British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Hi All,

First of all, this is my very first post on any kind of emigration forum, so apologies if I come across a little young and naive, I'm simply testing the water!

I'm a student from the UK at a mid-range Uni (about 20-30 in rankings) studying Information Technology. I've completed my first and second year, and I'm now on a year-long placement. I currently work at one of the top 5 worlds largest companies in a software development role, but with some other exposure mixed in (business analysis, project management, server architecture). After the placement is over, Ill return for my final year of university.

My job prospects here in the UK look pretty good, there's potential for me to return here after I graduate, and I'm sure the years experience will go a long way if not. (Dont get me wrong, I know how tough it is out there for grads)

Anyway, I'm considering the option of emmigration pretty heavily. It's nothing to do with increased job prospects or hope of a better career, I just genuinely believe I'll be happy living in a different environment for a change. I'm currently considering two options, Australia & Canada. I appreciate they're completely different, but I've travelled a lot and they're the two countries that stick out to me as favourable.

What I want to know is, what is a feasbile route of moving to Australia? I don't really want to take a 'working holiday' to work in a bar/cafe etc as I'd like to try and continue my proffesional career seamlessly. I have a lot of ability in computer science that I dont really want to distance myself from.

Is it realistic to move to Australia in the near future & obtain a job in my profession, or should I be thinking about staying around in the UK for some time to get more experience, and if so, how long?

I'd just really like to get a feel for my options and ensure I'm well prepared for the future.

Cheers for reading

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

In order to take a route other than 'working holiday' you will need greater work experience than you will have at graduation. Your skills would need to be assessed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) prior to being able to submit a visa application.

https://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets...teria-2014.pdf

As far as I can see your minimum requirement looks like 2 years...and one question is whether your placement year will count...you'd need to look into that.

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Thanks bcworld. Yeah after reading the information from the ACS I can see that my minimum required experience would be 2 years. I'm hoping that the placement counts. My role this year is one that is on Australia's skills list, but as I havent graduated yet I'm unsure.

Do you have any idea who the right people to query this with would be?

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Your placement wont count. It is only experience gained AFTER graduation that they assess. It is a minimum of 2 years but could be 4 as it depends on the length of degree and uni, whether they decide it is ICT major or minor etc. Sounds daft but not all degrees are assessed as ICT major. Run it all by ACS. Also the required work experience is deducted and essentially lost. If you have 2 years experience and you apply with 2 years experience you will pass the skills assessment and but will not be able to claim work experience points for the visa as only experience AFTER those 2 years are deducted count. You need 60 points to get the visa. Depending on age etc you may not make the 60points without work experience points. Speak with ACS at how many years you need and calculate points on the immi website to see if you could score 60 without work experience points. But you will need to work for minimum of 2 years in that jobs after you graduate to be eligible for a visa other the a working holiday.

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

OzzyDreamer86, first of all thank for the very useful information. You've made me aware of things that werent clear to me.

I'll investigate to see if I have the points required without the work experience.

In terms of a working holiday, would it be unlikely/impossible to obtain IT work with that kind of visa? I think I'm right in thinking that you're only able to work for 6 months at each establishment? What are the chances of obtaining a couple of contract/consultancy arrangements? This might enable me to get a better feel for Australia before making a permanent decision.

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

No worries :)

Tbh there are not many employers willing to employ people for 'normal' jobs. Most people on WHV do typical back packer jobs. Also IT jobs are competitive it is the most over subscribed job for permanent residence visas and they all even have caps put on the number of applicants as so many people from the IT field apply for these visas and a granted all the time. You would be fighting against those guys. Plus I think they would already want you degree qualified.

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Personally I reckon you could go out on a WHV and secure employment which for many people leads to living in Australia.

If you're smart though and interested in actually having a career and doing well..I wouldn't bother with Australia.

Immigrating to Australia is for the lower educated scale of things. compared to your USA/Canada Asia, etc.

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

:popcorn:

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Huh?

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Wanna share my :popcorn: oh fellow lower educated person ? :D

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Agree with this bit

Don't agree with this bit

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

That's not true - ACS will assess you as meeting their criteria when you have a combination of experience and qualification - if you gain suitable experience prior to qualification it can still be used.

Green_tea, I would contact ACS for advice - they are very helpful. You will need to get a detailed reference for the placement outlining duties and responsibilities though if you can use it at a later date. Guidelines on references can also be found in the info available from ACS :)

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

What a pile of fair dinkum nonsense,

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

:lol:

Sounds like someone applied for an Oz visa and got knocked back. Sour grapes :lol:

Re: British Student Considering Emigration to Oz
 

Must have been far too well qualified as well.