Londongal76 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Hey all, long time no speak! Hope life is treating you all well. IF you remember me, you'll know I was looking at the options for moving down under over the last 2 years. The short story is that I wanted a PR visa, that would allow me to go where I wanted to (Brissy) and work where I wanted to. a PR visa would have also given me time to sort life out this side, save money before needing to rush to move south. Long story short, after months of work I didn't have anywhere near the points it was originally thought I'd get thanks to the amount of time Oz wipe off my work experience for not having a degree, so no PR visa was possible. I had to go for state sponsored only (which wasn't really ever an option I wanted) and I have a short window to decide whether to apply for the 489 visa. It's sponsored in a state I don't want to be in, and means I have to find an IT job in regional OZ as I can't work in the major cities for a year. The whole point of me looking was only if I could move to Queensland and be near the people I know. I'm also not the sort of person whose life is over if I get down under or not, and life here is good too, I earn good money have stable work and a roof over my head. I'm worried that it'll be hard to find IT work regionally there, and as I have nobody to lean on or fall back on financially, I have to be able to support myself very quickly. As it's not a PR visa, it would also give me no time to save money before going as apparently it's not the done thing to wait on the non PR visas as it's nigh on impossible to extend them. Not sure what I'm looking for here but advice I guess. The adventure is all good and one thing, but the practicalities of being self sufficient and affording the move are weighing heavy on my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Have you definitely exhausted every single option for getting the extra 5 points for a 190 visa? I would also imagine it pretty hard to find IT work in a regional area and note it would not be just for a year, it would be for the whole time you are on the visa. The relevance of the year is that it is one of the criteria to meet before you can apply for the permanent stage. You don't have to work in IT of course, you're can work at anything. I believe Adelaide would be considered regional, I know it is not the best city for employment options, but I expect it is better than many other regional places. The 489 technically allows you to live and work in any regional area. Just a personal view, but I probably wouldn't move on a 489 visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderDrinkingCoder Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Just a thought, and it wouldn't be cheap, but hey ho. If you've been working in IT for a while and can demonstrate sound experience and knowledge, would it perhaps be worth investigating if there are any universities running MSc courses in Computer Science that you might be able to wangle your way into? Some of the old Polytechnic universities will probably have a more open approach to admissions than the more established universities? Like I say, just a thought, but it would help you on the points front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 To be honest, I would say your chances of getting IT work in regional areas is slim. We have just moved back from living in a regional area for 8 years and it was a regional area very close to Perth and a true small city in its own right and you could count on the fingers of a one handed man the amount of IT jobs that would come up. But, it could be an opportunity to try working in another area for a couple of years. Though often jobs can also be hard to find in regional areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londongal76 Posted May 27, 2016 Author Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) This is what I was worried about. I keep getting told 'with your CV you'll be snapped up' and I've got no worries that in CBD's that wouldnt' be an issue, but regionally? I'm really not convinced. I also only have 50 points - the state sponsorship has made it to 60. In my ACS codes they're only taking people with 70 points currently so it's out of reach. Edited May 27, 2016 by Londongal76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 This is what I was worried about. I keep getting told 'with your CV you'll be snapped up' and I've got no worries that in CBD's that wouldnt' be an issue, but regionally? I'm really not convinced. I also only have 50 points - the state sponsorship has made it to 60. In my ACS codes they're only taking people with 70 points currently so it's out of reach. I'd be taking a large pinch of salt with the "with your cv you'd be snapped up " as well. There is a lot of competition and, with all due respect to experience and all, degrees are almost essential for everything in Australia. Almost everyone goes to Uni these days (high youth unemployment), you don't have to have a great yr 12 score to get there. Further education would seem to be a good first step if you have to go otherwise enjoy what you've got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londongal76 Posted May 27, 2016 Author Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) Well it hasn't held me back here. I have a ton of blue chip experience and am about 5 years ahead of the aussies technology wise again, in CBD's I'm happy I'd find work, it's the regional thing where I have no idea what IT jobs would be around. Edited May 27, 2016 by Londongal76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderDrinkingCoder Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 In that case, is it worth you investigating if an Australian employer will sponsor you directly for a permanent residency visa? They'd be silly not to, if you're that able. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 This is what I was worried about. I keep getting told 'with your CV you'll be snapped up' and I've got no worries that in CBD's that wouldnt' be an issue, but regionally? I'm really not convinced. I also only have 50 points - the state sponsorship has made it to 60. In my ACS codes they're only taking people with 70 points currently so it's out of reach. I would be very reluctant in your occupation to go for a 489 in your circumstances. The 489 is fine if you are a joiner or a bricklayer as these are occupations that have roles in the regional areas available. But in IT I think you would struggle. We had a member a couple of years ago on the Perth forum in a very similar situation. He went with it and ended up driving a taxi and then eventually returned back to the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Well it hasn't held me back here. I have a ton of blue chip experience and am about 5 years ahead of the aussies technology wise again, in CBD's I'm happy I'd find work, it's the regional thing where I have no idea what IT jobs would be around. That doesn't necessarily mean a lot. Different country, different way of seeing things. Australia if very keen on the qualification side of things - you have to have the right tickets for things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 In that case, is it worth you investigating if an Australian employer will sponsor you directly for a permanent residency visa? They'd be silly not to, if you're that able. Not a bad idea and if the OP is single even a 457 might be an option as long as she is aware of the visa, its risks and