Internship and full time position is totally different responsibilities, doesn't count.
Do u expect a company to give u full company duty to a fresh graduate student or trainee? For me i'm not.

Hi mate, before you read my below suggestion, remember it is my, very personal suggestion, same as others'. Your life is yours, so listen to your heart and do what you want to do.

Option 1 is wasting money. You are too rich, too many greenback to burn. What kind of benefit you are looking for by burning tens of thousands AU dollars. Employers won't care your master, in fact, you will receive “unfortunately, you are over qualified." when you apply jobs.

Option 2 sux. do you know how much a lecturer can earn? 4-5k ave (wif some sorts of exp, fresh graduates, even with master degree will not earn that much). Nowadays, you need to get a PhD to be a lecturer. which means another 3-4 years studies at least. don't tell me part time phd, this is extremely difficult. probably one of ten can finally get their Dr. title at the end. If you are clever guy, in 2+4 yrs time, you can easily be a manager and earn double compare to a collage lecturer.

You are 28, you are young but not many years to waste, better find a better path. just my view, Aus is not a good place for you.

1. living expense very high, higher than msia;
2. job opportunities less than msia, both countries are similar ( economic is heavily depending on commodity price and both has lots difficulties to face); But at least in Malaysia, unemployment rate is far more better than Australia;
3. u think about studies, means you want an office work. you better do not come to Aus. You will get more chances in Asian. if you just wan more money, doesn't matter what to do, pick fruits, chef, hairdresser, construction site, electrician, plumber, etc. Aus is a better place.


Of course, if you lucky enough, like some other members here, find a permanent full time job. earn at least 50k/yr. you will love Aus. what I am talking about is percentage. here are two real examples:

1. master degree (UK), from english educated background, 1 yr AU experience and was a manager in KL. Applying two years jobs with no offer （any office position, i met him last month and he was applying office admin position). Luckily his family is rich;

2. i play regular sport game every sat with group of asian (chinese, malaysian, hongki.....), at least 50% dont have full time job and consider go back their country.

Here is my advice to you:

1. economic is bad at the moment, don't waste your money, find some job and bring back home bacon!
2. go some places with less affect of commodity such as Singapore.

Some very valid points there.

I don't agree with your higher education statements, though. Probably because it's my own profession you're talking about. I do agree that his original idea 1, is not the best.

Private universities do hire those without a PHD. I am one such. I only just completed my Masters, and I have 6 years of experience in total of working experience (lecturer). It is not an easy job, but the rewards are there. The hours are nice (not 9-6), and the pay is decent (better hours and money than working in the creative field, I can promise you that). Depending on the institution you work for, you'll get to attend conferences/workshops, and these are a really good way of meeting like minded individuals.

I know people who are ding their PHD part-time. They're full time academic staff, so situations do vary. Don't be so quick to say 'forget it about it'. I also did my Masters (half by research) part-time. It was NOT easy but the end feeling IS SO WORTH IT.


Otherwise I think you've offered the young man some advice he might want to consider listening to.

This post has been edited by daylight_dancer: Sep 1 2015, 08:07 PM

I do agree with some of the points....but if you're saying it's easier to get job here in Malaysia....it depends...wages are depressed . Right now layoffs are at a all time high...check with your friends going into employment here.

Yea, it depends. It's all about the 'who-you-know'. In Malaysia. Seriously. I got my current job not via a job advert, but because I know someone who works in the company and she happened to pass my CV to the person who looking for a candidate with my qualifications. Got lucky lah.

Job market is hard for fresh grads, that is for sure.

I know my x-colleagues all doing part-time and only two finally get PhD. I also tried and i quit. Ok, maybe I am the bottom 10%, count me out. Anyway, don't read me wrongly, I don't feel regret to take PhD and to quit. I am me because of all my succeeds and failures that is why I told him listen to his heart and do what he feels right to do.

same as in aus.

ppl think nurse can get job easily here? they are wrong.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-24/thou...nd-work/5475320

ppl think law graduates will surely get a job? they are wrong.
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/16023...its-record-high

how about other field
http://unemploymentunion.com.au/2015/05/08...t-20-year-high/

not mentioning, if you were not born in aussie with "strong accent", no "local experience", you are out. economic is really bad at the moment here. Maybe Sydney or Melb are better.

