Where to Live in Australia?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 WHERE TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We get a lot of intending migrants asking us to help them decide where to live in Australia. It can be a very exciting time when you make the decision to move to Australia but how do you determine the right place to live in Australia?

We recommend that you answer this question about where to live in Australia by determining the most important factor for success and that is getting a job as quickly as possible. If you are in banking and finance, you need to consider whether Sydney or Melbourne offer the best opportunities in your field. If you have a specialist professional background, for example as a mining engineer you need to research locations like Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. An excellent government website breakdowns the Australian labour market by State and city and offers specific information for migrants

Australian Government Workplace

Planning ahead and thinking about where you are best placed to kick start your career in Australia is the most important factor for a successful life in Australia.

Migrants coming on a regional visa need to research carefully whether their location has job and future career opportunities.

Use the internet to research the labour market by location – we cannot emphasise planning ahead enough!

So say your skills are in demand in many of Australia cities, then how do you decide where to live in Australia?

There are lots of debates about the best cities in Australia. What’s right for you depends on what you like. It’s essential to do research on locations in Australia where you think you might like to live. Each of the cities can be quite different but they all have a lot to offer and are located by the water.

What’s great about each city?

Sydney – Sydney includes icons like Bondi beach, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge. Beach culture and café society.

• Population: 3.5 million
• Climate: Average temperatures winter to summer: 7 to 26°C

Sydney (New South Wales)

Melbourne – The European capital of Australia, arts culture and café society. Multicultural with a well laid out city. Melbourne boasts the headquarters of some of Australia’s largest companies.

• Population: 3.8 million
• Climate: Average temperatures winter to summer: 5 to 27°C

Melbourne (Victoria)

Brisbane - warm most of the year, growing rapidly, beach culture and eating out. The Sunshine State of surf and fun. Queensland boasts one of the most famous natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef.

• Population: 4 million
• Climate: Average temperatures winter to summer: 10 to 29°C

Brisbane (Queensland)

Perth - Warmer than Adelaide or Melbourne, small town on the water. Beautiful Coastlines. Rich mineral resources which

drive the state’s economic growth.

Key facts about Perth

• Population: 2 million
• Climate: Average temperatures winter to summer: 8 to 32°C

Perth (Western Australia)

Adelaide – also referred to as the “20 minute city” as this is how long it takes to drive from the home to work, laid back, pretty city, well laid out, a country town. South Australia is famous for its scenic coastlines and the Barossa Valley vineyards.

· Population: 1.6 million

· Climate :Average temperatures winter to summer: 20 to 28°C

Adelaide (South Australia)

Hobart – Has a climate colder than most cities, is based on the river and harbour. Small city. Hobart is famed for ancient aboriginal art and early European settlements.

• Population: 500,000
• Climate:Average temperatures winter to summer: 4 to 22°C

Hobart (Tasmania)

Darwin Multicultural, small population, tropical with wet and dry seasons.

The World Heritage Kakadu National Park, famed for its unique bird life, rugged beauty and Aboriginal art is near the state capital Darwin with over 3.2 million acres of natural beauty.

• Population 220,000
• Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: 19 to 33°C

Darwin (Northern Territory)

Canberra – capital city, planned city for the government centre of Australia. A lot of people are employed in government jobs here. The city was designed by the American architect Walter Burley Griffin and has wide streets and boulevards.

• Population: 322,000
• Climate: Average temperatures winter to summer: O to 27°C.

Canberra (Australian Capital Territory)

Tips to help you to decide where to live in Australia:

• Book a serviced apartment in your city of arrival for two weeks – its works out a lot cheaper than booking a hotel and gives you time to get a sense of the city.
• When you arrive in Australia you can take a quick trip to some of the cities where you think you might to live. A lot of migrants we have talked to planned their arrival like this and discover their preferred location by checking out a few cities.
• Book your trip to other cities with domestic airlines like Virgin, Qantas or Jetstar. You can book these ahead as the costs will depend on the time of year and school holidays and major holidays are a lot more expensive.
• Stay in a house or apartment in any city you are travelling to so you get a sense of what it’s really like to live there. One of our favourite sites is stayz.com.au which allows you to book holiday accommodation in houses and apartments across Australia.

TOP TIP – The most important factor in deciding where to live in Australia is getting a job quickly!

Read About…

Australian Employer Requirements in Australia

 Australian Work Culture Articles

Migration Occupations in Demand (MODL) - Is your Occupation in Demand in Australia?

