Australia Visa advice

BGozIE

Hi all,

Apologies for another visa thread, I'm just looking for advice/opinions.

Some background:

Myself and my GF have been thinking about going to Australia for a long time and we have decided to go for it in July/August of this year. I have a degree in Computer Science with just over 2 years exp in a large IT multi-national company. My GF is a qualified primary school teacher with 2.5 years exp she also has an SNA qualification.

I'm bascially looking for peoples opinion/advice on going there on a WHV and getting meaningful employment. We are both open to doing various jobs, but we would like to stay somewhat close to our qualification career path (me IT, GF teaching/working with children). I will be leaving a job here, and my GF is in the same boat somewhat as she is covering maternity leave which ends at the end of this school year.

We are settled on going to brisbane as my sister and her husband live there (about 8 yrs now) and are permanent residents.

As we are so early in the process any advice/opinions on WHV, Brisbane, the IT & teaching job situation there and any general opinions are greatly appreciated.

Regardless of how things are, we are definitely going in July/August to see how things go, only live once I suppose!

Thanks very much guys!

mandrake04

It's definitely possible to find Meaningful Employment on a WHV, but you should also accept this is only a holiday visa. Because of the 6 month limit most employers won't want to know and with agencies be prepared to have your pants pulled down.

Best bet is 3-6 month contract work, but best to have an open mind when it comes to working.

lg123

i think the vast majority of people on here would have came in on the WHV, its not the best visa but at lease its a foot in the door. what are you thinking? spending a few years here and heading home? i would put a lot of thought into leaving a job at home to come out.

Noo

40 degrees in brisbane today!!

Not much help with your visa questions but thought id share anyway.

Cooperspale

Meaningful employment on WHV, best bet is 3-6mth contract unless you have fantastic connections and great luck.
The cold hard truth is WHV can be somewhat limiting unless you know someone with connections who can make things more permanent. It can be done but you either need to be an exceptional worker, need a lot of luck on your side or as I said know someone.
That said the WHV allows you great freedom to move around States and work at whatever you want.
If you intend to stay longer than 12mths, get your regional work sorted out early on. No point in fretting at the 8month mark. And to be honest I would be considering spending 2years here if you are intent on leaving permanent employment there. Otherwise it's a lot to leave for 12mths here.

Brisbane; I can't say much as I've never lived there. It's pretty warm during sumner and my sister in law doesn't miss the carpet snakes in her backyard, she was in Chapel Hill for many years and loved it otherwise.

BGozIE

Thanks guys, appreciate the input.

We are basically thinking of spending a year or 2 there depending on how things go, basically how we like it. So I think the WHV is our best bet? I haven't looked into the skilled independent visa...not sure we would be "good" candidates. Do many people get these?

I had a feeling it would be all agency work, but regardless of that we are not sure how long we would want to stay anyway so we have to be open to these things.

As far as connections we do have a few but we haven't firmly looked into that.

Student2014

BGozIE wrote: »

Thanks guys, appreciate the input.

We are basically thinking of spending a year or 2 there depending on how things go, basically how we like it. So I think the WHV is our best bet? I haven't looked into the skilled independent visa...not sure we would be "good" candidates. Do many people get these?

I had a feeling it would be all agency work, but regardless of that we are not sure how long we would want to stay anyway so we have to be open to these things.

As far as connections we do have a few but we haven't firmly looked into that.

You both have 2 years or so experience so that gives you a better chance. No harm applying for SkillSelect you never know.

I went on a 1 year visa, did a bit of farmwork but less than half than what I would have needed for 2nd year visa.

You could do the 90days farmwork first and apply for other jobs whilst your at it? Although when your camping beside a farm the oul internet may be unavailable!

BGozIE

Student2014 wrote: »

You both have 2 years or so experience so that gives you a better chance. No harm applying for SkillSelect you never know.

I went on a 1 year visa, did a bit of farmwork but less than half than what I would have needed for 2nd year visa.

You could do the 90days farmwork first and apply for other jobs whilst your at it? Although when your camping beside a farm the oul internet may be unavailable!

Ye, suppose we need to think about SkillSelect more. But I'm thinking it may offset our planned date of leaving (July/august). Anyone have any experience of how long it can take for SkillSelect? I presume it varies.

