I have only used one immigration consultant and it was an on-shore consultant where I am residing in (Singapore at that time).
So I can't comment on offshore as I have no used them before.

People told me I can do all this by myself but I do it because I wanted to save time (pay $ to save time) and also to get a higher rate of success (pay $ to buy confidence level).

I guess with on-shore - I can easily call the agent without worrying about my phone bills and if all fails, rock up to their office .

Can't advise much unfortunately.

This post has been edited by twotwopig: Aug 16 2021, 02:11 PM

Hi Guys,

I am a Australian PR holder and have managed to extend my visa till next year. For those who are currently in Australia, how is the job market like during the covid times?

I am currently working as a Business analyst/ consultant in KL. Any folks who are currently in Australia working as a BA or Consultant within the IT / digital space?

This post has been edited by Retrohits8198: Sep 8 2021, 12:57 PM

Oh no, job competition! I'm in the IT line as a project analyst - weird amalgamation of business/project related work + helpdesk.
It does look pretty good, my team's main BA is leaving the company and we hired a contract BA person about half a year ago so it looks pretty good to me.
Plenty of people still moving around with jobs, especially in my company so I'd think the IT and general job market is good for now but may slow down closer to the end of year.

As long as you enjoy working remotely or from home I suspect it'll be a lot easier to find roles & there's a heckload of IT roles on seek.
Covid situation is slowly deteriorating (imo) so this may negatively affect business more in Sydney. Good luck with your search.

Any website to search for a Job over there from Malaysia?
Thanks

Mind to share? Is this referring to IELTS? I'm intent to prep for Australia migration, not sure if IELTS is the mandatory item on the list for Immigrants.

Just got an offer from one of the Big4s in Melbourne. Apart from the Visas and stuff, wish to seek out on advice on important facts and things to do to settle down there (e.g. insurance, bank accounts etc)

Sponsored by the Big4 on a Temporary Skills Shortage Visa, they gave me a 2 year contract while the Visa is 3 years. 80k per annum including superannuition and I'm expected to start around mid-Nov this year

This post has been edited by Screen: Sep 15 2021, 11:19 PM

80k pa including super? it will be more attractive if 80k + super

how many years of working experience?

I thought since the borders are closed, getting hired in Australia is close to nil. Mind sharing which field are you in and is it through a transfer program from your current workplace in Malaysia?

Yeah 80k including super, actually yields higher gross pay comparing dollar to dollar in Malaysia for the same post, hence decided to take the jump.

Close to 3 years of working experience? Then saw the priority migration announcement for auditors and the recruitment post, then applied and got it

This post has been edited by Screen: Sep 16 2021, 10:31 AM

I'm in audit, it is not a transfer program, more like an experienced hire post. Just applied straight and went through the normal interview process with the Big4 and got it. The Big4 will be sponsoring me and are helping me out to do the Visa and stuff.

I thought the chances are close to nil too, but then since they listed my occupation as sort of a priority migration occupation, just thought of taking a shot on it, and fortunately got it. But I do hear from my friends there that they are severely lacking experienced staff too since most natives in slightly senior roles are leaving for commercial posts.

3 years exp sounds about right then

if only you able to nego the pay to exclude super but if you are in the 20s go for it.

i believe you need to have visa + employment offer letter ready first before you can apply for bank.

I'm 25 this year, seems like a perfect age to start for someone with no thick financial background haha (literally have <5k AUD left after paying off my bond here)

Yeah but audit firm offers are fairly standard, usually can't really nego much

Banking stuffs, leave it till in the country....

private sector, packages usually quoted with super added....only gov quote package without super, which is added on top...

good initial stepping stone into the country, but remember is a TSS visa....you still need to apply for a permanent visa at some point, so start working at the points...

Visa no problem...getting a quarantine spot will be....that's the bottleneck now...even high high priority medical specialists get bumped off flights multiple times when quarantine spots are filled up by returning Aussies....

there is a priority profession list where people get fast processing to cover manpower shortage....just started a month ago.

