Plenty A land of
We take a look at New Zealand’s skilled workers gap
H C N U A L ISSUE
Sydney The capital of NSW Travellers guide Top 5 Beaches Pets abroad Taking your pet Down Under Going out Melbourne PLUS Migration news, Expert advice, Emigration checklist and more
expat profile
Adrian Wallace on why he moved Down Under
r “We love ou ” new life
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EDITORIAL Editor: Ian Armitage Writers: Colin Chinery Chris Farnell Ruari McCallion Jane Bordenave
Welcome!
BUSINESS General Manager: Stephen Warman Research Manager: Don Campbell Researchers: Andy Williams Elle Watson Dave Hodgson Chris Bolderstone Advertising Sales Manager: Andy Ellis Sales Executive: Jon Jaffrey Sales Administrator: Abby Nightingale ACCOUNTS Financial Controller: Nick Crampton Accounts: Margaret Roberts Alexandra Buchlakova PRODUCTION & DESIGN Magazine Design: Optic Juice Production Manager: Jon Cooke TNT PUBLISHING CEO: Kevin Ellis Chairman: Ken Hurst Publisher: TNT Publishing Ltd Australia and New Zealand Outlook, The Royal, Bank Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, UK. NR2 4SF TNT Magazine, 14-15 Child’s Place, Earl’s Court, London, UK, SW5 9RX Tntmagazine.com
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.
ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0)1603 3432267 Fax: +44 (0)1603 283602 Email: ian.armitage@tntmagazine.com
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.
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The adventure starts here!
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Ian Armitage Editor AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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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, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural mixing pot 18 Where to settle Sydney, where life feels like a holiday 24 Travellers guide to.... Top 5 beaches Profiles
28 Expat Profile 46 Milspec Manufacturing Adrian Wallace on why he moved Quality. Precision. Innovation. Down Under
Reliability
30 Housing focus 52 Wesfarmers Curragh Renting in Oz Treasure of the Bowen Basin 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 AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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NEWS Gillard to form minority government 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
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.
New owner for Newcastle Jets 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.
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ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
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.
Iron ore demand boosts Australian
economy w at its The Australian economy gre the in fastest pace in three years official second quarter of the year figures showed.
demand for the The growth was fuelled by commodities, country’s iron ore and other mainly from China. in the April-June GDP expanded 1.2 percent rter, compared with quarter from the previous qua . Australia has gone 0.7 percent in the first quarter a recession. for 19 years without suffering
Australian dollar reaches 25-month high 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.
AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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NEWS
F E I R B N I S W NE
nderstorms terror on NZ after a and hail have reined stralia rolled over the storm the size of Au n er. High winds and rai country in Septemb es and cut electricity have felled power lin s of people. The storm to tens of thousands have now calmed.
Gale-force winds, thu
ced that four UNESCO has announ in New South former convict sites luded on the World Wales have been inc es of special Heritage List. The sit Park Barracks, interest include Hyde d Great North Road, Cockatoo Island, Ol use and Domain on Old Government Ho the Parramatta River.
y storms in the
NZ farmers hit by ic
in d calving say their ma middle of lambing an an t declaration of hope for a Governmen t t" in the region is tha "adverse climatic even will be provided to a taxpayer-funded help rural support trust.
on be fined up Beachgoers could so g kites, using to A$500 for flyin ing photographs tak oversized umbrellas, popular Perth beach. or digging holes at a considered by the Under a proposal to be clauses will be Town of Cottesloe, 60 beach law, banning added to the council's tivities. a total of 100 listed ac t the Perth ll be able to stay metropolitan area wi eknights under open until 9pm on we state parliament. legislation passed by jor retailers were Under the old laws, ma on weeknights forced to close at 6pm Thursdays. Now, with the exception of ir doors open well retailers can keep the into the evening.
Retail stores throughou
ation staff are calling Department of Conserv le stranding at Spirits a mass pilot wha recedented". More Bay in Northland "unp s en left stranded acros than 70 whales had be ach north of Kaitaia. 2km on the remote be
Hillary Clinton d in November. will visit New Zealan
US Secretary of State
cted to visit in Mrs Clinton was expe the trip following the January but cancelled e US Embassy in earthquake in Haiti. Th p was now scheduled Wellington said the tri for November.
Canterbury economy rocked by quake 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”.
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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.
ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Sydneysiders consider moving to small cities 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.”
Bhushan joins India's Aussie coal push 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. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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migration update Gillard good news for Rocky horror Creator residency migration to Australia gets Rocky Horror Show creator 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.”