The general consensus is its very hard to get sponsored now anyway?

bestleftfull3

Hi Bgozie,

I'm kind of in the same boat as you myself and my GF thinking of heading in October I currently working in IT Video Conferencing with a Large multi national in Dublin have will be here 3 years in June, but really want to up sticks and head to OZ, My GF will have two years in college finished in september currently studying to be a pharmacy technician.

We will be initially applying for the 1 year WHV doing our farm work just to have the option of the 2nd year if we intend on staying on.

We have no plans yet of where to go and settle (open to ideas)

Kind of going into it blindly at the minute I keep telling myself it's so far away but realistically I should be planning at this stage.

Not overally looking for jobs in our profession I think i'd do anything out there!

BGozIE

bestleftfull3 wrote: »

Hi Bgozie,

I'm kind of in the same boat as you myself and my GF thinking of heading in October I currently working in IT Video Conferencing with a Large multi national in Dublin have will be here 3 years in June, but really want to up sticks and head to OZ, My GF will have two years in college finished in september currently studying to be a pharmacy technician.

We will be initially applying for the 1 year WHV doing our farm work just to have the option of the 2nd year if we intend on staying on.

We have no plans yet of where to go and settle (open to ideas)

Kind of going into it blindly at the minute I keep telling myself it's so far away but realistically I should be planning at this stage.

Not overally looking for jobs in our profession I think i'd do anything out there!

Hi mate,

Dont worry about going into it blindly, as far as I can see you cant plan everything before you go...things will happen and change. Just get your flights and visa sorted and then plan while on the ground over there. You could also look for a job before heading over I suppose...depending on what ya wanna do.

In regards to where to go and settle...I'm probably going to settle in Brisbane because I have family there...but we are landing in Melbourne and traveling up to Brisbane through Sydney...If we prefer either melb or syd we will prob go back there from Brisbane. If you want to travel a bit...you could do similar. Flighs booked..16th August we will be in Melbourne!

Good luck with it

bestleftfull3

BGozIE wrote: »

Hi mate,

Dont worry about going into it blindly, as far as I can see you cant plan everything before you go...things will happen and change. Just get your flights and visa sorted and then plan while on the ground over there. You could also look for a job before heading over I suppose...depending on what ya wanna do.

In regards to where to go and settle...I'm probably going to settle in Brisbane because I have family there...but we are landing in Melbourne and traveling up to Brisbane through Sydney...If we prefer either melb or syd we will prob go back there from Brisbane. If you want to travel a bit...you could do similar. Flighs booked..16th August we will be in Melbourne!

Good luck with it

Yeah that's true i suppose nothing is easy so im sure we will hit some bumps along the way and as you said it's impossible to sort everything out.

I probaly will look for a few jobs before I go, but then just bombard them when we get over there. I think we will be pushing towards Sydney she has family there and I have a couple of friends there who I'm sure could help me out.

I think we will settle in Sydney for a few months and then travel a lot of people have told me that most people go over and just stay in Sydney which is a huge mistake as there is so much to do in other parts of Australia.

do you intend on doing the farm work at all?

Great to hear you have the flights booked i think were booking our visas in march/April and flights soon after have you booked a one way flight?

I don't think i'll really believe I'm going until the visa and flights are booked !

BGozIE

bestleftfull3 wrote: »

Yeah that's true i suppose nothing is easy so im sure we will hit some bumps along the way and as you said it's impossible to sort everything out.

I probaly will look for a few jobs before I go, but then just bombard them when we get over there. I think we will be pushing towards Sydney she has family there and I have a couple of friends there who I'm sure could help me out.

I think we will settle in Sydney for a few months and then travel a lot of people have told me that most people go over and just stay in Sydney which is a huge mistake as there is so much to do in other parts of Australia.

do you intend on doing the farm work at all?

Great to hear you have the flights booked i think were booking our visas in march/April and flights soon after have you booked a one way flight?

I don't think i'll really believe I'm going until the visa and flights are booked !

With farm work pretty much everyone I know who has gone to Aus...including most advice on here, have said to do it ASAP before you start working. When we travel to Brisbane, we have some family in Gladstone (an hour flight from Brisbane) its in one of the post codes you need to be in for agricultural work...If we are having no luck with jobs (and money ha) then we will prob look for farm work there as they have said we can stay with them...thats a big IF as I am not sure how easy it is to get farm work...we might have no choice where we do it.

In my mind...ideally I would like to get sponsored but we will see. Definitely if jobs arent looking good in the first month or 2 we will do farm work.

