chocoholic2 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Hi, This is my first post on here so please bare with me.... I'm looking at come to Oz in early Jan 2014 on a student visa to complete a Building Design course which should then back up my 16 years experience in the UK as a Drafts Person....hopefully then I will be able to apply for PR visa to stat in Oz. My question is about work - how have people found gaining work on the Gold Coast while on a student visa as I'll be limited to 20 hours per week work? And then there's the social side - are there any mature international student's heading to the Gold Coast or out there already to give me an idea about what to expect going back to college at 32 years old in a new country? (especially as I left school at 16 so missed the whole sixth form / uni experience etc). Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Before you even think about doing this, you must be aware that coming into Australia on a student visa is not a pathway to permanent residency. I strongly suggest that you consult a Registered Migration Agent to discuss your situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocoholic2 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 I am aware of this however I don't qualify for skilled migrant visas and finding sponsorship isn't looking hopeful either - my main downfall is lack of qualifications, hence the course - I can either train in Oz or train in the UK - I figure I may as well be in the sunshine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incata Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I can only give you a viewpoint from an employer. Student visas are a pain to administer so we refuse point blank to hire anyone on them. I have spoken to a number of other HR people in WA whose organisations have the same policy. Don't know if it is the same in Queensland but I would be cautious about counting on income and employment while you are studying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocoholic2 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 What is the difference between employing a student in comparison to employing anyone else? Am I wrong to assume that I won't be able to apply for normal part time / temping jobs? Sorry if I appear naive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickled Pink Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 What is the difference between employing a student in comparison to employing anyone else? Am I wrong to assume that I won't be able to apply for normal part time / temping jobs? Sorry if I appear naive. The difference is that employing an Australian student means no visa headaches/paperwork/conditions etc to contend with. You come with 'conditions'. I suspect it's not a student thing but a visa one that makes it tricky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I am aware of this however I don't qualify for skilled migrant visas and finding sponsorship isn't looking hopeful either - my main downfall is lack of qualifications, hence the course - I can either train in Oz or train in the UK - I figure I may as well be in the sunshine! In all honesty I would do the qualifications in the UK. Unemployment is pretty high on the Gold Coast and your visa is an immediate disadvantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 In all honesty I would do the qualifications in the UK. Unemployment is pretty high on the Gold Coast and your visa is an immediate disadvantage. I totally agree, and I actually came over on a student visa. The main problems myself and my husband had with work was reminding employers we could only do 20 hours a week. If it is busy and they need you to stay on, but you have just hit your 20 hours it gets very frustrating. Have you taken into consideration that you will more likely than not have to leave at the end of your course? Sponsorship in the building trade is very rare due to most building companies not being able to sponsor as they don't tick all the boxes. So independent visas are your only option really. So you need to see what you need to be able to pass the skills assessment. And remember, just because you might be able to apply for pr if nothing changed now, it changes all the time. They changed the rules when I was less than a week from applying, and then again three months later. That added three years on temp visas, and I was lucky to get a visa at all. We were all set to leave. The main change affecting students right now if the work experience requirement has gone up for ex students for some of the employer sponsorsed visas. They now need either 2 or 3 years post qualification experience, but for trades they can only get an 18 month 485 visa, so many are having to leave. The government are purposefully making it harder for students to stay. So as long as you accept that you will more than likely have to leave, and may well struggle to get a job, go for it, but personally I think you'd be crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I can either train in Oz or train in the UK - I figure I may as well be in the sunshine! The sunshine is very expensive. Colder weather may be more affordable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocoholic2 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 I have taken into account that it's likely I will have to come back to the UK at the end of the course - however as many doors seem to be closed at the moment with regard to other visas, I feel like I've got nothing to loose trying this route. I've got no ties or commitments in the UK - I understand that studying in the UK may be the cheaper option but at the moment a change of scene would do me the world of good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I understand that studying in the UK may be the cheaper option but at the moment a change of scene would do me the world of good! So long as you know what the fees are going to be, you know that it is very difficult to live on less than $50-60k per annum, and that you may have no income... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 So long as you know what the fees are going to be, you know that it is very difficult to live on less than $50-60k per annum, and that you may have no income... Actually, there were two of us, both working 35 hours between us a week 60 hours with my extra in holidays. Take away the course fees and we had no problem living on that with our dog. Not high paid jobs either. The main thing to consider is how you will feel when you get here, fall in love with the place, build a life and then have no choice but to leave. This was where we were and it was heart breaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocoholic2 Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 The literature from the college states you should budget about $10 - $15,000 per annum for living costs. Blossom79 - did you finance your course with your earnings or did your earnings just cover your living expenses? I have family on the Gold Coast and have spent quite a bit of time over there in the past 15 years, I've been heart-broken every time I've left, hence my attempt at a longer stay this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 The literature from the college states you should budget about $10 - $15,000 per annum for living costs. Blossom79 - did you finance your course with your earnings or did your earnings just cover your living expenses? I have family on the Gold Coast and have spent quite a bit of time over there in the past 15 years, I've been heart-broken every time I've left, hence my attempt at a longer stay this time. Well it depends where you