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 list
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
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© Antony McAu lay
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).
the 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.
Keep track of the latest news and developments on moving Down Under
NEWS IN BRIEF 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.
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.
must prove English
competency A 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 Duda sh
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.
NZ-born nurse
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MIGRATION UPDATE Australia continues
tIntoernawtioenallcStoudmentse s Large numbers of overseas student ary por continue to apply for tem visas to study at Australian universities.
ications In 2009-2010, a total of 291,128 appl the it ing for student visas were lodged, mak third largest program year on record. Universities have seen a decline in
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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
applications in recent months, and a is some have questioned whether Australi many for still an attractive education provider international students. Several factors have contributed to ger the recent decline including the stron of the act Australian dollar, the ongoing imp , global financial crisis in some countries ation educ the in ion increased competit s. market and improved integrity measure ains Australia’s student program rem uncapped and student visas are not included in the nation’s permanent migration program numbers.
NZ visa
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n
Barbecue Madness d
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Sydney, New South Wales
crave sydney
What’s on... Sydney 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
2
Booligal Sheep nd Races Booligal, New South Wales
www.booligalsheepraces.com.au
thFestival of
4-6 the Sea
d’Albora Marinas, Nelson Bay, New South Wales The 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/ 14
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RACES BOOLIGAL SHEEP
The 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.
.
Our guide to the unmissable events, holidays and celebrations in Australia and New Zealand this month
not to miss
New Zealand Labour Day
Oktoberfest Brisbane
Nationwide
8-10 October and 15-17 October
25 th
In 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.
Brisbane, Queensland etzelathon’ was This music, beer and ‘pr 0 people last enjoyed by close to 30,00 sic, pretzels and a year. Fun, sun, beer, mu stralians, can life whole bunch of happy Au get any better than that? .com.au www.oktoberfestbrisbane
Sri Chinmoy Triathlon Festival30-31 th Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
This 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. melbourne cup ca rnival
MELBOURNE CUP
www.srichinmoyraces.org/au
Melbourne Cup Carnival Flemington racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
th
30-6
The 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/melbournecup-carnival/ AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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going out
S
lick, 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 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, Melbourne is often referred to as the foodie capital you certainly won’t go thirsty! of Australia and it might well be. It has it all when it We have several favourites: comes to food: Australian restaurants, Italian restaurants, the Hawthorn, Beer Deluxe, Seafood restaurants, Thai restaurants, French restaurants, Waterside Hotel, Gertrude Chinese restaurants, Japanese restaurants, Mediterranean Hotel, Napier Hotel and Bridie restaurants and Indian restaurants. You name it Melbourne O’Reilly’s. If you like the Irish, has it! The best? Impossible to judge, but one of our Bridie is for you. favourite places is Esposito @ Toofey’s. We love its www.bridieoreillys.com.au mouth-watering seafood menu.
Where to eat...
www.espositofood.com
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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
kielldsfa...mily fun? As far as e th r Fo sp u How do yo
ned it is spelt W-O the kids are concer a is nd Wonderla N-D-E-R-L-A-N-D! r ou rk located at Harb sensational fun pa ntre, Docklands. Town Shopping Ce , rides and attractions It has a number of s, em dg do ourites like including family fav grand Carousel. a giant slide and a
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.org.au it. The kids will love . Entry is free
operkeatndins,gPuhoblicuransd School Wee . Holidays from 11am
www.wonderlan
dfunpark.com.au
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Where to settle...
Sydney Life in Sydney can feel like a holiday, great if you want to escape domestic woes
1 08 2
w w w . ao n z nz oz ou ut ltol o ok k. c. co omm
A
re 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 city sits on the famous • The harbour • Golden beaches in the suburbs and multi-lingual • Multi-cultural (29 percent of Sydney residents • • •
speak a foreign language) More than 500 flights a week Finance hub 5 of the best-recognised universities in Oz
STRONG ECONOMY
Australia’s economy is robust and grew at its fastest pace in thr ee years in the secon d quarter of this year. Of ficial figures showed GDP expanded 1.2 pe rcent in the April-June quarter, the growth fue lled by demand for the country’s iron ore an d other commodities. Remarkably, Oz has gone for 19 years without suffering a rec ession. Yes, it was hit by the recent global do wnturn, but less hard than most other deve loped countries, and has come through the crisis better than most, although it still need ed a stimulus packag e of $A42 billion. Starting from scratch in a new place is not easy, but Australia is one of the best place s 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. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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where to settle... 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
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).
