I Want To Emigrate To Melb

[KateM12]

Hi all <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I'm new in this site. I came across this topic and thoght to turn for help.

I'm Kate. I'm 48, Greek. I'm a forensic Psychologist. I have obtained my BSc (Hons) and MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology in British Universities. I have been working in the Drug Unit of the State Mental Hospital of Athens as a drug counsellor since July 2006.

Currently I'm doing my Phd in the Law School of the University of Athnes.

I'm seriously considering to relocate to Australia (Vic. or Qld in particular) where I want to live and work. I have been in Melbourne twice, and fell for this city <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Money Eyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Money Eyes:' />



One and a half year ago I decided that I should try to go to work in Australia. At the beginning I thought that it was best to complete my PhD first and then see what I could do about it. But now I see that completing my PhD will probably take longer than I first though, and that it would be better if I tried to make the effort simultaneously, while working on my thesis. You see, I'm not 25 and this is not an advantage.

At the moment I'm waiting for some documents from England which I have to send to the Australian Psychological Society for assessment of my academic qualifications. Then, as long as I am given recognition I have to have my professional qualifications assessed. I very complicated procedure.

I would be grateful if you could give me some advice on this pright of mine. Any answers welcome.



thank you all for your time



friendly regards



Kate

[glen]

Hi Kate,



This will give you an idea of some of the jobs available in your field (in Melbourne):



[url="http://www.seek.com.au/jobsearch/?catlocation=1002&searchCriteria=PHNlYXJjaENyaXRlcmlhPjxwYWdlTnVtYmVyPjA8L3BhZ2VOdW1iZXI@PGRhdGVSYW5nZT4zMTwvZGF0ZVJhbmdlPjxtYXJrZXRTZWdtZW50cz48bWFya2V0U2VnbWVudD5tYWluPC9tYXJrZXRTZWdtZW50PjwvbWFya2V0U2VnbWVudHM@PG1vZGVsPm1vZGVsLW1haW48L21vZGVsPjxjYXRlZ29yaWVzPjxjYXRlZ29yeT4xMjExPC9jYXRlZ29yeT48Y2F0ZWdvcnk@MTU2MTwvY2F0ZWdvcnk@PC9jYXRlZ29yaWVzPjxzZWFyY2hPcHRpb25zPjxzb3J0TW9kZT5MaXN0ZWREYXRlPC9zb3J0TW9kZT48c2VhcmNoVHlwZT5OZXdTZWFyY2g8L3NlYXJjaFR5cGU@PC9zZWFyY2hPcHRpb25zPjwvc2VhcmNoQ3JpdGVyaWE@&refinement=catlocation%3D1002"]http://www.seek.com.au/jobsearch/?catlocat...location%3D1002[/url]



I don't quite follow what type of PhD you are doing. Is it psychology related?



You might also find this site interesting if interested in forensic stuff:



Victorian Institute Of Forensic Medicine - [url="http://www.vifm.org"]http://www.vifm.org[/url]

[KateM12]

[quote name='glen' post='19010' date='Aug 12 2009, 10:49 PM']Hi Kate,



This will give you an idea of some of the jobs available in your field (in Melbourne):



[url="http://www.seek.com.au/jobsearch/?catlocation=1002&searchCriteria=PHNlYXJjaENyaXRlcmlhPjxwYWdlTnVtYmVyPjA8L3BhZ2VOdW1iZXI@PGRhdGVSYW5nZT4zMTwvZGF0ZVJhbmdlPjxtYXJrZXRTZWdtZW50cz48bWFya2V0U2VnbWVudD5tYWluPC9tYXJrZXRTZWdtZW50PjwvbWFya2V0U2VnbWVudHM@PG1vZGVsPm1vZGVsLW1haW48L21vZGVsPjxjYXRlZ29yaWVzPjxjYXRlZ29yeT4xMjExPC9jYXRlZ29yeT48Y2F0ZWdvcnk@MTU2MTwvY2F0ZWdvcnk@PC9jYXRlZ29yaWVzPjxzZWFyY2hPcHRpb25zPjxzb3J0TW9kZT5MaXN0ZWREYXRlPC9zb3J0TW9kZT48c2VhcmNoVHlwZT5OZXdTZWFyY2g8L3NlYXJjaFR5cGU@PC9zZWFyY2hPcHRpb25zPjwvc2VhcmNoQ3JpdGVyaWE@&refinement=catlocation%3D1002"]http://www.seek.com.au/jobsearch/?catlocat...location%3D1002[/url]



I don't quite follow what type of PhD you are doing. Is it psychology related?



