457 visa... and houseplants.

In case someone reads this blog, I thought it would make sense to say a few words on the subject of the 457 visa.

After reading nurses fora, and following a few replies from expat nurses in Melbourne, the following has become clear: The 457 visa is not suitable for every nurse heading to Oz.

One common complaint is that this visa is restrictive. The employer acts as sponsor and without a sponsor there is no right to work in Oz. In reality this means that if the sponsored position turns into a nightmare there is little or no option to move elsewhere. If you leave the job you have 28 days to complete a new sponsorship or leave the country. Others tell stories about being tied to a job for longer than wanted. A couple of nurses report being offered a job in their field only to arrive and be sent to a nursing home for the elderly. It does not offer 'permanent residency' status but it does leave the door open to apply later.

For us the 457 visa is our chosen option for a number of reasons. It costs relatively little, includes spouse and/or dependants, is reasonably quick and easy, and allows those who want to 'test the water' to avoid the full application for residency in the first instance. Our confidence in using this visa is due to a mixture of 'go for it' attitude and a fair bit of research before even applying for sponsorship.


Meanwhile in the UK... our houseplants are suffering! Plants need light and there is very little quality sunlight around this winter. I've owned a tough yucca for a decade and each year it thrives - now standing around 6 feet tall. This winter it has lost around 75% of its foliage so far, same has happened with a friends yucca. The rest of my cared-for plants are looking decidedly unhappy. Humans need sun too!