Migration Occupations in Demand for Australia

What is the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)?

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) lists those occupations and specialisations identified by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) that are in short supply.

What occupations are currently MODL?

The table below shows the current (as at 17 May 2008) occupations in demand for migration purposes.

MIGRATION OCCUPATIONS IN DEMAND (MODL)
Managers and Administrators	ASCO code
Child Care Coordinator	1295-11
Engineering Manager	1221-11
Professionals	ASCO code
Accountant	2211-11
Anaesthetist	2312-11
Architect	2121-11
Chemical Engineer	2129-17
Civil Engineer	2124-11
Computing Professional - specialising in CISSP *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in C++/C#/C *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Data Warehousing	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Java *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in J2EE *	2231-79
Computing Professional - Linux	2231-79
Computing Professional - .Net technologies	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Network Security/Firewall/Internet Security *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Oracle *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in PeopleSoft *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in SAP *	2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in SIEBEL * (especially Siebel Analytic)	2231-79
Computing Professional - Solaris	2231-79
Computing Professional - Unix	2231-79
Dental Specialist	2381-13
Dentist	2381-11
Dermatologist	2312-13
Electrical Engineer	2125-11
Electronics Engineer	2125-13
Emergency Medicine Specialist	2312-15
External Auditor	2212-11
General Medical Practitioner	2311-11
Hospital Pharmacist	2382-11
Mechanical Engineer	2126-11
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer	2391-11
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)	2127-11
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist	2312-17
Occupational Therapist	2383-11
Ophthalmologist	2312-19
Optometrist	2384-11
Paediatrician	2312-21
Pathologist	2312-23
Petroleum Engineer	2127-13
Physiotherapist	2385-11
Podiatrist	2388-11
Psychiatrist	2312-27
Quantity Surveyor	2122-11
Radiologist	2312-29
Registered Mental Health Nurse	2325-11
Registered Midwife	2324-11
Registered Nurse	2323-11
Retail Pharmacist	2382-15
Specialist Medical Practitioners (not elsewhere classified)	2312-79
Specialist Physician	2312-25
Speech Pathologist	2386-11
Sonographer	2391-17
Surgeon	2312-31
Surveyor	2123-13

Associate Professionals	ASCO Code
Chef (excluding Commis Chef)	3322-11 (part)
Dental Technician	3492-15

Trades Persons	ASCO codes
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)	4114-15
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)	4114-11
Automotive Electrician	4212-11
Baker	4512-11
Binder and Finisher	4913-11
Boat Builder and Repairer	4981-13
Bricklayer	4414-11
Cabinetmaker	4922-11
Carpenter	4411-13
Carpenter and Joiner	4411-11
Cook	4513-11
Drainer	4431-15
Electrical Powerline Tradesperson	4313-11
Electrician (Special Class)	4311-13
Electronic Equipment Tradesperson	4315-11
Fibrous Plasterer	4412-11
Fitter	4112-11
Floor Finisher	4423-11
Furniture Finisher	4929-13
Furniture Upholsterer	4942-11
Gasfitter	4431-13
General Electrician	4311-11
General Plumber	4431-11
Hairdresser	4931-11
Joiner	4411-15
Landscape Gardener	4623-13
Lift Mechanic	4311-15
Locksmith	4115-15
Mechanical Services and Air-conditioning Plumber	4431-19
Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker)	4122-11
Metal Machinist (First Class)	4112-13
Motor Mechanic	4211-11
Optical Mechanic	4999-11
Painter and Decorator	4421-11
Panel Beater	4213-11
Pastry Cook	4512-13
Pressure Welder	4122-13
Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic	4312-11
Roof Plumber	4431-17
Roof Slater and Tiler	4413-11
Solid Plasterer	4415-11
Sheetmetal Worker (First Class)	4124-11
Stonemason	4416-13
Toolmaker	4113-11
Tree Surgeon	4623-15
Vehicle Body Maker	4215-11
Vehicle Painter	4214-11
Wall and Floor Tiler	4416-11
Welder (First Class)	4122-15

* Important: If you nominate one of the above specialist computing occupations, you will only be awarded MODL points if your skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing body – the Australian Computer Society (ACS) states you have met the criteria to be recognised in one of the above specialisations.

