Yes i lived in perth for 9 years,all my family still live there.
I moved back to the uk after living in thailand for a few years,now thats a place you cant live a proper life.
Australia is going through the same economic crap that the rest of the western world is at the moment,but they still live a quality life.
Australia is full of winging pomms,as the aussies say,but generally they come home...as your mate did.
I stayed over here because of my businesses and we had kids and settled well.Once my kids education is sorted,and the eldest boy is going to university in Perth anyway,we will be back over there.
In perth the sun shines 9 months of the year,albeit too hot sometimes,the rest of the year is like our spring weather.
I have two mates over there who are shiners and although they have diversified into pool cleaning they make a great living.
Getting over there is a differant kettle of fish,unlike this F..ked up country they dont just let anyone in,they only let people in that will benefit the country,although they do take a fair bit of refugees in,but they are put into holding camps whilst they are being processed...like they should be.
Window cleaning doesn't come high on the list of preferred skills,and you will have to go through a points test for your skills,education,language abilities,age (over 45 years old you cannot apply),criminal record,health records.
It is a long process and there are a few ways around getting turned down,such as having millions
...but then i guess we wouldn't be sitting here reading this if we had...lol
Like anywhere in the world though...you still have to work to earn a living,unless you are able to come and live in this country then you can sign on get a council house make out you are disabled coz you are fat and get a nice new car as well.