Annoying, the number of posts here expecting instant answers without taking time to read thru the previous answers. U r on the web, right? Learn how to use Google first. If Google cannot find then ask.

The only part I'm worried is just the way people there drink, and the possibility they may outcast those who can't drink or are allergic to alcohol.

One of the issues I've seen with people is a very pro-western or pro-eastern mentality. It's always a race versus race kind of thing, which defines who they are.
It's like a set of values that they can never imagine changing or removing from themselves.

Pros and cons to that I guess, but it's just hard to understand those who don't try to make the best out of whatever is available to them and remain so stubborn.

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.

As long as you are earning in Australia, spending capacity although is higher than SG, your earning power should be higher as well. Unless the company you work with employs you at the minimum rate.

Migration is not an easy and cheap thing.
I believe ppl who decided to migrate will definitely weight the pros and cons themselves and have their own reason and not just bcoz the grass is always greener overseas.

Just like me...Give up my friends and career in Msia, migrated here and still job hunting.
Ex manager keep asking me to go back, dont waste time unemployed and shes keeping me a position. But i have no regret for the decision i made...At least so far not regret yet...lol...

Networking and volunteering are pretty important in the resume. This is true esp for smaller companies. Think if you are able to refer to the person's actual name rather than hiring manager, or even direct to the managers inbox rather than generic HR inbox.

Always make an impact and never forget to leave your name card with the person. Though the above is not true if you have a specific and niche skill that is sought after.

need some advice and view from the PRs here... i just came back from Melbourne and had an offer for a contract IT job for 6 months, pay is AUD500/day inclusive super...

the few days i spent in Melbourne, i did cooking for my boy so i roughly know how much the vegetables and fishes costs, i surveyed basic groceries at the CBD supermarkets, eating out, driving, parking, public transport, even the pharmacy cos my wife was sick...
i'm still a bit skeptical whether that pay is sufficient for a family of 3... no conversion wise, Melbourne are as expensive as KL... the parking especially even beats Orchard Road flat

rough calculations say its doable... still need to be very careful spending... mind sharing your input?

to me its a good start and it works out roughly to about AUD6.7k take home per month provided i get 20 days for work a month...
again, no conversion, my MYR household (my wife is working) take home pay is way higher than that and its just enough supporting a family of 3...
is AUD6.7k enough for a family of 3 in Melbourne since i'm the sole breadwinner?

we can continue in PM if this is inappropriate in a public forum

Holly Balls ! I thought it was gona be 20K !

Ah ok, Audrey, noted.

Yea i agree, DIY 50% discount. But I am in the same boat as you, busy with a FT job, additionally, in the past, I have messed up a visa application before (albeit for a different country and reason) and to get back to status quo was hell to say the least, so defo gona get an agent me thinks.

how long from when you completed handing over your docs to GM to when you receive your PR ?

also if you dont mind, for me and the rest of the kind ppl here that read this thread, how long before you manage to secure a 'proper' job ? been reading around the results vary immensely. did you start applying from here or did you land there and only start ?

p/s - really appreciate all this info. ive been thinking about it for 1/2 a year now.. so far i feel the odds are on my side, but so so scared to take this leap of faith.

that is an interesting decision so for your case is more of a 'get out of jail free' card that you have in your back pocket la right ? But i thought in order too keep your PR and later to upgrade to citizen, you need to be there x amount of days throughout your PR duration ?

just to double confirm. i can enter prior to the PR expiry, as long as i dont exit. i am still a valid PR? and if i were to get the RRV, i have to stay 2 years in the last 5 years prior to the RRV application? betul? 

yeap if you are staying put in australia and not flying overseas you don't need RRV 

it is still possible for tishaban to get RRV of 1 year if he has a compelling reason, just lodge it offshore and renew it every year until he is able to fulfill the criteria then he will get the 5 years 

She said I most probably would have to do an annual RRV but I would like to clarify, it is annual as oppose to the usual 5 years in 1 go ? And at the moment how soon can a skilled 189 visa holder apply for citizenship ? after the first 5 years ?

Yea..I'm main applicant. Application for NZ lesser points? But NZ got earthquake lol...

Something wrong with dibp/DHA lately.... processing numbers dropped significantly, way below previous month's.....and processing time very long....in 2016, it only took 3 weeks from invitation to submit for 189 to grant.....now it's 5 months....