Emigration from USA to OZ ??

[vinito]

Hi folks.
Been absent for some time now due to the collapse of... well of everything it seems.   Just a few years back I was doing OK enough, but over here "the owners" have decided that it's time to eat the working man alive. When you hear reports of things like "unemployment", the numbers reported are lies. It's easily over 15% in my locale and I think we're pretty typical. And "inflation", they'll say it's 4% or something totally bent, but I know for a fact that it's more like 70 to 100% over the past few years. I don't buy cars or tvs or the like. I buy food, utilities, petrol, taxes and other various government bribes. The basics. After all that I don't have enough for anything else, and actually falling behind honestly. This for a single man with frugal lifestyle and no major credit mistakes in my history. I'm making the same income as I was 10 years ago, like everybody else, but the cost of life is easily 3 to 5 times what it was just 5 years ago for the basic staples.

So anyway, enough of my sob story. Time for action.

I have been considering ditching this decaying country for a better chance at making my way while I'm still young enough to make a contribution for a decade or two.
One of my top criteria is that I would prefer not to have to learn a new strange language, so that leaves Canada (which is cold), some places in Europe, or Australia (my first choice actually). I'm at the early stages of making this decision and I'm just wanting to see what you from down under think of your own situation. Also, I haven't traveled much and all of that was within the US, so I wonder what the issues might be for me to try to relocate? I figure the local politicians would resist letting me leave since I contribute quite a bit to their coffers. I am a machinist and would like to bring my own shop with me, so I would be loading up personal possessions (not much) and my shop (quite substantial) so maybe towing this resource behind me would help inspire the Aussie red tape bureau to help me settle in? I'll pass on any creativity and skills that I have to others upon my arrival (my favorite thing to do anyway) so I think I could be considered a fairly valuable person to have within the borders. Does that make a difference? I don't know how this works. Never emigrated before. Do I need a "sponsor" or something for this to work out? I'm just totally in the dark.

Well this is me throwing the idea out there finally. It will be quite a while before I actually jump for it - maybe a year, maybe a few. Just thought I'd make a first effort to see if I could learn sumthin'. Is it strange that I'm asking these questions first on a pinball forum?  
Which reminds me - if things were to turn around, I'd sure be into giving pinball some attention again. No time for it for the past year or so. And whatever games I own would be coming with me of course. Maybe I could pad the container with "gift" pins for my journey over, or fill up a second one with just pins to distribute once I get there. Hmmm. Possibilities.

Anyway, any comments would be appreciated. PMs might be a better way to communicate depending on the info too, so keep that in mind. I'm a little paranoid, but it's not paranoia if you're actually being surveilled.

What a weird post, huh?
Thanks.

[Redback]

Hi,

I'd start by google-ing immigration.  try google australia
www.google.com.au
and research by Australian sites.

I moved here by Marrying an Aussie.
However there are a few other ways to get here.
By boat via xmas island is one that is on the news every now and then.

http://www.immi.gov.au/

Red

[Extra Ball]

well good luck with it (I cant see a problem with your story), just load a container of pins to bring with you, as you will be shocked at what we pay 

[ktm450]

Australia has faired better than a lot of other countrys but we are still having a tough time of it. Inflation the same, rich getting richer and think they can up their prices so they can make more money for their shareholders, supermarkets crazy prices compared to a few years back, banks raising intrest rates independant to the reserve bank (the reserve bank in Australia trys to keep inflation etc. capped by setting interest rates amongst other things, not sure how US works??) 

I work for a multi billion $ US aluminium manufacturing company I think you can guess. Our smelter is not doing real well compared to the low cost new plants opening in Saudi Arabia, and others where they can employ cheap labour. We had a doom and gloom session last night 10 maintenance tradesmen are being made redundant. We try to ask why and what we can improve or what we are doing wrong.  "You are all doing a great job nothing is wrong, we have just been told to reduce costs by 5% and that means loosing 5% of the workforce"  WTF! We already dont have enough people to do the jobs we need to, the plant is running in a pure reactive mode, not a good situation at all, and now more jobs going. Looks like the writing is on the wall.
Anyway enough of my rant.
Australia is a great place to live but we also have been hit by the GFC too, just not as bad in some areas.

