Thank you Guys. It has been really helpful and worthwhile reading everyone's comments and advice.

I'm beginning to understand how difficult would it be to get a PR or a job in a foreign country.

Right now, ACCA cert is on my mind but keep discussing guys as this thread so beneficial for me to understand how things are and will be.

As for you Pete the Great - dont relapse that PR - you will never know how it might just as useful as it is one day in the future - you will never know!

Saying that Malaysian experiences is not counted at all is kind of a big statement. Could you elaborate more on this? I am very interested to see your side of the story as you or your friends have probably experience such situtations.

Its straightforward. Its like one time I work for a china man company, we hired a Pakistani who has a Master degree. My boss thought that Pakistani degrees are substandard, so he never counted his experience and Master degree, he made the Pakistani work as junior level.

So in same way, if you go to Australia, they will also think the same way. Doesn';t matter if you work for top tier MNC. I have friends who work for top tier MNCs, still cannot find after 6 months. The younger you are the better. If you are 23-26, migration is for you. If you are 27-33 still ok. But if you are 34 and above, you will have sacrificed your senior position here just to work as a junior in Australia.

aiya, WA also full of bogans too. All angmoh sangkala ppl live here. U walk near to them, smells like never take bath for weeks

Have u really find job here, Pete?
If yes, how long and how do u apply?

I see. So this is based on the assumption that any experiences elsewhere except in Australia is inferior. I think that is a fair point. When u mention Malaysian experience, do you just mean working or degree also? Fyi, my situation is such ; i will be 25 when I migrate with 2 years of audit experience from PwC in Malaysia. Before joining PwC, I had 3 years Accounts Assistant working experience part time in Melbourne. Also I had 6 months consulting experience working with ANZ Bank in Melbourne. I also graduated from the top uni in Australia.

So if I am right, your view is that my 2 years with PwC will be as good as nothing. But how about my past Australian experiences? Will those be outdated? Also , please do elaborate more on your friends. Do they have an Australia degree? Do they have any Australian experience before migrating?

P/S : No sarcasm or offence intended. I really do want to get as many views as I can to adjust my expectations when I migrate. Cheers

As i suggest previously, 1 step at a time. Now Oz visa is getting stricter but not impossible to get.
I give up 2 times to apply PR from 10 years ago and 5 years ago. Thinking the same way as u. I'm telling u this is becoz u're switching to right channel.
I consider myself very lucky coz i tot i'd never get PR since i left Oz for 10years.
But for children sake, i reassess again, this round they change the system and recognise my exp in malaysia. I just dump in my application and try luck and i finally get it in 6 mths.
i'm bringing AUD3500 only and even walk in to supermarket to look for night fillers. Now i start work fulltime as a builder just 2 weeks after i arrive and kicking arse now.

Believe me, u won't regret here once u get ur PR. It's very hard and damn hard to establish in a foreign country. Please bear in mind u're not alone. Every immigrants has a story to tell.
Some even hv the worst scenario. but now they're living pretty relax and good. If u can sustain 1st 2 years, u're safe.

Anyone who wanna surrender their PR, please do so coz let someone who really keen have it. Social security will provide u something u need even u're single parent. No racial or religious restriction, just u as a human can apply for it. Just hang on for 2 years then u'll be fine

Well, you've to proof your capability my friend. My boss also highlight i don't hv local exp. I mentioned to him the principal is the same. Give me 1 mth time to proof that i can adapt it that way.
Now i'm getting the same salary digit with different currency. Work scope same as KL. now my boss is happy with me and always buy me lunch when going out.
I've encountered same pakistani here too. They're some pretty well skilled and saw the way they work. People who manage to come here is well skilled and good. Just u nd to look for opportunity how to get the 1st job.

Way to go.. its always good to hear encouraging news

U should come here my friend. Account now is competitive. But with ur past exp. will be able to help you. Yes, some employer is talk cock like giving u bullshit excuse.
We can't judge all employers here that way. It's the matter of luck. If u hv local exp. u got better chance

Rule no.1 - think positive, always
Rule no.2 - don't break rule no.1

Just got back from the migration agent and I could apply PR under state sponsoring for unit group 5111 contract, program and project administrators (occupations 511112 program or project administrator). PR approval will take less than 18months. They charge us AUD12730 (rm39500) and I think it's a big sum for me. Charges breakdown as below:

Qualification Assessment Stage
Qualification Assessment Fees - AUS700 (rm2170)
Experience Assessment Fees - AUS700 (rm2170)
Agent Fees - AUD2000 (rm6200)

EOI Stage
Fees - AUD500 (rm1550)

State Sponsorship Stage
Fees - AUD1250 (rm3875)

DIAC Stage
Fees - AUD3520 (rm10912)
Agent Fees - AUD1000 (rm3100)

Spouse Visa - AUD1530 (rm4743)
Kids Visa - AUD765 x 2 = AUD1530 (rm4743)


My question is, could I apply for PR on my own to bring down the cost as I'm unsure of the procedures. How long does it usually takes for approval if we apply on our own? In this case, would it take longer than 18months approval for self application?

Communication is one of the important part Australian company looking for. They need someone who can mingle and communicate with them without any issue. They also prefer someone who can catch their accents and jokes. They have the bad impressions on how Asian speak though the call centers which are mostly outsourced to Asia countries

I will be going back to Malaysia next month and not sure if I should drop the Australian way in speaking to local. Here I used to the words 'how are you?, please, would you mind, hang on, cheers mate, etc' but not sure if it is awkward to use in Malaysia.

Just curious why do you need two separate assesments? And I thought EOI was free?

Total agent fees = 2000+1000 = 3000. Looks about correct.

Do you have sufficient points? If not you can save AUD1250 by not going for state sponsorship

you are married with kids now? or when you are applying for the pr??

that was like 2x more than you do your own. IS that subclass 190?

Not sure why there are 2 assessment stage as I believe the body of skill assessment will only charge once and that's including qualification and experience(like I can submit the skill assessment to ACS to assess my education and experience in one cost)

There is no fee for EOI. It is a free assessment and only pay when you get invited to do the PR application

Which state you applying for? AFAIK, NSW only charged about $300-400 for state nomination

Subclass 190 is pretty straightforward. Do IELTS and skill assessment> Lodge EOI and wait for the invitation> Lodge the PR application(with the required documents) and wait for case officer> Case officer assigned and they will ask you to do medical and police check> PR granted

Normally it just take about 3 months to get PR(from PR application lodged to PR granted)

agent told me that I could go for the state sponsor for an additional 5 points that make it 65points in total. State sponsor under perth as other state or region are all closed. This is my only way to apply PR they said. I use the visa estimator from IMMI and the estimated price for applying PR is AUD5280, is this real? AUD5280 to AUD12730 that agent charges is a huge different. Can anyone enlighten me on this?

If his occupation only available in CSOL then yes, he has to go for state sponsorship

WHich state you going for? and yes, $5k sounds about right

Passing points is 60. But if like another forummer said, if your jobcode is only in CSOL then you need sponsorship.