This article details the experience of a family who recently immigrated from Suzhou, China, to Perth, Australia. They share their journey, from finding a house to securing employment, offering valuable insights for others considering a similar move.
Settling into Perth
Finding a Home
After several months, a family from our Australian Immigration and Study Abroad group finally settled in Perth. They invited me to their place. Their situation is unique; a family has arrived in Perth, settled down, and shared their address. I found their rented house, which looked quite new. The house is conveniently located close to the city, about a five-minute drive away. The house was built around 2016. They have been renting for about two months while searching for a permanent home. They emphasize the importance of buying soon as the property market is rapidly appreciating.
A Tour of the House
The house is a three-bedroom, potentially four-bedroom if the study is counted. It features a master bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom, a study currently used as an art space, a living room, two guest bedrooms, and a laundry room. There is also a small, manageable yard. The family pays $850 per week in rent, which they acknowledge is expensive, but they had limited options when they arrived in a competitive rental market.
The Decision to Move
Background
Both are originally from Shandong and worked in Suzhou for over a decade. The husband worked in the medical device industry for a British company. Due to a shift in the Chinese market, his company saw an opportunity to expand its operations in Western Australia, particularly in the mining sector.
Why Australia?
The family considered various English-speaking countries, including the US, Canada, and New Zealand.
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The US was deemed too difficult due to visa challenges.
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New Zealand was considered too small and potentially limiting for their child's education.
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They ultimately chose Australia after consulting their child and considering the warmer climate. The husband's company had a presence in Perth, presenting a viable path for relocation.
Two-Pronged Approach to Immigration
They initially explored both skilled independent migration and employer sponsorship, ultimately finding the latter to be a faster route.
Employment Experiences
Husband's Role
He previously managed large accounts and now provides internal support within the company. The move was facilitated by a 482 visa, a significant achievement as many foreign companies are hesitant to sponsor employees to Australia. His company's willingness to provide this opportunity was a key factor in their decision.
Wife's Job Search
The wife has a background in production management, primarily in the food industry, with a stint in the medical field. Initially, she found it challenging to secure a job in Perth.
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She applied for numerous positions (around 100 resumes) with little response.
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She considered options like delivery driving and volunteering to gain local experience.
Fortunately, she landed a job in a food company in a production management role that aligns with her prior experience. She attributes her success to the understanding of her interviewers, who were also immigrants and understood the challenges faced by newcomers. Her salary is in the 80,000 to 100,000 range.
Challenges and Adjustments
English Language Proficiency
While both have strong English skills from working in multinational companies, they acknowledge the challenges of understanding colloquialisms and accents in casual settings.
Initial Difficulties
The initial months involved numerous tasks, from securing housing and utilities to buying a car and enrolling their child in school. They consider this "landing" phase to be complete, allowing them to focus on settling in and building a life in Perth.
Driving Test
The wife failed her driving test once, which she attributes to ingrained driving habits from China.
Positive Aspects of Life in Perth
Lack of Regret
Neither regrets their decision to move. They prepared for difficulties in finding work and adapting to a new lifestyle.
Growing Community
The increasing number of Chinese speakers and the availability of familiar products make the transition easier.
Climate and Scenery
The family appreciates the excellent air quality, beautiful beaches, and lack of traffic. Their child enjoys weekly visits to the beach.
Time Zone
The lack of time difference with China allows them to maintain connections with friends and family back home.
Friendly Locals
The family finds Australians generally friendly and welcoming.
The Visa Situation
The family can apply for permanent residency. They initially scored well enough on the PTE test for skilled migration.
The husband is seeking permanent residency by the skilled independent route, and scored high enough on the PTE for this.
The wife took the test to meet visa requirements, and passed.
Comparing Work Environments
Simplicity
The wife finds the work environment less complex than in China, with a clearer separation between work and personal life.
Workload
The husband finds his workload busier during work hours but appreciates the clear distinction between work and personal time.
Vacation
The husband’s new job comes with four weeks of annual leave.
Cost of Living
Housing
Rent is a significant expense, particularly considering they sold their home in China.
Income
With two incomes, they feel their financial situation is manageable.
Healthcare
They have private health insurance which is about $160 a month.
Recommendations for Others
Mentality
Those contemplating a similar move should be mentally prepared for potential challenges, including the possibility of starting in lower-skilled jobs.
Expect Change
Embrace a new life with open arms, leaving old assumptions behind.
Believe in Yourself
Trust in your own capabilities and explore all possible opportunities, even if they seem initially out of reach.
Embrace the Possibilities
Focus on the positive aspects of change and be prepared for both the good and the bad.
Contacting Medical Professionals
It’s best to locate GP's who are multilingual, and offer various services.
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