Skills assessments provided to successful applicants will state:

• the ASCO Code for Computer Professional not elsewhere classified (nec) with the specialisation stated in brackets - for example, 2231-79 (SAP) and
• the statement: ‘Based on the provided certified documentation, it is my opinion that the applicant has 12 months experience in (name of specialisation, for example, SAP)’.

Note: If you have a skills assessment which only states the ASCO Code for ‘Computer Professional nec 2231-79′, you are not eligible to be awarded MODL points. A new assessment with the above information will be required if you wish to claim MODL points.

How often does the MODL change?

The MODL is reviewed twice a year to take into consideration existing and emerging skills shortages. This does not mean the list is changed twice a year. Changes only occur if there has been a significant change in labour market trends.

As the MODL may change from time to time, you are advised to check the current MODL at the time you are lodging your visa application.

How are occupation points awarded on the points test?

If your nominated occupation is on MODL either at the time your application is lodged or assessed, you will be eligible for ‘occupation in demand/job offer’ points on the General Skilled Migration points test. You will receive extra points if you have a job offer from a suitable Australian employer.

What is a ’suitable Australian employer’?

A ’suitable Australian employer’ is an employer that has employed at least 10 people on a full-time basis for the previous two (2) financial years.

If you intend to claim points for ‘occupation in demand/job offer’ you are required to submit documentary evidence that your proposed employer meets these requirements. This evidence should include:

• a letter of offer from your prospective employer on official letterhead of the company which states the full address of the company and any telephone, fax numbers, e-mail and website addresses
• the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference typed or stamped below that person’s signature - a reference with an illegible signature will not be accepted
• details of the position you are being offered, the main five duties to be undertaken, and the salary level
• details of the organisation making the job offer, including the number of people it has employed on a full-time basis for the previous two (2) years

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)will make any necessary checks to ensure that the information provided is correct.

Australia gives migrant engineers priority for visa applications

Engineers applying for a visa to migrate to Australia will receive priority from Australian immigration.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has included the following engineering occupations on the new Critical Skills List (CSL) coming into effect on 1 January 2009.

2129-17  Engineer - Chemical
2124-11  Engineer - Civil
2125-11  Engineer - Electrical
2125-13  Engineer - Electronics
2126-11  Engineer - Mechanical
2127-11  Engineer - Mining
2126-13  Engineer - Production or Plant Engineer

Here is a copy of the press release:

Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

The Rudd Government will revise the migration program for the second half of 2008-09 so that skilled migrants who have a confirmed job, or have skills in critical need will be given priority for a permanent visa to come to Australia.

In a statement tabled in Parliament today, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the changes, effective from 1 January, will ensure that the Skilled Migration program is driven by the requirements of industry and targets skills in critical need across a number of sectors.

‘This will ensure our migration program is more responsive to the needs of the economy and assists industries still experiencing skills shortages,’ Senator Evans said.

‘In light of the changing economic circumstances, the Rudd Government has reviewed the Skilled Migration program and consulted business and industry along with state and territory governments Australia-wide about their skills needs.

‘The overwhelming message is that we need to maintain a Skilled Migration program but one that is more targeted.

‘There were concerns that the permanent Skilled Migration program was not delivering the right skills to the right areas and there was an increasing use of the temporary skilled migration program (Subclass 457 visa) by employers to meet their needs.

‘The existing 133 500 planning target will remain as a ceiling, with the actual number of visas granted to be kept under review for the remainder of 2008-09.

‘To meet immediate skills needs, the government will fast-track the processing of sponsored permanent migration visas, where skilled migrants are nominated by employers for jobs that cannot be filled locally.

‘This could see employer sponsored visas occupying an increasing share of the skilled program, with 36 000 visas likely in the current year,’ the minister said.

Senator Evans said about 80 per cent of employer-sponsored visas are granted to people who were already living and working in Australia on temporary visas. Fast-tracking the grant of these visas will provide greater certainty to employers and increase the number of visas granted onshore.

Where a person has applied to migrate to Australia without an employer sponsor, they will be given priority if they have an occupation on a list of skills in critical shortage.

The list of skills in critical shortage will focus on medical and key IT professionals, engineers and construction trades. The occupations on the critical skills list are the ones most frequently sought by employers through sponsorship.

Under the previous arrangements, more than 10 000 applications from engineers, medical professionals and other skilled migrants were sitting in the queue and may have had to wait more than a year before being considered.

‘Fast-tracking professionals on the critical skills list will ensure that the economy gets the skills it needs now, not just those applicants who applied first,’ Senator Evans said.
The government has also given state and territory governments’ greater scope to address the critical skill needs in their jurisdiction. This reflects the different economies that have developed across the country.