[ktm450]

When you say you are a machinist, do you mean you work on a lathe and  milling machine etc. working with metal?
I am a fitter and turner, I dont do much turning any more mainly mechanical maintenance.
I used to work at a machine shop years ago, I could ask around and find out how the smaller machine shops are fairing, if that is your trade.

[48]

Well seeing as you are from KS it's a reasonable guess that you didn't vote Democrat, so you aren't responsible for the economic downturn!
You may find that you need to show quite a few $$$ behind you to emigrate here, you will be pleased to know that our taxes are not as bad as yours, and in the main there are only Federal taxes to cope with, no direct state or county/city taxes, and no tax on your personal property.
Utilities are still much cheaper here, but you will crap a brick when you see the price of gas, alcohol and cigarettes, or any govt fine/penalty.
You may also fall over when you see what passes for roads here.
Good luck with your endeavours mate.

[Strangeways]

I think we are doing a lot better than most other countries around the world - not because of what WE are doing (as a country), it is more that we "look good" because everyone else seems to be doing very bad - kinda "props us up" a bit ! Our Health system is better than most parts of the world - but we are having HUGE problems in that area. We have a system of Government that promises EVERYTHING around this time of the "cycle" as we are about to go to an Election.  Taxes are still taxes and Banks are the biggest thieves in our society.

Unemployment is not such a huge problem, but there are still bludgers !

I've travelled the world a few times and I'm glad I'm an Aussie. If you are a skilled worker - you should be invited with open arms.

[Rod71]

It's really not easy getting in here legit.  You'll need to be under 45 years of age.  have a skill that is on the "In demand" list and even then you'll need to know someone over here who would be willing to "Sponsor" you for a couple of years in case you get here and claim welfare.  Your sponsor will have to pay back the govt.

[Caveoftreasures]

Moving to Australia and actually getting in, are almost impossible and is a very very difficult process.

Personally, I would give any working healthy American the green light everytime if i was stamping the YES on the immigration forms.

But alas, to get into Australia, on a full time basis, u need to have one of the following qualities

* be from a country where u cant read, write or understand english
* promise to never pay taxes
* promise to always apply for the dole and bludge on our country forever
* promise to never assimilate and always start your own non english speaking enclave

So as not to be racist, I wont mention countries for whom I am talking about.

But I will say, that if u can speak english, and u are from a western country, u havent got a chance of getting in.

Our immigration policies have become shameful and an embarrassment. I would love to say what i really think, but i know the mods will shoot me.

IF U R FROM THE USA, COME OVER CAUSE U R WELCOME BY MOST UF US STRAIGHT UP. But try convincing our stupid immigration people who mostly arent even born here, and their english is bad, put it that way. The help their own, but not westeners, go figure ?  

[48]

Well said cave of treasures!
I was thinking of putting something like that on my earlier post, but because I am new here I didn't want to offend!
Cheers

[Caveoftreasures]

Well said cave of treasures!
I was thinking of putting something like that on my earlier post, but because I am new here I didn't want to offend!
Cheers

DONT WORRY ABOUT OFFENDING ANYONE - The people I am talking about cant read English anyway and wont be members on here. lol 

[Retropin]

I emigrated myself here some 15 years back.
I was sponsored as a skilled migrant for 4 years. I was SUPPOSED to pass on my skills and then at the end of 4 years they will kick me out.
I never passed on my skills.. kinda felt this part was unfair.

Anyway.. they still wanted to kick me out regardless, but i was just about to get married and this bought me time.
The deal was never sealed till my son arrived ( born), even then, geting to stay here permanent was a real struggle.

