Hi. Depends which position that you are referring to. If S2 and above usually yes. The one that my gf had previously was about 20 minutes discussion over technical questions.

I am not sure if I am an Accountant as per se as I am not in audit or tax, but I can share my experience with you since I working in one of the Big 4s in the consulting / Corp Finance practice. I am not sure what is the angle of your question so I will just share what I have been through and hopefully you can get some idea on what to prepare for.

The first stage is usually a telephone interview where the HR will give you a call and ask more about your background and your intention. This is typically a filtering process before the HR forward your CV to the hiring Manager. If the hiring Manager likes your CV, they will proceed to arrange an interview with you face to face. It usually take 2 days to a week before they come back to you because they need to schedule the hiring manager's time to have an interview with you. (Managers are quite busy).

If you are not in Australia, they will arrange an interview with you through video-conferencing (It is quite common these days, although some still prefer to chat with you physically, hence the reluctance to employ oversea candidate because they can't 'gauge' you properly without physical presence). at this stage, the hiring manager will be chatting with you about your work experience and why Australia etc, and maybe throw you some question regarding your technical field. Again, you will need to wait for another week or 2 before you know you succeed as they are also interviewing other candidates during your waiting period.

The third stage usually involve a case study / test. In my case, I had a phone call again with the hiring director who then gave me specific instructions on how the test will be conducted and what is expected in the test. The materials was emailed to me 15 minutes before the call and I was given an hour to read the case and prepare my answers. The director called me an hour later and ask for the answers. They will not tell you whether you pass or fail and you are expected to wait for a day or 2 before they come back to you.

If you pass the technical test, you will proceed to the final stage of the interview, which is meeting / video-conferencing with the Partner. At this stage, it is very likely that you will be getting the job unless for a very rare stroke of misfortune the Partner decided he or she does not like you. The session is really for the Partner to know more about you and officially tell you he will be making an offer. However, you may have to wait for another 3-4 weeks before the HR give you a call and talk to you about your salary package and your employment start date.

Tips? - do not fear the interviewer just because they are in the position of hiring - speak like they are your equal and be confident to ask anything.

It is very hard to express what I mean by that but I think a lot ppl, esp Asians, because out of respect to the superiors / hiring managers, they avoid asking confrontational questions or difficult questions that will make interviewer think. Aussies are generally very open with questions and the more you ask, the better impression they have with you. Fluency of english is definitely helpful. I suppose I do not need to talk about technical knowledge since it is given.

Hope that helps.

Thanks guys, this was helpful. Coming from EY, I attempted to apply to EY Sydney and Melbourne, so far I've gotten past the phone screen part but no news after that. It's only been a week though.

I did, however, apply to BDO as well last week. Interview was on Thursday and they offered me the job today. I got someone to hand in my resume for me, without that I doubt that they'd even look at my papers. Connections appear to be everything when looking for a job in Australia.

I did all this while still in Malaysia though so it can be done.

Congratulation on the job offer. May i know you are planning to migrate to Melbourne / Sydney?

Anyone here is a chef? I start a biz on the F&B

Melbourne is great you will enjoy it. Any assistence pls pm me . Currently in melb working in cbd

Thanks, I'm headed to Melbourne since BDO Melbourne offered me the job.

Where are you currently based at and how's the rental there ?
Im surveying for a foodstall kiosk to take over in Sydney.

Don't want to spill cold water on your plan. If you plan to migrate, you should lower your targets n goals. If you can't get engineering jobs there, you have to put up with any job they throw at you. Yes, be it a teacher, a petrol station manager and even a child care specialists. That's what my friends are doing there. My cousin is a masters degree with Melbourne uni, he can't even get an engineering job there. Nobody want to hire him, I just dunno why. But he is quite happy working as a barista in the day and a bartender at night. Its tough but the dough is enough for him to pay for his rent and other essentials.

Bro you have to realistic, migration to oz, is for the quality of life there NOT for career purposes. I heard they discount your Asian work experience unless you are really exceptional. I got a lady friend managed to get a job as a telco engineer. She got a fine paying job, maybe its because she is a girl? haha, or maybe because she's pretty. She got an Aussie boyfriend. Dunno lah. See your luck lah.

The engineering firms in the West, including Australia are bending over backwards to hire female engineers.  You'll only need to be reasonably competent and you'll get the job as they're trying to increase the % representation.

lol. i ll be another malaysian going to live and work in melbourne soon. never step in melbourne land before so yea nervous but looking forward.

im wondering how much cash should i bring over in order to survive my first month in melb. can anyone provide some idea? i expect my first month there would be a "disaster" before the payday. hahaha

This largely depends on your rentals, for food $500-600/month is more than enough if you cook your own dinners. You can get a full bag of groceries that can feed you for a week with $50. And Melbourne got goooood coffees!!!

Btw your company didn't pay you weekly?

The engineering firms in the West, including Australia are bending over backwards to hire female engineers.  You'll only need to be reasonably competent and you'll get the job as they're trying to increase the % representation.

Coming from a big company in Australia, I can second the above. Companies are looking to balance the gender ratio, I believed it's a commitment to the government.

Hence if you are a female in engineering, other than process or environmental. You ll have a good chance.

Even in current economic climate? I thought of laying low and gaining as much experience as I can for the time being, then only try my opportunity when oil price hikes up.

lol. i ll be another malaysian going to live and work in melbourne soon. never step in melbourne land before so yea nervous but looking forward.

im wondering how much cash should i bring over in order to survive my first month in melb. can anyone provide some idea? i expect my first month there would be a "disaster" before the payday. hahaha

This largely depends on your rentals, for food $500-600/month is more than enough if you cook your own dinners. You can get a full bag of groceries that can feed you for a week with $50. And Melbourne got goooood coffees!!!

Btw your company didn't pay you weekly?

Yes, in the economic climate, companies would still need to fulfill their requirements and promises with the government. But hey, women are pretty good in management and engineering, so far the ones that I met are outstanding.

Whereabouts do you work at now? My advise is don't get into the technical field, there is no technical work here in Australia for engineering.