You might also find this site interesting if interested in forensic stuff:



Victorian Institute Of Forensic Medicine - [url="http://www.vifm.org"]http://www.vifm.org[/url][/quote]







Hi Glen <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Money Eyes:' />



Thank you so much for your reply- and so fast <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



The problem is that as far as I know I have to find a sponsored job in order to get a visa to work there. I have been told that it would be easier if I was willing to work in remote areas for a couple of years at the beginning. The truth is that I find the idea tempting - I have already started dreaming about Indiana Jones situations, Kangaroos and crocodiles.... and the like... and, you know what? I like the idea... <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Whistle.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Whistle:' />



My Phd is a research project which I carrie out for the Law School on a forensic psychology topic. In particular it is about the drug therapy in the criminal justice system. The role of coerced treatment in the motivation for treatment.



I know about the seek site and some other sites with australian jobs. The Australian Psychological Society also has a relevant section. The forensic site you mention is the first time to see. Thank you very much for it. I think it may prove valuable. The first step of course is my qualifications assessment, which worries me a lot at the moment.

But nothing ventured , nothing gained.



I appreciate your support very much indeed



friendly regards



Kate

[glen]

Glad to help.



I don't know a whole lot about job sponsorship, visas and immigration but will try to help where i can! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Money Eyes:' />



Sounds like some interesting research. Maybe you can get a job with the Department of Justice [url="http://www.justice.vic.gov.au"]http://www.justice.vic.gov.au[/url] .



They include "Corrections Victoria" which manages the prison system for Victoria:



[url="http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/About+Us/Our+Organisation/Business+Area+Profiles/JUSTICE+-+Corrections+Victoria"]http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/conn...ctions+Victoria[/url]

[glen]

ps There aren't any crocodiles in melbourne <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Money Eyes:' /> But we do have the occasional kangaroo <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[KateM12]

[quote name='glen' post='19012' date='Aug 13 2009, 12:16 AM']Glad to help.



I don't know a whole lot about job sponsorship, visas and immigration but will try to help where i can! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Sounds like some interesting research. Maybe you can get a job with the Department of Justice [url="http://www.justice.vic.gov.au"]http://www.justice.vic.gov.au[/url] .



They include "Corrections Victoria" which manages the prison system for Victoria:



[url="http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/About+Us/Our+Organisation/Business+Area+Profiles/JUSTICE+-+Corrections+Victoria"]http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/conn...ctions+Victoria[/url][/quote]





Hi Glen,



Thank you so much for your links. They are really very useful in my job search. In all likelyhood, they might even be more relevant than vacancies in the health sector.

The reasearch project ... yes, it is interesting. I have carried it out in two drug treatment programs. The one I work in, of the state mental hospital of Athens, and another one of a similar approach - no drug substitutes provided and complete abstinence from drugs is the goal.

I'm very happy to hear there are no crocodiles in Melbourne. I love pets, but crocodiles have never been my farourite. At the moment I have a pet rabbit <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Money Eyes:' />



I'm happy to hear from you



firendly regards



kate

[glen]

and we have rabbits here too so you should feel right at home! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':Money Eyes:' /> hehe

[Happy Hour]

Hi Everyone!



I'm glad to be here

I'm from Budapest (Hungary). Me and my family are planning to move to Melbourne.

My wife is psychologist too, and the reason why I write is, to ask KateM12 about the Assessment of Psychology Qualifications Process. Are you finished the process and how long was the processing time.



Are you applied to the Visa?



Regards,

Happy Hour

[KateM12]

Hello Happy Hour <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ph34r:' />



Moving to Melbourne is a big decision, indeed, but a clever one, I'm sure. On condition you manage to go through all the procedures you have to.

In your message you haven't mentioned whether you are familiar with assessment of a psychologist's qualifications by Australian bodies. As long as your wife is a psychologist, she has to start from assessment of her academic qualifications by the Australian Psychological Society. She'll find all the information needed on their site. My BSc and MSc are from UK universities and I am a graduate member of the British Psychological Society. So , I was granted with 5 years equivalent to Australian universities. Which is better than I expected. Regarding the time the procedure took, they received my application on September 15 and their answer was signed on October 9, though in their e-mail initially they asked for 8 weeks for processing the application.

The next step is recognition of professional qualifications of the psychologists' board of the state she wants to work in. This is up to the end of June, because from July this procedure will apply to the whole of Australia by another health body which I don't remember at the moment. They also ask for certification of the english language with IELTS certificate. Which I didn't expect as both my degrees are from UK universities. So, I'm taking the exam next Saturday and I'm very worried about it <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mellow.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ph34r:' />



I think the best thing your wife can do is take the whole procedure step by step and be particularly careful with providing all the necessary evidence. This is the crucial factor for the outcome. I wish you the best. If I can be of any more help, please let me know, I'll be happy to help.



Kate

[Happy Hour]

Hi KateM12!



Thank you for your quick reply.

Yes I agree, its a big decision, but in our case we think it's the best decision, for a long term period.



We are in the first phase of the process, we just sent the document for assessment to the Australian Psychological Society to Melbourne, and they sent a letter about receiving our documents, and about the processing time (also 8 weeks). My wife is a Clinical Psychologist, she has a primary qualification (4 years) as Psychologist and a post-graduation or secondary qualification in Clinical Psychology, also 4 years, and she just finished a tertiary qualification as Hypnotherapist. We hope this will be enough to get a positive assessment, which means 60 point in the visa application.

