Even within Construction we are experiencing greater activity particularly within engineering design, energy and civil construction. We have also experienced significant growth across Information Technology, Finance and Professional Office Support.”

Employment industry leader Manpower, meanwhile, expects “steady headcount growth” in Quarter 4 2010. Its October to December Employment Outlook Survey New Zealand says 22 percent of employers will increase staffing levels. Its Net Employment Outlook stands at +15 percent, with growth expected in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

QUAKING IN YOUR BOOTS? These predictions, of course, were made before New Zealand was hit by a devastating 7.0 quake, which damaged 100,000 homes and left a bill of NZ$2 billion (£930 million), but killed no one.

Naturally, Brits are concerned, but that is probably because Britain has never experienced such an event. Yes, we endure our fair share of elemental hardships: floods, storms, and even the occasional tornado, but never an earthquake on this scale (we have had the odd rumbling, notably in 2008). You are right to be cautious, but there is no need to let it impact your dream. In fact, it could be an opportunity.

Helen Kevans, a respected senior economist at JP Morgan Chase & Co. in Sydney, is one of many analysts that believe the earthquake that hit Christchurch on September 4 could be positive for growth. She told Bloomberg: “You will probably see a massive lift to the construction sector.”

She has a point, with the rebuild thousands of jobs will be created, most of which will have to be sourced from outside Christchurch. There will be a flood of migration to the city. “It should give a pretty big lift to household spending, and should have some knock-on effects throughout the economy,” Kevans said.



JOB CREATIONSo New Zealand’s robust economy is fuelling job creation and providing opportunities and it is now widely tipped to be the new emigration hotspot for Brits looking to migrate. It has huge skilled shortages and needs Brits to fill the void. Don’t worry about the visa. There are no waiting lists. And even if you don’t have a job offer you can still qualify.

If you are considering a new life Down Under, you should think about New Zealand. And get on it now, while the great job opportunities are there.

New Zealand’s economy has weathered the recession far better than most countries and we’re hard pressed to think of any reasons why you shouldn’t go for it. The jobs market is certainly a huge contrast to the UK. The only limit you have to be aware of in the skilled migrant category is the age limit (55).

The full long-term skilled shortage list is available o the New Zealand Now website (www.newzealandnow.govt.nz).

The Hays Quarterly Report for July to September revealed a growing list of skills in demand

across New Zealand, including:

Construction: Quantity Surveyors with over three years experience are sought in response to increased tender activity.

Energy: Investment into the existing network and Government funding for the rollout of the new broadband

has created demand for Line Mechanics, Cable Jointers, Glove and Barrier Mechanics, HV Electrical Fitters, Supervisors and Distribution Managers.

PILON cable layers for fibre optic broadband are also in demand.

Engineering: Structural Engineers with client facing and business development skills are in high

demand. Transportation Planners and Traffic Engineers are also needed for a number of engineering consultancies.

Information Technology: Development skills, primarily in the .Net space, Project Managers,

Business Analysts and Architecture candidates are areas of demand given increased project spend and new project commencement.

45

Q u a l i t y. P r e c i s i o n . i n n o vat i o n . r e l i a b i l i t y.

Milspec Manufacturing works in close partnership with its customers to ensure that it provides not only a quality product, but also excellent service.

Written by ian arMitaGe

Milspec Manufacturing Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned

engineering company engaged in contract manufacturing of industrial, commercial and military products. It was established in 2002 as a result of a management buy-out from ADI Ltd Live Fire Target Systems manufacturing site in Albury, New South Wales.

ADI sold the intellectual rights for its products to a Swiss company, Polytronic, which is now one of

Milspec’s biggest customers, while the Production Manager at the time, David Cooper, along with his wife Wendy, saw an opportunity to take on the manufacturing capabilities and formed Milspec Manufacturing Pty Ltd, saving all jobs. Initially there were 23 employees, but this number has now grown to 60 employees.

“Milspec is a technology based company specialising in precision electronics sheet metal fabrication, design, manufacture and assembly


of products for industrial, commercial and military applications,” explains business development and sales manager, Tim Stewart. “We offer an integrated approach, from research and development and prototyping to full production and testing. We are set apart from other engineering companies.”

