To share practical experience, after 3 months in Melb (from Sg), I still cannot adapt.
> Life here too relax, no career goal in life (Asians not easy to get promoted in my organization). 
> Everything here are expensive. Stay at home the cheapest but that's defeat the purpose of coming here.

Here are my everyday questions:
1. Should I waste my $10k (costs incurred for Aus PR application) and go back SG? Should I stay two years to extend another 5 yrs PR, by compromise my inner feeling now?
2. Resign within 3 months, reflect good on me?
3. I'm 27 this year. Too early to settle down in Aus?

I have no answer to the above. Those who has yet to come, think properly. Study here is not the same as work.

Are you sure "spending capacity" is higher than Singapore? SGD is about 1 to 1 with AUD. In my limited experience, taxes, food/groceries and day to day expenses tend to be slightly higher in Australia.

I reckon the take home pay will be about the same. The median income in Australia is higher but the tax rate is also higher.

I would say my annual income in SG was higher than annual income in Aus, partly because in Aus - here don't have AWS (13 month bonus) and most non-MNCs firm doesn't have variable bonus.
Also, there isn't any employer-contribution for super (CPF). 

I would say take home pay is about the same/ slightly lower for my case. Note: I held managerial position here so Im not under the "minimum wage category".

It really depends if you are single or married and married with kids, all three will have different expectations here.

Single - Life here might not be what you expected if you are comparing with back home, going out , mamak etc

Married no kids - Life here can be interesting as you plant your roots , settle in with work and generally have each other to rely on.

Married with kids- Life here is the best, kids adapt quickly with schooling, security concerns are low . Your child's quality of life and experience will be at its peak. Never a dull day or weekend with tons of activities for both kids and adults.
I have not a single day of regret moving here. My kid walks to school just seeing how happy she is  is priceless compared to the sheltered life she had .

My wife does not clutch her purse or look over her shoulder when she walks day or night. This is priceless.

What we earn allows us to achieve our own goals a lot quicker, although tax is high i get to see my tax dollars being spent on essentials everyday. Good parks all over the place, public transportation etc. My kid goes to government school and i can tell you the facilities and staff are much much better then most private schools in KL.

I guess it all depends on what stage you are in life, status etc...migration is not for everyone and if you decide to take the plunge like the thousands yearly then give it your best and manage your expectations.

Not too sure yet. We do looking to invest another property here but rental now is ganasai. Selling price is bad too.
My friend just bought 600k house and with another house in hand having hard time to rent out.

Now is the best time for 1st home buyers

That's right. The fees change every year as well depending on what gov deems as priority 1.
To get HECS you need citizenship. To get citizenship u need to live here few years.
Once u get HECS u can tell the kids they r responsible for their fees. So if they fail and hv to redo subjects it will come out of their own pocket.

Gents, any experience converting visa 457 to PR?

my visa 457 are already 2 years plus and plan to apply for PR.

I've read quite a bit on people customizing their resumes and sending out as many job applications as possible, but very little on networking, volunteering etc. to expand your chances of actually getting a job.

Anyone?

My agent just called and informed that my PR has been granted. Now I am just waiting for them to send over the grant letter and go through the details

alright! Thanks...
btw, am a fresh grad, and really contemplating on how soon should I go over to aussie IF (a very big IF) my visa is approved...? should i work here first for a while maybe 1-2 years then only head over? or should I just head over straight and start looking for job? or should I just keep applying for jobs in aussie while working here? I know job market is bad in aussie especially for us, not much job opportunity, and in order to manage expectations, I don't really mind any job actually... even if it is unrelated to what I have studied but of course, preferably related.

just some background, graduated from monash university (few months back), majoring in accounting, banking and finance and currently pursuing both my cpa (completed 1st paper) and cfa (level 1 candidate).

very painful ar.........

Dont think you need to study for IELTS lah bro. Should be fine. Most Malaysians have issues with the speaking part, mostly because theyre way way too direct (one sentence answers).

I think I membebel too much though hahahaha.

Anyone here did the Assessment for Engineer Australia? I've received a response:

"Please provide a third party proof of employment. The documents requested should be from an organisation OTHER than your employer but it NEEDS to include the name of employing company. This can be tax or social security reports from the government or superannuation report from your fund.
From Malaysia the best option is an EFP report together with an official letter linking the company's EPF number with its name."

I've provided EA form, Company Payslip and Company Reference Letter.

What else do they mean? Help please T^T

Dear forum-er, i am still reading through the thread.

But to give me a head on, i want to ask if fresh grad PhD in Civil Engineering ( local IPTA)  can stand a chance for a job in Civil Engineering field, or college in any part of Australia. can straight apply?

Or still have to get 3-5  years local working experience and accredited and apply for migration route. 

or you have other option plz let me know while i read through all the comments above.

Thanks

Er...not quite. 80K is only good for an engineer with couple years experience. (And if u convert to RM - but then RM is performing so poorly now...)
Starting pay is 60K.
Anyway dont forget that on a working visa, taxes are higher cos there is no tax relief...
Not pouring cold water...just laying down my thoughts.

Guys, I noticed a selection for Sponsors in the assessment for Visa eligibility. I have relatives in Perth, WA. My aunt and her children, one of them are over the age of 18.

My understanding from reading the documents at https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/40.pdf. Is that a sponsor will help me in financial if I ever need it as to not burden the Aus Government.

What I worries though that will I burden my relative if I put their details down? Will it helps in getting a work easier in Australia? I have not confirmed with them on the sponsorship thingy as I plan to get more information before informing them of anything.

Or maybe..could they help me in getting a job in Australia? 

Finance.

My friend, he is quite street smart, he would know how to write up a good cover letter and reply to selection criteria.

I know in Australia, they use more job recruiters.

Engineering also not so good in Australia.

For doctor, I am not sure why I got a doctor friend who migrated there, she didn't like the job environment, came back.

so what's good career in Australia?

I don't think so good for mid 30s. I mean those lucky ones lah, will be working same level as graduate level. Imagine 35 yo fella sitting in cubicle with 23 yo people same level and same pay.