JelenaNS

Same story with us. My husband is a civil engineer and he was the main applicant.He has 8+ years experience on roads and highways construction, prior to coming to Australia he worked in FiFO roles in north Africa for 2,5 years.We were saving that money for migration and after a careful research we decided Australia as they advertised that engineers are in great demand.Also there are a lots of jobs advertised and the argument that start applying after coming here was reasonable.So we came and now it's been just a year-with one interview and no job.He did the same things in order to get a job, had professionally written resume, sending off to companies, applying to jobs, made some contacts (like you are he is now working as a laborer), and no success.To be clear, as someone might say if his English is good enough as we are coming from a non English country, he mostly worked in international teams where all correspondence was held in english and passed IELTS with 8.5 overall mark.Now he is still working as a laborer and I am doing some part time work, so financially we have just enough to make ends meet, and he is thinking again doing FIFO, anywhere, as here in Australia seems that the market is really struggling and as migrants from a developing country he will be always at the end of the line for any job.So...we are in the same boat. See some people on here are doing FIFO, any advice appreciate.

We have been in Melbourne for four months now , and my husband's looking for job for the last three, -but with no success.He is a civil engineer, with 8 years experience, mostly working on highways and roads, with 2.5 years in remote areas of Africa.He has two professionally written CVs, one detailed, one with dot points, and has been sending out to companies, but the answers were mostly like:thank you, but no,thank you.A few were very polite, with comments that he has good work experience and they will keep his CV on file, but at the moment they don't have vacancies suitable,or even "struggle for work". He also applied for some jobs, but with no success.So any advice on what could be the problem:not enough or adequate experience, local experience, doing something wrong, the market is really struggling at the moment...He is even considering going back to Africa with his old company, but I am not sure that I will be happy with the very long rosters, with 5-6 months at a time.Reading a lot of comments on FIFO, I can only say that in my case I would accept 2-3 months apart, but not sure for longer, but also have empathy for his efforts in finding work in Victoria, and I dont want him to end up doing anything just to be with me, instead of going again to Africa(as a last solution). So any advice appreciate, on job hunting or what to improve/change, about the job market, especially from people in the same/similar field.

Thank you for your answers. I think that I have already made the decision, but I only need some encouragement that I just got here. Considering that I would like to work as a teacher, and adding to that my (presumably) big personal satisfaction after the job is done , in my opinion the benefits outweigh the negative aspects , and I am willing to put all the effort (time/money) in gaining formal qualification. The biggest thing here is encouragement, because I somehow still feel (afraid) that something may go wrong, without my control, and for me it is very good to know that there are more mature age student, and I could fit in and enjoy learning again. Once more, thank you, your advice are really valuable for me.

Hi, I am looking for some advice. I am one of "those" who had interruption in career, and not sure what to do now.In a few words my situation is:I was a successful student in food technology, and one semester left from completing five year full time degree, when the war and NATO attack in my country affected me, and I literally stopped for some time.Later, I worked in a day care, and as one -on-one tutor in math and science, but never never got that official diploma.Now, I am in Melbourne, PR, and I would like to go to university again and get that degree in science, but I am afraid that as a mature graduate will never get a job. I know that my CV will never be looking "nice" to potential employers , and that young graduate always be more attractive.I dont want to invest time , money,and effort again, if I will not have a chance.I appreciate any advice and opinion, especially from potential employer and recruitment agency prospective.

I agree. 3 year ban applies probably to someone who on purpose gave false , misleading information...It was obviously an unintentional mistake..

yes,medicals were requested by CO, so I assumed the same, that everything else is OK.Thank you for quick answer.

Hi, Firstly I would like to apology if I make mistakes in English, as I am from non English background, and coming from a third -world-Europian country will probably say something wrongly, but you will understand me ... I empathy with you, as wee also made an innocent mistake in our EOI, but our CO did not ask for more evidence, and we had our medicals last week.I know that we made a slightly mistake,and I am interested if you got an instant refusal,or after medical and Pol. cert.?Just to know what wee can expect