its downsides - not a permanent visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderDrinkingCoder Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) Not entirely sure what your specialism is, but I've just been thinking back over it and in ten years of hiring people, I've only ever recruited one person who wasn't a graduate. That was solely down to them having a phenomenal Github portfolio. Now, before anyone shouts back, of course a degree isn't the be all and end all; however, most people - in my limited experience - don't tend to have the fortitude to teach themselves complex theory for the sheer fun of it, and the structured environment of a university does seem to help with that. ETA: Stormy, only just saw your comment re: 457. Is that REALLY something we want to dredge up!? Edited May 27, 2016 by CiderDrinkingCoder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Well it hasn't held me back here. I have a ton of blue chip experience and am about 5 years ahead of the aussies technology wise again, in CBD's I'm happy I'd find work, it's the regional thing where I have no idea what IT jobs would be around. In UK CBDs you are obviously doing very well - Australia is a foreign country with different rules and expectations and it doesn't necessarily follow that your UK experience would be viewed with similar value unfortunately (and if you spruik your excellent "ahead of them" experience you will, undoubtedly, be chopped off at the knees like countless expats before you - Aussies do not like know it all blow ins). Australia really values degrees and if you don't have one in a field where loads of other applicants have degrees you are behind the 8 ball - in addition its very much a "who you know" culture. Shouldn't think there is much call for blue chip experience in rural /remote areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderDrinkingCoder Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) To be perfectly honest, whilst there are always the 'I am awesome and well ahead of you' stuck up brigade in IT, the vast majority of IT professionals I've encountered on four continents work by one simple mantra: always be open minded to learn from your peers and don't be a stuck up prick. In that respect, the Aussie approach isn't unique. Humility, modesty, and a little self-deprecation go such a long way in making an individual far more attractive as a colleague, both peer-wise and leader-wise. Curiously, I've also been surprised at just how receptive of decent British degrees Australian employers are (even if they don't always necessarily regard work experience in the same way).* Just a bugger that I've had to put my plans on hold for the moment. Oh, and I would just point out that I'm a just-about-reasonable developer, a muddling-by manager, and an eccentric old twit. Yet, strangely, by knowing I'm not God's gift, I've always done alright. Guess it's kept the mind fresh. That and knowing how to mix the cocktails on a Friday night after 5pm. ;-) * I'll probably get flamed for this, but I'm only referring to personal experience of having read at a few top 10 institutions: not commenting on anyone else's experience. Edited May 27, 2016 by CiderDrinkingCoder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoot Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 If you have a good job in the UK then stick with it. Even if you went regional to a city like Adelaide your job opportunities are going to be extremely limited, it is much easier for companies to fly someone in from Melbourne or Sydney who has already established their reputation in Australia and who is connected. Even if you are the greatest IT expert that ever lived unless you can convince a company of that and they offer you a role in line with your expertise you will have to take whatever employment is offered to satisfy the work component of the visa (do you want fries with that ?). As far as i understand you are also not able to consult so you couldn't live in a regional town but do consulting work for a corporate in Sydney you have to work in that town which further limits your alternatives. Even if you were prepared to do that after 2 years will your knowledge and skills still be viable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 If moving isn't a 'life or death' situation for you and you can't get the area you want, them I personally wouldn't bother. Seems simple to me but ultimately your toss of the coin / decision to make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Lofts Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 Hi, I'm an IT (SAP) professional and came here 4 years ago on a PR visa. I came to Townsville (very regional Australia) out of choice for lifestyle reasons. I am semi - retired. I have no degree but I do have a professional qualification and am a certified SAP consultant (Do you have certification in your IT area of expertise? - this may help). I have had no issue getting work when I want it and certainly no-one has questioned whether I have a degree or not but I do have 22 years relevant experience. The only issue I have had is that there is no work locally. I have had to FIFO Brisbane for project work. I do have the luxury of working from home for some overseas clients. I have also travelled in my caravan in NSW and QLD and can tell you there is very little IT presence in regional Australia in those states. From my experience most of the companies that have a presence in regional Australia are running their IT teams in the major capital cities. I would be looking at trying to find some more points where you can. Even if English is your first language you can get extra points by sitting the IELTS test or as others have said maybe some further education. If this is not an option you could maybe look at whether the ACS would recognise any of your work experience and any professional qualifications as equivalent to a degree. Hope it all works out for you whichever way. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londongal76 Posted May 28, 2016 Author Share Posted May 28, 2016 Thanks. I was being sarcastic about being 5 years ahead, I don't claim to know it all and am very grounded and self doubting of my skills, but I've moved onwards and upwards enough to know I have them. And I do have viable It Security skills that are in demand. I've done the IELTS - my points are with that unfortunately :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderDrinkingCoder Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 (edited) Hi Londongal, Relieved to hear it was sarcasm. If you're up on CyberSec, I would really encourage you to think about potentially taking a 1 year MSc (if you can afford it and can find a university that would accept you based on experience learned so far). If you can pick up an MSc with some CyberSec and Crypto, coupled with professional relevant experience, you'd pick up the 15 points for the qualification (pending it being assessed as AQF equivalent by the ACS), which would get you in line for a 189. (ETA: Have added in Crypto just from the point of view of maximising employment opportunities off the back of having to take the year out) Yes, it's another year - and potentially a very expensive one; however, I would reiterate the concerns others have raised about IT work in regional areas. More so if you're working in CyberSec / Crypto. Edited May 28, 2016 by CiderDrinkingCoder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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