honest reality of moving to Australia in late 20s - pros & cons - one-month reflection

[@archangel763]

Australia is the best country in the world but it’s not easy. You will be fine Heidi, Australia is a process and for women in particular the move can be harder. That’s said you will be fine, WHV is for seasonal work, it’s basically you can have holiday and you can do limited work. Enjoy the experience you will grow as a person it will make you better and tougher it’s an experience. Make sure you call home to check in with family. Cheers

[@HeidiRoseRose]

thank you so much for your comment - nice to know others don't think it's as easy as I expected. I'm feeling more settled and trying to enjoy the experience more as you say. All the best :)

[@Davo-i1s]

People on WHVs are not in Australia to fill long term skilled positions they are supposedly young people here on a holiday who are allowed to do temporary work to offset costs. The reason they were introduced was so that sectors that had trouble filling temporary positions like the hospitality, tourism or agriculture industries especially in regional areas had more opportunity to find labour. Yes some Australians get frustrated with the number of people they see in the country on temporay visas because popular destinations that they used to frequent are becoming overcrowded with backpackers and other foreign visitiors. Once idyllic locations have been overdeveloped often through foreign investment, long term rentals are being turned into short term rentals like AirBNB and the cost for Aussies to stay in these destinations has sky rocketed - Byron Bay is a good example. Australlia is surrounded by 3 oceans all of them have an influence on the weather so it is going to vary a lot depending on where you are. South east Queensland is green with pretty lush vegetation it doesnt get that way because it never rains be warned if you happen to head further north into the tropics during the wet season it will rain even more. People who are intending to come here on WHVs really need to read the conditions before they decide if its their best option maybe just a normal tourist visa would have sufficed. Keep in mind you are not actually moving to Australia you are a visitor with a set period of time that you are allowed to stay in the country and like any other tourist visa you are free to leave at anytime.. Those looking for permanent residency and skilled positions within specific fields need to be using one of the skilled visa pathways but be warned that can be expensive and result in a long wait. Sorry if people who want to come here on a WHV dont like hearing that but its the reality..

[@baljj]

I moved on a WHV at 30, then my job sponsored me and now VIC is sponsoring my VIC 190 visa. It can be done but it takes hard work. I wasn’t planning on staying but worked out this way.

[@Alymacc]

YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS ❤❤ you have made it through 100% of your worst days! Only two months till we are reunited xx

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Love you!!! Cannot wait gal x x x

[@michaelgrantham125]

Mate. No worries. Its been a month. Your potential is glowing like an aura.

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Very true, and aw thanks! Need to give it some more time for sure, just thought I’d do my initial thoughts to look back on. I’m sure the two-month reflection will be much more positive 🎉

[@Joy-gadd]

This is so refreshing to watch! I am a teacher from the UK who has been unable to get my registration here and I’ve been trying for a year! I’m working for an agency as a TA which is good but I have had countless rejections because of the 6 month limitations for other jobs. Even parents are rejecting my nannying applications because of it! This has forced me to travel around Australia and work different jobs which has been really fun so there is a silver lining! So yeah, I agree, be prepared to take a career break when coming over or try to get something before you land! Good luck on your job hunt Heidi!

[@HeidiRoseRose]

thank you so much for watching. ah I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been finding it difficult too!! Agreed there is always a silver lining 💖 definitely got to focus on the positives! Wishing you all the luck with your job hunt and something comes through for you soon x x

[@chloehayfield197]

So proud of you Heids ❤️

[@HeidiRoseRose]

thanks girlie, miss you x x x

[@aimeelewis25]

Love and miss you! Thanks for all this info!

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Love and miss you x x x

[@SimpleLivingintheCity]

I’ve been in Sydney for nearly two weeks now - been looking for work since I found out we were moving months ago and no joy at all - I have a 3 year visa but it’s still not that attractive to employers. Definitely hard but it will get easier. It’s a huge change. (I’m in my mid 40s but age is just a number!)

