Hi

seen a couple of posts in community care looking for social workers for australia & usa. i have been to usa and have a rough idea of the cost of living ect.. but is australia worth exploring???. i was attempted by the reason advert in community care. are there any australia social workers in UK who can advise on cost of living, life-style compared to UK, schooling/ educational system.  I am recently divorced and have 2 young kids so any advise would be appreciated.  is the social work different compared to UK?

thanks   

Hi

I moved to Australia with my wife and 2 children almost 4 1/2 years ago - never looked back. We've lived in North Queensland and NSW and will be moving to Darwin in the NT (seem to have the adventure bug) soon. Cost of living's roughly about 2/3 UK, lifestyle's fantastic. Schools we've had our children in have been very good - public schools are free, though there's much more private education (nowhwere near as costly as the UK). SW's not much different - similar issues, often pretty high workloads, but overall I reckon better. You'd need to check eligibility of your qualification - look at the AASW website for help here.

Hi Jerry, you're making us all really jealous! It's good to have a contributor from Australia though

Hi Jerry[

thanks for this. i applied for the recent canberra posts but its a big step, life changing.... I am newly divorced, 2 kids, and ready for a fresh start. I don't do anything by half...I don't really have anything in UK to stay for (really small extended family) . Been a qualified social worker for 13 years (and some post qualifying qualfications). Prior to that was a social work assistant (called community care officers).  I checked the AASW and I think my qualification is fine as its degree-level.

Any tips and advise on relocating would be good. Its good to here that you have settled and enjoying it. Are in children & Families or Adult Care ?

thanks

 

Can anyone tell me where/when in Comm Care they saw about jobs in USA?  I have not seen that.  I have however been recrutied by a Gov Mental Health org in Australia (wont say herein which as they are not here to defend themselves) and have been sorely let down.  Got my perm res visa for there and everything and then everything went array - appears they were recruiting for a job they do not actually have.  I have spent about 2K, got quotes for my removals, arranged my leaving do's, worked out my notice in my fab job here in Jersey, dealt with the emotional aspect of leaving behind all my dead good friends - my team were even about to start my leaving collection!  I am extremely disappointed and feel very let down.  Fortunately my fab manager let me retract my notice so at least I still have a job and income!  I am just waiting for the sap of my wrath to die down and then I amk going to write to 'someone high up' in MH there to state how I feel I have been let down.  My prob is that as I turn age of 45 in two months time (which is the cut off age for immigration to Oz) it is too late now for me to try again with another organisation over (my perm res visa states that I have to arrive in Oz by 07/06/08 and that I have to work for the org that nominated me for first two years and so I cannot use it to go over and work for another org)_- and there are loads of jobs going all over the country.  Argh....

HI

they were advertised late last years I think thats when I saw them.  Its not Canberra that let you down as they advertised here afew weeks ago. I don't want all they hassle you have as its a big change. I don't want to fork out money if its the same Australian Govt.  Isn't there a law against this offering a job that doesn't exits?

I am near your age (going to be 44 in Nov). I hope this is not going to be stressful. Have you tried some oversea recruitment agencies or replied to this recent job advert for Canberra (I know it stated Childcare but in small print it states and other posts..).

Good luck

Rita 

 

I have lived in Australia for 25 years, and am over here in the UK for a couple of years to gain further expertise in Forensic/Phychiatric Mental Health. Australia is lacking in some of these fileds, but I believe with Social Workers who have these credentials will help to bring forth the expertise that we need.

 The cost of living is far less than here in the UK. Yes, we may have less facilities, but that's where we come in, using our experise and alternative referrals. The life itself is great, the weather is certainly better and overall, the way of life is healthier and more community related than that in the UK. Go out there, get down under. I will be returning next year for good. God bless

I have just finished redaing Rachel's letter on LAC, and agree with her that as Social Workers we need to stand up and NOT be bullied into doing things are taking action that we do not agree with, and should be able to say what we think without fear of retribution. Keep up the good work. You are a professional and as such should be accepted as one. Blessings

 

Rev Jack 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, no certainly not Canberra (and also they told me that they do not actually have mental health posts, so no good for me!).  One never knows what is around next corner too.  Regards Andy

Incidentally, Reed Health Care are recruting for childrens services if anyone interested and i found them very helpful.  I am hoping in near future they may be look for mental health also and that there is a way round the age issue for immigration.  Also, I happen to be aware that the Tasmania Government are recruting overseas - cannot remember which field though.  Regards Andy

Try www.seek.com.au for Australian Social Work jobs. Some employers are welcoming of overseas professionals and will sponsor certain individuals. Its worth just sending a few emails to the jobs on offer and getting their feedback.