:: ere those taxi drivers
:: professionals back in their countries relying on cab driving
:: because of  lack of possibilities  in their field?

Hard to tell, in many states it is relatively easy to become a taxi 
driver. At one stage (this may or may not be true now - I'm going back 
to the mid 70's), it was said that Australia had the highest qualified 
road sweepers in the world. This was partly true, the immigration 
policy and the way employment was structured tended to favour those of 
native English speaking background - however, this is not so much the 
case now, although as some  foreign qualifications are not recognised 
by the various authorities, it becomes easier for some to become pizza 
delivery persons or taxi drivers.  Don't get worried though, 
electronics and high end IT degrees are not a problem.

:: As I can see those look as fair enough wages to maintain a small
:: family (3 members), don't you think?

I would say so, and if your wife works as well, that would be easily 
enough unless you develop expensive tastes :) .

Standard house mortgages here run for 30 years, though can be less. 
Most banks, building societies or credit unions like to see proof of 
more than 2 years of savings (with them preferably) if you want a 90% 
or more mortgage - recently that was relaxed, but they are tightening 
up again as they are feeling poor :( .

One thing you need to consider in anything anyone here writes about 
Australia, is that like the US (Canada?) each state in some things is 
like a mini country all on it's lonesome. Therefore some legal 
requirements in house, car buying/using etc, stamp duties,  differ 
from state to state.

What it is like to go through the immigration system I can't help you 
with, as I bypassed all that due to having an Australian born father 
and being registered at birth at Australia House, so I just drifted 
out here in the late 90's.

Colin
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cdb, colin@btech-online.co.uk on 3/29/2010
 
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