Day N Nite

I on a PR visa and have been in sydney for 5mths now and cannot get work in my field (Engineering). Luckily enough i did manage to get part time work (14 hrs a week) after about 3mths in and that made all the difference as my bank account is no longer decreasing but rather stable. (not increasing either). I only have myself to look after and that makes a difference money wise. I know the feeling of bleeding money on a monthly basis as before i got this part time job i estimated i would last 7 mths on my savings. Now it looks like i may last way longer. We are about to enter the christmas period and recruitment generally shuts down in december and only picks up in late january, early february. If i dont get something by november, i can expect to be chilling until february............. The struggle is real and it continues........

A little background BSc in Mechanical Engineering (USA) 2009 MSc in Building Services Engineering with Sustainable Energy (UK) 2012 1.5 years experience as an engineer Skilled Migrant Subclass 175 Visa (Permanent residence) I arrived in Sydney in the middle of May on my own. I didn’t expect to hit the ground running in the first month, but after 4 months I am beginning to get worried. I have lost count of the amount of jobs I have applied for but I am pretty sure it’s over 50. I am limited in the types of jobs that I can apply for as I have very little experience and so I apply mostly to graduate positions. In the UK, when I applied for a position I knew I would at least get some sort of reply from the company. Over here it seems as if a response is optional. The excuses I like to tell myself are: 1. Most of the graduate schemes for my field are open in February and close in May. So my arrival was just a bad time. 2. It’s the election and things will pick up soon 3. Australia is now starting to feel the effects of global financial crisis and so people aren’t hiring. I thought that maybe I was just having bad luck but after taking a skillsmax course that is provided free of charge by the NSW government to new migrants, I really began to see how many more people are in my position. Each class has about 10 to 15 persons of many different nationalities and there were about 4 classes in total. I would say 75% of the people there were engineers looking for work and with far more experience than me. One guy I met is a sri lankan who studied in the UK and has 5 years UK experience as a site engineer, he has been here for 7 mths and still cannot find a job in his field. I was under the impression that Australia had a shortage of engineers but this doesn’t seem to be the case. I think the real problem is that there are too many skilled visa holders like myself and little to no jobs available. The last time i worked was in London from October to December 2012. (Am currently living off of those savings).I left the UK in January I have not worked for the entire 2013 and it’s not for a lack of trying. With 3 mths left in 2013, it looks like 2013 might just be a year of unemployment for me. Hopefully in the not too distant future i can look back on this year and have a good laugh............

Try 55 yurong street. Its very central (on the edge of hyde park) and has single rooms available. If you would like to know more, here is their website : http://www.55yurongstreet.com/ Prices for single bedroom are a little out of your range currently 350 a week, however if you are staying for a longer period (website says 3mths and over, but after 1 month i got the discount) they bring down the price to $330.00 a wk.

I am staying in Darlinghurst, which is quite close to the CBD. Its like a small apartment complex, 3 stories. Its just temporary accommdations for another 3 wks, so may actually change.

Hi guys, Thanks for your responses. I am happy to report that I did not have a panic attack like i thought i would, lol. In fact, i do not even miss my family, although this may come a bit later as i am in the honeymoon period. I spent the first couple of days doing the basics, opened bank account, changed my pounds and put it onto the account. I applied for a medicare card and TFN, so i am expecting that in couple of weeks and i also converted my really old (expired 2009) American driving Licence into a NSWs P2 driving licence. So happy i hanged onto it, or else i would have ended up taking a written and practical driving test. I am too busy walking around and exploring the city to even thing about jobs at this point, although i did apply to about 3 jobs as the closing date was may 31st and i wanted to get them in. I responed to one job posted on gumtree and i spoke with the employer and things are actually looking good for this job, even though it maybe a shorterm contract job. I really don't mind as i just want to get my foot in the door and get that "Local/Australian Experience" that everyone wants. Sydney is very expensive, and even though i must have read it a thousand times on other posts on pomsinoz, it doesnt really doesn't sink in until you get here. I am paying 350 a week for a 1 bedroom apartment and have to share a bathroom. In my home country this amount would be worth the entire month in an apartment. Besides all of that, i am enjoying myself here

