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Emigration Advice

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  • 20-12-2010 1:46pm
    #1
    gilbass
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭


    I, like a lot of other people on here, am in the position of having graduated as a civil engineer in the last year and am faced with the prospect of having to emigrate in order to find work.

    The more I think about emigrating, the more daunting a prospect it seems so I thought I'd post a few questions up here and see what people have to say. Anybody else with questions feel free to stick them up.

    1) Visa
    Personally, I'm planning on going to Australia and as far as I can tell, the working holiday visa is the best option. However, I'm unsure as the best way to go about acquiring it. Is it worth going through a visa agency, or should I just get it directly from the australian website?

    2) Recruitment Agency
    Peoples opinions seem to be on the completely different ends of the spectre on this subject. Some say definately, others say its a complete waste of time.
    Thoughts?
    As a graduate, are they likely to be less useful?
    Any recommendations for Australian agencies?
    How far in advance of travelling should I sign up with one?

    3) I arrive in Australia, walk out of the airport, what the hell do I do now??
    Lets say hypothetically I don't know anyone there so I've no couch to crash on. I'd imagine it's not possible to line up a place to rent before travelling, so where do you stay in the interim period of arriving and then finding a place to live? Hostels?
    Also any other hints on the first things you should do on arrival? I'd imagine buy a cheap pay-as-you-go phone?

    4) Banking/miscellaneous issues.
    Should I/is it possible to set up an account with an Australian bank before I travel. I know in order to be allowed in with a visa, you need a certain amount in a bank account (€2500?), but does this have to be in an australian account?

    Any opinions/advice or other considerations is welcome?


    Just came across this thread which is quite helpful:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055903547


Comments

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    #2
    bnt
    Registered Users Posts: 12,959 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    If you've watched one of those reality shows about Australian Customs & Immigration, you'll note that they expect you to have somewhere to go, and enough money to cover the entirety of your stay. They're good at sniffing out people who intend to overstay their visas.

    The main thing to watch out for is that the working holiday visa allows you to supplement your income through work, to a maximum of six months per employer in a twelve months stay i.e. temp jobs only, then you leave. Note the word "supplement": expect Immigration to want proof that you can support yourself if you don't find work: it's a holiday first, work is optional. If you're going to Australia in search of permanent work, it's the wrong visa. Since you're a civil engineer, you might be better looking for a Professionals / Skilled Migrants visa?

    From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch’.

    — Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut



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    #3
    gafferino
    Registered Users Posts: 4,724 ✭✭✭gafferino


    Hmmmm that wasnt my experience at all. Ive just returned from a year working in Aus as an engineer. No one asked me anything on arrival, it was actually very very easy. No problem getting engineering work out there. I went to a few recruiters but actually got a job by emailing companies myself so I would try both if I were you.


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    #4
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    I would advise against using Reality TV shows as any sort of indication of real life tbh.


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    #5
    Poly
    Registered Users Posts: 1,807 ✭✭✭Poly


    Talk to this Lady:


    http://australianvisaspecialists.com/

    Liz o'Hagan, she's in Naas, I have heard good reports about her advice


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    #6
    Lu Tze
    Registered Users Posts: 3,495 ✭✭✭Lu Tze


    Dont bother with a visa company -the process is very easy. Just a couple of online forms and the next morning *BAM* visa number in your inbox.

    Thats for the WHV - which i would recommend you get. Apply to the engineering companies yourself and only go to the recruitment agencies if you are getting no where. I found them worse than useless.

    Im in Perth, and had a struggle getting a job (4 years experience at home) when i wasnt able to commit to sponsorship up front. But if you are happy to stay more than a year there will likely be some company which will take you on - with the hope you will be there longterm. I dont know what the situation is like in the rest of Oz, it is probably more competitive in the job market on the east coast.

    Officially you are supposed to have the equivalent of 5000AUD with you which is about €3800. I wasnt asked to prove this at the border or anything, but they can demand proof, i brought a recent bank statement. Book yourself into a hostel for the first two weeks so that you have a base to go looking for job/car/house/etc.

    Best of luck with it,if there is anything i can help with, drop me a PM.


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    #7
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    What industry are you in Lu Tze?


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    #8
    Lu Tze
    Registered Users Posts: 3,495 ✭✭✭Lu Tze


    Civil Engineer in a water and groundwater resources consultancy for mining companies.


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    #9
    Soil Mechanic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 49 ✭Soil Mechanic


    Lu Tze wrote: »
    Civil Engineer in a water and groundwater resources consultancy for mining companies.

    He's drifted into Geotechnics & Hydrogeology, but doesn't want to be associated with the likes of us... :D;)



    *Sniff* Geotechnics...we are so unloved... (mops up tears) *BAAARPPP*


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    #10
    gilbass
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭gilbass


    Lu Tze wrote: »
    Dont bother with a visa company -the process is very easy. Just a couple of online forms and the next morning *BAM* visa number in your inbox.

    Thats for the WHV - which i would recommend you get. Apply to the engineering companies yourself and only go to the recruitment agencies if you are getting no where. I found them worse than useless.

    Im in Perth, and had a struggle getting a job (4 years experience at home) when i wasnt able to commit to sponsorship up front. But if you are happy to stay more than a year there will likely be some company which will take you on - with the hope you will be there longterm. I dont know what the situation is like in the rest of Oz, it is probably more competitive in the job market on the east coast.

    Officially you are supposed to have the equivalent of 5000AUD with you which is about €3800. I wasnt asked to prove this at the border or anything, but they can demand proof, i brought a recent bank statement. Book yourself into a hostel for the first two weeks so that you have a base to go looking for job/car/house/etc.

    Best of luck with it,if there is anything i can help with, drop me a PM.

    Thanks, thats exactly the kind of advice i'm looking for.


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