live obviously. Rent with family and pay $250 - $300 a week (all found) and you will be doing OK. Try and rent on your own and you will be looking at so much more than this. You must factor into your finances that International Student Fees are excessive, and that it is very hard for someone on a student visa to gain part-time employment. Employers do not like to take on employees on any visa that is not permanent residency or is a sponsored visa they have initiated. I strongly suggest that before you do a thing that you consult a Registered Migration Agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incata Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 The difference is that employing an Australian student means no visa headaches/paperwork/conditions etc to contend with. You come with 'conditions'. I suspect it's not a student thing but a visa one that makes it tricky. Absolutely. We hire a lot of students for part time work, holiday work etc but on a student visa there are limitations such as only being able to work up to 20 hours per week while the course is in progress, but up to 38 hours during holidays. Trying to monitor it, particularly with managers in remote locations who aren't always great at making sure set hours are stuck to, and then having to be aware of when holidays and term times are, just makes it more trouble than it is worth. An Australian student with no visa issues is just so much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audre Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Absolutely. We hire a lot of students for part time work, holiday work etc but on a student visa there are limitations such as only being able to work up to 20 hours per week while the course is in progress, but up to 38 hours during holidays. Trying to monitor it, particularly with managers in remote locations who aren't always great at making sure set hours are stuck to, and then having to be aware of when holidays and term times are, just makes it more trouble than it is worth. An Australian student with no visa issues is just so much easier. I am surprised at the amount of discouraging views on this thread. I mean, surely there would be part-time work for an international student - Australia has a great deal of international students and many of them DO have part-time work. I understand that employers might prefer a more flexible Australian student with no restrictions, but surely a student on a full-time course cannot be expected to work almost full time hours anyways, as it would interfere with their studies? Students in the UK are usually encouraged to work no more than 20 per week regardless of their visa status (those on a full time program) and many have part-time jobs... Surely there are positive experiences about working on a student visa since so many students in Australia ARE IN FACT international... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 The literature from the college states you should budget about $10 - $15,000 per annum for living costs. This statement is way off. Rent alone is likely to exceed this. $10,000 would probably cover your food but unlikely to leave much over for clothes, utilities, books, computing, Internet, telephony, transport, healthcare, socialising including drink, coffee, etc. If they had said $30,000 I would have said possibly if you live carefully. But to suggest $10,000 is criminally misleading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark 1234 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I am surprised at the amount of discouraging views on this thread. I mean, surely there would be part-time work for an international student - Australia has a great deal of international students and many of them DO have part-time work. I understand that employers might prefer a more flexible Australian student with no restrictions, but surely a student on a full-time course cannot be expected to work almost full time hours anyways, as it would interfere with their studies? Students in the UK are usually encouraged to work no more than 20 per week regardless of their visa status (those on a full time program) and many have part-time jobs... Surely there are positive experiences about working on a student visa since so many students in Australia ARE IN FACT international... And many of the International students have wealthy parents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 The literature from the college states you should budget about $10 - $15,000 per annum for living costs. Blossom79 - did you finance your course with your earnings or did your earnings just cover your living expenses? I have family on the Gold Coast and have spent quite a bit of time over there in the past 15 years, I've been heart-broken every time I've left, hence my attempt at a longer stay this time. Our income only covered living expenses. The course costs and any extra visa fees we had to use savings for. This was with two of us though. If you are on your own, to make your living expenses more affordable you will have no choice but to house share. We spent $15k a year just on rent when we first got here, and that was just a cheap house. I agree with others, the living expenses they have quoted are far too low. Start looking now at how much rent is and house shares. If you are going to have a car that will add a bit too. Mobiles, Internet etc. @ audre the comments are realistic. As has been pointed out, many students have rich parents and don't need to work. A huge percentage of my class would fly home for the Xmas holidays. Also, since all the changes student numbers (international) have plummeted. I talk to my old Tafe lecturers regularly. The numbers changed over night. The extra staff they had taken on lost their jobs, the equipment they invested money into doesn't get anywhere near the use it should have. In my class there were about 15 of us. I struggled to find work, but managed it. Same with another British guy. One Chinese lad managed it. The others might get work for a couple of weeks, but then would loose their jobs because they weren't good enough. They came from rich Indian or Chinese families and really were not used to working. One Chinese girl, all she could get was 10 hours a week in a Chinese take away cash in hand. Most of the Indian lads ended up with night shifts in petrol stations (and then falling asleep in class). Considering you need relevant work experience to get any further visas, they didn't do very well. And all this was before students got such a bad name here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incata Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Audre We see so many people on here who come out to Australia thinking that it will be marvellous and are then shocked by the high costs, the difficulty getting work etc, that when someone comes on, wanting advice, we feel we have to give them a realistic assessment of the situation. How much worse would it be for the person if they were told by people on here that it was all rosy, easy to get work and they could live the life of riley - and then they got here and found it was expensive, jobs were hard to come by and they could not afford the day to day living costs, so were forced to go back to the UK? It's great to have a dream, but horrible when you find that the reality just does not match it. We don't want to put the OP off, just make him aware of the realities if he is thinking of studying and trying to get work out here so that he can make an informed decision about what his best options are. Incata Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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