So the day is finally upon me. I have to enter Australia by 1st of June, 2013, according to my Permanent resident visa and will be arriving in Sydney on May 27th. I could have traveled earlier but i wanted to come home (Guyana, South America) to spend a couple of months with my parents, after completing my Masters in London. I do not have any friends or family in Australia. I have Never traveled to Australia before and i didn't have money to do a reccie so i'm heading right into it and hoping things work out. I've sorted out accommodation and a bank account, but thas about it. Little Background Single 27 years old male BSc Mechanical Engineering (USA) MSc Building Services Engineering with Sustainable Energy (UK) about 1 and half years experience as an engineer I was super excited to travel but now that its about to become a reality I am starting to worry about settling in and finding a job (biggest worry). I can probably sustain myself for about 3 months before i really have to take any job i can find. I have applied to over 50 jobs online and for about 90% of my applications i do not get any response and this is worrying. That coupled with reading other posts on pomsinoz from other engineers still looking for work isn't too promising. My parents told me to treat it as another vacation and just take in the sights and try to make new friends, while i understand this, in reality i know its not just another vacation because i have to try and make it work (Not too keen on going back to my home country and working). I know that my fears are probably normal at this stage, but it sure doesn't feel normal...................... who knows, maybe in a month's time i maybe be writing again to say how wonderful things worked out for me...........

Good on ya!!! Is too proofs of address really necessary or just one? Did you apply for you TFN before or after you arrived in Australia. If after, how long did it take for them to send it to you? Thanks

Hi, Really can't answer any of your questions, but just wanted to say that i am in the same boat. I'm an Engineer from Guyana in South America and I have a skilled 175 visa. i will be arriving in sydney sometime in the end of May, as my visa stipulates i have to enter australia by 1st June. What's really concerning me is how hard it is to find affordable short term accommodations (say 2mths). Really don't want to stay in a hostel, but it seems like this may be the only option. Interested to hear answers about your second question concerning accommodation.

i applied for the Skilled Independent Subclass 175 Visa approximately 1 year ago and these were my expenses (in sterling pounds): 2000 for the Visa itself 120 for IELTS test 400 for Skills Assessment (Engineers Australia) 270 for Medicals (Knightsbridge Doctors in London) 300 for Background Police Clearances For a Grand Total of 3090 Sterling Pounds for the Entire Process Notes - lucky enough to get all 8's on ielts first time around, or else would have had to keep paying the same 120 pounds over and over until i got it. Repeating the test multiple times will greatly increase your overall cost as you can already see. - I had to get police clearances from 4 different countries (Guyana, British Virgin Islands, USA and UK), that is why my cost for this aspect is so high. - I would probably add another 100 pounds in there as this would probably signify the fedex or other shipping costs involved e.g (had to send fingerprints to USA via fedex and skills assessment for all the way to australia also)

Hey, I am in the same boat as you. I cant answer your question as I am still in the UK and hope to head out to brisbane next year. Personally i think the more experience you have the better your chances of landing a job. I just completed a masters degree in engineering, but only have about a year and 4 mths experience, so most of the jobs i am limited to are graduate ones and so far still nothing. I see myself landing in brisbane jobless, but like so many others i hope to find work at least within 2 mths of landing, before i go broke, but time will only tell..............

Ok, so I'm in the UK on a student visa which expires at the end of 2012. I just completed a masters degree in Building Services Engineering at Brunel University (also have a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from USA). I have been trying my luck with the UK job market but ever since the UK government abolished the Tier 4 post study work visa in april 2012, (that allowed international students to work in the UK for 2yrs after postgraduate studies), it has become increasing difficult as international students now need companies to sponsor them on a work permit to stay in the country. And nobody seems to want to do that. I thought with an engineering degree from the UK, my chances of getting a job over here would be assured,(after all engineering is in demand, UK and worldwide and its not as if i studied history.....sorry history majors), but it doesnt seem that way............. I was recently granted a skilled 175 visa (august 27) I have been trying applying to numerous graduate engineer jobs (i only have 1yr and 4mths experience) online via seek and mycareer websites, but nothing yet. I guess they are not taking me seriously as i am still in the UK even though the visa gives me the right work there. So my concern is that i will have to travel to australia at the end of the year to validate my visa and without any job offer. What i would like to know is are there any other skilled migrants who went with nothing but faith and how soon after arrival did you find a job. When i say a job, i mean a job in your field, that you studied for, and if you didnt, what other jobs did you do in the mean time to make a living and not go broke. If you could state your profession and what job u did, that would be good. Australia is really far away from my home (South America), so i have to make it work the first time around. By the way, i am 26, single and have no children.......

The proof that i provided was the fedex airway bill to the FBI in USA and this seemed to suffice. I did not provide any receipts.

