Travel to Australia And South Pacific

Living and Working in Australia, Third Edition: A Survival Handbook (Living & Working in Australia)

Format: Paperback
Author: David Hampshire
ReleaseDate: 25 December, 2005
Publisher: Survival Books, Ltd.
Rating:

Very practical and TONS of information!
This book gives practical information on everything from visas to schools to jobs. We are looking to migrate to Australia and wanted to do our research. It gives lots of useful facts that will help anyone looking to move to Australia - such as your drivers license is generally accepted for up to one year, you don't have to get a new one until then! Info on car insurance, cable and phone companies, bus routes, ferry service, PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES! This is THE book to get if you are going to be moving to Australia or visiting long term. Hands down.

Almost perfect handbook for newcomers to Australia


Cultural idiosyncrasies are explained to minimise "culture shock", and possible problems are not avoided (despite the fact that the book is associated with a migration agency as I understood). I moved to Australia from Israel, and this book was of great help. I'ld say that sometimes the warnings are more like disclaimers, but I guess better safe than sorry. "To do" lists are used where applicable - great help when you're in a new environment thinking what to do next.

Another major "pro" is that this book is not just for people from UK or US or other Anglo-Saxon background. The author takes a generic, explain-it-all approach.

One thing which I think the author should change is the migration section. This is the reason I didn't give it 5 stars. This is no author's fault, of course, but the migration laws in Australia are changing at lightning speed - so there is no point to depict them in such detail. Furthermore, as much of the information in that section was hopelessly obsolete already in 2004 (for 2004 edition), it is plain misleading. Future readers - consult official sources instead, but for the rest, you can safely rely on this book.

Otherwise, I couldn't think of a better source of information.

From someone who actually used it
I bought this book when I found out that my company had actually agreed to transfer me to Australia . . but they were giving me very little help in what to expect. This book is not a "travel" guide. It's a practical guide on how to settle down in Australia - things like, how to get a drivers licence, where to apply for a tax file number, even how to do a hook turn in Melbourne. It has never steered me wrong, and I've recommended it to many expat friends.

A must-have if you're thinking about moving there.

Related products:
click image or link for details on these Australia And South Pacific travel books.

	Lonely Planet Melbourne
	Australia (Eyewitness Travel Guides)