pimpmycode

Hi,

My missus and i are considering a move to Australia from the UK in the next 18 to 24 months, possibly to Brisbane. We are hoping to make the move based on a transfer with my current employer as they have offices in a few Aussie cities.

I am in IT (SAP Consulting) and wondering if anyone else could share their experience of moving based on a company transfer? I assume i wouldn't apply for a skilled migrant visa, so not sure what visa i would need or what would be best? Is it simpler to move with a company transfer and is 24 months too long/too little to start planning a move.

Any info is appreciated.

verystormy

The most likely visa is a 457 visa as it is cheap and easy. However, it is not a permanent visa - it gives the right to live and work in Oz for a particular employer for normally 4 years. The down side being if you lose your job you only have 28 days to find another willing to sponsor or leave the country.

As for time, that is very much dependent on yourselves. I know people that would take a couple of years to get organized while others do it straight away. The visa can, if you qualify, be done in a month.

Beoz

You may not of come across this yet but pay is very important. My advice is do not be dazzled by the opportunity to live in Australia and don't let your employers sell you on the idea. Make it a purely monetary decision where your employers compensate you for moving you to another country.

First of all make sure they pay for your move. For Mrs Beoz and I we had a budget of $30,000 and we used less than that as we were not in control of the budget - HR was. Then make sure you get adequately paid. If they try and to a straight exchange rate conversion laugh it off. You want to be looking at something like 2.5 dollars to the pound.

Chortlepuss

I am usually here bemoaning the lack of IT opportunities in Brisbane - but SAP is a notable exception. There seems to be a genuine shortage of candidates and rates are high. I came over as a consultant on a 457, but now would want PR as the market is more risky. Plus if you don't like your job you could make a very lucrative move to SAP contracting here. ICT environments are very different from the UK here - Brisbane is a very frustrating place to work if you are an experienced professional. If your only option is 457 and you're coming over as a temporary adventure - ensure you get very well paid. Perhaps you could take a secondment?

campervanfan

But why not go straight for PR?

pimpmycode

Thanks for all the replies. Some good info to consider about not getting too dazzled by a possible transfer and making sure i look at expenses very closely.
We would like to move over permanently, ultimately with a company transfer as that might be easiest. If i can get a 2 year transfer i would consider that too, good way to see what life in Aus is like.

The 457 seems like it would be the most straight forward. After the four years on a 457 can you apply for PR? Looking at SkillSelect it might make more sense to try and go for a 189 visa and submit an EOI. I have 8 years of SAP consulting experience at various levels but i have no degree though so not sure if i qualify to apply for a 189 visa?

pimpmycode

After further reading on SkillSelect it looks like the lack of a degree for my profesion would cost me 10 points. This means i have to score top marks for the IELTS exam and get the 5 points for spouse skills/occupation. This would be difficult but not impossible. Not sure if i would be passed by the Australian Computer Society for my skills assessment without a degree in the first instance though. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Chortlepuss

Can't your employer sponsor you for PR as part of the deal?

Beoz

Yes a similar situation. No degree and 20 years experience using my software but I have dual passports. I'm surprised to hear that a degree is a requirement. Actually maybe not so surprised when I see how Aussies regard degrees over actual ability in the workplace. Surely someone with your experience with SAP is pretty rare in oz and there are other mechanisms to push it through?

verystormy

The thing you need to remember if you are seeing this as a permanent move is there is no automatic transition from 457 to pr. You still need to qualify for pr. The only thing a 457 can offer is to be exempt from the skills assessment. However the rules can and do change regularly. For that reason, I always say to people who come on a 457 to treat it purely as that - a short term visa that will bring you to Oz for a fixed period after which you will be returning.

Icecube

I am afraid that I would disagree about your comment on the SAP market in BrisVegas. With over 25years experience in this market it seems at the moment to be flat with only a little bit of Government work. Several major players have postponed work, or are shedding workers (eg Rio Tinto) or are only doing feasibility work (QR National). I know over several SAP experienced staffers (20 years plus) who have been looking for work in Brisbane since December last year. Rates / Salaries are also dropping For SAP work I suggest Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.

lloydk

I would have to agree. SAP work since last September has fallen flat. To make matters worse, that's the month I arrived in Melb and am still looking for work. Aussie employers are also very finnicky hiring people without local experience. Now is definitely a very wrong time for the IT industry and SAP specialists in Aus, especially those without local experience. Things will improve, but is likely to take time.

Beoz

Maybe ..... but SAP is crap. I am forced to use it on a daily basis and I hate the beast.

Mummy3

We came on a company transfer 457, once the company decided it was very quick, the visa took 4 days. As part of the deal they are sponsoring PR after 2 years, or we would have been reluctant to come, no it's not a guarantee but its there. If I was thinking 2 years ahead would do PR, if you can then get the company to transfer you as well and come with a job then a good position to be in.

lloydk

Ya, that sounds like a good deal. Speaking to a recruiter, his honest advice is that even with a PR, it is recommended not to quit your job and come over, as the market in Australia at the moment is just that tough. It would be good to schedule some time with recruiters or consultants and talk to them of your chances and to try an assess when is a good time to make it down.