You don't have to stay in the state that sponsors you. I have a 190. I know many people who have a 190 who don't lve int eh state that sponsored them.

Yes, no one seems to have intelligent questions.

Re Sydney - A broad question.

Depends which industry u r in (job stability, demand etc).
--If u hv right contact and experience, there will be jobs.

Real estate prices (rent or buy) still crazy but rumors that there will be a correction soon.

Traffic is mad, no change, take PT if possible.

Good luck with rent going down. Not going to happen soon.

Luck/experience applying out of Aus:
Look at this way, u have 100+ of applicants per role. Put yrself in the recruiter's shoes. How would they shortlist?
If u expect to just expect any responses to come back cos u sent a few CVs out, then u will be sorely disappointed.

Tip 1:
Tailor make CV and cover letter to suit each and every role u apply 4.

Tip 2:
Don't just submit the CV. Call recruiter and sell yourself. Tell them why they shld shortlist u.

If they want to meet u, they want u 2 b avail on short notice.
If u say u still in MY, yr CV goes to bottom of the pile.

Local experience is very valuable. This is how I got my last 2 roles. In my past role, didn't even need interview and job was not even advertised.

A friend who's a qualified accountant and wife only spm. Both work with good pay back there while wife work as sales. They had their pr and they applied job offshore. Surprisingly the wife found a job offshore while hubby yet to get for years. Few years later wife promoted and manage to buy house and cars and support the whole family.

My point is there's no exact answer to your question. Sometimes luck just came to doorstep. Don't get yourself so proud with your bachelor degree coz it's everywhere. It's all about skills and talents.
Even I can't do what she did.

I landed perth jobless but I tried damn hard apply 10 jobs per day and bugging agents everyday. I landed with job in 2 weeks.
I do get stress what if no job but bite the bullet you'll walk thru. I get more negative comments than anyone else here evn my malaysia boss tan sri.

Don't get shoot down by negative comments on jobless. You'll learn something new from others. Bend your knees and back. Be humble

Don't be shy, embrace the Australian culture and adapt to their ways of living. It is much easier to get a job when an Asian turned up with speaking and behaving like the locals. Almost all the Asians in my company which is very limited behaves different to a normal Malaysian. Do note that I'm not asking you to forgo your roots.

Yes you are correct, but how much is it applicable in the next interview, it's up to you to stir your shit through with the hiring manager.

Good Advice. Don't forget one's roots, yet do assimilate.

I've seen too many who refuse or cannot do this and it's been nothing but complaints from these sorts.

Whenever they ask me about difficulties, I honestly say I didn't face any sort of issues because I've always been thought to somehow assimilate with local cultures.
Dunno la why some people so stubborn.

That's a general experience working culture. The best is on your job profession.
Some work experience transferable but some were not. 1st 2 years is pain in the neck. After that, you'll be on track

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?

Can't speak for Programming as didn't have any experience but there are heaps of jobs/role for Accountants. Spouse is in that field and she got a role within 2 weeks of landing (albeit only for 6 months contract) and a permanent role within 2 months. Depending on which industry your wife speclaises in - property management/financial services has huge quota for Accountants in Sydney whilst Manufacturing has better prospects in Melbourne.

I would say just keep on applying. Its just a matter of time. Heaps of opportunities in Sydney especially in IT and accounting.
I m in the same field as urs and same as my gf, an accountant. I had been working here for half a year now. Both of us are on working visa.

Same field as in IT but not programming. I'm sure there are jobs around with SAP programming and yes you'll probably need 2-3 years of experience.

From what I have heard from a major recruitment agency, developers are in demand and there are more roles than people. All the newer languages.
Have a few friends in accounting, it seems jobs are not that easy to come by; they are trying to switch to find a better role but have been unsuccessful.

U will need to tailor yr resume for Oz standards, and unfortunately u will need to be here (ie local mobile, be able to attend interviews at the drop of a hat).

IIRC, came across few Finance/Accounting roles in names like JLL and Dexus recently. You can check. Yes we both found our roles fairly quick, opposed to what a lot has shared from their experience.

You may have a better chance with SME IT companies who arent too fussy with "relevant" experience.
Also connect up on the FB Malaysian groups - they may have jalan for new migrants.
Problem of course is that once u r stuck in SME IT it can be difficult to move up to the major corporates later on.

Anyone has ever gotten their 189 granted without ever arrive in Australia before all their life?

Getting TFN can only done when you're in Australia. Can't be done when you're in Malaysia.

My parents used to send me money when I was Aus via Telegraphic Transfer. But I hear now you can open a Citibank account in MY and One in Aust and send money there without issues/ exorbitant charges.  not checked it out entirely yet though.

Citibank/hsbc global transfer,
Maybank to commbank via TT, maybank charge rm 10+gst, commbank charge aud 11
Bring banker cheque, u dont have to declare if above 10k unless asked
Cash, max 10k without hv to report to customs
Forex company? I cant find one which accept RM. Please share here if you do

Nope, i've waited until the rate acceptable for me only i TT
You can open NAB as well, no monthly fee
For migrants, commbank will waive the monthly fee for th first year
Not sure about WU, but if im not mistaken the fee is quite high...

TFN not quite sure any changes but pretty sure it's not hard to get 1

Can look out for citibank/hsbc. open account from each country and link both account. transfer fee only RM0.10.....yeah...it is. that's what i did

There got uber/schoffer....and others. but popular one is uber. so far rate coming up average $22-25/hr. of course exclude your car maintenance, fuel, hinkypanky government charges....