Changes make Australia move easier - islanders

Channel Islanders who live in Australia say changes to visa regulations have made it easier for people from Guernsey and Jersey to move there.

Last year, changes were brought in that meant people coming to Australia on a working holiday visa no longer had to do 88 days of rural farm work and the age limit of the visas went up from 30 to 35.

It meant 16 million more British citizens became eligible to apply for a visa and several young people in their 20s and 30s have spoken to the BBC about making the switch from the Channel Islands.

They have said the weather, the city life and the active nature of Australia's sporting community has been a big draw for them.

Lauren Lowe works in the health sector and made the move to Australia from Jersey a year ago.

She said: "I never worked or lived abroad" so "it was time to try something new" and "I wanted to challenge myself and move all the way across the world".

Ms Lowe added: "There's definitely been some highs and there's been lows as it was a very stressful coming here with no fixed job and nowhere to live."

But she also said: "I've always been quite sporty and outdoorsy, so I think the opportunities here have been really fantastic and it's definitely outweighed the challenges that we had when we first arrived."

Megan Chapple works in finance and also made the move just over a year ago.

She said: "I've moved mainly for the weather" and "Australia is a good place because you've got a good economy and good training grounds for triathlons", which she has competed in at a high level.

"Me and my partner just came with two suitcases and started from scratch and obviously missing family and friends has probably got to be the biggest sacrifice that you make," Ms Chapple added.

She also said she was "constantly battling" to speak to family because of the time difference but added: "I think I'll be here at least for the next few years" because "while I'm on this side of the hemisphere - I hope to make sure I go to as many places in Asia and see more of New Zealand as possible".

Sarah Friss, however, is from Brisbane and made the move to Jersey nine years ago.

She said: "I get that the weather, especially at this time of year, makes living in Australia very tempting," and: "You don't have to do those months of farm work any more so I suspect this trend will continue because it is a great place to live."

Ms Friss moved to the island after finding a teaching job and added she had got "a nice group of friends and I like the fact that it's small and quiet but still close enough to Europe and London so that I can go travelling easier than I could back home".

She added "I feel at home here because the people are nice and friendly and with the beaches nearby - there is a similar vibe but not so much with the weather."

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