Use this:

https://www.mara.gov.au/search-the-register...gration-agents/

I work with only a handful of Aussie's but I've been to bars and had no issues with me drinking soda while they drank beer. Similarly I spent a lot of time in US/Europe and my friends/coworkers don't have any issues with me drinking cranberry juice while they drank alcohol. I think it's how you interact with them more than what you eat/drink.

Different people deal with change differently, so if you're adaptable then all the better for you.

by the way, those who engaged agents, can share how long did your Visa application took?

I presume you are talking about 189 (independent Migrant Visa). It took me about a year and a half under the old system (175) but I think it should be almost the same, provided the quota is not full. Otherwise, you will need to wait for another year for the opening.

The long wait depends on the queue for the nominated occupation. Obviously if there is a lot of people applying under the nominated occupation, the longer you need to wait. Usually, it is invitation process that takes really long time because time required to assess your suitability and eligibility. Once the invitation is sent out to you to invite you to apply for visa, it should only take at most half a year.

As for 457, which is Employer Sponsored Visa, it will be shorter, provided there is an Australian company (global / international company will be more willing to do so) that is willing to sponsor you. Generally it only takes few months and you will be granted the right to work in Aus for 2 years under the company. Unlike 175 however, you are not a PR.

There are also 820 (Spouse VISA) which may be shorter too especially if you are onshore. But the general timeline is about 1 year to 1.5 years.

Hope that helps

Hi there,

I have been in Aus for about a year and I have moved from Brisbane to Sydney.

When you say accounting, do you mean financial reporting role / accounting entry or do you mean professional accounting practice that includes financial advisory and consulting? This question is relevant because the latter is heaving recruiting, especially from the Big 4s here. Generally, there is a pretty healthy demand for accounting professionals in Sydney but it is limited to the experienced market. If you are in the fresh graduate market, it is really really tough and competitive.

To be honest, I don't have answer to your question because it depends on so many factors but crucially timing is everything. In my case, it was all timing (though my work experience definitely helped too) and ability to articulate why you are suitable for the role and why are you passionate about the job. Generally, you may stand a better chance of getting a job when you are onshore and physically present in the interview because Aussies prefer to talk to candidate in person and see if they like you and can 'click' with you. However, I did mine through video conferencing when I moved to Brisbane but I did a physical interview and case study when I moved to Sydney.

I don't know much about your background, but if I may advise (and if you are willing to wait), I will suggest that you gain your relevant experience in Asia before you move to Australia because the chances of getting a higher paid job will be better. Starting low in Aus may put you at the risk of a static career progression, and this is quite painful especially if you are living in expensive cities like Sydney.

I suppose it's good that they're quite accepting of it. From my own experience, roughly 50% of the time I join people, they will still ask me to drink (in good nature) regardless of allergy.
I highly agree on going for the company than to drink/eat, which is the only reason I join others for such gatherings.

As long as people are respectful to the wishes of others I guess that's fine, which in comparison with some drinkers I've met here: they simply cannot fathom I'm unable to drink and are unable to accept it.

Took me about over a year and a half (maybe 7-8 months) to get my PR via the agent.

thanks for the input, yeah, its subclass 189/190... i think that's pretty much the duration based on the previous system...

most people i know applied via an agent and got it between 12-18 months

thanks bro!

Applied via agent. The IELTS, VETASSESS etc took about 6 months.

My EOI was really, really quick- I got an invite for a 190 about 10 days after I put in my EOI. Visa was granted within 60 days?

Then again, my nominated occupation is a little uncommon amongst Malaysians (mostly are engineers/ accountant), so the quota for mine is never full

Any fresh grad managed to apply for companies in Australia?

thanks for the info

Thanks Soony, solvent, Nemesis1980 and Justin Wong for all your inputs . Previously studied in Australia, returned to Bolehland to have my 3 years experience recorded and working at one of the Big 4s. Currently at semi senior level and I am now half way through my Chartered Accountants Program. I am asking this is because I doubt our current management will let me go/recommend me to Australia easily through by other means (e.g. long term assignment/transfer) despite I have a PR.

You could be right. Maybe I should just focus on my remaining papers and the work experience from our prospective clients before moving there.

Malaysian Fresh Grad or Australian Fresh Grad? The latter one is pretty common.

Grad in England, back to Malaysia now, wish to apply for Australia

Here is my 2 cents since I know a bit more about you:

I am not sure if it is a surprise to you, but I think it is easier for you to get a job in Big 4 than to get a job in commercial in Aus because the turnover is high too in professional services here. Assuming you are in assurance, I think getting a role should not be an issue as there is always headcount for Assurance (experienced) roles and it is definitely easier for you to get a commercial job in Aus with that as your stepping stone.

Again, timing and luck matters still notwithstanding you are already a PR. You might wanna consider that after you have your 3 years or once you finished your CA. In fact, you can try now as well since there is no harm, depending on your intention. I think it is possible because I have seen it happened although some had gone through a bit of waiting.

Here is the other considerations that I want to share if you don't mind:

If your intention is to get international exposure, your intended move makes sense but if you want to accumulate wealth, Australia is a lousy choice because of the tax. At the risk of sounding like a cliche, SG is WAY BETTER (I worked there before I moved and trust me, I saved a lot more). I am not sure if that is true, but I have the impression that having working exp in SG may put you in a better light to secure a job in Australia for whatever reason so you may want to try working in SG for a while and try your luck from there.

On a separate thread, Sydney might be a very hard place to start because rental here is really high and you should try Melb instead if you insist. I did not mention other cities because job opportunities in other cities are lesser (hence presuming you are less likely to get a job there) although cost of living is cheaper, especially if you are considering to buy a place of your own.

Suffice to say if you get a job in other cities, you should pick them over Sydney if you want to save more, though it goes without saying Sydney is a more interesting place and the job market is more liquid for you to move around. Sydney is also more Asian-centric which makes it easier for you to adapt to your working environment (Studying environment and working environment are really different)

Wish you luck btw!

That's a sweet sales talk. If they ask you to pay some amount of money to meet up. Screw him.
If they ask for money to look for a job for you, double screw him.

As I said before, please read thru DIAC website. Understand how the visa works to avoid being scammed. Good luck

Get a job in MY. Work a couple of years. Then apply for PR. However make sure your job is likely to be on the SOL.

hi all,

i have my very intention to move to australia to work/live permanently but not sure if i am qualified for the PR application requirements. hope can get some ideas from the experienced friends here and much appreciate your advice.


i am 36yrs old. i have 15yrs+ car dealership experience as a technician then promoted to service manager till now since i left my secondary school, i was not graduated though. have worked in china car dealer for one year. aside from my main work, i am an adroid apps developer, currently selling my apps on google playstore.


i dont mind to start from scratch in australia to get some low level work which is not related to my current field. and also plan to further study software programming while working there.

so, is it possible for me to get any kind of visa or pr to work/live in australia? if i am not qualified with the pr application, can i apply for the study visa to study and work there 1st?

i live in penang, any agents here that i can consult?

my advice is try find an agent as they'll do the necessary checks to see if you are qualified and which subclass to apply for, also a quotation how much you need to pay

after that you can decide whether to DIY or continue with that agent

based on my limited knowledge, you do not have enough points for subclass 189/190... and i'm unsure if your job is listed in the SOL/CSOL list

to understand more on the points calculation, you can try this:
http://www.migrationdesk.com/threads/point...immigration.24/
and visit their gov website:
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Skil

I've been thinking about what I said previously. I think a better way is to prepare a FAQ post so that most questions can be answered there.