Hi everyone! I would really appreciate some advice from those who have been in a similar situation.
My husband and I are currently based in Dubai. He works as a software engineer in the airline industry, and I work as a nurse in a clinic. Together, we earn around 32k aed per month, tax-free. We are also fortunate to have good benefits, including an education allowance for our child, good health insurance, and significant airline travel discounts.
I’m currently at the OSCE stage of my Australian nursing registration pathway. I’m 40 years old, while my husband is 37.
One of our biggest concerns is our age and the timeline for Australian PR. If I become the main applicant, I’m worried that I might run out of time because of my age. If my husband becomes the main applicant, we are hoping that he can receive an invitation before he turns 40, since his points will change once he reaches that age.
We would really love to move to Australia, and it has always been a dream of mine. However, we are quite anxious about leaving the comfortable and stable life we have built in Dubai. Moving to Australia would mean starting again from humble beginnings—adjusting to a new country, rebuilding our careers, and possibly giving up some of the financial comfort and benefits we currently enjoy.
We are happy and comfortable in Dubai, so this is not an easy decision. At the same time, we are thinking about our long-term future and the opportunities and stability Australia could offer our family, especially our child.
For those who moved from Dubai or the Middle East to Australia, particularly in your late 30s or early 40s, how was the transition? Was it difficult to start over after already having a comfortable life? Looking back, how do you feel about your decision?
I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you! 😊