Last year our migration agent Darren Chatt travelled to Australia for family and work commitments. As an Australian citizen he can enter the country during the strict COVID travel restrictions.
Below, he explains what Australian life is like during the COVID pandemic. Darren also reveals he is connecting with local employers to provide our clients with exciting job opportunities.
Flight cancellations and hotel quarantine
“After expecting to be in Perth at the start of September, two cancelled flights saw me finally arrive late into November. I experienced 2 weeks in lockdown at a hotel in Perth before being allowed to travel south to my family home near Busselton.
It was a very challenging time and gave me first hand experience of the difficulties faced by fellow citizens and permanent residents trying to return to Australia.
I am due to fly back to Scotland in April, but with no flights available and further international border closures, this is unlikely to happen. Given the current situation, I will be focusing on onshore visa applications and employment opportunities, of which there are many. I have set up an Australian office in Busselton, Western Australia and am working closely with companies looking to sponsor skilled applicants to WA.”
Job opportunities in Australia
“A local company (WA) is looking to sponsor six qualified Painters and Decorators, and the two applications lodged just 6 weeks ago are already at the approval stage.
A Perth company that is set up to sponsor Welders, Metal Fabricators and Metal Machinists is desperately looking for employees. Last year he sponsored over 40 tradesmen under the 482 visa category.
With the State and Australian Government offering A$45,000 to anyone who buys a house and starts building before Feb 2021, the housing industry is booming. There is a huge shortage of Electricians, Carpenters, Tilers, etc. and there are just not enough of these skilled tradesmen to cope with the demand.”
Read more about Australia’s economic response to COVID.
Increasing visa options for our clients
“This is good news for our clients, but we need the Australian Government to start processing the employee sponsored visas again, and subsequently the states to start sponsoring overseas applicants. I am hoping this will happening on the 1st July when the new allocation of visas is declared by the Australian Government.
It is actually a good time for me to be in Australia, and with Kimberley managing the Edinburgh office and Sue the London office, everything is running very smoothly. Recently I met up with some of our previous clients and enjoyed hearing of their experiences in settling into their new lives in Australia. It has been a very positive couple of months and I’m looking forward to securing a wide range of job opportunities for our clients. We just need the Australian government to start opening the borders!”
If you require migration advice you can book a consultation with Darren or complete our free online assessment.