As a result of these measures, the 2008-09 skilled migration program will be more targeted in delivering the skills needed in the economy, while increasing the number of visas granted to those already in Australia and currently in jobs.  While the existing planning target remains in place as a ceiling, the government retains the ability to cap the program below that figure if necessary.

The skilled migration program was significantly increased in the May Budget from 102 500 to 133 500 places to ease nationwide skills shortages.

Senator Evans said a report released earlier in the year by respected economic analyst Access Economics shows that new migrants to Australia deliver hundreds of millions of dollars to the Commonwealth budget and the broader economy every year.

In its Migrant Fiscal Impact Model: 2008 Update, Access Economics found that the fiscal benefits from taxation and visa charges far outweighed the costs that migrants impose on health, education, welfare, employment and settlement services.

‘The bottom line is that our migration program is vital to keep the economy growing as well as helping Australian businesses overcome skills shortages,’ Senator Evans said.

‘It must also be remembered that Australia is facing a demographic shift that will see more people retire than join the workforce, so the permanent skilled migration program provides a stable, effective and targeted source of skilled workers for the future.’

See: Ministerial Statement - Changes to the 2008-09 Skilled Migration Program (33KB PDF file)

Here is an extract from the Minister’s statement

Establishing a critical skills list for unsponsored migrants

Where an applicant does not have either an employer or government sponsor their applications will be given priority where they have skills in critical need. In consultation with the States and Territories the Rudd Government has developed a Critical Skills List (CSL) which identifies those skills. It is focused on medical and key IT professionals, engineers and construction trades.
The CSL will be more responsive than the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) in identifying and prioritising applications for skills in critical shortage.
The Critical Skills List will be reviewed regularly, in consultation with the States and Territories, industry and unions to ensure that it remains valid and current in the changing circumstances.
Processing applications on this list as soon as possible will ensure our economy gets the skills it needs now, not simply the migrants who applied first. This new prioritisation of independent skilled applications will apply from 1 January 2009 to all existing and future applications.

The CSL applies to the independent skilled visa,

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship web site has a Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) page. This page tells you the eligibility requirements for each occupation.

Website - http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/

Writing a CDR - Secrets of Success

Preparing competency demonstration reports (CDRs) required by Engineers Australia for qualification assessment for engineers migrating to Australia baffles everyone.

People writing career episodes go into a state of mind-numbness at the seeming complexity of the task. They forget basic principles of report writing.

Let’s have a look at basic report writing.

Report Writing 101

The fundamentals of writing any report are:

understand the purpose of the report

provide the reader with the information they want

write in a language and style that the reader wants and will understand

Here is how these basic principles apply to writing career episode reports for a CDR application.

Purpose of the career episode reports

The purpose of the episode reports in a CDR is to demonstrate to Engineers Australia you can apply you knowledge and skills at a level of a professional engineer, technologist or associate. The occupation you have nominated for immigration purposes

In Engineers Australia language - demonstrate your competencies.

IT IS ABOUT

Providing detail of what you have done to show the Engineers Australia assessors you have the competencies given in the elements and sub-elements for the discipline and level you are applying for recognition as. These competencies are listed in the Appendices of the Engineers Australia Migration Skills Handbook.

IT IS NOT ABOUT:

• what the company you were employed by has done
• the size and market position of your company
• the technical details of the project or job you have done
• how well you were respected or your status
• your unsubstantiated claims of skills or knowledge

Before you select a topic for a career episode and start writing, read and study in detail the Engineers Australia competencies.

Provide Engineers Australia the information they want

Engineers Australia want details.

• Details of YOUR thought processes and actions
• Evidence of your actions and the results
• Details related to the competencies
• Details for all sub-elements of all elements of all competencies

It is not enough to say ” We overcame a number of problems” Provide details, such as. “After initial test of the prototype, the rate of response was outside the tolerances required in the design specification. I analysed the circuit design and could not identify a design error. I then devised a series of tests to identify the cause. The tests were selected to isolate the effects of the different input parameters and the operating environment. I identified that an input transducer was being affected by vibration. I researched catalogues and replaced the transducer with a more robust component. I redesigned the control circuitry to accommodate the characteristics of the new components. I retested the system and it worked within specification.( PE 2.1)

You must be able to relate every paragraph in you CDR to a competency element.

