You could check the priority occupation list for Australia if you're interested:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/worki...occupation-list

It does look like Construction Estimator is on the job list. You'll have to calculate your points to see if you can get enough points to get an invitation.

You're right, I should've been more precise - I don't think getting a job will be quite viable with just 4.5 years exp, as they'd probably not value then Msia exp, versus say another first world country applicant.

There's nearly 3.8k (Construction) estimator jobs on seek and less than 1k on Linkedin (often these overlap too). Maybe there's a specific recruitment site for this sort of work that I'm not aware of.
With these number of jobs I don't think it's likely to get a job from overseas - given the nature of the construction industry, imo, especially with the need for local qualifications and apprenticeships.

I personally think getting a PR is more likely - though god knows where they might you to work vs picking the state/city of preference.
It may be easier to get a PR as I'm sure Aus is more than willing to gain new talent, especially on the priority occupation list.

While I agree strongly with the sentiment that the nons should move if they are able to as the country isn't headed in a great direction. I do hope things get better, as there's plenty of family there who can't or do not want to leave & Msia turning into a hellhole is far from a great outcome.
Ironically, I think Indonesia is performing a lot better than Malaysia and the roles have more or less reversed when we used to think of Indon as one of the worst SEA countries.

Ideally when people migrate they get a job equivalent or a level lower than their previous role, but I think that's pretty wishful. More often than not I've seen plenty of migrants having to restart their career over again entirely.
Best to have more grounded expectations, unless one has a good friend who can help rope them into a role or as a referee.

The only way you're gonna be sponsoring friends: when you are a multimillionaire and throwing em money to buy those PRs.
Otherwise it's from 43k AUD onwards only for each parent that qualify and I don't believe you can bring any other family members over. If there's any other method, I'm not aware of it.

It's because you don't have relevant 'local experience' or other first world country experience. It's pretty common, unfortunately. Both myself + wife had to restart our careers entirely and we applied for easily 200 or so jobs for our first 5 months in Aus ranging from Msia equivalent roles to junior roles but couldn't even get an interview.
Many others are not able to retain even a job 1 level lower - with the exception of them giving you a job offer first. Granted my personal experience on this might be a skewed and you'd have many who can provide entirely different accounts on their job seeking.

Also the grass isn't always greener here - as a skilled migrant you do not qualify for their handouts if you can't find a job or sustain yourself here for the first 2 years.
It'll also be an entirely diff working culture with its own issues.

Good luck with your job hunt! Hopefully you can find something soon before they wind down for the Christmas holidays.

I did the same thing in July, pretty straight forward.
How's it going for you back in Msia? Enjoying the cheaper standard of living?

I was under the impression that the inflation and cost of living was rising a fair bit based on what my mum has been telling me.

Yup, both wife and I can't stand driving in Msia during peak hours if we can help it, lots of the drivers are as bad as drivers in Philippines - truly terrible. Lidcombe drivers can be comparable to the Msian drivers every now and then.
Can't show too much kindness when driving there or other drivers will definitely take advantage of you.

That's good in regards to food - the Aus version of the Msian food usually missed the mark for me and they cost easily 3x more. The Vietnamese food is consistently better in comparison.

Hopefully you've not encountered any petty crime or otherwise. Managed to do any traveling in the country? Definitely plenty of beautiful spots to visit and if our trips back to Msia isn't always so packed visiting friends & family, we would definitely have gone out of the city.

Heya there - not sure about family sponsorship as it'll take a very long time, and not even sure if you can get it unless you meet certain criteria. Probably easier to get the employer sponsorship and then eventually apply for your own PR based on your own working experience/skills like the subclass 190 visa.

I'm not as well versed in regards to the price difference as I came to Aus as a PR.
It's quite likely different pricing for different levels of education based on the states themselves as they can vary greatly.

Your best bet is to wait for someone who knows to respond, or to check out immigration agents' websites like:
https://www.sableinternational.com/blog/aus...nd-who-does-not

Alternatively you can check out the Department of Education for international students like this NSW example:
https://www.deinternational.nsw.edu.au/study-options/fees

Something I have to consider myself in the future as my kiddo is just an infant now. I'm even considering changing my religion so he has access to better schools too if it's worthwhile.
Hopefully the Christian schools aren't too hung up on that and would allow others outside the religion to join too if they're a good student.

You get enrolled into the school if you live in the catchment area (for NSW at least) and those outside the catchment area can apply to get in if IIRC.

Yes - some schools only accept those of a certain religion, my manager said he tried to enroll his kid into a Catholic school but could not pass the somewhat harsher requirements - had to enroll the kid into a different Christian school further away.
Can't say I fully understand the requirements as I'm pretty much an agnostic.

You'll have to check the skilled occupations list via: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/worki...occupation-list
Check the list and decide if there's a suitable job (usually they want some experience) and which pathway to take (e.g. 189 - points based system) and research on what's required.

Alternatively go for a migration agent which will cost you a fairly hefty sum.

I suppose this is the right place, though occasionally it gets quiet and then ramps up for a bit.

If you have more time than money then I'd recommend reading it up on the website yourself and determining if it's viable for you to do this on your own:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getti...ts-tested#HowTo

It's possible to do it yourself but it's gonna take a lot more time and maybe some trial and error - compared to the agents who should be more proficient at this. You have to ensure your profession is on the site and that you (and/or wife) can accumulate enough points to qualify.
You will also have to provide a lot of the documentation/requested items yourself. I went through an agent about nearly a decade ago and it was RM30k-ish if I remember correctly.

In the end we came over with some RM60k, which converted into roughly 20k aud. It was pretty tough till we found a job about 3 months later.
The more money you have the better your chances of lasting long enough to get a job here (unless you're coming over with one) and rent prices are pretty crazy nowadays.
Go through the link and check if those steps are achievable, then make the decision. Good luck!