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Ohhh no!! Sorry to hear you're going through similar, wishing you all the luck with the job hunt. Let me know how you get on and thank you for your comment

[@HollyBartholomew-r3y]

Love you so much. Self reflection is such a valuable skill and I’m so proud of you. Xxx

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Love you 😭💗

[@user-pr2xj1bm4u]

WHV changed this year so you don’t have to do farm work for 3 months anymore. So it’s actually easier than it was before. It’s not an unrestricted visa, although the partner visa is - pretty sure you would have been eligible for that one. It’s expensive, but tbh if you’re working professionally you earn much more than retail, for example. WHV is still great if you want to backpack, live with other backpackers, and travel all over. I think this video is important because some people come over with a perception it’s some sort of utopia or the UK in the sun, which it’s not, and are subsequently disappointed - particularly if they already had a pretty good setup in the UK. Lots of ping pong poms or boomerang poms. And you talking about loneliness gave me flashbacks! I got super into exercise which was probs a coping mechanism on reflection lol - but there are worse coping mechanisms. I feel for you on that one, it’s the hardest thing - Australians are lovely abroad but can be a little insular to outsiders once you’re actually in Australia. But it’s a mindset thing at the end of the day - if you don’t think it’s the UK but sunnier, if you make the most of it even though it’s different and stop comparing, it can be an amazing experience! My advice would be to actually make the most of it before heading professional - go travelling and experience the amazing beauty and experiences Australia has to offer while you have a chance because at the end of the day, an office is an office wherever you are and 4 weeks of leave is gobbled up going back to the UK. PS don’t skip Tasmania, it’s a real gem and always reminds me of home. All the best

[@HeidiRoseRose]

thank you so much for your comment. Agreed I’ve got to stop comparing and make the most of it! I’m in the Whitsundays currently and a big reminder that Aus is so beautiful and I’m lucky to be here. Partner visa is an option so lucky to have that for sure. Everyone I’ve met has said it’s so much harder than it looks on social media so hopefully my video helps set expectations as you say. I’ve let Hamish know we need to check out Tasmania before I go! Thanks again for watching and your advice, super helpful ❤

[@marksmith9375]

With all due respect, you have not moved to Australia. You are on holiday. Hence, the name of your visa. I hope that you settle in and enjoy your time here.

[@Richo732]

Keep in mind that Australia is about 29 times the size of the UK, so weather on the Gold Coast is very different than the tropical north, inland regions or the southern states. For some parts of the country, "bring a parka or puffer jacked" would be better advice, while for the tropics its more about getting used to 4 months of constant rain and storms during the monsoon season.

[@RefurbIshment-z7l]

It hasn't been cold at all in Brisbane. I wear t-shirts shorts all year round. No idea what she's talking about if she's from London.

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Great shout! Thank you for commenting 😊

[@HeidiRoseRose]

@@RefurbIshment-z7l it’s been pretty windy and cold in the GC, the last week has been amazing though 🎉

[@andrewgray153]

"You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" Winnie the Pooh

[@HeidiRoseRose]

💛💛💛

[@louisaklimentos7583]

It isn’t easy , especially when you are not a permanent resident. I hope you meet more friends and secure a good job . God bless you 🙏😇

[@HeidiRoseRose]

🥺 thank you so much, bless you too! x x

[@seabreeze3906]

Anywhere there is green vegetation , it rains. Queensland gets cyclones. Queensland has rainforest. The only places it doesn’t rain, are deserts. Queensland is such a huge state land wise, high rainfall areas, check out the waterfalls, low rainfall areas in the west (desert) where population is very low. The bulk of people in Queensland live on the coast, east of the Great Dividing range, where the rainfall is. Water is life. If local employers want local experience, run an event for a charity as a volunteer, then you’ll have some local experience on your resume. Or Do temp hospo work and then the six month stipulation, won’t matter. I’ve worked in London, and also found it very lonely as an outsider, and difficult to navigate the job sitch, so did office temping (with no onsite training and no social anything) and travelled inbetween contracts.

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Thank you for the info 😊 good shout about volunteering, I did lots back home so hoping to get into that when I’m more setttled in a job and know how many hours I can commit to. Agree London can be lonely, glad you found a way around the job situ

[@item6931]

My first job was overseas. Takes a few months to fully settle in. Feeling like heading home when you first arrive is natural. I felt the same, it'll pass.

[@HeidiRoseRose]

thank you for the reassurance, means a lot!

[@RC-ik8ip]

I am Australian and honestly, fellow aussies treat others like shit..especially in the cities. You would have much better experience in another country like Japan or Malaysia. It is not what it used to be..even I am looking now to move my kids overseas to get away from the bad attitudes and stranger like vibes from neighbours.