Milspec’s integrated solutions, he says, include high reliability cabling/wiring harnesses, PCB design and assembly, electromechanical assembly and testing, precision CNC sheet metal, complex CNC milling and turning, welding and fabrication, and powder coating of products. “We have great diversity under the one roof and customers are often amazed with our capabilities and services provided.,” Stewart explains.

However, Milspec Manufacturing is eager for more and continues to seek out “new diversity in both products, channels and customers.”

“Management is keen to see the company expand its

product base,” says Stewart, who recently joined the Milspec Manufacturing team. “My role is to identify new business opportunities and service the needs of our existing clients. I have a strong track record in business development, sales and marketing, and believe in the importance of building strong working relationships with clients and meeting their needs.

“I want this business to achieve its ultimate potential,” he adds.

The approach is paying dividends and Milspec Manufacturing has had an exciting start to 2010. It is

currently working on producing a world-first compact, 450 amp alternator prototype and has also achieved the elite aerospace quality accreditation AS9100, joining less than 40 companies operating Australia-wide who can “guarantee ultimate quality and traceability of their products,” says Mr Stewart. “Milspec is an international market leader in niche engineering and design and has enjoyed global success with cutting edge projects such as the 300 amp alternator, which is installed into the Bushmaster Military Vehicle manufactured by Thales, and its revolutionary Key Monitor System.”

What is Milspec Manufacturing famous for? Well, as well as the above, quite a lot. It manufactures a range of Live Fire Target Systems which are sold in Australia and exported worldwide and has also achieved success in creating range of military

MILSPEC MANUFACTURING PROFILE


Milspec is an international market leader

in niche engineering and design

47


specification alternators/Power Distribution Units (PDU’s) for vehicles and equipment used by Defence Agencies world wide. “Projects we are proud of our involvement in the NULKA Decoy programme and launcher refurbishment programme in conjunction with BAE Systems, Rugged Military and Industrial Video Display Units, Electronic traffic signs for use in road works, ” says Stewart. “We have a lot of things to be proud of.”

Milspec Manufacturing, though, is seeking out new customers, while keeping

existing ones happy, and has been involved on a number of control panel, remote control, electronic assembly and wiring harness projects for commercial customers. “We work with Telstra, a big name in the telecoms world, for instance,” says Stewart. “Obviously, defence is a big part of what we do. How would I sum up the current state of play? Defence budgets are coming under scrutiny with the global downturn, but there has been talk that the Federal Government is going to spend approximately A$100 billion over the next 10 years in replacing or upgrading equipment. However, Defence currently have a programme in place whereby they need to save A$2 billion per annum. Despite this, we still see this as being a strong area of business for us.

“Working on defence projects takes a lot of planning and time to come to fruition. For

PROFILE MILSPEC MANUFACTURING


AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALANDOUTLOOK 02AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALANDOUTLOOK 02

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Wodonga Electric Motor RepairUnit 1/69 Thomas Mitchell Drive, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia 3690Phone +61 2 6056 0441 Fax +61 2 6056 0442

Wodonga Electric Motor Repair

Management and staff are proud to have been involved in the develpoment of

the windings used in the 28 volt, 300 amp generator marketed by

Milspec Manufacturing and have a continuing involvement in manufacturing

of this crucial component.

- Over Seventy years combined experience in rewinding and repairing electric motors and power tools.

- Electric motors from 1/3 kw to at least 90 kw. Single phase, three phase and DC motors.

- All major makes of power tools from impact drills to plaster sanders to industrial vibrators.

- air compressor motors and irrigation pump motors.

instance, I’m working on projects now that won’t happen until 2014 and beyond. In the meantime you have to get business that you are going to have on a day-to-day basis. It is finding that.

“Our customers include a variety of government departments, rail, utilities, telecommunications and infrastructure organisations as well as the Australian and International defence agencies that form a large part of our revenue. We work in close partnership with all our customers to ensure that we provide not only a qualityproduct but excellent service.”

One growth area is mining, particularly as the resources boom shows no sign of stopping. A number of mines are on Milspec’s doorstep. “Why should they choose Milspec Manufacturing? Quality, precision and innovation are the three words,” says Stewart.