If you look at the competencies required in competency element PE 2.1 for professional engineers you will see there are four sub-elements  To claim the element you need to give evidence of actions which tell of things you have done to meet every sub-element. In brief for PE 2.1 the sub-elements are about assessing assumptions, original analysis,  multidisciplinary factors and relating cause and effects.

Analyse each paragraph to be sure it provides the assessors with evidence of things you have done to demonstrate you have all the competency elements and sub-elements.

Write in the language and style that Engineers Australia want

There is the English language, the Australian language, and Engineers Australia language. The Engineers Australian “dialect” for writing career episode reports is a prescriptive writing style. It has the following characteristics:

• It is personal. The most frequently used word must be “I”
• It is active. I planned, I calculated, I measured, I obtained feedback, I researched - I did it my way.
• It is simple and clear
• It is full of facts and detail - THERE SHOULD BE NO UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS
• Everything relates to engineering competencies

Many of your career episodes will be working as part of a team. That is fine. You need to demonstrate you can interact and provide leadership and obtain support in a team. Your episode must clearly write about what you did as part of the team. “I prepared the technical scope for the supply of a new heat exchanger…..”

What is an unsubstantiated claim ?  It is simply a claim with no evidence: for example  ” I developed a good working relationship with the production team.”  You need to add evidence of the actions you took to develop this relationship to turn it from an assertion into evidence. This could be done by adding ”…..by providing written progress reports, holding weekly meetings, and getting their feedback on proposed design modifications.”

With every sentence you write, ask this question - “Do these words tell Engineers Australia about something I have done personally; actions which show them I have applied part(s) of elements of a competency?”

Don’t tell Engineers Australia what you know or how clever you are, tell them what you have done. This provides proof you can apply your knowledge: you have the competencies they are looking for. Engineers Australia assess your knowledge and skills from what you have done.

©Ian Little. All rights reserved, no part of this may be reproduced without permission rights from the publisher. Contact us www.tribuslingua.com.au

Engineering in Australia - Demand still Strong

Migrant’s job prospects in Engineering in Australia remain strong.

Australia still needs engineers according to Peter Taylor, Chief Executive of Engineers Australia. see the extract from Engineers Australia eNews 27 October 2008:

Reduced migration could stall infrastructure plans

With an estimated shortage of 28,000 engineering professionals in Australia, Engineers Australia said any proposals to cut Australia’s skilled migration program must be carefully targeted to avoid further impacts to the skills base needed to underpin major spending on infrastructure.
The chief executive of Engineers Australia, Peter Taylor, said: “At a time when Australian governments are relying on fast-tracking major infrastructure programs to stimulate economic activity and offset private sector funding constraints caused by the global financial crisis, it would be most ill-advised to cut back skills that Australia must have to underpin that urgent economic strategy.”
Taylor said the federal government’s decision to accelerate use of infrastructure funds was commendable but would be compromised if skilled migration were reduced.
“Australia’s inadequate professional engineering skills base has long been identified as a barrier to implementing infrastructure programs aimed at economic development and increasing our economic competitiveness.
“The skilled migration program is an important temporary fix until education reforms are able to deliver much-needed increases in domestic engineering graduates,” Taylor said.

Impact of the Global Downturn

Migrants in the Australian engineering sector will need to be better prepared to take advantage of changes as work will dry up in some areas, such as mining, and new opportunities will arise in others, such as infrastructure.

In preparing to migrate assess, your opportunities to contribute to the growing demand in the infrastructure sector and target engineering companies in Australia in this segment as potential employers

Migrant Engineers - Plan how to Land an Engineering Job in Australia

I spoke to a group of recently arrived migrant engineers in Melbourne, Australia last week. Not one member of the group had a plan of how they were going to land an engineering job in Australia. Not surprisingly some members of the group had made over 100 unsuccessful job applications.

Can you imagine seeing the newspaper headline

Project Succeeds Without Plan or Budget

I can’t. But I am constantly talking to migrant engineers who have no plan how they will land an engineering job in Australia.

“Making tens of identical applications to on line agencies is not applying for jobs - it is wasting your time and destroying your confidence.”

Ian Little - Author of Project Australia: Land that Engineering Job in Australia

You came to Australia for the good life. It won’t start until you have a job.

Develop a Project Plan - your Project Australia. Your path out of your current financial hardship eating into your savings.