[@HeidiRoseRose]

oh no, sorry to hear you're not having a great time :( hope your situation improves soon

[@Hcarter089]

❤

[@HeidiRoseRose]

💛

[@laurarobertson_]

Hey Girl! I came across your videos, I'm also in the GC - let me know if you wanted to catch up for a coffee 😃

[@HeidiRoseRose]

hey lovely!! omg would love to, I'll message you off my private insta to arrange! x x

[@laurarobertson_]

@@HeidiRoseRosehave responded! ❤

[@Ergo-ji8dn]

You described yourself as niave a few times and yes, more research on the working holiday visa conditions would have meant that you knew about the work restrictions. I think I heard that for some high demand health and child care occupations the 6 month rule does not or didn’t apply for a time but, sadly, this does not assist you. I have heard in general talk with friends and family members that there is an excess of marketing people around leading to a very competitive job search here, especially without Australian experience or for new Australian graduates. However, I haven’t researched seek or linked in myself so am not well informed. Throw in the 6 month rule and it would be more difficult to present yourself as the best candidate. Yes, overseas trained lawyers usually have to study some extra modules covering Australian law and Australian lawyers usually have to do so too if they go to the UK or any other country. That just seems inevitable as each country is different. Teachers and nurses etc have to gain Australian/State based registration too and one can certainly research and prepare for this before coming and gather all the evidence and documentation to be as ready as possible. I know for teachers, one almost always needs to have 4 years of training which includes a set number of hours of classroom practice and that some UK training does not provide this. This has caught some people out. Again, prior research is vital. I am stunned that you thought it never rained here as it is a sub-tropical climate! In fact we receive most of our rain and storms in spring and summer and have had some very large flood events here in SE Queensland. Was Hamish having you on? Glad you are meeting some potential friends. I think one of the best ways is to join a group activity or group hobby which caters to your interests and meet people that way. It could be some kind of sport, physical activity, meditation, music, art, drama, hobby or whatever interest you have or just want to try. As you said it is wise to say yes to invitations or suggestions and take your chances as you just may find your tribe or the beginning of a tribe. Best of luck!

[@HeidiRoseRose]

I thought that teachers were in demand too but speaking to someone else who has just moved over it appears they struggled a bit too! Who knows. Yeah I agree - research is needed as some things that are simple in the UK are pretty complex over here, and I didn’t have anyone to shine a light on that for me. Hoepfully this video helps those looking to move over be more prepared than me and do some more research. Tbh I probably just assumed as everyone says how good the weather is here, again me being a bit silly 😂 thank you for the suggestions, we’ve joined a run club and I have reached out to the local theatre group. Will join some more clubs once I get more settled with the job. Thank you for commenting and the luck 😃

[@listohan]

What would your decision have been if you had read the fine print? The six month restriction is not new. The visa has "holiday" in its name. The visas are fine grained to cover the circumstances of a wide range of people and it is best to pick the correct one. Emily is on a WHV kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIGYe5awqNWDfbcsi=qs5bHjdEPT0HG6-o

[@HeidiRoseRose]

Probably would have known what to expect and not been such a shock. You’re right though, I should have looked more into it :)

[@listohan]

@@HeidiRoseRose I'm not one for poetry but "I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of drought and flooding rains." This does not describe London. If you are contemplating the partner option, I suggest you tread carefully and promptly. Some people have risked their lives for asylum in Australia and years later are still spiralling through repeated discretionary extensions of their temporary visas. No matter how genuine the relationship and despite clear evidence of it, the partner visa process is long and thorough. I know a Canadian on a student visa who was in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen. The process took so long that she needed several TB clearances and in the final days of the process, the relationship of several years ended amicably. This woman got her PR anyway. She has since married someone else and is living in Darwin with her husband and children. A happy but long drawn out story.

[@Aussiemule]

and they wonder why there is a housing crisis here

[@broedmool9909]

6 months doesn’t make any sense

[@AE-up6dw]

So huge Heidi 🥹 you should feel so proud of yourself. Are you able to do freelance work with the restrictions? Copywriting/events projects where teams need extra resource short-term?

[@HeidiRoseRose]

thank you 🥹💖 yeah I should be able to but there doesn’t seem to be much out there!! I’ve emailed all the agencies I can find but noone’s come back to say they are hiring 🥲 x x x

[@AE-up6dw]

⁠@@HeidiRoseRose gah 😖 self-employed? X