A radiographer's move to Sydney

Gill moved to Sydney over a year ago to further develop her career as a radiographer. After 18 months, she is still certain that moving to Australia was her best decision:

“About four years ago my husband and I decided to look into the enormous possibility of moving to Australia - a place where we knew nobody that well.

“I started investigating how to have my qualifications assessed and booked meetings with several immigration agents. We found all the immigration agents we spoke too very confusing and felt we were left no wiser as to what we were meant to do and how we were to go about this process.

“We plodded on in the dark until a chat with a colleague led me to Joanna and Global Health Source’s (GHS) number. With little to lose and lots to gain we emailed her not expecting much response. To my surprise we got a phone call from Joanna the following day (yes, all the way from Australia!) and she helped clarify what we needed to get into place before she could actually find me a job. This set the tone for the rest of our adventure.

“When my qualifications assessment was turned down the first time, she advised on how to proceed and when it did come through eventually, she seemed genuinely pleased for us.

“Over the last three chaotic months of the process we always knew that the job situation was under control. All the necessary documentation and registrations were always sorted for me and copies of confirmations were sent with a professional and friendly attitude.

“Upon landing in Sydney, the relative that collected us at the airport told us Joanna had already phoned to check we had landed safely – What a pleasant welcome and total surprise! Such a nice thought, and it was really comforting to know that we had someone here for us. Joanna called again the following day to chat personally and it was like talking to a long last friend. A few days later we received a local map book, which came in really handy in those first few confusing weeks.

“Eighteen months have passed and I am settled in a position that I love and was recently promoted to chief of one of the branches. I have learnt new modalities: mammography, pressures, bone mineral densities and now I am being trained in CT again. I have heard from Joanna many times since arriving just to check that I’m still happy and settled.

“It is an absolute blessing not to have to worry about the job when there is so much else to worry about and sort out.”

Story provided by Global Health Source