Trying to move to kangaroo country

[NTRubicon]

Just spoke with a retired US military colonel about this situation, he says to stay in the US military as there are more benefits for us soldiers than there are for AUS soldiers. Better support financially, medically etc.

If you come out to AUS on a military ticket, it might pay to research taking on a posting as a US soldier in AUstralia training the Aussie medics or something like that.. That way you don't lose your US military position.

doesn't make much sense to me, but maybe it helps you

[Paul-JK]

Can't help with the army side of things but in terms of general things associated with moving........

I've been here for 6 years now and love it. Originally from UK. Permanent resident now. Wouldn't go anywhere else.
The reality is that any white face here (and many other colours) are all immigrants in one way or another. A few might have been here a little longer than others but we all came from somewhere else at some point. That means there is a diverse range of people here and I think Australian's are far more accepting of others because of it.
The visa process can be painful. My advice is get an immigration consultant to handle it for you. Yes, it will cost, but it'll be the best money you've spend in terms of saving stress and time.
I came in on a 457 visa. They were easier to get a few years ago but I've heard they're tightening up on them now. When I came they were a 4 year work dependent visa. You had to agree to stay in your original job for 3 years and then I think you can change, but you must be employed. After 4 years you can then apply for citizenship. I've not done that yet but I did change to a 856 permanent visa after 6 months. I actually applied for the 856 visa first but it was taking too long so came in on the 457 while the 856 was being processed. I was lucky though. I was being sponsored by my employer so it was far simpler.
As others have said, everyone is easy going here (too easy going at times) and as long as you make an effort to fit in then you'll be fine. It's the people who come in and refuse to change that rubs people up the wrong way, and rightly so. You're in someone else's country. Experience it, adapt to it, and enjoy it.
I would certainly recommend coming over for a holiday to see if you do like it. It can be the silliest little things that you find you can't live with and a few weeks holiday can give you a far better impression of the place than you'll get from talking to others about it.

Good luck with it.

[afd660]

It would be cool to be able to go to the AU as a US soldier but I got out about a year ago. Taking a vacation out there would be expensive, wish I could afford it. Unless anybody knows a pretty Aussie woman that wants to get married to an American. LOL... I have no problem leaving the states, I actually found it to be less stressful when I was in Iraq vs being here.

[JKlamb]

Hey mate,

The reasons you got sick of the US military are no different to the Australian military.

A lot of ex Brits come over here, they are known as lateral transfers.

Not sure on the process from the US.

Being a medic if you have field medic quals that would be valuable.

You just need to google defence jobs for the ADF and start the email process.

The pay and conditions are probably the best compared to other countries, this is comparing from some Brits and Americans I have spoken too.

Make sure you get your record of attainments organized.

If you make it in you may need to redo basic training, if your lucky they will direct transfer.

Any more questions

[rjl3175]

Ya gonna hafta learn tha lingo if ya gonna live in Straya. And ya gonna hafta watch out for dem drop bears mate, bastards'll eat ya brains out if they land on ya.

[afd660]

Am I going to have to drink Fosters or Guinness beer also??? lol.. I hope to be able to move there and teach you Aussies what real football is... haha One of my buddies in the military was married to a New Zealand girl and she was really nice.

[SeaComms]

Real football? Try no padding or armour anywhere

Sent from a tiny keyboard with fat fingers, apologies for my spelling. .