Possible consulting job in Australia for 1-2 years

[speedevil]

Everyone,

I'm considering a consulting job in Australia (Brisbane) that would be 1-2 years in length.  I know there are members here in Australia and I would appreciate comments pro/con and questions I should ask while I'm making up my mind.  It would involve relocating my family (wife + 2 kids) for the time.

OK, the really important question - can I bring my Goldwing and Ducati with me?

Thanks in advance.

[Langanobob]

I'm from Reno, not Brisbane but I've spent some time there, although not anywhere near two  years.  My impression of Brisbane is that it's a great place.  The whole country is a great place. Nice river flows right through town, near the Great Barrier Reef and who knows what else. If I had the opportunity that you have I wouldn't even be thinking about passing it up.

What an adventure for your kids too.  Don't know where you live now, or what your priorities are, but it seems like too many of us are guided by security and comfort, you know the old Teddy Roosevelt saying about living in a gray area, knowing neither victory nor defeat.  

Can't answer about bringing the Duc or Goldwing, I'm sure it can be done but I think I'd also consider buying a good used larger displacement dual sport bike if you're going to be there two years.  

[speedevil]

That Teddy Roosevelt quotation is my favorite quote EVER.  It's on my retriever website, mainly to show that training dogs, traveling to field trials and hunt tests, standing on the line and being judged is "being in the arena" -  not the armchair quarterbacks sitting in the gallery with all the answers.

Standing on the line with your dog and failing is still better than armchair quarterbacking a perfect performance.

[EvilSteve]

Work out the difference in resale value + shipping as compared to buying the bikes new/second hand in AU. I was born in BNE & grew up there, there are some cool roads around Brisbane.

[ducrider45]

Do it! go down under! I would be gone.

[Triple J]

Sounds like you have dogs? If so, look into taking them if that is a concern. It was for me, and was the reason my wife and I didn't move to Melbourne about 4 years ago, as the quarantine laws were really strict.

[ellingly]

Firstly - where are you looking at working? There are pros and cons to each of the bits of Australia .

(Disclaimer: I work in one of the ones most people would regard as the worst. The nation's capital.)

Import rules here are a bit tricky.

I'd start here: http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/importing_a_car_to_australia.htm for some rough guidelines.

The relevant govt department to dredge through would be the department of way too many letters. I actually know some people who work for used to be known as DOTARS.  If I wasn't flying back to where I grew up, I'd have tried to catch up to them and asked them about it. Will put it down on the to-do list once I'm back next week.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/index.aspx would be the starting point according to the relevant department.

My own understanding is that it's possible, but not really helpful. It won't be cheap to bring it here, it will be a pain in the absolute backside to comply with the relevant Australian Design Rules, and you'll end up having to change the appropriate things back to US spec whenever you head back over to the states.

An example of the shit to change will be the headlight.

Another cost to consider... you're going to have to buy new helmets. Helmets in Australia need to conform to the relevant Australian standards, and, well, helmets sold in Europe or the States don't earn the little sticker to state they meet the relevant AS (even though they'll be an identical helmet, but, that's a whinge we can have on a separate day).

Good luck though, and when I'm back in Canberra I'll see if I can find some more useful info for you.

Oh yeah, and immigration to Australia can be interesting. I've never really dealt with it but know a few people who have, and they all assure me it's .

(I live just down the road from the immigration department though. I'm sure they'll let me put in a good word for you ).

EDIT: If you have dogs that makes it an absolute nightmare. We're pretty precious about quarrantine here - for good bloody reason, too - and that makes it really hard to bring pets into Aus. Put it this way about quarrantine: I'm about to go back to Tasmania, where I grew up, and I have more stringent quarrantine flying into there than I do when I've flown into most other countries. Bear in mind that I'm just flying to another part of Australia, it's not like I'm going to a different country or anything...

I'll leave it at this: got any specific questions about it, PM me or reply to this thread, i.e. what sort of stuff are you really tossing up about other than the bikes? Other than that, head over to Oz Monsters under the local club boards .

[Teutonics]

Do it. 

I lived in Brisbane for a year as a kid (12 to 13 years old), and wouldn't trade the memories for anything.  My dad had a similar offer of a consulting job for a year.  In the end, it didn't work out too well for my parents (house, cars, etc.), but for me and my siblings it was a great experience.