LIFESTYLE People 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 20
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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!
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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 worldclass 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!)?
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.
TOP 5
1. Haymarket/Central Station
PLACES TO STAY IN SYDNEY:
5. Bondi Beach
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.
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BUSINESS Sydney – so-called the “gateway to Australia” – is a
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2. The Rocks/Circular Quay 3. Darling Harbour 4. Potts Point/Kings Cross
WHERE TO LIVE So 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 DINING Well, 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.
SYDNEY vs other cities... Population Sydney: 4.3 million Melbourne: 3.8 million Perth: 1.5 million Adelaide: 1.1 million Brisbane: 1.8 million
Median House price (2009) Sydney: $590,000 Melbourne: $515,000 Perth: $510,000 Adelaide: $425,000 Brisbane: $445,000
If you are in for some retail therapy, Sydney is for you too. It is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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). AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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TRAVELLER'S GUIDE
world? The most beautiful beach in the
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
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hen 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 Beach Cable 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. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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TRAVELLER'S GUIDE Wineglass Bay
Wineglass 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 Beach Bells Beach is iconic amongst surfers and movie-lovers alike, being both the home of the longrunning 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.
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Vivonne Bay On 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.
Whitehaven Beach Austravel 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.
About Austravel
Founded 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.
To book, visit www.austravel.com or phone 0800 988 4834 AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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Expat PROFILE
Wanderlust leads Brit to Brisbane Adrian Wallace decided to live and work in land where “women glow and men plunder”. He is now an Aussie citizen
W
hen 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
Expat in brief ace (38) NAME: Adrian Wall
ltant Occupation: IT Consu UK , Moved from: Newbury ensland Que Moved to: Brisbane,
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.
ING A JOB FIWiND nd a room in a thin a few days Adrian fou
rth of Brisbane’s unit in Spring Hill just no (CBD), sharing central business district cheap and the with a couple. Rent was d a few employment location great. He visite ek found a job agencies and within a we “After 3 months my with a small local firm. p me on so arranged employer wanted to kee red temporary for me to have a sponso g was good,” residence visa - everythin g good money Adrian says. “I was earnin and having plenty of working 4 days a week nds.” time to explore at weeke moved in a After a year the firm had Adrian and so he direction that didn’t suit ing new. IT in looked around for someth he found work in 1999 was pretty strong and employer again no time at all, with his new residence visa. “I sponsoring a temporary more in 2000, again changed employers once ring my temporary with the employer sponso of 2000 I finally visa,” he says. “At the end , a 1.5 bedroom sold my old house in UK ury, and bought a character cottage in Newb pool in The Gap on 4 bedroom house with a rn edge of Brisbane the leafy hilly north weste boss agreed to assist for the same money. My t residency and with sponsoring permanen MODL list it was with IT skills being on the s despite their being a a straightforward proces eaucracy; I had some lot of paperwork and bur relevant authorities difficulty persuading the fessional since that I was a genuine IT pro , but a CV full of I didn’t have an IT degree , Intel and a range employers including IBM s together with some of small IT consultancie s eventually made professional certification my point.”
GETTING TO WORK Adrian 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 AFTER Adrian 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.
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housing focus
Renting in Australia
Our guide to renting a house in Australia
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ustralia 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 AUSTRALIA Renting 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. 30
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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 BASICS In 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 CAREFUL Don’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.
Jacksons St Brisbane in Hamilton, QLD Cost: $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 0888 WEB: www.rent-a-home.com. au/8695
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housing focus
Cambridge in Port Melbourne, VIC
Melbourne
Cost: $310 - $500 p/n*
Sydney
Jersey in Woollahra, NSW Cost: $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.au TEL: +61 2 9319 0888 WEB: www.rent-a-home.com.au/17189
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Description: Vibrant 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom
home in Port Melbourne, Victoria, with quality furnishings and views from rooftop 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 50â&#x20AC;? Plasma television with Blue Ray DVD and comfortable sofa. Sleeps 6, 1 x King, 1 x Queen, 2 x Single
VISIT: www.rentahome.com.au TEL: +61 2 9319 0888 WEB: www.rent-a-home.com.au/19857
Local to you at home and down under 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.
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
To contact your local branch, call us free on
0800 088 4005
Visit us at www.pickfords.com
a move as individual as you
Moving overseas
your pet Taking
Down Under
Taking your pet Down Under doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be difficult as Ian Armitage discovers 34
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R
elocation 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?
r u F s n a r T
ts in ecialis re p s e r ur a da TransF rting pets an best pet o transp offering the le and d te in vailab dedica on service a necessary ti all reloca make ts for your o t e l b n are a ngeme ide. a r r a l trave et worldw com p imals. n a r u f trans www.
