bettyheadgear

Can anyone help or advise me please? I am looking to find an employer in Australia who is willing to sponsor me (I know, I know....me and millions of others!) but there must be a way! Does anyone have any tips on the best websites to search for...specifically aimed at oversea employees who need sponsorship? or any other ideas?

I am 47 years old (therefore over the magic number of 45) so too old to go under the 'Skilled Migration Visa', but have a great degree in computing and currently work at a University so have 8 years of experience under my belt. Someone somewhere (hopefully Australia) must be interested?!

Any help/advice MUCH appreciated

bettyheadgear

Rosscarbery

I don't want to burst your bubble, but even people with PR find it really difficult to get anyone to talk to them until they have actually arrived in the country. If you want a 457 you will have to demonstrate that you have some valuable skills (the more specialised the better) that can't be easily found here.

OH works for an IT consultancy and they do bring people out on 457s but they look for extensive commercial experience as well as a saleable "skills mix", technical skills by themselves aren't enough. You best bet might be to contact universities here directly as they may be more sympathetic to the specific experience you can offer. If you could afford to come over and combine a holiday with trying to make some contacts it might also increase your chances. Seek.com seems to be the best site for IT jobs.

We made the move a couple of years back in our 40s and we're loving it, but if you're thinking about Sydney do your sums as it's an expensive place to live. Good luck.

Iwannabethere

I would echo this. My OH couldn't get a response to an email or phone call until we arrived in Oz. We have an MODL PR visa and three distinct areas of expertise (UNIX, SAP & Oracle) as well as 20+ years experience.

Sorry for the gloomy outlook but being realistic.

Adi

verystormy

Also, be aware of the restrictions on 457. You lose your job and potentially you are kicked out of the country. I am on a 457 and came over in the mining boom not worried about losing work as i knew that i would pick up work a day later. But now it is a source of constant stress. I know a lot of people who have been made redundant and had to leave Oz.

isgraham

My advice would be to come over on a holiday visa and apply for jobs and hope you get one. I know a few people that have done that with some success. I don't know anyone that has managed to secure a job from abroad ans there are plenty of people here who have recently lost jobs and are looking which makes it easier for companies to employ them. Even during the good times a few years ago I couldn't even get agencies to call me back until I landed in Sydney. Once here it only took a couple of days to get a job.

Dorothy

However if DIAC think you are coming here to look for jobs you could be turned around at the border and sent back. A holidy visa is meant for just that - a holiday, not job hunting.

salman

I tried it many times and hardly got any response even though I have got PR. I have 10 years of development experience. Now I am planning a visit.

isgraham

Well I know a few people who have done it so the risk can't be that bad. They are mostly PR now.

Dorothy

Just be aware that immigration may turn you back if they think you are not coming as a genuine tourist. And because you know of someone who's done it and got away with it does not make it any more right.

dbatty

Hi, thought I'd share my experience as I'm currently visiting Oz on a tourist visa while my 175 PR comes through (hopefully). I've passed the skills assessment for Java EE specialist with 12 + years , IT degree, various professional certifications etc..

I have applied for a few jobs and get good responses UNTIL I say I need sponsorship. It would seem that unless you are really in demand it is very hard to get an employer to sponsor you as they have to justify to immigration that a national could not secure the position. I've double checked this with a few job agencies and they all say the same thing.

But I've heard others who have been sponsored and flown over (though in Civil Engineering and not IT), it really depends if your skills are in demand. Good luck

D