[ungeheuer]

... you're going to have to buy new helmets. Helmets in Australia need to conform to the relevant Australian standards, and, well, helmets sold in Europe or the States don't earn the little sticker to state they meet the relevant AS.....

... Canberra is full of bureaucrats... with their rules and regulations... and "section 37b of the roads, traffic and nose-hair Act"....lol  Yeah, so your helmet wont have an AS sticker on it.  Believe me, nobody will ever notice, care or ask...  

Been years since I was in Brisbane (I live near Melbourne), so I cant help you there - although I'm pretty certain that even in Queensland they drive (more or less) on the CORRECT side of the road, so that will be an adjustment you'll need to take into account if you're gonna survive the ride....  Immigration can be daunting... but you do the paperwork, wait in line.... its the same tedious interaction you expect from dealing with any government department... As a visitor (rather than a migrant) your visa-work ought not be too unpleasant though  .

If it was me, I'd be looking to buy a bike here rather than ship your current ride from the US > Aus and then presumably back to the US at the end of your stay.  Even though the sticker price will be higher here than you're used to paying in the States, its still gonna be less hassle than all the shipping to and fro... importation documentation, vehicle registration....  See? Its those bureaucrats again....  

C'mon Down

[ManOrAstro-Man?]

I agree with ungeheuer about buying another bike when you get there. That's what I would do. It's not worth the hassle of shipping the bikes over there. That's my opinion. And I agree with everyone else about making the move. I would kill to have a job in Australia. It's one of the best countries in the world. You only live once, so see as much of the world as you can!

[Justo]

Come to Oz. Best place in the world!!! Especially now summer is almost here.

Why not pop into the Local OZ forum and throw your questions about there. Aussies are a friendly bunch and will welcome you with welcome arms!

Forum > Local Clubs > OZ monsters

Brisbane isn't the prettiest city, but your only a short ride from some of the most prettiest places in the country.

[Q777]

I may be biased, because I've lived in Brisbane all my life. The city itself is fabulous, the locals are easy going, and the twisty riding roads aren't far away.  All to the west and north of Brisbane are heaps of fun.  Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious, Mt Mee, Mt Pleasant.  Somerset Dam, Wivenhoe Dam.  The list goes on.

Surfers Paradise and Sunshine Coast both less than an hour away.

Great fishing

Beautiful weather

Great footy teams

www.docq.com.au

What more could you want?

I'm in recruitment, and the tide is turning, with a number of companies starting to to struggle to find good staff.  The "economic downturn" in Brisbane has been just a blip on the radar.  House price averages in the last quarter are within a few percent of 18 months ago, with many areas showing a 15 to 20% increase.
Oh yeah - I was made redundant in my job 6 months ago, and I pretty much walked into a new job that was paying 10% more than the last one.  Yep - the GFC is out of control over here!   

What line of work are you in?  Some civil engineering areas are genuinely pretty quiet at the moment.

If you're in the health industry, we need to talk...

If you're coming over with your family, there's generally an expectation that your employer will cover the costs of arranging your 457 Visa and provide a large chunk of money towards your relocation costs.

www.bikesales.com.au will give you an idea about local bike prices.  More expensive than what you're probably used to, but not enough to break the bank

See you here soon.

[ungeheuer]

Some great and up-to-date local info from Q777 there 

Except for this part, which is obviuosly complete bollocks    .... 

Great footy teams

For a truly Mighty Aussie Footy Team, try here >>  http://www.saints.com.au/

[Q777]

I've replied to a few PM's about recruitment and Brisbane generally, but let me say to anyone that will listen that Melbourne residents have a warped sense of what constitutes a quality football team.  That's all I'll say for now...  
Brisbane is the best family-friendly option in Australia...and we have the best footy teams...

[ungeheuer]

....let me say to anyone that will listen that Melbourne residents have a warped sense of what constitutes a quality football team..... Brisbane is the best family-friendly option in Australia...and we have the best footy teams...

lol....  Queenslanders......   

Actually Brisbane is a nice place.  With a great climate.  And no idea how to play football at all. 

Two out of three aint so bad  .