Milspec Manufacturing gained the AS9100 accreditation in May, following 18 months of training and stringent auditing. “It is a door opener,” Stewart says. “We have become one of the elite group of Australian

companies which can offer exceptional quality precision engineering work with ultimate traceability. Our Quality Assurance Manager, Chris Lyon started the process for us in November 2008 and since then Milspec Manufacturing has implemented documentation and manufacturing processes designed to satisfy our industry’s ultimate demands for product integrity and traceability.”

The AS9100 accreditation, together with the ISO9001 standard already in place, means Milspec Manufacturing is well placed to capitalise on global niche design and “manufacturing opportunities”.

“We are very happy with how things have gone. We haven’t noticed the effects of the global downturn; we certainly didn’t in the last financial year. However, this financial year started off a little slow, but I think this is due largely to the election. It has slowed things down. Some projects were put on hold


until the results were clear. Yes, there has been a slight slowdown but it is starting to pick up again now. A lot of our work is project driven. People have to win projects and then go out to tender.”

Stewart is committed to the Milspec Manufacturing vision and is supported by a committed management team that has transformed the business it acquired almost a decade ago. “We have a very committed management team and we also have a very committed factory team and I think that is critical,” he stresses. “We all work very well together and everyone is aiming for the one goal. I think that is very important. Indicators like our absenteeism are very low and staff turnover is virtually zero; people enjoy coming to work at Milspec

Manufacturing, which I think is a reflection of the management team.

“Milspec Manufacturing recently entered the New South Wales Training Awards programme and was runner up in the Employer of the Year category.”

Lean Manufacturing has also played a vital part in getting Milspec Manufacturing where it is today. Reducing batch process

methods, and implementing lean manufacturing techniques, production has become smoother and more efficient. “Lean manufacturing has been a huge initiative introduced into

the business several years ago and that has had a big impact on results,” says Stewart. “We have had a 60 percent increase in turnover in a matter of a few years, without having to add any staff, and we have had a 60 percent improvement in our lead-times in terms of getting product out.

“Generally, we now have much smarter ways of doing things and a Continuous Improvement programme ensures we keep this going.”

As a measure of Milspec’s commitment to lean manufacturing, in December 2009, 55employees graduated with a Certificate IV in Competitive Manufacturing. Stewart expects several more employees to graduate by the end of 2011.


MILSPEC MANUFACTURING PROFILE

We have incredible capability

under one roof; customers are often

amazed with our capabilities and

services provided

51

b o w e n Bas inT R e a S u R e o f T H e

Wesfarmers curragh executive General Manager rod bridges walks ian armitage through the resources boom and talks about the future of this Queensland coal mining operation.

Written by ian arMitaGe

Minerals have always been part of Australia’s development

and it is one of the world’s leading mineral resources nations as well as a major raw materials exporter, especially to Japan and Europe. The country is in a resources boom showing no sign of stopping, with demand for mineral products only growing. Opportunities are rife across Western Australia and much of Queensland. Coal in particular


T R e a S u R e o f T H e

is in huge demand. There is currently not enough coal to satisfy need.

“We are positioned to take advantage of that,” says Wesfarmers Curragh executive general manager Rod Bridges.

Curragh is one of 30-odd operational mines which are located in the Bowen Basin. The basin contains the largest coal reserve in Australia.

“Curragh is an open cut coal mine located near Blackwater,” Bridges says. “It predominantly produces three products: low ash hard coking coal, pulverised coal injection (PCI) coal and high ash steaming coal, and it has been supplying worldwide markets with coking coal since 1984.

“Our coal is highly sought after by steelmakers in Japan, South-East Asia, Europe and South America.”

Curragh’s future seems to be a bright one. Having already successfully increased its export coal production from 2.5 million tonnes to around 7 million since 2000, Wesfarmers’ goal is to get Curragh producing 8.5 million export tonnes from late 2011. “That

is the aim,” says Bridges, who has been at the helm of Curragh’s operations since 2007 and came to the company after serving as executive general manager at Kaltim Prima Coal mine in Indonesia. “As an operation Kaltim Prima Coal exported 36 million tonnes of steaming coal annually into the Asian market. I helped grow that figure up from 14 million tonnes.”

