I agree with ya - it's definitely a downgrade and I said as much in my earlier reply stating that it's better to stay in Msia when one makes that level of income. I suppose he could negotiate or maybe apply for more roles in Au from Msia. Maybe then the respective companies are happy to give him the 'fair' salary, which at that level does sounds feasible given the current job climate. I'm saying this based on how so many programmer type jobs are getting 100k++ requiring like only 3 years exp. Made me regret a little giving up on programming.

Honestly it's great that you could progress your career still once you've moved from Msia, as the stories I hear from many migrants are similar to myself: having to restart over from scratch. I could not even get a basic programmer role when I first came over and only managed to get a data entry casual role after 6 months. We were running low on funds to sustain ourselves until my wife landed a casual role first. Given the circumstances, my career wasn't exactly at the top of my priority list. On the plus side, the salary would be a nice boost once(if/when) I land a new role in this job market.

Hi guys, thanks a lot for your kind responses! Just to update that I have decline the offer..

No loss for you since you currently have a great paying role. If you still wanna chase your dream to work overseas then you could try applying for similar roles on seek or linkedin and try to negotiate for a better pay.

Bros,... are the good high-level jobs locked-out from immigrants like us ? I know this is a very general question,... but I'll start with this,...

I don't think so, quite a few on this thread were/are doing pretty well, Gary, Disco, to name a few I recall. I'm doing averagely well at the low 70s.

A few schoolmates who moved to Sydney are successful too, as I believe they're making more than me. Some other friends are making good money and their families too.
These are success stories I suppose and I've a limited circle of friends/contacts compared to other more sociable individuals. I've also heard of at least a few individuals who could not push through in Aus and had to return to Msia due to their own reasons.

However, I do think a there'll be a glass ceiling for a lot of the big/major companies when it comes to C-level roles. Maybe this won't be the case for newer companies or those established by migrants. Just a personal (limited) observation. Also a bit out of topic, but programmers with 3 years experience can earn a big range from 100 - 150k now, so I think certain careers now would have a great chance of breaking into the higher income brackets.
Edit: Typos

This post has been edited by kagenn: Jul 16 2022, 10:30 AM

I don't think you are locked out but it will take more time than it would for a local to get to the same position and it's not because of racism or anything like that.

It's just because to get to the c-suite level, you require strong relationships. Your skills get you to upper management but to progress beyond that it's all about your ability to build professional relationships and for us coming from Malaysia our network is in a different country so it will take longer to develop that in a new environment.

For those born here, it's easier because it's their own culture and people so naturally you're going to build relationships more easily. In addition to that, they grew up here and as a result have a larger circle of influence. A circle they have been subconsciously building since they were kids. We are starting in our mid-20's sometimes 30's so it's going to take longer and it may not even happen.

But I'd say if you are a master of you skill, with out without relationships you'd be able to get to an upper management level which will pay you between AU$220k and AU$350k depending on your industry. To break the AU$500k and more mark though, you really need to build a professional network and broaden your circle of influence which like I mentioned above will take time because we are starting from a disadvantaged position.

The only way to break $500k otherwise is if you're a doctor or business owner. Otherwise you really need to work on building your network and influence to stand a chance.

My two cents.

I sent my two young ones there when they're 14 and 15,... in anticipation of the above matters. Have always reminded them abt the networking thing. Hoped things work out here. Thank you for your comments.

Good day everyone, my wife and I have 3 kids and considering to migrate to Aus for better future prospects. Would like to ask how do we apply for jobs there? How is it like there to start a new life with kids these age? their future outcome ie education, livelihood etc. Hows the salary like ? We are in our early 30's, middle class, working in the health and education sectors. Quite frustrated and saddened by the salary here and how the inflation is making it worse. Future looks bleak. Apologize for the barrage of questions, hope your goodselves would be able to shed some light Thank you

The first step isn't looking for a job, but to look at your qualifications and points to see if you can qualify for a migrant visa.

Your best chance is if you work in of the 44 jobs listed in this link - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/emplo...g-workers/pmsol

As you can see there are a number of jobs related to the health sector so if you fall in one of these categories my recommendation would be to look for open positions in of these categories. If you or your wife get an offer for a job in this category, your work visa will most likely be granted and the other members of the family can be added onto the visa as dependants. On this visa the other person (i.e. not the one sponsored for a job) will have full working rights and be able to work in any sector (not limited to education). After 2 or 3 years, you should be entitled to a PR through your employer or you can try to get enough points to apply independently. This is a separate conversation and one that you need to start thinking about as soon as possible so you're prepared when the time comes.

Just note that if you go with the above approach, your stay hinges on the person who gets employed and sponsored for a work visa. If that person wants to leave their job, the visa will be revoked for everyone and you will either have to find another employer who will sponsor you or move back to Malaysia within 60 days. And remember if you move to a new company, your time with the company resets and you'll have to wait longer to be eligible for PR sponsorship by them.

Hope that helps.

hence the best option is see if you are eligible for an independent pr visa from the beginning....then you don't have this uncertainty, and being tied to an employer....which may not work out....

Hi guys, any chance for a 4.5 years experience QS / Contract Executive / Estimator in a construction industry to get a job in sydney? is there any requirements?

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.

the question was about getting a job....

fyi, the two are quite separate issues....getting a pr and getting a job....

unless you are talking about employer sponsored tr visas....which unfortunately give you no long term certainty....

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.

Relevant points to note for potential migrants: the new labour government is going to have a big conference next week to discuss on labour shortages, and one of the policy changes expected is a revised immigration policy to increase the number of skill workers. So I expect the numbers of the skilled migration categories (independent or state sponsored) will be markedly expanded, and processing time reduced. Points needed will likely also be eased.

So may be a good time to apply, for those who have interest.

The list of professions in shortage is listed above by kagenn.

I am seriously glad to see the nons making waves overseas. We will eventually migrate and let this hellhole turn into indon. Anyways, for Aussie, I am applying PR first then get a job there. Meanwhile i am already in another country building expertise.

One level downgrade is fine, 2 levels a big no. Generally Malaysians who get selected for interviews are more competent than locals.

This post has been edited by NoComment222: Aug 26 2022, 11:21 AM

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.

Yea, so for those who migrated, i strongly recommend them to sponsor the less fortunate to migrate too. That's my wishful thinking which I one day may be able to do together with like-minded friends.

As for restarting career, it really depends on the skillset vs job scope. If you are applying for a totally new job foreign to your expertise, then yes. Otherwise, why the major downgrade if your skillset remains relevant to the job?

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.