Hi mate, thanks for your advise. Option 1 and 2 are just some options that I can look into & take consideration, I am still open to all possibilities, hence all of your opinions is welcomed

I am not looking to earn big money in Australia. I am just looking for a comfortable and peaceful life. I am not rich, I crossed South China Sea from Sabah to Kuala Lumpur to study and work. I am lucky enough to have a small car and a house after work and save. But I dont feel this is the place I wanted to stay and I wish to look for a better place. After visited Australia, I think the lifestyle is suitable for me and I wish to at least try to live there for a period of time. So that is why I am in this forum asking for advice and opinions.

Singapore's overall environment is stress, it is like KL but better $$ and security.

This post has been edited by normaron: Sep 2 2015, 09:47 AM

you are welcome. I am just sharing what I know. here in Australia, life is stress too. Different type of stress. here are some examples:

1. car is cheap here but maintenance is very expensive. normal logbook service will cost you anywhere between 250 - 800 (for japanese cars). My car had some problem last month, indicators, lights, windows doesn't function well and finally it was just a fuse issue (but they have to send my car to an electrician to test) and plus a regular maintenance it costs me 1000+ us dollar. I know you probably think i get cheated, but think about it, if you just come to australia do u think u have better network than mine? if I was in KL, i can just give my car to my inlaw's friend and they probably won't charge me anything for changing a fuse.

If you go to a new place, you throw all your networks, and build something new.

2. families, relatives, friends, they are priceless. We feel stress sometimes, we are living a too peaceful place, we don't get any conflicts with others. because we just don't have "others" to conflict with. just working, eating, sleeping, expecting the next journey back msia. sob sob sob.

3. again, living expenses.
all bills, insurances, child care will cost you 100 dollar a day. a one bed room will cost you 120 dollar a week (hard to find any decent place with this price, i will say at least 180-200/wk). your money will either give to bank/landlord and childcare.

i am not whinging, as I am lucky enough to have a very stable job. But I never stop thinking to go back. The only benefit in australia is THIS IS DEFINITELY A BETTER PLACE TO RISE A CHILD! No doubt about it.

1. The pricing is relative to the labour cost. Also, for new cars, there's fixed price servicing. For cars out of warranty, there's Kmart/Ultratune or the local mechanic. Or simply DIY.
2. We are leaving families, relatives, friends behind physically, but consider u have FB, Skype, Whatsapp to keep in touch. It is $200 to fly back. Compare this to our ancestors, who have left their homeland forever, some never to return.
3. Living expenses: I really dont know why ppl think Msia is cheaper. It's not. EVERYTHING is expensive compared to income earned. A new house in Klang Valley is the same price, unit for unit of currency, as say, Melb or Syd. Food, groceries are exorbitantly expensive, even more so if u want to eat healthy. Healthcare, unless u use the gov hospitals, is astronomically expensive - just ask around - how much for a checkup at the poliklinik, Pantai/Gleneagles etc. Education - unless u want to leave yr kids in the 'world class' public education system, its a few K in fees every month.

thats why a car mechanic can make a good living in australia and is a career for them. the service price is higher due to labor cost but from that figure that you show, is not much different compare to malaysia (dollar to dollar). i believe the service price for toyota camry is about RM500-800 too

there are pros and cons,

but reality its getting worst everyday, security, crime, bad school system (private alternative is costly). 1 for 1 grocery and all other items are crazy expensive. i know .

the cities are dirty as local municipals outsource all cleaning but with little oversight

jobs it really depends , MNC's are downsizing or closing or moving entire divisions offshore so lack of jobs now and these jobs will not return ( i know cause i work in the largest office/warehouse space REIT in the country) with 9 million sqft under management. My data is accurate as off today.

MNC move out never to return, this included IT based, Pharma, BPO etc
Warehousing space -- many large logistics based import export firms giving up space as cargo movement is reduced both exp n imp.

If you have connections to secure a job great , if you dont you're literally screwed. you can be the best but we all know thats not who gets the job.