Only way for you to do it is to set up business and promise to employ 3 Aussies.. keep them emplyed for X amount of time and you can stay... its not guaranteed though and after moving everything, setting up shop, selling up etc... they can still tell you to go back. This just happened to a friend of mine.. he lost everything trying to set up home here and went back to England completely broke.

It aint easy mate... you sure Canada is too cold??

[vinito]

Wow. Bunch of replies in a hurry. Thanks.
Well looks like my easiest way in is a marriage of convenience. I feel old (creak!), but I didn't think I was too old to be wanted until I looked into work visas. I guess I'm one year over the line. Hmmm.
Yea I'm a machinist, but that's just what I do lately. I was a school music teacher for about 15 years when I was younger, and I do pretty much most anything working with the hands - building/remodeling houses, woodworking, welding, musical instrument repair & manufacture, pinball repair, hehe.

I would of course bring in a container of pins. You do seem to pay about double what we pay here in the US. eg. I bought my TZ a few years back for $1600 (project). Got it fixed up and sadly sold it (to pay bills) for $2500 still needing a few things and both the buyer and I were happy enough with that. Any pinhead government officials who might be my advocate?

So keep an ear to the ground for a nice Aussie lady who would like help making the rent and fixing the house up. Prefer anything from near my own age to lithe 20-somethings, hehe. Bonus if they are into pinball.

[Caveoftreasures]

Retropin (Gav) doesnt that make ya sick. I bet ya mate had everything going for him.

I have a English friend (lady n husband). They sat the test over in England to come here. They wwere told that they had to pass an English written n spoken test to come to Australia. The lady said to the Indian Interviewer " I am English you pillick, why do i need to do a written and spoken test, we have been speaking the queens' best for 10 generations u idiot". She was amused to say the least.

Meanwhile, the couple next door, also being interviewed to come to Australia, who could not speak a word, were told they were not required to take the test because they could not write or speak english.

Now, u wont believe this, the English couple (she a nurse specialising in surgery nursing (someone whopasses the surgeon his scalpals etc etc, and the husband a architect) were refused immigration status when they went back 2 weeks later, but the other couple were granted full access cause a family member lived in Australia and they got access. WHAT A FRIGGIN JOKE ! Our country has gone to the dogs.  
p.s - vinito we will find ya a wife. finding a female into pinball, thats the hard bit. we have one lovely Peach member on here, but i think she is married, but we will check. she also lives in the best state in Australia, QLD.  

[vinito]

Begs the question "Why?" doesn't it?
Similar situation here I think.
You can pour unskilled Mexicans over the border by the millions carrying dependents and drugs. In my location, in the heart of the continent, they have succeeded in such numbers that many places of business don't even have English spoken there. Spend millions of dollars accommodating Spanish language here. That was never the case, not even close, when I was a kid. The government bends over backwards to make them comfortable, but tightens the requirements on those wishing to come in legally - those who would actually be helpful and contribute. Makes no sense to me. Must be profit in the equation somewhere. I know poverty works out great for rich folks - maybe that's it.

Sure is screwy. Run the country down so the citizens who built it just want to leave, and make it a cushy experience for uneducated drug runners to live in peace and with impunity. I thought that was reserved for senators !
Obviously not every Mexican immigrant resembles the problem type I described and many do and mean well, but in my experience way too many do not. YMMV.

Anyway sorry to rant. I just want to create things, do my part and achieve occasional happiness.

And by the way, yes I'm from Kansas. Folks are conservative here for the most part. But I subscribe to neither side of the political isle. Both sides are corrupt and out of touch. Both sides are really pretty much the same thing in my eyes. Obama is do-less and likely a criminal, Bush W. was definitely a criminal, Clinton was a criminal, George 1 was a criminal, Reagan was a criminal, etc. Just seems to me like all the "one side vs. the other" game is just made-up noise to keep your eyes looking at the wrong hand. Despicable. Amazing to me how gullible the general public seems to be about this. My approach is - don't believe a word they say, don't believe they will actually DO anything, hide your possessions from their sight, and you'll be correct about 98% of the time.