swuk

Hi all,
I'd like to move to Sydney around January 2012 to work there for 1 year. I'm pretty sure I'd need an employer to sponsor me as I'd like to find an IT job in advance (from the UK).

I have a degree and a Masters from UK universities, 10 years IT work experience, and my job sector is in the wanted skills list. (I got 120 in the points test).

So ideally (I know it's going to be very hard!), work in Sydney for one year then return to the UK... then later on in life, I may look to return to Australia to settle down.

Is visa 175 best for me? I'd need a visa for the one year, but also something that wouldn't put me at a disadvantage if I return later. Also, how far in advance (of Jan 2012) do you think I should start to look for an employer to sponsor me?

Thanks

Bermudashorts

A 175 application is a lot of bother if you really only want to go for one year. Are you too old for a WHV, that would give you 12 months although you could only stay with one employer for 6 months at a time. Unless you impress them so much they sponsor you of course.

Finding an employer willing to sponsor you from overseas in the IT industry is going to be a huge challenge no matter when you start looking. Most employers don't even want to talk to people with PR visas already in place before they are in the country.

man_called_Horse

Why would an employer sponsor you for just a year? It wouldn't be worth their while... they could just employ someone locally. Plenty of experienced IT people driving Taxi's and Serving petrol.

swuk

Thanks for the replies.
Yes unfortunately I'd be 33 so unable to apply for the WHV.

I know this is going to be a huge task, but I'm eager and determined, however, I'm sure that's what everyone says!

That's a good point. I'm not sure how to get around that other than not mentioning the one year to employers

man_called_Horse

To be honest it's gonna cost you $3k to get the visa, not to mention that there are plenty of people that would give their right arm to get a Permenent resident visa for life.... Wonder how they would feel if someone wanted to waste it on a working holiday.

Even if you got sponsored and didn't inform the employer you intended to stay for only a year..... Why would that employer sponsor anyone again?

swuk

The $3k would be ok but now realise I could try to get a 457 temporary long visa instead, which is also a lot cheaper. I wouldn't say I'd be wasting the visa on a "working holiday", it's not going to be a holiday, I've never said it would be.

Because people move on for all different reasons and companies hire again. Presume a company hires a lazy employee and they stay with them for 4 years, I could bounce the question back to you, why would that employer sponsor anyone again given previous experience. But anyway, this is irrelevant to my original questions, just something for me to think about.

man_called_Horse

I think I have a pretty valid point, its hard enough to get sponsorship plenty of other genuine people would love the chance and would be prepared to do it right and proper.

Anyway although 457 is a bit cheaper and quicker its still relies on a willing sponsor... like Bermudashorts says its a pretty uphill battle especially if you are not actually in Australia. Employers are encouraged to try and find employees locally before they have to sponsor.

swuk

Thanks for the reply. I've been speaking to a work colleague and their friend owns an IT company in NSW so I'll get in touch and hopefully get them to give me a shout when there's vacancies. IF (huge if) I was took on, I presume (and both parties agree), I could look around for another job (but in Sydney) whilst in Australia on a 457.

PS - If was it up to me then I'd stay there for a longer period or permanently, but at the current time the other half says no to that just yet, but things could change if we manage to get over there.

man_called_Horse

You can look for another job whilst on a 457 but you have to make another visa application and the new employer has to make the nomination. I would do a bit more research in to the 457 and the whole sponsoring aspect... there is a bit more to just form filling.

swuk

OK thanks all for your comments