How about yourself?

Ye just a one way flight haha...strange feeling when you book the flights and visa...its all final then. On the other hand, if things aren't working out and your not happy...come home, not the end of the world

I'm going with the mindset...I'll regret it, when its too late, if I didn't at least try it

bestleftfull3

BGozIE wrote: »

With farm work pretty much everyone I know who has gone to Aus...including most advice on here, have said to do it ASAP before you start working. When we travel to Brisbane, we have some family in Gladstone (an hour flight from Brisbane) its in one of the post codes you need to be in for agricultural work...If we are having no luck with jobs (and money ha) then we will prob look for farm work there as they have said we can stay with them...thats a big IF as I am not sure how easy it is to get farm work...we might have no choice where we do it.

In my mind...ideally I would like to get sponsored but we will see. Definitely if jobs arent looking good in the first month or 2 we will do farm work.

How about yourself?

Ye just a one way flight haha...strange feeling when you book the flights and visa...its all final then. On the other hand, if things aren't working out and your not happy...come home, not the end of the world

I'm going with the mindset...I'll regret it, when its too late, if I didn't at least try it

yeah I'd be thinking the same if jobs aren't looking good and money is starting to disappear, I'll be going straight for the farm!

One of my mates was home over christmas and he said he saved an awful lot of money from the 3months on the farm somewhere between 6000-8000 :O I know the work could be tough etc but if you have that at the end you will be smiling!!

Did you book your visa/flights through an agency or what did you do?

Are you stopping anywhere on the way over? i'm thinking of doing a few days in Bangkok just to get a feel of the culture there!

i'm the sam have no regrets as my poor mam said the other day, shes hating that im going im the youngest and with a really good permanent job "ahh you should just go and get it out of your system" haha

but yeah as you said when flights and visas are booked there's no going back and when its a one way flight you can come back anytime !

BGozIE

bestleftfull3 wrote: »

yeah I'd be thinking the same if jobs aren't looking good and money is starting to disappear, I'll be going straight for the farm!

One of my mates was home over christmas and he said he saved an awful lot of money from the 3months on the farm somewhere between 6000-8000 :O I know the work could be tough etc but if you have that at the end you will be smiling!!

Did you book your visa/flights through an agency or what did you do?

Are you stopping anywhere on the way over? i'm thinking of doing a few days in Bangkok just to get a feel of the culture there!

i'm the sam have no regrets as my poor mam said the other day, shes hating that im going im the youngest and with a really good permanent job "ahh you should just go and get it out of your system" haha

but yeah as you said when flights and visas are booked there's no going back and when its a one way flight you can come back anytime !

Haha ye well if you can do farm work and save it would be worth it alright.

Did the visa ourselves and booked the flights with trailfinders...we went through an agency for flights because we are stopping in Dubai, just for 4 days to break up flights...and it was easier to get airport transfers, hotel and so on with them...although if we priced around we may have gotten a better deal. We booked flights in Jan because there was some sale with etihad, incase your booking soonish.


Looking forward to it...but its a while away yet, need to save now

GerryQuattro

Hi,

With the change in rules to the 457 since July 2013, unless you're a brain surgeon or something very specialised, I would forget about it.

If you and your partner are serious on making a move down under, then I would suggest once you arrive on your Working Holiday Visa to not waste a second of your time. Don't get sucked into the crowds of English and Irish backpackers in the hostels, out drinking every night.
Bring work clothes with you (or get some custom made in Asia on the way over!).
Get your CV in order.
Get onto Seek.com.au and start looking at jobs. Don't bother applying for anything before you arrive (well I didn't anyway). Set up some appointments with agencies and make a good impression face-to-face once you're both settled. Although you're only going to be able to work for max of 6 months, there are some agencies that should be able to sort you out.

Plenty of people come over with the intention of landing a really well paid job, like they're handing out jobs at the airport. They're not. But while all the other WHV holders are out getting drunk in the afternoons on their savings until it runs out, I suggest drinking your beers paying with the Aussie dollars you'll make. Imagine how tastier they'll be, knowing that all the phone-calls and meetings and interviews are all over for a while. If it costs 5k-10k of savings to land decent jobs over here, IMO it's 100% worth the effort.

BGozIE

GerryQuattro wrote: »

Hi,

With the change in rules to the 457 since July 2013, unless you're a brain surgeon or something very specialised, I would forget about it.

