Coming to fly in Oz as an American
 

I'm really interesting in coming down to Australia and flying for a bit. I have quite a few mates in Brisbane and Melbourne. Very familiar (and in love) with the country.

I know you guys, much like the US, are experiencing a "pilot shortage". I know recently Australia has opened up visas for pilots so they can be recruited from overseas.

What are some Australian regional carriers that will sponsor an American on a visa ? What are some things I should know as an American coming into the aviation profession in Australia ?

I would love to come fly to QantasLink and move on to Qantas mainline. My goal would be to settle in Australia and carry out the rest of my career down there.

And before you get on your soapbox...I realise Aussie airline pilots make less than their American counterparts. Thats not important to me.

Thank you for your time and input.

Wheres the popcorn :8

Perhaps if you gave your audience a rundown on your current quals and background, they could give you more specific advice ? Just a thought...

ARE YOU INSANE STAY IS USA ........... Australia is a remote, 3rd world Socialist Island in the Southwest Pacific. The Aviation regulator is worst in the world....

Come on over-just realise that things are very different. There is a belief in Australia that they know everything about aviation. It is an entrenched belief. Anyone who has flown overseas is considered inferior-somehow lacking. Australia is unique. Qantaslink is bringing in lots of 'Instructors' especially from Sth Africa on Visas with a path to PR. My Sth African friends tell me that most of these pilots are not Instructors on Type-just that at some point in the past they have held an Instructors Rating. The thing is this allows the Australian companies to not increase pay as it should. Good luck to the individuals as they are leaving a beautiful country that is rapidly becoming uninhabitable. I wish them well. I also wish they were not being hired under false pretences and that the Australian Pilot representative bodies would actually challenge this. Of course I also wish to win lotto!

There are only (currently) a limited number of visas for pilots that give access to Permanent Residency. I expect that there will be more allocations depending on political donations.

If you have a partner that has a skill that is in the shortage, that may also be a thing to look at. Keep in mind some skilled shortage occupations do not have a path to PR.

Your reasons to move are valid.

“Australia is a remote”
It is.

“3rd world”
No, far from it. Higher standard of living than the US.

“Socialist”
Not really.

“The Aviation regulator is worst in the world....”
No worse than the FAA although the standard of the regulator has zero to do with the decision.

But yes, you would be insane to move to Australia.

All the reasons you listed are valid. Australia is however in someways moving toward the American model so don’t expect it to last forever. The socialist/marxist thing is gaining momentum, it’s everywhere particularly in the media. A lot is very very subtle and most people don’t notice it. It’s becoming embedded in the thinking. You will also see some of it emerging as early as preschool level.

The pilot wages give a basic middle class living in the suburbs. Sydney and Melbourne are expensive.

With your experience you will have no trouble. I’d recommend trying for Qantas mainline first. Best of luck.

Responding to your mail Sir, starting from line 1:

Quote: I'm really interesting in coming down to Australia and flying for a bit.
A bit?
A little, what ever you want to call it, you might as well stay here, once your here.

Quote: I have quite a few mates in Brisbane and Melbourne. Very familiar (and in love) with the country.

Australia gives out about 200,000 residency visas a year ( all categories), it will reduce to 160,000 next year.
There are 30,000 Australians per year, that aren't in love with OZ anymore and leave the country permanently.

Quote: What are some Australian regional carriers that will sponsor an American on a visa ?
Talk to REX airlines and Qlink (Qantas regional), if you can fly a Saab 340 or Dash 8, these are the people to talk to.

Quote:I know you guys, much like the US, are experiencing a "pilot shortage".

There's no pilot shortage here, only a shortage for flight instructors, nothing here compared to the U.S.
The general aviation charter sector (companies with piston twin engine aircraft), in Australia, are shrinking each year, companies are being forced to close.

Quote:I would love to come fly to QantasLink and move on to Qantas mainline.

Nobody is telling you not to come here, you could be good at all those psychometric testing at Qantas and extra medicals needed, just to get a job,
they will take you, BUT nobody on this website, CAN help you to get a visa to come here.
It's got to be your OWN work, to get the required visa.
It can be done.

Quote: And before you get on your soapbox

Soapbox?

You know something, i enjoy watching the "bold and beautiful", and Monday's show, will be the cream episode, since the show started.

Look, rent is about $450 a week for a 3 bedroom unit in the western suburbs of Sydney, a house, not under $550 a week.
A unit costs $430K in Sydney's west (1 hour drive to airport), a house costs $650K in the west to 1 million, a little bit closer and upwards.

I read the rest of your posts, it's really NOT worth being here, the tax system is high, dollar isn't worth much when travelling.
If your partner isn't working, you will get nowhere financially, on a single income here.

You can do much better in Aviation and financially,staying where you are, in the short and long term!

