(Moving from UK to OZ) in IT industry, need Help

[DonUK]

Hi to all who reads my thread

First of all my name is Don and I am 26 and from the UK. I am looking into moving to Australia in a few months and would like to gather some important information. I am currently working as an IT Analyst for a Multi-National Company for just under two years, before that I completed a degree in MIS and a Postgraduate in Business from Uni of Manchester. I have also completed a 15week certification in Project Management through my current post.

I feel I have allot of skills to add to a company. I have read many forums, allot by "Dolly" (Very Detailed) on which City's would best suit my role. From here I have decided on either Sydney or Melbourne, in which were my original plans anyway. I plan on going on the one year visa that is made available to all and hope to pick up a good job and eventually get sponsored. I have completed a point calculator test also (Not sure if it was the official one) but it said that I was definitely a contender.
Ok, after telling you my lifelong story I have some questions to ask

Q1. What is the official site for points calculation for OZ Visa.
Q2. What are the best resources for looking for IT/MIS Jobs.
Q3. I have friends and relations that are citizens, does this make any difference if I was applying for a OZ visa?
Q4. Is there a list/resource of Company's that offer Sponsorship.
Q5. How is it in Australia at the moment for IT/MIS Jobs.

Ok you must be bored now Last but not least

Q6. (Controversial amongst some) Which city is best recommended for lifestyle/cost and of course Jobs in my Industry.

Looking forward to hearing your answers.

Thanks in advance!!

[kaz101]

Hi Don,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm also in IT by the way

Originally Posted by DonUK

Q1. What is the official site for points calculation for OZ Visa.

Official points test site for the skilled independent visa is at:
Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)

Originally Posted by DonUK

Q2. What are the best resources for looking for IT/MIS Jobs.

Really depends on what you are looking for here - do you mean jobs?
For jobs check out Search for jobs in Australia. Online job search
Here is a link to the Australian Computer Society ACS (Australian Computer Society) - ICT Professionals Shaping our Future

Originally Posted by DonUK

Q3. I have friends and relations that are citizens, does this make any difference if I was applying for a OZ visa?

Makes no difference since the only people that can sponsor you are employers or family.

Originally Posted by DonUK

Q4. Is there a list/resource of Company's that offer Sponsorship.

There is a reverse job website if you look for the posts by Liana Allan but I don't know much about that. There is a matching skills link on the immigration website but I can't find it right now but I have seen it, although I haven't used it.

Originally Posted by DonUK

Q5. How is it in Australia at the moment for IT/MIS Jobs.

That's too broad a scope to answer - see the links in the "Please read..." sticky post since that has a link to see whether your skills are in demand. You may also want to check the immigration website to see how much experience you need for your role in Oz because some of them have a length of experience although you do have a degree which works in your favour.

Originally Posted by DonUK

Q6. (Controversial amongst some) Which city is best recommended for lifestyle/cost and of course Jobs in my Industry.

As you noted before Sydney and Melbourne are the best for IT at present and choosing between the two is a personal choice.

Regards,
Karen

[Dolly]

Hi there,

Well, mostly what Karen said above (good job there Karen!).

When we were looking for IT jobs, we looked at Greythorn and Hudson recruitment agencies. But you can't go wrong with websites such as seek.com.au. The percentage of IT jobs that are sponsored is very small indeed, and companies aren't interested in taking an application further until you have your PR.

In answer to your last question....on many levels....MELBOURNE!!!! (but of course, I am biased as I live there ). Karen's right when she says that for the IT industry it is either Sydney or Melbourne (if you're moving for work prospects). If it's more of a lifestyle change you're after, then you're looking towards Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast/Perth. Of course both Sydney and Melbourne have their fare share of beaches but not on the scale of the aforementioned!

Dolly

[DonUK2]

Thank You both for great Information!!

"The percentage of IT jobs that are sponsored is very small indeed, and companies aren't interested in taking an application further until you have your PR." What exactly is the PR??

I am going on a one year work/travel visa I hope to find a company that will sponsor me if not I return to UK and will apply for the migrant skills visa. Will it have any affect that I have being in Australia for a year if I apply for the Migrant skills visa??

[DonUK2]

By the way, I had to set up another account for some strange reason because It would not let me post reply under my original DonUK!?

[funkzig]

Hi Don,

I'm in MIS (BI and Data Warehousing) and I am going to try and get into Brisbane - although I think Melbourne or Sydney would be your best bet.

I haven't found too much on this profession in particular but I'm suprised its not on the MODL list as even in the UK these skills are pretty scarce with the contract market going mad (I find it very difficult employing permies but contractors are easy to find).

Good luck

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by DonUK2

"The percentage of IT jobs that are sponsored is very small indeed, and companies aren't interested in taking an application further until you have your PR." What exactly is the PR??

PR is permanent residency. Most companies want you to have a visa first.

Originally Posted by DonUK2

I am going on a one year work/travel visa I hope to find a company that will sponsor me if not I return to UK and will apply for the migrant skills visa. Will it have any affect that I have being in Australia for a year if I apply for the Migrant skills visa??

I don't know about that one. If you apply from outside Oz I wouldn't have thought so but check on the immigration site since that may tell you.

Not sure what happened to your user account but there is a 'contact us' link at the bottom of the page if you want to talk to the person who runs the site and maybe they can sort it out for you.

Regards,
Karen