The experience served Bridges well. It gave him intimate knowledge of what is necessary to help Curragh increase in production. “How are we increasing capacity? It is a challenge,” he says.

One thing is making sure the mine is as efficient as possible. “We employ all the tricks we can to remove and process coal as efficiently as possible,” Bridges says. “Strong management means we stay nimble and we have been teaming up with organisations that specialise in improving bottom-lines through efficiency measures. We have taken a considerable amount, several million dollars, out of our cost base. We have done such things as outsourcing, matching up our truck and shovel fleets, increased the bucket size on our excavators and updated our software and hardware systems.”

Efficiency measures only go so far. Infrastructure improvements and capital

We have a lot of opportunities but are finding it difficult to source the right

permanent skills

WESFARMERS CURRAGh PROFILE


investment are also necessary. “We are making a number of investments,” says Bridges, who explained that Curragh is currently building a new coal handling wash plant that will greatly increase capacity. “This plant, along with other mine infrastructure, represents an investment of A$286 million in the future of the mine,” he says. “We are also looking to construct additional product stockpile areas which will enable the

operation to handle the increased volume of coal coming into the wash plants and load-out facilities.”

As Bridges says, the expansion will see the installation of a separate coal handling and preparation plant and an additional A$286 million in mine infrastructure. The expansion is scheduled for completion by late 2011 and further development is also planned to improve the railways from Curragh to the port of Gladstone.

“Efficiency measures and capital investment will secure the future of the mine,” says Bridges. “We are growing and I think it is down to the resources boom here in Australia. Demand from Asia is very strong and we have the reserves to service

PROFILE WESFARMERS CURRAGh


Strong relationShipS and a Shared viSion:

Our greatest resOurce

PROFILE WESFARMERS CURRAGh

current and future requirements. We are positioning ourselves to extract those reserves as we speak and we are expanding and moving forward as a successful business.

“The demand is, primarily, off the back of population pressures in Asia,” he adds. “We sell our coal to Japan – every second tonne goes to Japan effectively – and most of it is to manufacturing, making motor vehicles for example.”

REAPING REWARDSCurragh is certainly successful

and it has seen its efforts recognised by peers in the mining industry. “To give you an example, we took top honours in the Minerals and Energy category at the Australian Export Awards in 2009,” says Bridges. “We performed very well and strong export sales made it possible for us to continue full production throughout the global financial crisis, at a time when many other mines were forced to reduce or halt production.”

Wesfarmers Curragh also won in the Minerals and Energy category of the 2009 Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc Export Excellence Awards, as well as the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards in the Minerals and Energy category.

“We tend to deal directly with international steel mills and that has enabled the mine to go against

the tide of the global financial crisis,” says Bridges. “Export success has been assisted through building direct relationships with select international steel mills, culminating in strong export results to major steel mills in Asia, Europe and South America,” he adds.

Of course, the increasing demand for mineral resources means increased demand for contract miners and other professionals. “We have a lot of opportunities but are finding it difficult to source the right permanent skills as quickly as we need them,” says Bridges.

So, in order to buy time while it recruits, Curragh is using more contractors.

“Recruitment is a challenge,” Bridges says. “We have an aging


workforce so we are seeing a lot of people leaving the industry and, as people leave the industry, we have to put special programmes in place to be able to replace them. The resources industry is booming and there is a lot of demand for the people that are trained. So a challenge for us is to retain our people and also attract people to our business.

“We are taking on a lot of apprentices,” he continues. “We take on many each year and are expanding the number of young people in training. We are endeavouring to do that and also take on mature-age apprentices and offer an increasing amount of mature-age training. “We invest a lot in training our people.”

www.chrc.qld.gov.au

serving your local community

Downer EDI Limitedwww.downergroup.com

The Downer Group provides comprehensive, whole-of-life asset services to its clients across the globe.

At Curragh, Downer is responsible for design, engineering and construction of the CHPP. From process and materials handling design to civil, mechanical and electrical construction, Downer offers integrated solutions to the resources industry throughout the complete mine lifecycle.


Working holidaysEverything you need to know about the world of working holidays

Agent XChoosing the right migration agent

Inside BrisbaneOur guide to Queensland’s capital

PLUSExpat stories, Migration news, Expert advice

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