If you have kids, migrating is the best option in terms of quality of life. Cost of Living vs Quality of Life = Its actually cheaper to migrate Do the math

If you are single your options are wide open , risk appetite is higher.

Set your expectations right, be realistic, drop the ego, be humble things will be much easier when you migrate.

- Klang Valley has become dirtier and public spaces badly maintained, from my personal observations
- If u family or relative of macai, get the job and get the $ rolling in. No need even think about migration.
- If u single, u probably think lifestyle in M'sia better. Then after getting family, u think about kids, then probably wonder why u didn't leave when there were no commitments n be nimble footed.

Having worked in the US, Europe and Malaysia, all I can say is it's the same everywhere. I did my MBA at INSEAD and they teach about going for the hidden job market. I worked in NYC and it's still who you know particularly for the top jobs. Don't be naive to think that you can get away from this.

Medical is another sux point. (I don't mean malaysia is good but australia is also sux.)

In Malaysia, you pay RM200-300/mth (RM4000) medical insurance, it will cover everything (include mountain and sea) and you do not need to pay "out of pocket" money. In Australia, I pay almost 5k aussie dollar a year (for whole family, medibank) and I still need to pay quite large amount of out of pocket money (not even include the 500 access fee). Yes, I know, I got "free" two pairs glasses. Not mentioning we are paying 2% of medicare levy and it might increase in future.

Put it in this way, if I can find a 7-8k RM job and if I have no kids, i will go back KL (which 6/7 yrs ago when i left i was earning 5k+, i think if I am still in malaysia i should have no problem to earn 7-8k) or maybe I am too optimistic.

maybe i should give you a good example, i know a malaysian who works an unlicensed electrician, all simple jobs such as include ceiling fans, lights, etc. How much he can earn in KL? I don't know but here he told me 5-7k no prob at all, all cash no need to pay tax . He is pretty enjoy staying in oz and no plan to go back msia.

I agree, for the top jobs its always who you know...but in malaysia even at the office boy level is who you know not what you know.

- I can't comment on the Malaysian medical insurance, except from hearsay that there is a cap on claims - so if u need expensive treatments, the insurance cannot cover it.
- One thing I can say, is that public health care is not cheap also. RM5K, 10K - that seems to be normal for a lot of procedures. Parents paid RM10K for a non major op in a public hospital.
- In Oz though, while expensive, the positive would be the private hospital excess. Pay only $500 per year, and insurance covers the rest. Of course, if u can wait, u can always go on the public hospital waitlist.
- If u r single, then income is not a major issue. However bear in mind that after GST, prices have leaped 20% in the past year. So 7-8K is really not a lot...

This post has been edited by shazam7: Sep 2 2015, 02:39 PM

bro, only 2 of my friends have salary increment (i am really a lucky one and i guess because my starting salary is really low) and it happens in IT here. and Australia charges 10% GST and there is a discussion to lift it to 15%. If you are in Australia, we are on same boat........

yes, i have heard a lot 7-8k is really not a lot, 10k a month just enough, but still i see ppl earning less and eat outside, restaurant like paparich always full house. most of my friends bought new car (imported car, like vios, which i cannot afford even i earning oz dollars. I mean a RM90-100k ringgit car, I am drive second hand japanese car only cost RM30k.) who can tell me where they get money and how can you say 7-8k not a lot? on the other hand, I have to cut my entertainments, take lunch, etc. which i had never done in KL.

RM7 -8 k is bare minimum for Klang valley if a family of 3 simple home further out and public schools.

If you plan to live in Established Areas (NOT PRESTIGIOUS) minimum income required would be 10k++ cause housing is out of reach now our gov even admits that.

Malaysia will always be home, so some nostalgic feelings and way of life is expected we can compare this to Aus or anywhere else.

In fact if i was on EXPAT PACKAGE i would choose malaysia anytime over any other country.

No disrespect to my Bumi brothers but the current system does not benefit me or my family. Cause i have to pay for everything regardless. There is no merit. I suspect going forward it will only get worst and its only natural as population dynamics change.

That's what I'm saying- that 'who you know' situation is everywhere.