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 COUNTRIES Cats 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. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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Moving overseas 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 BREEDS It 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. 36
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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.
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 Andy Symons, TransFur
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!
“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
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. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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emigration checklist 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:
EARLY PREPARATIONS 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
6 MONTHS LEFT
as ical at this point, You’ll need a med ks. well as police chec from removal es ot Start getting qu r flights and other companies and fo n. as early as you ca services. Book them ), a pet (see page 32 If you are taking they re su e t and mak take them to the ve ed. Book are fully inoculat pet shipment. wanted goods, Get rid of any un em ot or by giving th perhaps at a car bo to charity.
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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.
e on the job hunt, Get more aggressiv 6 ’t sponsoring you. if an employer isn . months will fly by to age children, talk ol ho If you have sc . es fil get hand-over their schools and nd-over files from Ask for medical ha . doctors and dentist or New Zealand n lia Open an Austra bank account. the market, if you Put your house on ll. If you intend to are choosing to se w u leave, wait a fe rent it out after yo ft le t want to be months – you don’ homeless.
the things you need to know and do before starting your new life down under
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.
A CWanEceElKcaLr inEFsuTrance.
rected. Get post redi Sell car. w rrency for ne Get some cu destination. e goods you Make sure th are well on intend to ship their way. ing to the Sort out gett the getting from airport (and ). you land airport when oving into a If you are m make sure rented home, ready. everything is everything! k Double chec
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!
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ASK THE EXPERT Expert advice on all things visas, migration and more
Q
A
: Registered nurses are still very much in demand in Australia so you are in a good tly you position to consider migration. Firs e to mov would need to decide whether a temporary Australia would be a permanent or ily. arrangement for you and your fam rship of nso spo r Many hospitals will offe . This visa nurses under a temporary S/C 457 you are is probably the quickest way in but sponsoring restricted to only working for the ndant redu s ome hospital and if the job bec you then rse or the sponsorship runs its cou find a or will be expected to leave Australi kly. Some quic ty pret r nso an alternative spo nurses for r nso spo employers are willing to r they have afte permanent migration, usually a few years. worked under a s/C 457 visa for h to If you do not have, or do not wis hospital ar icul part a consider sponsorship by led Skil then you would need to look at nsored Independent or Skilled State Spo these migration. In order to qualify for t the mee to d pathways, you would nee and ent requirements for a skills assessm ective meet the points mark for the resp for State visa (120 for Independent and 100 es have stat t mos ly, Sponsored). Unfortunate me ram prog suspended their sponsorship
ABOUT THE EXPERT 40
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: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m fed up with life in the UK (and the climate!) and want to build a better future fo r my two young children, ag ed 5 and 7, with m y husband. I need advice. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a nurse and my hu sband is a media salesman. We are 32 and 35 .
a new at the moment while they work on These system of State Migration Plans. in the are due to be rolled out some time set out will e stat next few months and each ls skil the its own requirements based on shortages within that state. at The first step, if you are looking skills the be ld permanent migration, wou the by assessment. Nurses are assessed Council Australian Nursing and Midwifery d to provide (ANMC) and you will be expecte meet documentation which shows you evidence s their requirements. This include , of formal qualifications, registration employment, English language etc. on If you are looking to use a migrati they sure e agent then you need to mak Agents are registered with the Migration ), who Registration Authority (MARA Which ion. fess pro regulate and police the onal pers on RMA you use may be based tation or choice, financial incentives, repu registered recommendation but if they are e of then they will be bound be a Cod are you Conduct, which will ensure properly treated. e Different migration agencies hav decent a but n ratio ope different methods of basic free a you r agent should be able to offe assessment as an initial option.
migration agent Emma Smith-Jones is an experienced assessment, ls skil with expertise in full assessment, sored visas. skilled, family and employment spon Tel: 0845711613 Email: emma@gristint.com l Pty ltd Company name: Grist Internationa
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working down under
Plenty A land of
We take a look at New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skilled workers gap
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A
round 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 longterm skilled shortage list and it shows a clear need for people within a number of professional and skilled careers.
The job market is gearing up for growth and New Zealand is beginning to see skill shortages in certain areas 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”. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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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. 44
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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.
he Hays Quarterly Report for July to September revealed a growing list of skills in demand across New Zealand, including:
T
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.
JOB CREATION So 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).
