SydneyMiles

I'm currently looking for a job in Sydney. Struggling a bit. I'm from Scotland. I've been living here for two and a half years. I'm started to worry that my accent is counting against me. I have an obviously Scottish accent but it isn't unintelligible. When I go back to Scotland people often comment that I don't sound local! I'm in my mid thirties and have lived in different places round the world for most of my adult life (England, Europe, USA, Canada). I've never even considered it could be a problem before. I have done a lot public speaking (giving training sessions, speaking at conferences) internationally over the past decade or so and I've never had any feedback that my accent was hard to understand. Maybe a couple of offhand comments in the US but that's it. HOWEVER now I'm in a full on job search in Australia I'm finding it a bit hard. I'm going for a lot of jobs that require presentation skills, as it's something I am strong on and enjoy, and I have been turned down for several jobs that I thought I was very well qualified for. I've also twice had interviewers openly make comments. One guy said "So how about your communication skills? How would people deal with your strong pommie accent?". In another interview an older business owner repeatedly said he didn't understand me as I spoke. Other people in the interview commented, during the meeting and after, to assure me there was no problem and that I was very clear and that they "didn't know what he was on about". So... I'm feeling a little bit down. I'm wondering if I should change tack and move away from jobs with a lot of presentations, etc. I've done a huge amount of international work in my career and it really never occurred to me that my accent could hold me back. Has anyone had issues with accents in Australia?

Two months - not bad!

It is not considered de facto. You either have to wait the full 12 months or register the relationship if your state allows it. I had been living with my partner for seven months and had to register in NSW. It's easy to do but not all states allow it. It does have a 28 day cool off period though so not immediate. http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Relationships.htm

House prices are high back in the UK as well. I think the Sydney market is a bit cheaper than London... but they are both crazy.

Great news Natalie!

Gather as much proof of the genuine, exclusive and committed nature of the relationship as possible. Phone logs, emails, tickets from visits, family reasons for being apart. it's not ideal but start gathering evidence now.

The 457 is easy to get but you're tied to the employer. Moving job is always going to involve risks but with a 457 you're moving job and you face the risk of staying in a job you don't like or having to leave the country if you lose work. I came over on a 457 at first and I changed employer after a year. It was huge hassle getting a new employer though and a lot just wouldn't look at you.

You're the perfect age for a working holiday visa. Apply for one, make sure you've got enough savings to get over and stay for a month and you'll be fine picking up casual work. It's very expensive here but the minimum wage is high. There have been reports of more unemployment recently but everyone I know seems to be fine.

The 457 can be annoying as it's tied to your employer. I came over on one and I did manage to change employer but the process took seven weeks (in theory the minimum can be three) and it made job interviews a bit harder. Some firms won't even look at you without a full visa. If you quit your current job then in theory you have 28 days to find a new sponsor or leave the country. If you think you'd qualify for a skilled migration visa as soon as you submit that you'll get a bridging visa to stay in the country until a decision is made. That usually comes without work rights at first but it is possible to get them added in some cases. It's not ideal but, depending on how much travel you want to do, you could apply for an eVisitor tourist visa and then apply for another working visa. That might be a sponsored 457, skilled migration, etc. Without knowing your full situation (how much savings you have, etc) I'd probably look at using the eVisitor for some travelling and then doing job interviews, etc on the way. If something comes up you can then ask for company sponsorship.

Not sure if you'll get it automatically if applying offshore and then coming to Australia. I'd guess not. I think the whole point of a bridging visa is to allow people to stay in Australia while a decision is made. Off shore applications are $1000 cheaper than onshore and I think part of that is the idea that no one will have to be deported if an off shore app is denied! For your second question, when I got my bridging A from my on shore app I was automatically given working rights. Normally, this doesn't happen automatically and you have to apply for it though. The application process is quick, costs about $100 but you do have to prove either financial hardship or have an employer sponsor.

As I understand a bridging visa is automatically granted when you submit a valid application for a visa. Which you have done. On vevo it will only show when your existing visa has expired. If you had a no further stay on your existing visa you wouldn't have been able to lodge on shore. I got an email the day after lodging with details of my bridging visa a. Check your email spam folder and if not I'd email the offices to check. You have probably been granted it already but worth making sure.

I've been stopped while on the 1 year etourist visa. The one you have to leave and come back every 3 months on. Went to NZ for three weeks. I thought I would be ok as it's not like I just went for the weekend. On arriving back in Sydney I was called aside. A woman came out and spoke to me very seriously. They quizzed me about what I was doing. They asked for my computer and phone and the passwords to look at them. They also asked to log in to my online banking. I offered to let them do all of this and they did take my computer away but, when they gave it back, it didn't seem to have been accessed and they didn't follow up with the request to check my bank account. They are basically looking for any evidence that you are working. I just told them the truth that I was visiting Australia, was complying with the tourist visa and wasn't sure what my future plans were. My girlfriend (Australian citizen) was with me and I told them we were living together. A lot of people say not to do that but I was honest and it went ok. After about twenty minutes of questions on my plans, if I was working, etc they let me through but told me if I did the same again they couldn't guarantee to let me in. Tbh I think it was a scare tactic and as long as you have proof of being a tourist then I would imagine you would be ok (no promises though, obv). If you are worried make sure to take plenty of documented proof of travel plans (to prove being a tourist), proof of sufficient funds and anything that proves you are not working (bank statements, etc). I lodged my spouse visa app before needing to do the trip again but it was certainly a scare.

I house shared when I first came over. It has good sides. You can skip all the hassle of getting a lease, set up, etc. However, if you're used to having your own place it's a bit hit and miss who you end up with. I found that a lot of studios near the CBD were available for not much more money and with hindsight I would have been better off in one... although my flatmate turned out to be a kleptomaniac so maybe I am just bitter.

Brace yourself for the expense of Sydney. Rent is not cheap but jobs are easy to come by and well paid. I was paying $750 a fortnight in the Eastern suburbs... you can get way cheaper but more of a commute in.

Hi Emma, You definitely don't meet the requirements for a defacto visa. Your other options are to marry or to register the relationship. Registering simply involves going to the immigration office with valid ID and certifying that you are in a relationship. Then you wait for a 28 day cooling off period. This completely waives the 12 month living together requirement. You still have to prove a genuine, ongoing relationship and you'll have to be able to support yourself (or have your partner do so) as you go through the lengthy process. I came on a tourist visa, registered the relationship and applied after about 7 months living together.

Yeah, it was an attempt to be funny.

Yeah, I've noticed when the total is something like 7.73 cents they just round it up!

Most likely they'll wave you straight through but if worst comes to worst even if you don't have proof of the money if you have resident there who will vouch for you (tell them they will house you, etc) then it should be ok. They don't want to be letting people in who will be a burden.

You can get a cheap hotel for <100 a week which isn't too much above your 500 a week. When I came over I stayed in the Y on hyde park (http://www.yhotel.com.au/). They advertise as from $79 a night but the average was more like 100. That might give you breathing room to find somewhere you want. Other than check gumtree for short term lets.

What's behind your move back, John? Sorry if it's been discussed elsewhere but not sure if I will be going back myself soon.

My partner and I are looking in to this currently. From what we can see the relationship registration was introduced to prevent discrimination against unmarried couples. Especially gay couples who don't have the option to marry. We currently don't meet the 12 months requirement and are reluctant to force a marriage just for the visa but do have a genuine continuing relationship. We're going to try this route and see what happens.

My sacrifices have been : - being close to old friends and family - big increase in cost of living - not able to watch football at normal times