Federal govt jobs usually need Aust citizenship or a pledge to take up citizenship soon. State and local gov (including Universities and councils) usually do not require citizeship but some may require you to take the citizenship soon. Usually govt job quotes the base pay (without super). A lot of govt jobs give a higher super (employer) like when i was with Syd Uni, employer contribution was 17.5%. A lot of govt employers give a defined benefit scheme which allow you to either take a pension or a lump sum or a combination of both upon retirement (usually after about 30 years of service) - the pension is usually very generous and if you pass on, your spouse gets 2/3 of what you get until she dies. I was on a defined benefit scheme and retired after 30 years of service. Most workers will get at least A$1,250/wk (tax free) and indexed to cpi for the rest of their live - you can also contribute to another super to make use of the A$25k concessional tax if you have not used it up.

Hi all,

Just sharing this - a cyber security program implemented by the Aus De Force:
https://www.digitalprofession.gov.au/austra...ber-gap-program

It shows that it's priority are for citizens, but I'm checking with them to see if they allow for PRs to get this as well. If you have a citizenship (or can apply) and interested in taking up a cyber security course this may help you.

Congratulations on the offer! This is no doubt the best time to take up this overseas opportunity (pre COVID it had less openings with sponsored visas for international experienced hires). Still million times more rewarding than others being on a virtual secondment.

1. Look up for rooms to rent (probably via flatmates.com.au with minimal lease term) so that you have a temporary place to stay upon arrival. People generally don't accept applications until you're there in person for inspection hence the availability of the listings could be limited.
2. Open a savings bank account with at least an accompanying debit card. << In some cases NAB does accept applications before flying over. You just need there to be in person to activate it.
3. Buy and reload a public transportation card (if you need to travel around).
4. Get groceries and essentials to at least sustain for the first week or two.
5. Get an Aussie phone number.
6. If you need to be present in the office on your first day your work, try visit its surroundings the day before/few days before.
7. Get your tax file number
8. Catch up with any of your friends who are in Melbourne (if any)
9. Start looking up rental listings and do house/room inspections if you don't like your temporary accommodation
10. Apply credit card if possible

This post has been edited by immabee: Oct 3 2021, 09:34 PM

Yep gonna do extensive research and work towards it, I think my firm has a strong immigration/global mobility department, probably will bug them constantly for the requirements haha

On quarantine, my firm promised to arrange for me, just need to set date and let them know, so let's see how it goes, it is in another 1.5 month or so

Bumped off flights - means they ask you to reschedule arrival if quarantine spots are full?

Yep really a golden opportunity, hence decided to just snap it up

1. Was lurking around Domain and found some places near office already, probably will get a friend to help out to inspect and nail down the lease. Is $500/week for a 2-bedroom apartment a good deal? Not sure if it includes utilities or not though...
2. Any other banks do you guys recommend/not recommend? Or just stick with NAB then nothing will go wrong (like Maybank here?)
3. Yep, definitely, will be hopping on off trams and trains a lot around CBD. Hoping they have some sort of frequent user discount for Uber/credit card associated with Uber though...
6. Firm actually still in hybrid working arrangements, and they promised to deliver the laptop to the quarantine spot to let me start earlier if needed lol, but roughly researched the surroundings already hehe
10. Any recommendations? I think will do a lot of riding around (probably Uber to client's place and claim company) and food deliveries...

Thanks for the extensive list of tips!

No worries!

1. Can't give an answer on that as I am not in Melbourne but your friend might be able to give some inputs if he/she knows the rental market.
2. I prefer no annual fees for my debit card, $0 atm withdrawal fees and also the convenience factor of setting up my first account (i.e. not too many requirements for migrants). I would say start with any Big 4 banks or HSBC that are close to your office and home (for convenience). Once you've settled, you can switch or open new accounts in other banks if you found a better deal (i.e. better saving rates).
3. Using the public transport card will have cheaper (not much) fare than a paper ticket. Usually you can link your bank account / credit card / debit card to your public transport card for auto-reload function which can be handy if you are too lazy to manually reload on the internet/at stations/convenience stores.
10. Not sure which Big 4 you're at but I am aware so far Deloitte and KPMG have AMEX corporate credit card program. When starting, try talk to your colleagues to see if you are eligible to apply for AMEX Corporate Credit card. If there is, they'll guide you steps for applying it and the card usually arrives to the office not long after the partner in charge approves. The card is registered and billed to the firm hence you can link this to your Uber app and use it on any work related expenses (as long as they're within the claims policy). Great thing about this you don't have to use your personal CC (unless some outlets/vendors don't accept AMEX) and all you need is to retain receipts so you can attach them in their claims platform to support the payments that've gone through AMEX. Probably an employee handbook policy might give you more insight.