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.
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Q u a l i t y. Precision. 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
M
ilspec 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 46
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Milspecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Milspec is a technology based company specialising in precision electronics sheet metal fabrication, design, manufacture and assembly
MILSPEC MANUFACTURING
PROFILE
of products for industrial, product base,” says Stewart, who recently commercial and military joined the Milspec Manufacturing team. “My applications,” explains role is to identify new business opportunities business development and service the needs of our existing clients. and sales manager, Tim I have a strong track record in business Stewart. “We offer an development, sales and marketing, and integrated approach, from believe in the importance of building strong research and development working relationships with clients and and prototyping to full meeting their needs. production and testing. We “I want this business to achieve its ultimate are set apart from potential,” other engineering he adds. companies.” The approach Milspec is an Milspec’s is paying international market leader dividends integrated solutions, he and Milspec in niche engineering says, include Manufacturing and design high reliability has had an cabling/wiring exciting start harnesses, PCB to 2010. It is design and assembly, currently working on producing a worldelectromechanical assembly first compact, 450 amp alternator prototype and testing, precision CNC and has also achieved the elite aerospace sheet metal, complex CNC quality accreditation AS9100, joining less milling and turning, welding than 40 companies operating Australiaand fabrication, and powder wide who can “guarantee ultimate quality coating of products. “We and traceability of their products,” says Mr have great diversity under Stewart. “Milspec is an international market the one roof and customers leader in niche engineering and design and are often amazed with our has enjoyed global success with cutting edge capabilities and services projects such as the 300 amp alternator, provided.,” Stewart explains. which is installed into the Bushmaster However, Milspec Military Vehicle manufactured by Thales, Manufacturing is eager and its revolutionary Key Monitor System.” for more and continues to What is Milspec Manufacturing famous seek out “new diversity in for? Well, as well as the above, quite a lot. both products, channels It manufactures a range of Live Fire Target and customers.” Systems which are sold in Australia and “Management is keen to exported worldwide and has also achieved see the company expand its success in creating range of military AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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PROFILE
MILSPEC MANUFACTURING 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
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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
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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.
Wodonga Electric Motor Repair Unit 1/69 Thomas Mitchell Drive, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia 3690 Phone 2A6056 +61 2 6056 0442 A U S T+61 RALIA N D N E W0441 Z E A L AFax N D OUTLOOK 0 02 2
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
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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
MILSPEC MANUFACTURING
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until the results were Manufacturing, which I think is a reflection clear. Yes, there has of the management team. been a slight slowdown “Milspec Manufacturing recently entered but it is starting to pick the New South Wales Training Awards up again now. A lot programme and was runner up in the of our work is project Employer of the Year category.” driven. People have to Lean Manufacturing has also played a win projects and then vital part in getting Milspec Manufacturing go out to tender.” where it is today. Reducing batch process Stewart is methods, and committed to implementing the Milspec lean We have Manufacturing manufacturing vision and is techniques, incredible capability supported by production under one roof; a committed has become customers are often management smoother team that has and more amazed with our transformed efficient. “Lean capabilities and the business manufacturing services provided it acquired has been a almost a decade huge initiative ago. “We have introduced into a very committed the business several years ago and that has management team had a big impact on results,” says Stewart. and we also have a “We have had a 60 percent increase in very committed factory turnover in a matter of a few years, without team and I think that having to add any staff, and we have had a is critical,” he stresses. 60 percent improvement in our lead-times in “We all work very terms of getting product out. well together and “Generally, we now have much smarter everyone is aiming for ways of doing things and a Continuous the one goal. I think Improvement programme ensures we keep that is very important. this going.” Indicators like our As a measure of Milspec’s commitment absenteeism are very to lean manufacturing, in December 2009, low and staff turnover 55employees graduated with a Certificate is virtually zero; IV in Competitive Manufacturing. Stewart people enjoy coming expects several more employees to graduate to work at Milspec by the end of 2011. AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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bowen T r e a s u r e o f th e
Basin 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
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M
inerals have always been part of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development and it is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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
Wesfarmers Curragh 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
PROFILE
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.
We have a lot of opportunities but are finding it difficult to source the right permanent skills 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 AUSTRALIAANDNEWZEALAND
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PROFILE
Wesfarmers Curragh
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 54
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operation to handle the increased volume of coal coming into the wash plants and loadout 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
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 REWARDS Curragh 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 56
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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
serving your local community
www.chrc.qld.gov.au
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.”
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.
Downer EDI Limited www.downergroup.com
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