Briggs0102

I've been working in IT for about 7-8 years now, doing a range of System Admin / Support / Networking / so on. My CCNA/CCNA:Security & experience certainly helped me get the interview. I was hired the day of the interview and started the next day! I'm working as a 'IT Team Leader' so inbetween Manager & Helpdesk, supporting servers, network infrastructure, backups as well as day to day support. Normal SA work. The only thing I don't do is SQL as I know very little, and I don't do any programming.

Just for anyone looking for work in Melbourne. I did manage to get a job on a 3 month contract so it's not impossible. It took me 6-8 weeks to get something however. I've been doing it for four weeks and it looks like it's time to get back on the phone to the agencies, as the next 2 months will fly by!

Good to know, thank you!

Hi Guys, just wondering for a quick bit of advice. Has anybody taken the PTE-A practice exams online? if so can they say how the online skills marking system compares to real life, I scored: Listening 78 Reading 64 Speaking 75 Writing 68 I need to get 20 points for my visa, is the marking online accurate? Not dispute my score, just want to know where I stand

What visa are you looking at? I'd say the programming/software is a bit better then the helpdesk/networking that I'm looking into, but I'd say that's the case in most places. Seems to be a fair few applications support roles too. Take a quick look at gumtree / seek to get an idea.

Just a bit from me, I was advise to make sure you have a good few months rent before you come over so you don't have to wait. I'd also say that recruiters are not as good over here as the UK, maybe it's just because the working culture over here is just a bit more relaxed. You will probably find yourself night after night applying on these website: seek, adzuna & careerone. The most important thing is just be patient and don't worry. I'm on a working holiday visa so it's even more difficult for me. If you have a permanent visa things should be a little easier. You're likely looking at a lower starting salary as well, as people seem to like Australian work experience, don't be surprised if you're looking as low as $28 (about £14) an hour for your first role of 6 months - 1 year. After that you will be in a stronger position. Don't take all this as gospel, just my 2 cents. Cheers, Briggs!

I'm thinking of lodging the 189 visa application but I have no idea if my certifications give me any points for the visa. So far I have: 30 points for me age 10 points for my work experience As it stands I would need another 20 which I can gain from the English exam. Does anyone know if I can gain any points from the following certifications: Cisco CCENT Cisco CCNA Cisco CCNA:Security BTEC IT Diploma in Networking (College level Diploma, level in between High School & University) If I can make up another 10 points some where, it makes the English exam a bit easier!

Thanks I had a look but they don't have anything related to my skill set, was worth a look however!

I've not have a great deal of experience in the Security field, I just have my certifications and also made recommendations to whoever my IT manager was at the time on how to make our network more secure, managing things such as Cisco ASA Firewalls, VPNs, Windows user credentials, security policies and so on. I'd love to get into penetration testing, but I'm not sure I'm experienced enough just yet. Good news to hear your husband is getting lots of interest, always good to hear. My understanding is that Security is one of those on the IT job list for people looking into the 457, mainly in Sydney (Don't quote me on this however!) Best of luck to both yourself and your husband.

I've taken a look onine for PlanetIT but can't find the Australian website. I've found an international based website, and also found an Australian website called PlanIT. Can you point me in the right direction?

It may be working calling the recruitment companies as I have done, Hays, clicks and so on. They gave me a fair bit of detail of what to expect starting from the lowest first line level I.E 30 - 35 bucks an hour, 9% super and so on. Sorry, not much help but just my 2 cents!

I've been in Melbourne a little over a week now (However I've been in Oz for almost 3 months) and have started seriously trying to look for some work. I've applied for every 1st/3rd line, networking and security roles I can find on seek and various other websites, which are my main skills/have been my main job roles in my almost 10 years of working in IT. I've also contacted pretty much every IT recruitment company I can find to try and find me something. They seem much less enthusiastic about it here then then do in London, could well just be because it Christmas and there isn't much going on. Can anyone recommend any other course of action I can take, bar continuing to apply and contacting the agencies? I'm on a working holiday as well, so it looks as if my chances are reduced some what. Good luck to everyone looking!