THE
ZIMBABWE CONNECTION

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

Despite the impending closure of the Zimbabwe Connection, the network still exists and this website is full of information to help you migrate successfully anywhere in the world - but specifically to Australia.

We have tried to ensure that you are able to help yourselves as far as is possible and will maintain and update the Zimbabwe Connection website purely for information in the future.

We have also included several useful documents which can be downloaded to give you useful information or mechanisms through which to action certain processes. Have a look at these at tips and hints.

Please bear in mind that we are not migration agents, This information is passed on as representing our best experience in the last three and a half years.

As mentioned before, but it is worth reiterating, if you are UNDER 45 and you have a recognised degree, the chances of your gaining access to Australia are usually quite good.   You may have to get your qualification assessed - see the TRA form and list of assessing authorities in tips and hints. Also it is worth spending a bit of time looking at the Department of Immigration website http://www.dimia.gov.au/migrate/skilled.htm. This will give you leads to all the information you will need. If you have skills which are particularly in demand by Australia you may be able to get certain States (primarily South Australia and Victoria) to sponsor you. You can also find out more about this in tips and hints by downloading the STNI information.

If you are OVER 45 or do not have a recognised qualification, ask your own friends and relatives already in Australia to take your cv (you can also download a cv template from tips and hints) to potential employers to see whether they might be interested in offering you sponsored employment.

 In this case, we would most certainly advise you to use one of the recommended migration agents on the Home Page - it will save you endless hours of time as they can spot at once, routes which can be taken or potential traps which could trip you up. Bear in mind that a migration agent is highly trained and experienced in the best possible methods of helping you and although they obviously have to charge for their services, it is a sound route to take.

They would also be able to advise you of certain areas where there may be lower criteria for immigration into regional areas for instance.

Keep you eye open for jobs advertised through www.careerone.com.au   - the summary of advertisements placed in Australian newspapers in the last week. It is not easy getting a job this way and you should look out for those which state they are prepared to employ from abroad. But it will at least give you a feel for what is on offer, where and the types of salaries paid.

As already mentioned, but worth repeating again - our most sincere recommendation is that you avoid trying to come in on a business visa unless you understand the Australian market well or you have absolutely no alternative.   In the case of the latter, please take advantage of the development boards which are there for you regionally to help gain greater understanding of the market place.    Overall, we find it has been far better to learn about Australia from the predictability of a couple of years in employment first, before investing your own hard earned money anywhere.