swapping from RAF to RAAF
 

so was at work recently fitting up an aussie padre for a pax flight and it got me thinking whether a trade equivalent existed within the RAAF. had a look at their careers site and after looking at the standards required for joining, lifestyle, money (conversions taken into account) and just general better quality of life. im considering jumping ship and moving over to oz.

has anyone here ever transfered across from any of the forces in the UK to any in australia. if so was it easy? and how did you get the process started?

would really appreciate it if someone would have some good info.:ok:

You need to contact the Australian High Commission in London.

I met Mrs MGD whilst on exchange there, and visit regularly.

It's rather difficult to help you out with trade equivalancy, as you don't reveal your trade.

Fitting up a padre could suggest RAF Police or SMO, but I am assuming you are a squipper; in which case the equivalent trade used to be known as Life Support, and was broadly similar.

Many have made the leap, and enjoy the lifestyle, which is fantastic, but be warned...the Aussie dollar is booming against the pound and the cost of living in Oz has gone up a great deal in recent years.

My only other point is I have seen a lot of people head that way expecting some kind of 'shangra la with cricket', only to be disappointed and head back to the UK. You take any problems with you - if your crap at sticking to a budget in the UK, you'll be skint in Oz etc etc etc.

The country is amazing, the people are great and it offers a great lifestyle....but you'll have to work at it.

You might need to consider that the current Australian government, with the introduction of a carbon tax (aka wealth re-distribution tax) after specifically promising not to immediately before the last election is doing everything it possibly can to make the place as unattractive as possible for anyone to want to live in.

Also under the present government who are not pro service the man on the street is not doing well. However I doubt if they will survive the next election.

Labour governments down here always appear to self destruct and the current one is the worse that I have seen.

However the Air Force is doing well and for those who try to fit in, they will do well.

Regards

Col

Mate!!
 

With your command of the English language, you'll fit in right away! In regard to giving you advice-it takes about a year and quite a bit of commitment, so you may want to reconsider!:ok:

Thanks for the advice guys. I am a squipper so there is the trade equivalent out there. I guess ill have to start saving some more pennies before starting anything up then.

Knew a guy a few years ago who had left the RAF and was all set to move to Oz and the RAAF when they brought a new law in that effectively prevented him joining. Don't know any more details than that I'm afraid.

There have been plenty of pilots transfer, but dont recall any of the trades doing it. One requirement for RAAF is to be an Oz citizen, or be eligible to be a citizen. Pilot lateral transfers get a fast tracked citizenship, could happen for the ranks, if the trade was needed I supose.

As said contact the Aust embassy and maybe talk to the Mil liason folk there.

Lateral Recruitment
 

Essex

What you're looking for is called "Lateral Recruitment" (see below)

Recruitment Centre | Defence Jobs

As stated above, it can be a lengthy process but the detail is all laid out on the website. Whilst it doesn't state that squippers are specifically in demand right now it's always worth registering an Expression of Interest so they've got you on file if things change.

Job description for Aussie Squipper here:

Air Force | Aviation | Defence Jobs

Best of luck

Nick

Suggest you dont go. You will never want to come back !

essexlad, there are many Laterals in the RAAF. Australia House in London regularly dispatched around 30 people from RAF, Army and RN to Oz every month until a couple of years ago, when the GFC became a substantial workforce retention factor in the ADF. The process is tried and tested and while you do have to shell-out for the visa process as an applicant, if successful you then get reimbursed in Australia; the RAAF also ship you, your belongings and your family out for 'free'. That is, fulfill your commitment and they won't ask you to pay back the T&S.

Beware though, you either love vegemite or hate it!

G'day Essexlad,

Yes it's possible, most things in life are if you work hard enough.
We emigrated downunder in 2008 after 22 years service in the RAF, whilst I didn't transfer to the RAAF I know of a few guys who have. Not easy mate but anythings possible.

The ADF in general always seem to be recruiting, deffinatly worth looking into if you are serious about it.
As for the lifestyle, well despite the current government being hell-bent on screwing things up its still a great place to live, no regrets here :-)

Good luck on your quest.

And if you decide you like and leave the RAAF, if you have any technical / mechanical skills you could easily get a job in the mines earning mega $$$
(at the same time as living in Sunny Queensland, close to beaches, great fishing etc.):)

It certainly works the other way. I met a Dad of a cadet on the ATC squadron where I help out. Distinct Oz accent, but working at the secret Oxon heli base. He had fairly recently transferred as a snowdrop.

Barrier up, barrier down is probably much the same in either hemisphere.

& don't forget your fly swat!!:bored:

Lad check out the thread "Mercs r us" which may help, EOI is the first step.
Marmite is now sold in Coles so you dont have to eat that other stuff:oh::yuk:
As mentioned above not many people leaving at the moment so the bus is a bit full but if you dont ask. As an essex lad I am guessing larger is your drop of choice but there is a lot of boutique brewerys springing up, thankfully. Been over for 9 yrs still happy. Grass not greener it is just different grass now carbon friendly of course:(.
Why do you always take an inside leg measurement for a Mae West fitting??:E
Charlie Sends

Essexlad, there is a very detailed and rather long thread on transferring to the Australian Army on ARRSE. It's not 100% RAF-RAAF lateral process compliant but might contain some useful info. Commencement of the thread is several years old so much has changed.

Transferring to the Australian Army

Charlie, can't decide if that makes you a snob or a vulgarian :}

Charlie.
Cant give you a proper answer as to why an inside leg measurement is needed for a mae west fit. But i can only assume its to check what size is a better fit for the required person.

Looking at what people have posted here is making me all the more sure about jumping ship if the raf goes to pot within the next few years. Not sure what my flugel will say though when i tell him im gonna do one.