What I don't understand, is what you wrote about recognition procedure, because we don't find anything about that.

Could you write more about this, please. Is this a condition to have this before you send your visa application???, or it is just necessary only when you get your visa approved and you what to start to work in the chosen state, in our case (Victoria).



Thank you again for the answer, and Good Luck for your exam (is the IELTS exam???)<img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Best Regards

Happy Hour

[KateM12]

[quote name='Happy Hour' post='22103' date='Nov 19 2009, 07:38 PM']Hi KateM12!



Thank you for your quick reply.

Yes I agree, its a big decision, but in our case we think it's the best decision, for a long term period.



We are in the first phase of the process, we just sent the document for assessment to the Australian Psychological Society to Melbourne, and they sent a letter about receiving our documents, and about the processing time (also 8 weeks). My wife is a Clinical Psychologist, she has a primary qualification (4 years) as Psychologist and a post-graduation or secondary qualification in Clinical Psychology, also 4 years, and she just finished a tertiary qualification as Hypnotherapist. We hope this will be enough to get a positive assessment, which means 60 point in the visa application.

What I don't understand, is what you wrote about recognition procedure, because we don't find anything about that.

Could you write more about this, please. Is this a condition to have this before you send your visa application???, or it is just necessary only when you get your visa approved and you what to start to work in the chosen state, in our case (Victoria).



Thank you again for the answer, and Good Luck for your exam (is the IELTS exam???) <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Best Regards

Happy Hour[/quote]





Hi Happy Hour <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Yes, this is the IELTS test. Which I still can't believe I have to take as I was teaching EFL for 12 years, worked in an international airport for 7 years, and have a BSc and MSc obtained in UK universities. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<_<' />

Anyway, I see I have to choice on that.

When I wrote about recognition I referred to this assessment procedure. I don't know your wifes age, but I'm 48 and I have to get a sponsored job in Australia so as to be allowed to emigrate there. From what you write your wife has a lot of academic qualifications, so she has a lot of chances of being given a good assessment. Don't forget, Australian authorities are quite fast in what they are doing and go according to predetermined standards, which means an as objective assessment as possible. I don't know your experience in Burgaria, mine in Greece, however has been and still is awful. As my degress are from UK universities , I had to go through the same procedure here. Which lasted 3 years, taking legal action against the organization responsible for the procedure etc.etc. Furthermore, the assessment was not as good as it should. But this is another story.

What are you planning to do in Victoria? What do you do?

I'd like to write a little more, but I have to get ready and leave for work.

I wish you the best with the assessment.



Best regards



Kate

[Happy Hour]

Hi Kate!



We wanted to apply for the Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175), as a family, (we have an 11 years old daughter) which is not the quickest way to emigrate to Australia, but in the other way we don't rush. In my opinion, it will take 3 years to get the visa, and the landing to Melbourne.

As you say, here in Hungary is the same situation I think like in Greece, and get tired of this awful things. We knew it will not be easy, mainly the start in the new country whit a different and very colorful culture, but we are open for it. I can wait.

I am a graphic designer and trainer for an IT school teaching photoshop, and this is what I wanted to do There, but of course I am open for other possibilities.



You wrote about your sponsored visa type you have to apply, this is the reason why you have to do the recognition of professional qualifications?

I just asked you have relatives who will sponsor you, or you want to find an nomination by a state or region? I think for permanent visas this is Subclass 176.

If you are interested, i found this a couple of month ago on the internet, I don't know if it works or not,

but they offer for a temporary visa:

[url="http://www.onpsych.com.au/index.php?p=1_17"]http://www.onpsych.com.au/index.php?p=1_17[/url]



We are very excited about the result of the assessment.

Did they asked for you any completion of documents?



Regards

Happy Hour

[KateM12]

Hi Happy Hour <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Thank you for the link. I checked it and e-mailed them as an application of interest. Though they are clear that they need clinical or educational psychologists and licensed to work in Victoria. But you never know.

The reason I have had my qualifications assessed is that a psychologist can not work as psychologist in Australia withought having their qualifications as equal to australian standards. There's nothing strange about this. It is the same everywhere, I assume.

Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to sponsor me, a relative, let's say. Though I'm not sure that this is what could solve my problems. I can't have the luxury to travel to the other end of the world and stay there looking for a job indefinately. I have to find an employer who will sponsor me to work there.

Regarding the APS, with their reply they sent an application form for me to fill in, as long as I am entitled to be an associate member of the Society. Which I haven't done so far, as this is not my first priority as long as I'm here.

As long as you have already sent the application, you don't have to do anything else, but wait for the answer.

Yes, I think it is a time consuming procedure, but one which worths the effort.



I wish you the best.



best regards



kate