As i needed police clearances from USA, UK, British Virgin Islands and Guyana, there was no way the 28 days would ever apply to me. You are not alone, explain your situation to your CO. I did and she gave me a 12 week extension on top of the initial 28 days. They are very accommodating, just be truthful.

Hi guys, I havent been on this thread for a couple of months. Just returning to let u guys know i just got my 175 visa, so u can go ahead and turn me purple. I applied march 17th. It took me this long because i had to get police cleareances from 4 different countries, which was quite a hassle. None the less, all the hard work is over. So to all the rest of you guys still going through the process, just hang in there, the time really does fly.

bump bump!! Anyone out there????

I have finally submitted all the required documents for my 175 visa. I sent an email to my CO when i did this and up to now no response from her. This was 4 days ago and since then i can't count how many times i have checked my application online to see if the visa has been issued. All this waiting is killing me. :arghh: Í'm sure this question has probably been asked before, but i cant seem to find it. My question is, how long does it take after the submission of all documents to when the visa has been issued? I guess there wont be an exact figure, but i just want to guage on average how long i would have to wait. Personal experiences welcomed..........

Well the mystery is solved. Turns out it was my fault.......... Email response said 'The name you provided on the fingerprint card is the name we placed on your response. If you need a new letter with the correct name, you will need to submit a new request.' That was the email response i got. But i had called them before i got this response and the customer service representative basically said the same thing. He pulled my fingerprint card and low and behold, i had put my Surname in my Middle Name section and that that is why it was repeated. As a very meticulous person, i am still cant believe that i made such a stupid mistake. It does make sense though, because i remember that as soon as i had my fingprints done, i went straight and fedexed everything off to the states, i didnt give myself time to doublecheck. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. My deadline from DIAC to submit these documents is still 8wks and 4 days away(got an extension for US police clearance). And since it only takes 5 wks to get the US police clearance, i can apply again and it should reach back in time. That of course is no consolation for the amount of money i have to shell out again for the whole process.. 70 pounds - fingerprints 90 pounds - fedex (go and return) 11 pounds - for the FBI letter A grand total of 171 pounds all again. That is most expensive typo in my life. Lesson Learnt.

I used fedex, i created an account with them. When you do this they give you a fedex account number. Put this number on your application form and the FBI will send it back through Fedex and you will get charged for it.

Well at least i am not alone with this situation. Only thing is i didnt photocopy my original application, so i dont have any proof that i applied correctly.....

It took me 5 wks exactly to get the Criminal History Check. I will call them and see what they say.........

Hi, I just received back my FBI Criminal history check and while it has no arrest record stated on it, they have written my name wrong on the letter. Example it has 'Edward Davis Davis' (not my real name of course)with my surname repeating twice. The DIAC has given me a deadline to get all the documents to them (for 175 visa) and if i apply again for it, it would surpass this deadline and run the risk of refusal on my case. Has this ever happened to anyone? What are my options??? Since the FBI are keeping fingerprints now on file, do i send them another set again? or can i just request that they take another payment out of my credit card and create a new letter with my correct name?I have emailed them to see what they would say, i hope it is something favourable, cause my whole day has been turned upside down............

The FBI charged my card on 29th of June, thas exactly 3 wks since they received it. I guess things are moving along......

i paid 60 pounds for my fingerprints too, ridiculous prices!! Its the reason i didnt get a backup set of prints, too expensive. In any case i fedex my application to the FBI on the 7th June and it arrived on the 8th of June. I am still waiting for them to charge my credit card tho..........

I was assigned a case officer since around May 28th. No update from her, as i am still uploading all of the required documents. So far have submitted all of the required documents except police clearance for USA, which i just requested friday 8th of June. Since the FBI takes up to 8wks to get back to people on that, my guess is i have at least another 2mths wait before i get the visa. Was it not for this wait, i would probably get it next week. Ahh well..... that's life.

Hi, I lodged my application for skilled 175 visa on march 17th and was surprised to have a CO assigned to me on may 28th. I was under the impression it takes about 6mths to get a CO for 175 visa. It totally caught me off guard and now she is asking for more documents. If i knew i would have gotten a CO this quickly i would have already applied for my FBI police check. The case officer says i have 28 days to upload all required documents and i still have to request my FBI check, which will no doubt run over the 28 days. So somehow i am hoping i will get an extension for this, because it is out of my control. I hope to send off my application to the FBI by mid next week.