[ausvisaissues]

I am also looking to go to Australia, and read up quite a bit about it. Below is a rough summary (by me). It may contain errors.

Part 1: There are two ways to go about it. One option is to first get a Skilled Immigrant Permanent Residence visa (189) and then apply for a job.

Another is to find an employer to sponsor a Skilled (Temporary) visa (457).

The advantages of permanent resident visa (Skilled Independent Visa, 189):

1. Visa is permanent: you can change jobs

2. You can enroll for public healthcare and get many public benefits (e.g. child care rebates)

3. You do not need to have a job offer to go to Australia

4. A company does not need to sponsor your visa. This means that smaller companies can employ you. For 99% of the jobs, you are equal to an Australian citizen (some jobs like government/security jobs, you need to be a citizen)

5. Children born during PR receives Aus citizenship.

6. After 4 years, you can apply for Australian citizenship.

The problem with the 189 visa is that it is based on a point system. This point system takes into account:

1. Degree (or equivalent work experience), 2. Age, 3. English language ability, 4.Work experience, 5. Field of employment (should be on the Skilled Occupations List). Software engineering is.

Another problem is that it can take quite a while to get it. The process is:

1. Do a skills assessment (Australian Computer Society)

2. Lodge expression of interest (now your watch begins ;) )

3. Get an invitation to apply

4. Apply (with police clearance, medical clearance, etc.…). Costs around AUD$3000

[ausvisaissues]

Part 2:

The advantages of the temporary work (skilled) visa (457) is:

(1) Easier to obtain than 189, (2) Cheap and quick (within 6-8 weeks), (3) No skills assessment, (4) lower English requirements, (5) you have 90 days to find a new employer if you lose your job, (6) employer may be able to sponsor you for a permanent visa after a while.

I think this visa is much better than equivalent visas in other countries.

The disadvantages of this visa is:

1. You have to get private medical care (can be expensive)

2. Private medical care has some waiting time (big problems if you get pregnant within 12 months of entering Australia)

3. Employers have to be recognized by DIBP (only larger well established companies)

4. Employers must do market testing and prove that they cannot fill the position with an Australian citizen (less jobs)

PS: There are other variations on these visa schemes. For instance, if you get state sponsorship, you can apply for a 190 visa (and receive more points). There are other visa classes for recent graduates (485). There is also working holiday visa (417). The impression that I get however is that 90% of people either start with a 457 or 189 visa.

PPS: I encourage you to do a skills assessment to check if you qualify for a 189 visa. Here is the test: http://www.harriswake.com/skillselectpointscalculator

For job search sites, use indeed.au and seek.au. Note that most jobs do not sponsor 457 visas.

Also, all jobs on http://www.austjobs.com/ sponsor visas.

PPPS: Forgot to add: Melbourne is (IMHO) much better to live in than in Sydney. Both are large cities (4 million+), but the cost of living in Melbourne (rent) is much lower. See here: http://goo.gl/pCwKNO

[tedmiston]

And here is some aggregated data from Nomad List that might help you compare short to medium-term living in Melbourne vs. Sydney.

                           | Melbourne | Sydney
    ---------------------- | --------- | ------
    Internet               | bad       | bad
    Fun                    | good      | great
    Nightlife              | good      | bad
    Free WiFi in city      | bad       | great
    Places to work from    | okay      | good
    A/C or heating         | great     | great
    Cost of living         | okay      | bad
    Quality of life        | good      | good
    Safety                 | good      | good
    Friendly to foreigners | good      | great
    English speaking       | great     | great
    Racial tolerance       | good      | good
    Female Friendly        | great     | good
    Gay Friendly           | good      | great

Admittedly the qualitative scale is subjective, but it is based on individual responses.

https://nomadlist.com/melbourne-australia/scores

https://nomadlist.com/sydney-australia/scores

[tedmiston]

I second Melbourne. (I've only traveled there, not lived there, but I'd like to.)

Have you looked into Australia's Working Holiday visa? I believe that allows you to enter and stay for 6 months without having an employer sponsor. So you could freelance or job search during that time without being stranded.

[I know you said you don't qualify for a Working Holiday visa, but I'm assuming that meant in Canada.]

[SyneRyder]

That PPPS is a good point. I'm an Aussie (living in Perth), and virtually every Australian I know has dreamed of living in Melbourne at some point. More cultural, cosmopolitan & friendlier than Sydney.

[I like Perth, but I wouldn't recommend it for jobs or nightlife. Weather sure is better here than Melbourne though.]