Summary?

If a Saab 340 Captain earns $120K annually, 10K a month, the ato (tax office) pay as you go website, says, take home is $7,140 a month (It's good money).

If a Dash 8 Captain earns at least $150k annually, $12,500 a month, the ato pay as you go website says, take home is $8,665 a month (partner doesn't need to work).

If the gentleman wants to come here and work as a pilot, there are opportunities for persons possessing his skills, now and in the future.
The cost of living is quite high here.

It's up to the gentleman to make enquiries, on his own behalf, to REX, Qlink, or applying for migration to Australia.

Personally, i see better opportunities in the U.S in terms of aviation work progression to bigger and better things and cost of living,
also housing affordability.

If you're talking about immigration numbers, they're figures i've heard throughout the year, on the radio and talk back, and have come across
news articles.

Seagull the USD is approx 0.70 USD $4900 per month after he pays rent in Australia and his first electricity bill the guy is better off staying in USA at Walmart....

Yes we do, but as a non-permanent resident you will be required to hold private health insurance. Unlike the States, companies in Australia do not provide medical insurance beyond loss of licence and mandatory workplace accident insurance.

Make sure you have a look at the cost of private health insurance without the Medicare Rebate applied, especially if you are over 31 and factor that into your take-home pay.

Unless you have a whole heap of command on a regional turboprop and possibly check and training quals, you will be hard pressed to get a 457 visa. Also, even if you got into QLink, I'm pretty sure your visa will be held by QLink and not Qantas, so there is no way to transfer to Qantas as they do not have approval for 457 visa pilots.

I actually know a fair bit about Australian visas.

Fact - you do not need permanent residency to access Medicare.

Fact - The reduction of issued visas recently is due to the reduction in "Skilled Worker" applicants. The planning level remained the same as other years (actually slightly increased) just not enough applied.

Fact - if you are serious in moving to Australia you need to consult with a Registered Migration Agent. I know of around 6 that I would happily recommend as very good.

Fact - There are far better places to live than Sydney. But for the unlucky, many companies have a "Sydney Allowance" that assist a bit.

Seems the average exchange rate over last 10 years is $0.86652831
Dec 2009 - $ 0.79211631
Dec 2010 - $0.91969131
Dec 2011 - $1.03385331
Dec 2012 - $1.03593731
Dec 2013 - $0.96791531
Dec 2014 - $0.90281331
Dec 2015 - $0.75212431
Dec 2016 - $0.74366431
Dec 2017 - $0.7668301
Dec 2018 - $0.750338

If you want to come over for the lifestyle etc, do it. Come on in, the waters warm. It is pricey and the industry is kinda inbred. Property is silly but if you're not high maintenance you'll find a nice spot for yourself depending on your job location and what you like to do.
welcome

Every year for as far back as I could check the migration "Planning Level" numbers have been meet within a handful of the published levels.

Last year the number fell short by around 30,000 in the Skilled Migration sector, the other targets were reached. The general opinion for this reduction is the uncertainty of our governments and the policies they keep changing. Things like the "Backpacker Tax" and the 457 abolishment have made the prospective applicant consider other countries for migration. Many people in large city's like Sydney and Melbourne are of the opinion that our migration levels are too high - the reality is it is too small and while these two city's get a disproportionate number of migrants compared to the rest of Australia neither city has put in the required infrastructure/policy to grow. Simply take a look at Sydney, single airport and the restrictions on that - no infrastructure (2nd airport) and a curfew (a restriction on types that can be used 146 only I think) a policy that is political suicide to touch.

"While the headline planning figure has not changed since 2012–13, a number of recent policy decisions are changing the composition and actual size of the Migration Program. The planning level itself has changed from a target to a ceiling, as noted in Minister Dutton’s media release for the 2017–18 Budget. In 2016–17, for the first time, there was a large discrepancy between the planning level and the number of permanent residency visas granted. It may be the case future discrepancies exist for 2017–18 and into the forward estimates period."

There is actually an increase of around 2,000 places but they don't count the humanitarian numbers in these figures.

While many of you have posted Australia is not all roses, it is still a pretty good place to live and bring up a family. While many see allowing pilots in on visas is a bad thing and is driving down wage growth, I think many other factors are controlling wage growth even within the industry. If you look at the difference in pay for pilots between Qantas and Jetstar (owned by Qantas) you could say because Jestar pilots are working for less than the Qantas counterparts they stopping the wage growth of the Qantas pilots. I see having good people come here with good intentions is a good thing.

Adelaide - Lead Balloon?

When comments like " Nothing wrong with Adelaide water as long as you chew it properly" are made, maybe drink bottled water!

