cjohnston23 Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Hello Perth Poms! Please be gentle as this is my first post on this forum. Me and my partner are looking to relocate to Perth within the next few years and are looking to get some advice from all you knowledgable folk. First a little about us. I currently work as a Graduate Structural Engineer for an Oil and Gas services company in Aberdeen. My girlfriend is a qualified nurse currently working in theatre (known as a scrub scout in Oz). We are both 23 and graduated in July 2014 (this will become relavant later) and looking for a fresh start in beautiful Perth Australia. In terms of Visas, I feel we may have two options. These are: Option 1: Apply for a Skilled - Recognised Graduate Visa (subclass 476). I am able to apply for this as I have a Masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Strathclyde (Washington Accord institution). This Visa is currently around £250, therefore it is significantly cheaper than a skilled migrant visa. However this Visa is only temporary (18 months). I also have to apply before the end of July 2016 which we intend on doing anyway. Do you think this type of visa could hinder my chances of securing a graduate position? Option 2: Either myself or my partner get sponsered on a skilled migrant visa. ( In the current Oil and Gas market, this would likely be my other half....) Do you think with this visa being permanent would help my chances of securing a position? As I mentioned previously, the oil and gas market is rather bleak at the moment, therefore I am more than willing to go into onshore construction works if need be. Is there any recent graduates currently in Perth who could give me any advice on applying? Do graduate programs typically hire international graduates? Thanks for your help in advance. Regards Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DyLeB Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 have you and your girlfriend been in a defacto relationship for the last 12 months, basically like being married without the piece of paper, living together, joint finances and liabilities? The graduate visa would likely be the better one to start, better than a WHV anyway. The other option rather than being sponsored would be 189 skilled migration visa. This is not tied to any employer and you would likely be the easiest to be the main applicant on the application. You would need your skills assessed by Engineers Australia and to sit the IELTS test (can do this at Aberdeen Uni but tests are only once every 2 months). Option 1 then if things work out in Australia to apply for Skilled Migration 189 would be your best course of action. If you are currently in a graduate role staying in it to finish your graduate scheme would be the better option, and hopefully give you more experience to getting a job in Perth. Once you reach 25 you will get more points for age through the skilled migration. But out if you and your girlfriend can not show defacto relationship she will not be able to be included in the graduate visa application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjohnston23 Posted September 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Thanks for taking the time to reply! Yes we have been living together for the last year and a half so hopefully there should be no issues there. I will take your advice on board! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 The graduate visa I would recommend against as it is a tough enough market for you as it is without having to tell employers that you are only here for 18 months. Sponsored visas are something you could look at via your partner. However, you need to do so with the knowledge of what they are. They are a temporary visa for up to 4 years. They come with some downsides as well, most notably that if she were to lose her job for any reason, she would have 90 days to find another or you both have to leave the country. It can be harder for the partners of 457's to find work due to the fact you are only here temporary and your destiny isn't in your own hands. Sponsorship for nurses is now also not as common as it was. My advice is to consider skilled migration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjohnston23 Posted September 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Thanks verystormy, I will keep this in mind. I think it may be better waiting until I have completed my Graduate Scheme as DyLeB mentioned above. This will mean I will have more experience under my belt and give me a better chance of getting back into this competitive market. Hopefully the oil price will increase in due course.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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