If you and your partner are serious on making a move down under, then I would suggest once you arrive on your Working Holiday Visa to not waste a second of your time. Don't get sucked into the crowds of English and Irish backpackers in the hostels, out drinking every night.
Bring work clothes with you (or get some custom made in Asia on the way over!).
Get your CV in order.
Get onto Seek.com.au and start looking at jobs. Don't bother applying for anything before you arrive (well I didn't anyway). Set up some appointments with agencies and make a good impression face-to-face once you're both settled. Although you're only going to be able to work for max of 6 months, there are some agencies that should be able to sort you out.

Plenty of people come over with the intention of landing a really well paid job, like they're handing out jobs at the airport. They're not. But while all the other WHV holders are out getting drunk in the afternoons on their savings until it runs out, I suggest drinking your beers paying with the Aussie dollars you'll make. Imagine how tastier they'll be, knowing that all the phone-calls and meetings and interviews are all over for a while. If it costs 5k-10k of savings to land decent jobs over here, IMO it's 100% worth the effort.

Hi Gerry,

Thanks very much for your opinion, makes a lot of sense. I agree whole-heartedly on most of it. The only thing I am thinking differently then yourself is that I will apply to some agencies/jobs before I go. I have already been looking at some jobs on seek to get a feel for whats there/how much of it is there, although I am aware that will change by the time I'm there. I'm hopeful but I know its going to be very tough.

When I do arrive I plan on spending the first 2-3 weeks traveling up to Brisbane from Melbourne, on somewhat of a holiday, but still keeping my ear to the ground jobs-wise. But as soon as I get to Brisbane I am going into full on job mode - I will be staying with family and not getting dragged into the WHV crowd in hostels etc. I have absolutely no interest doing casual work as it will not benefit me in the long run at all (when I come back home) I don't want big gaps in my CV...If its not working out jobs-wise...I will come home and I have no hesitation about that. I am confident however I will secure decent work in my field (or maybe I'm crazy ha)

Thanks for your advice...much appreciated.

bestleftfull3

BGozIE wrote: »

Haha ye well if you can do farm work and save it would be worth it alright.

Did the visa ourselves and booked the flights with trailfinders...we went through an agency for flights because we are stopping in Dubai, just for 4 days to break up flights...and it was easier to get airport transfers, hotel and so on with them...although if we priced around we may have gotten a better deal. We booked flights in Jan because there was some sale with etihad, incase your booking soonish.


Looking forward to it...but its a while away yet, need to save now

Who did you book the visa with? yeah Dubai would be lovely its going to be a toss up between there and bangkok for my break for a few days !!
just to get a feel of the costs how much was the one way flight? I'd be thinking around the 900-1100 mark with the visa been an extra 300?

Yep, quiet weekends in and save, save, save!!:D

BGozIE

bestleftfull3 wrote: »

Who did you book the visa with? yeah Dubai would be lovely its going to be a toss up between there and bangkok for my break for a few days !!
just to get a feel of the costs how much was the one way flight? I'd be thinking around the 900-1100 mark with the visa been an extra 300?

Yep, quiet weekends in and save, save, save!!:D

Did the visa ourselves, I wouldn't bother paying someone if I was you...its not difficult.

If your spending a long stop over, I would probably go with Bangkok as I imagine its cheaper then Dubai...we just wanted a bit of luxury before buses and hostels from Melbourne to Brisbane

We got the flights for 803 on the button, but we didn't shop around. When we threw in airport transfers and hotel in Dubai it was 1000 each all in, seemed like a reasonable deal but again we didn't wait and shop around.

bestleftfull3

BGozIE wrote: »

Did the visa ourselves, I wouldn't bother paying someone if I was you...its not difficult.

If your spending a long stop over, I would probably go with Bangkok as I imagine its cheaper then Dubai...we just wanted a bit of luxury before buses and hostels from Melbourne to Brisbane

We got the flights for 803 on the button, but we didn't shop around. When we threw in airport transfers and hotel in Dubai it was 1000 each all in, seemed like a reasonable deal but again we didn't wait and shop around.

1000 is very reasonable !! yeah true good idea about the luxury in Dubai !!it sounds like the better option!

I'm trying to steer away from USIT go4less etc. I like to do things all myself to have full control.

Do you just get the visa through the Australian government website or how do you go about doing it?

Windorah

Primary teaching jobs aren't all that easy to come by in Brisbane except maybe a few days subbing here and there.