Your plan will have these elements

Improving your Australian English

Accreditation of your qualifications by Engineers Australia

Becoming an active member of the Australian engineering profession

Preparing an Australian style CV

Demonstrating how your experience is relevant to Australian employers

Developing Australian networks

Learning what Australian employers are looking for

Write your headline:

Migrant Engineer Succeeds in Australia through Planning

Learn more about the Project Australia Engineers Migrate Australia Course

Engineers and Computing (IT) Professionals migrating to Australia

The Australian immigration department treats engineers and computing professionals differently. There is a 5 year experience requirement for computing professionals. There is no work experience required generally for engineers.

Engineers involved with computing often become confused with what their occupation really is. This is particularly true of engineers who have  undertaken post graduate studies in computing.

Do you know what you are?

I am not talking about your sexual persuasion here. That’s your own business. You may be able to choose whether to migrate as an engineer, a computing professional, or (heaven forbid) as a manager.

Australian Standard Classifications of Occupations

Occupations are listed in the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) dictionary. To assist with searches on the Skill Matching Database Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) codes are listed on the link below.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skill-code.htm

There is overlap in some categories  and the definitions are not all that clear. For example: you may be able to apply as either an analyst or a manager. Or you may apply for a visa in one category and be granted a visa in another. This is no drama - so long as they both have the same points for visa classification for general skilled migration purposes.

As there may be different points allocation for visa assessment you need to have a look at the options you have and their impact.

Check qualifications assessment requirements

The requirements for skills assessment differ for Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society. Go to their websites and get their qualifications assessment handbooks before you commit. Go to these websites.

http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/

http://www.acs.org.au/

NOTE:  The requirements for immigration and professional accreditation are separate. Check out the requirements for both.

The bottom line is you may have a choice !

Engineer, IT, ICT or computing professional. Assess your classification and the Australian ASCO codes when preparing to migrate.

Engineers - Are you really Ready to Migrate to Australia?

The Ready to Work Checklist for Engineers to Australia

Landing a job quickly after arrival in Australia is the key to successful migration. Here is a useful checklist for you to assess how well prepared you are to start life in a new country. A negative answer to any of the items listed is likely to mean delays in getting a job.

The equation goes something like this:

No work = spending savings = no fun

Kick start your new life by preparing properly

Ready for work checklist	Yes No
Conversational English satisfactory
Technical English satisfactory
Have planned regular English practice to improve English
Base Australian CV prepared
Knowledge of Australian OH&S standards
Knowledge of Quality Assurance standards
Have copy of key standard(s) for your discipline
Have appropriate visa to work in the region you are applying for work
Have a mentor
Qualifications assessed by Engineers Australia
Attending engineering networking functions
Registration (if required)
Receiving information on engineering in Australia e.g. magazines, web news services
Researched job market and selected potential employers
Detailed research on selected employers, ready to make job applications

This is taken form Project Australia: Land that Engineering Job in Australia.

©Ian Little. 2008 All rights reserved, no part of this may be reproduced without permission rights from the publisher. Contact us www.tribuslingua.com.au

Tips for Migration to Australia

So you are planning to migrate to Australia and think there is not much difference between Australia and the UK and you will get a job easily in Australia?

Take this test: Talk to an Australian about football. Once you have sorted out the name of the game, the pitch, the ball, the number of players in each team, the referee, the linesmen, the goal umpires, the rules, and why everyone hates Collingwood, you may get an inkling that things are not quite the same on the opposite of the globe.

Understanding how Australian business and Australians are different, before you hit the ground and discover you cannot see a kangaroo for miles, is critical to successful migration. The key to successful migration is to land a job quickly. This requires an understanding of the lingo and rules of the Australian game.

Job hunting methods used in other countries just don’t work in Australia.

In the Australian Jobs Pack for engineers and international students migrating to Australia the examples are from engineering, but the principles apply to all occupations. Doing your homework before you pack your bags can make or break your migration experience. The premise is simple – treat your migration as a project, your Project Australia. The Projects objective – Land a Job in Australia

You don’t have to be an engineer to be a project manager, but you do have to be disciplined enough to make a plan and follow it. Here is how to do it.

Step 1

Develop a schedule and a budget. The plan has to include absolutely everything; starting from where in Australia do you want to live and visas, through to costs for settling, Australian registration, job hunting costs. Is your occupation on the Australian occupations in demand lists for skilled migration? The budget is linked to the schedule. Blowing out your schedule will blow out your budget.

TIP – Work out who will impact on or be impacted by your migration. Make the most of all who will assist you, and work out how to handle the negative influences.