And this from the tap water championships-

We're definitely in Marysville. So, I've got to ask, how do you feel about Adelaide's tap water?
David: Well, having been brought up with Adelaide water, we think it's quite drinkable. Therefore, everything else is theoretically an improvement on that.
June: We're hardened. It's got to be pretty bad before we refuse to drink it.

https://www.greenleft.org.au/content...adelaide-water

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...d28538ff64037b

There is a lot of misinformation flying around this thread regarding the lifestyles enjoyed by pilots in the US compared to Australia.

An apples to apples comparison would see Australian pilots fair much better than most expect.

“The generally-agreed statement is that Australia is the only third world aviation nation where you can drink the water. The word “aviation” in that statement is important. Anyone here saying it is not needs to fly in an actual first world aviation nation.”

I am interested to know what exactly constitutes “third world” in the aviation sector down under as apposed to the “first world” to which you refer. Can you provide some detailed examples?

“The socialist/marxist thing is gaining momentum”

Interesting, can you provide some examples?

The only caveat is if you come from a country which has a reciprocal health agreement. Which are;

• Belgium
• Finland
• Italy – you don’t need to have been living in Italy, but you must be an Italian citizen and meet the other agreement conditions
• Malta
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Ireland
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

I don't see the States on there, which is where the OP is from.

So I showed you mine, now show me yours :E

(Happy to be corrected, but the above has been my experience)

Firstly the 457 visa system has been scrapped, so it is a little hard to apply for one (some applications are still in the pipeline).

Secondly the reciprocal health agreement we have with those countries is not Medicare and there are limitations on what is provided.

Thirdly, and the important bit is the requirement to be eligible is to have applied for a Permanent Visa - the exception is Parent Visas.

There is no restriction on countries, you simply go to Medicare with receipt of payment for a PR visa, your Medicare application form and the current visa you have to be legally in Australia such as a Visitor Visa or a Bridging Visa E. A short time later they will give you your Medicare Number and tell you your "Blue Interim Card" will turn up in the mail in around 2 weeks, you stay on the "blue card" until PR is granted often a few years later. There is no difference in what is provided between the Blue and Green and I see Ukraine is not on that list!




https://www.humanservices.gov.au/ind...who-can-get-it

https://www.seekvisa.com.au/visas-el...-for-medicare/

This one also covers Temp visas and a statement of a time limit for Reciprocal Health cover.

https://www.immiaustralia.com.au/blo...-for-medicare/

I can also direct you to a forum where many had/have Medicare on temporary residence visas.

I threw the Google Maps pin - ended up in Mexico first, so had another throw.

St. Paul Downtown Holman Field

2014 was 66,475 aircraft operations 74% being GA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul_Downtown_Airport

One thing this joint ain't, is, Socialist. It's still run by a bunch of clowns like a f@cking penal colony. With probably less privacy laws than the US.

We might even let you become an Austronaut!!

Your colleagues will be friendly to you. It's casually racist place, even for white people, worse if you are 'of middle eastern appearance', asian or a native. You won't get shot by police during a routine traffic stop.

PS Live your life the way you want. If you want to have a go, come over and try it. Looking through a different set of lenses can make this place what you like. Especially if the girl is worth it. For the rest of us here, familiarity breeds contempt. You can always go back to the US if it goes bad. Plan on AUD$10,000 to apply for permanent residency.

PSS If you get here, and you end up flying, whatever you do, do not bust a CTA step.:hmm:

Oriana - these guys say $6,000 - $8,000 using a RMA, I don't know them but seems close to the mark.

https://migrateoz.com/index.php?opti...ask=view&id=45

$10,000 is more like an Australian citizen bringing in his foreign partner in on a Partner Visa without using an RMA, more like $15,000 if you use an RMA.

With the American taxation system - "can always go back" phrase rolls off the tongue a bit fast!

Quote: Fact - you do not need permanent residency to access Medicare.

I know a person that had Australian citizenship and passport ( due inheritance from their parents), the person visited OZ for the first time in their life.

Medicare told the person, they cannot be covered by Medicare, until, they have been in the country for a continuous 6 month period.
Although the person had AU citizenship, it didn't help in that instance.
The person needed personal health or travel insurance during their 6 month stay.

I know of dozens that have been told they are not eligible for Medicare, speaking to the supervisor or going to another branch often rectifies the problem of the poor staff training in some Medicare offices other offices are excellent. We were done and dusted in less than 10 mins inc wait time.

I asked a very simple question in a very basic way via email to the concerned department (at the time) in relation to eligibility of Medicare on a certain Temporary Visa - it took 3 replies to get the simple basic answer of yes they will be eligible.

A good chance that that Medicare person that told the person you know now works at CAsA or they will soon be poached now you let the cat out!

P.S. It is citizenship by descent, and I will warn 2 of my 3 kids about that trap.