flight training in OZ
hey gareth 08,
Oz is a great place for doing your flying training both CPL and IR as well as PPL etc. The training is very cheap compared to Europe and the UK especially. Just wait until the exchange rate is back up near the $3 mark and you'll save thousands. But, as with anywhere , you must shop around to get the best price/quality!
Don't assume that other cities will be cheaper than Sydney because that is 'essentially' the 'capitol'. (yes I know Canberra is ). Sydney has a lot of airfields crammed into a smaller space with literally hundreds of schools competing for your business. Melbourne is not necessarily as cheap as Sydney and I was quoted some horrendous prices in Brisbane and Adelaide. Incidentaly Melbournes population is only just marginally smaller the Sydneys'.
You should consider where you will stay. It will be cheaper in more rural areas but if you are attempting an IR then instrument fields will be few and far between. Most of the population live within 100km of the coast so the big instrument fields are there.
The other posters are right about the job scene. I was in Oz for 15 months and saw how difficult for the locals to get jobs, 20 30 or 40 people going for the same job and most pilots started when they were 16 to 19. Pilot training/ground school can be done at tech colleges or schools. Entirely different to Europe.
Take a look at the DIMIA website for immigration. You may find it very difficult to get a visa you already have to have a qualification or a skill which they are looking for with plenty of experience and to emmigrate takes about 18-24 months of interviews and assessments all of which you have to pay for. Try working holiday visa (1 yr and you can work) or business visa(need loadsa money) or study visa( part time work and poss extended stay).
There are loads of bush flying,fish spotting air taxi and pleasure flight type roles. Not much on the airline scene flying jets but the turboprops serve most of the regional airports,(saab 340/dash8 etc) most big towns have a council run airport. Not Like the UK!!
One last thing. If you are not an Aussie then you will be at the bottom of the list for any job, unless they are desperate.
Good Luck! Take it easy. No Worries!!!