Step 2

Get your qualifications assessed by the appropriate Australian authority. Do this while you are still working. Being unemployed, or working in an unskilled job waiting for accreditation of qualifications, costs you money.

TIP – Be ready to start work the day you arrive in Australia.

Step 3

Develop a plan to get a job in Australia. If you land in Australia and pick up the local newspapers and browse the internet you will only be looking at about a third of the job vacancies. Your plan could be to be sponsored by a State, region or company.

TIP – Try and get a job before you take off. You can try UK companies and exporters who have offices in Australia. Or the opposite – get a job with a UK branch of an Australian company and transfer to Australia.

Step 4

Australianise your CV. Australian CVs are different from US and UK CVs. Australian employers want to see what you have done – not so much on qualifications, position or status of company. Create a base CV which includes all your skills to be a base to work from for job applications. This is your database of experience and skills.

TIP – Pay attention to the ‘soft’ skills. Because Australian business is structured differently than in the UK, you may not be able to find an identical job to the one you have. Having a strong understanding of all your skills will help you identify a wider range of job opportunities.

Preferably do all of the above before you get on a plane.

Step 4

Develop Networks. This is a big challenge. Australians are big networkers. You are a novice playing an away game. You need to use your internet searching skills to find people in your line of business. For engineers, this is pretty easy as starting from the Engineers Australia website you find many affiliated specialist engineering organisation and when they have functions.

TIP – Networking is a two way game. You have to share information with others.

Step 5

Research potential employers. This is your market research. Crawl all over their web sites looking at every single page. Also look through business and financial sites. Look at their competitors; know why they are different, or at least why they think they are.

TIP – Look at the Chairman’s half yearly report. This gives the most up to date information on the latest projects won and company developments.

Step 6

Target your job applications. Every employer and every position is different: every job application should be different. From your base CV ‘database’ you create a view of you to match what the potential employer is looking for.

TIP – Use the words and phrase in your application that a company uses in its communications. Get them thinking ‘This person talks the talk, I think they can walk the walk!’

Step 7

Know the answers before they are asked at the job interview. There are a number of Australian websites which provide a range of typical questions Australian employers ask.

TIP – Be able to talk in the finest detail about any of your work experience, and how relevant it is to the job you are applying for.

Project Australia is an essential tool for overseas qualified engineers looking for work in Australia. The multimedia Jobs Pack covers a range of data including the demographics of the Australian engineering industry and organisations; the labour market; an overview of visas; accreditation; planning; the hidden job market; creating CVs; addressing selection criteria and job interviews. A specific chapter has been devoted to international students. The principles contained in Project Australia are simple: apply project management skills to develop your future Australian career and follow a detailed plan. The book, DVD and CD take the reader incrementally through this planning process highlighting a comprehensive collection of resources and references.

The Australian Jobs Pack for Engineering Migrants and International Students, consisting of a book, DVD and CD, is available online and is supported by an on-line blog where questions are answered by the Author.

For further information:

Project Australia

P.S. The reason everyone hates Collingwood FC is because they have a black and white strip, like Newcastle United FC.

CDR Writing Style for Engineers Australia - An Example

A competency demonstration report (CDR) requires migrant engineers applying to Engineers Australia to write three career episode reports (CERs). Here is an example of writing style for a career episode report (CER). This example is taken from Engineers Australia website.

The purpose of the CDR is to demonstrate:
• how you have applied your engineering knowledge and skills;
• that such application meets the competency standards of the relevant occupational category in Australia.

Your CER is to be printed on A4 sheets, in English, in narrative form, using the first person singular and should describe the specific contributions you have made.

This example is taken from the Engineers Australia Handbook - Chartered Status A HANDBOOK FOR APPLICANTS. You can download an electronic copy of this handbook from the Engineers Australia website.

