6. Deciding to move to Australia

6.1 General Tips and Advice

To decide whether or not to move to Australia, you will need to:
. visit various websites and read information from a variety of sources

. speak to various people and ask questions to seek different viewpoints
. go through relevant checklists (your own and any you download from the internet)
. be willing to complete a lot of preparatory work
. have discussions with all of the significant people in your life and where your moving decision affects multiple or significant people in your life, come to some sort of agreement about your choice

. find out the future cost of living in Australia so that you can set yourself a budget for your first six months (accommodation http://www.realestate.com.au, transport http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au, grocery shopping http://www.coles.com.au and http://www.woolworths.com.au and http://www.aldi.com.au Queen Victoria Market (buy near closing times) http://www.qvm.com.au

. look at Section 9 of this guide for migration requirements for each state http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/

6.1.1 Questions to answer and issues to consider before you move

Before you make your decision to move:

Invite all members of your current relationship (partner and/or children) to be involved in the 'moving discussion' and decide how the final decision to move or not move will be made.

Even if children do not want to move, being included in the discussion is very important (perhaps plan how you will talk about this before you start the conversation).

Employers should be encouraged to invite partners to be a part of the assessment for a potential posting, particularly when it is to a 'hardship' location (and to advise if there are support services like job search assistance or appropriate schooling for children).

Ask yourself if other significant people in your life, like co-parents and step children should be included in the process? And find out if you will be able to move (can you get a visa and must you obey laws or written agreements in your current location before you move?)

6.1.1.1 Consider other issues in your life at present

Have you suffered a recent loss or a dramatic change in your life? Are you emotionally resilient? Do you have a good relationship with your partner? If your relationship is already having difficulties, be prepared to cope with additional unexpected difficulties after your arrival.  Be fully aware of any requirements of the visa that you obtain, particularly if your relationship ends. Do you have elderly parents that will soon need additional health care? Do members of your family have special needs? If you are single, can you rely solely on your own abilities or have you always had someone else helping you directly or indirectly?

These issues can all be dealt with if you have enough time to make contingency plans, learn new skills (especially in areas relevant to the first job you will obtain), seek additional help or find suitable resources in the new location (preferably before you leave). Do not underestimate the grief that may be triggered by a move.....it can often bring other unresolved grief to the surface and make it even more difficult to settle on arrival. You won't have your usual support network around you either. Running away cannot solve problems.

6.1.1.2 Do you want to move?

This may sound like a simple question with a simple answer. But there is often one person in a relationship (or one of your close family members or friends) who is NOT keen for you to move. Respect the other person and their feelings and make every effort to understand their point of view and work together to find appropriate solutions.

If you are in a relationship and your partner is uncertain about the move, it can take longer to find new friends or interests because the extra energy associated with the excitement of a move is just not there. They will need to be more patient and you will need to be more understanding - but remember every location has some special features.

6.1.1.3 How will you really cope?

Have you gone through a mental checklist of issues that could arise in the new location? If so, you could make a more informed decision about whether or not to move in the first place. Perhaps you have a medical condition that will be unbearable in the heat or cold? Will you be able to form new support networks?

Do you have adequate financial resources for emergencies or a lengthy time of unemployment? Have you set a time limit? Is it a permanent move or will you just stay for 12 months and see how it goes? If you need to return, can you? Preparing a 'pros and cons' list may be useful. If you arrive and decide to stay, will you be able to get a visa and move permanently?

6.1.1.4 What is the real risk or opportunity cost for you?

Strategies can help make the decision making process more effective. Your own values, judgments, culture and assumptions will affect how you eventually decide whether or not to move. It is important to manage risk. What is an acceptable level of risk and what isn't? What can you cope with and what can't you cope with?

If you make this decision, will it be at the expense of some other decision? Is there more opportunity available that you haven't recognised? If you could change one thing tomorrow, would that make your current lifestyle complete (and therefore not necessary to move?) Will moving give you the impetus you need to change your future in a positive way? Do you have both a back up plan and a contingency plan if things do not work out?

Sometimes circumstances force you into a move. Other times, you may decide, well, there are a lot of variables and unknowns, but hey, let's do it anyway. If you have made the decision, you will need to constantly keep on trying to work things out. You need to expect that it will be challenging, so when it is, you are not overwhelmed and when it isn't you can cope well.

Even the most well prepared, intelligent, financial and easy going people can find moving difficult. Moving is a common experience, but no two reactions are ever the same.

If the decision to move to your next location has already been made, don't worry. Perhaps your next move can be made with some additional strategies and the wonderful tool of hindsight based on the items listed here.

Finally, if you are feeling overwhelmed by a potential move or settling in, seek some professional assistance...do not battle on until problems start occurring. There are a range of confidential free and low cost services available in local communities (in Australia and overseas) or you can consult professional service providers on a fee for service basis.

6.2 Useful Links and Resources

Department of Immigration and Citizenship - Migrants, Visas and Information
http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/
This is an excellent starting point for you to start learning more about the migration requirements and processes to help you make your decision to move.

australia.gov.au - Migrating to Australia - links to topics
http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration/migrating-to-australia
Further link to useful categories of information.

6.3 Information available in Portuguese

Department of Immigration and Citizenship Life in Australia Book
http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/values/book/

For certain visas, you will need to read and agree to the Australian Values Statement in this online book. So you may like to read this BEFORE you decide to move to Australia.

6.4 Additional information suggestions

The Overview of Australia page can help you learn some basic information and facts about Australia.

Making a decision for some people can be quick and easy - but completing ALL of the recommended planning, preparation and processes will require a great deal of commitment and stamina. You also need to ensure you have time to farewell all of your friends and family.

Sometimes it is a good idea to seek some professional, impartial advice and make your decision based on a comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons. Alternatively, you may like to go with a partner or friend and receive professional coaching and relocation assistance (this may also include receiving some cultural training before you make your final decision).

There is an international market for 'expatriate' advice on different countries around the world, so if you have questions on particular topics, you may like to complete internet searches on those topics with the words 'expatriate, Australia' in the search query.