I was advised to do a certificate 3 in childcare so I could work in a childcare centre as a preschool teacher. There is a serious shortage of Early Childhood teachers and money is pretty ok but rules are tightening from this month so possibly even the cert. 3 won't be sufficient. It is also 1000 dollars...

Best of luck!

GerryQuattro

BGozIE wrote: »

Hi Gerry,

Thanks very much for your opinion, makes a lot of sense. I agree whole-heartedly on most of it. The only thing I am thinking differently then yourself is that I will apply to some agencies/jobs before I go. I have already been looking at some jobs on seek to get a feel for whats there/how much of it is there, although I am aware that will change by the time I'm there. I'm hopeful but I know its going to be very tough.

When I do arrive I plan on spending the first 2-3 weeks traveling up to Brisbane from Melbourne, on somewhat of a holiday, but still keeping my ear to the ground jobs-wise. But as soon as I get to Brisbane I am going into full on job mode - I will be staying with family and not getting dragged into the WHV crowd in hostels etc. I have absolutely no interest doing casual work as it will not benefit me in the long run at all (when I come back home) I don't want big gaps in my CV...If its not working out jobs-wise...I will come home and I have no hesitation about that. I am confident however I will secure decent work in my field (or maybe I'm crazy ha)

Thanks for your advice...much appreciated.

G'man....you've your head screwed on so you're already ahead of the game.
I'm based in Melbourne. I've gone through skilled migration process. PM me if you've any questions.. I had a similar qualification to you and went down the BA route to secure permanent residency.
Best of luck with the move. I guarantee you won't regret it. You've a really nice adventure to look forward to

BGozIE

bestleftfull3 wrote: »

1000 is very reasonable !! yeah true good idea about the luxury in Dubai !!it sounds like the better option!

I'm trying to steer away from USIT go4less etc. I like to do things all myself to have full control.

Do you just get the visa through the Australian government website or how do you go about doing it?

Ye mate you need to have a read on the gov website and when your ready just go ahead and go through it. If you really are finding it difficult sure pop into trail finders...think they do it for 40 euro, but you should be grand...

Windorah wrote: »

Primary teaching jobs aren't all that easy to come by in Brisbane except maybe a few days subbing here and there.

I was advised to do a certificate 3 in childcare so I could work in a childcare centre as a preschool teacher. There is a serious shortage of Early Childhood teachers and money is pretty ok but rules are tightening from this month so possibly even the cert. 3 won't be sufficient. It is also 1000 dollars...

Best of luck!

Hi Windorah,

Thanks for that. My GF did her degree in the UK and there was a pre-school module with that...she needs to clarify some things to see if its all recognized there. The degree itself is. She has an SNA qualification and was thinking of going that route as we are aware primary school might not be that easy to get. She needs a lot of stuff to work with kids in QLD I believe, think its a blue card and to register with the QLD teaching councel...all $$$ ha...but if it works out to be a steady enjoyable job for her its well worth it.

Thanks for your advice.

GerryQuattro wrote: »

G'man....you've your head screwed on so you're already ahead of the game.
I'm based in Melbourne. I've gone through skilled migration process. PM me if you've any questions.. I had a similar qualification to you and went down the BA route to secure permanent residency.
Best of luck with the move. I guarantee you won't regret it. You've a really nice adventure to look forward to

Thanks very much if we like it after a few months I might be hounding you for advice! I'd love to get into BA but I haven't got all that much experience yet, but I'm doing a job atm with a lot of technical/customer facing stuff so I'm looking to continue that trend...In saying that any experience in the IT industry is good experience for me atm.

Thanks for the well wishes...really looking forward to making a good go of it and we will see how it goes

sparklyEyes111

I'm pretty sure the degree has to be a full on early childhood degree/montessori degree in order for a person to register to be a preschool teacher. I also looked into it... I completed my specialization in Ecce with my primary teaching B.Ed degree. However, I was told it wasn't enough to allow me to register.I've worked in NSW as a teacher.. it's tough to get work. Catholic schools are a good option if she has a cert in r.e completed. The whole of Oz has plenty of local teachers and to be honest, especially when you're on the WHV they won't want you as you can't do most temp work.. I got short term work but I went to tonnes of schools and put C.Vs everywhere. I left for a permanent job elsewhere in the UAE. .. very few permanent jobs, even good temp jobs for teaching in oz.