Hi Nick
Welcome to Poms in Oz.
Check the ACS arrangements very closely. I can't help you with that because I havenn't a clue about IT skills and don't possess any myself:
Australian Computer Society - Skills Assessment
Also check the MODL. Is your particular IT skill on that?
Is your occupation in demand? - Workers - Visas & Immigration
If yes, check the ASRI description to make sure:
A-Z Occupations List - Australian Skills Recognition Information
If not, have a look at Computing Support Technician because that probably has a lower qualification/experience level, since it also only gets 40 points instead of 60.
You have to be a bit careful with skills assessments, because the work experience needed by the skills assessment body is not always the same as the level required by DIAC for the subsequent visa application. Please see:
Visa Options – Professionals and other Skilled Migrants – Workers – Visas & Immigration
Australian General Skilled Migration Booklet
Start with the subclass 175 visa because that is the Rolls Royce visa. Work downwards from there.
South Australia is willing to sponsor some IT people for the subclass 475 visa, for instance.
http://www.immigration.sa.gov.au/pdf...rovisional.pdf
I have not checked any of the other States.
With regard to your idea of a Working Holiday Maker visa, are you British? Make sure you read about the right visa for your country of residence/citizenship:
Visa Options - Working Holiday Makers - Visas & Immigration
If you are British, then you have to do what you call "crappy work" for 3 months, not 5 months, and whether or not you could stick it would depend on your own attitude and interests. The range of jobs you could do is much wider than you think. Aquaculture is a possibility, for example, if you are interested in matters marine.
Don't knock the idea of 3 or 4 months as a deckhand on a trawler, either, because the crew of a fishing boat are paid according to the value of the catch at auction, so the pay can be very high indeed because fresh fish is often very expensive even in Oz depending on the rarity and quantity of the fish, but the waters around Oz have not been fished out. The mines are ferociously well-paid as well.
I suspect you have merely taken a cursory glance at the WHMV and dismissed it out of hand. I suggest you read about it thoroughly instead.
What would your chances of being offered an employer-sponsored subclass 457 visa be? It depends on how much of a shine the employer takes to you - or not. There are strong rumours that the Aussie IT industry is reluctant to get involved with staff who need the employer's help to get them a visa. The reason is because LOADS of migrants get independent
PR in Oz on Day One via their IT skills. When you can hire the guy who will not need a visa, the one who would need a visa would have to be special.
Best wishes
Gill
which is damn scary, and il have to ask my mum to look after my 2 year old boxer while we sort ourselves out then she will be posted (shipped) to her new home (hopefully)