APPENDIX D

EXAMPLE OF CAREER EPISODE REPORT
(For additional example CERs please refer to http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/)
Professional Engineer

Career Episode Title: Switch Board Upgrade Acme Widgets	Competency Element Claimed
Dates of Career Episode: 25.02.98 - 3.10.98
The project consisted of upgrading the main switchboard for the Acme Widget Company. It was my responsibility to determine the total power requirements for the new plant, calculate the power consumption of the existing plant and determine the maximum available power supplied through an existing board and the 11kV/415V transformer.After analysing the available information, I deduced that at least three alternatives for powering the new plant existed. A separate 11kV feeder could be brought onto the site to energise a new transformer and main board, the existing main board could be replaced with a new board or the existing main board could be upgraded. The last two options required the feeder cables to the main board to be upgraded. Technically, all three options were acceptable, although the first two allowed for a greater flexibility for expansion in future years.I prepared estimates for each of the options. The client engineer indicated that minimising the capital cost of the plant was of a higher priority than enhanced flexibility for expansion. On this basis, I issued a written recommendation indicating that, although other technical solutions existed, the upgrading of the main board involved the lowest capital cost and still provided the new plant with sufficient power requirements. The client accepted this option.I selected and sized power cables using Powerpack software. I simulated the limits in current-carrying capacity and length of runs on the basis of voltage drop using this tool. I also performed simulation of the maximum number of cables that could be installed on a single cable ladder and in underground conduits.For the PLC system I applied a functional specification already in use by our Company. A subsection of this specification listed requirements of a Factory Acceptable Test (FAT) to be conducted at the configuration supplier’s premises. I designed this test, the aim of which was to provide the consulting engineer with a reasonable confidence in the PLC software before it was installed and commissioned on-site. In a controlled environment and using the same PLC system hardware configuration to be installed on-site, various input signals were generated through a test rig to simulate field instruments. PLC outputs were recorded to verify the intended operation of the PLC program, as specified in the functional specification. During the test, a number of problems surfaced with the configuration. The client engineer was present at the test and, after consultation with him, I gave recommendations and directions to the PLC programmer to overcome perceived problems and improve operation of the plant.	E3.1 – Determines engineering requirementsC2.3 – Implements planning and design processC2.4 - Reviews the design to achieve acceptance
Signature of Candidate:
Candidate’s Verifier/s Name: Engineering Qualifications: (or Engineers Australia Membership Number) I verify that the above narrative is a true account of the candidates own work Signature:

The elements claimed in the above example are for a chartered status application.  The competency elements for qualifications assessment for migration are given in the Migration Skills Assessment Handbook.

Members of Engineers Australia are able to access further examples of CERs from the Engineers Australia website : http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/

Be Professional - that’s part of being an Engineer in Australia

I meet many newly arrived migrant engineers in Australia. Many fail to make a good first impression. They put themselves at a disadvataage before they have even spoken by presenting poorly.

Every time you go to an event to meet other engineers you may meet a potential employer - Prepare properly.

An Australian employer wants an engineer who will make his company look good. Some one who will impress customers.Here are some things you should do every time you are going to a networking event or making a cold call or job interview:

Dress

As a professional engineer, you should look like a professional. A suit (and tie for men) is standard dress even in hot parts of the country. An exception is construction sites where you can be more practical. But look smart. Be clean, with tidy hair, and be clean shaven (unless you have a beard). You are selling yourself; look your best. If in doubt, dress up.

Behaviour and body language

You are on show the moment you walk through the door. If you are offhand or rude to the receptionist, others will see and will not be impressed. When you enter a room, smile and look everyone in the eye. If you are carrying a briefcase, have it in your left hand; you need to be ready to shake hands with people as you meet them. Shake hands firmly with both men and women.

Smalltalk

Generally employers will want to put you at ease. They will ask questions like “Did you find our office okay?” Answer with a sentence such as “Yes, thanks. The instructions given were good. It took longer than I had expected due to the traffic.” Everyone will feel awkward if just you say “Yes.” Be prepared to talk about the weather, a common subject to open conversations. The next most popular subject is any current major sporting event involving Australians.

Read the newspaper or watch the TV news so you can talk about poplar topics. It takes surprisingly little knowledge to hold a conversation by making broad statements and asking general questions. For example, Australians love cricket, but it is a complex and mysterious game to many people. However, if you know the Australian cricket team has just won or lost a match, you can always comment: “Did you see the cricketers win/lose yesterday? They seem to be playing well/not so well at present.”

Such smalltalk, or idle conversation, is an important sign that you will be able to talk with colleagues in the workplace. Practice smalltalk. It puts you at ease and creates a good first impression.

In Australia it is important to make a good first impression.

Understand Engineers Australia Code of Ethics when preparing CDRs

In preparing competency demonstration reports (CDR) when applying to Engineers Australia for qualification assessment, it will help if you are familiar with ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA - CODE OF ETHICS.  Australian employers will expect you be understand and follow the behaviours in the code of ethics, even if you are not a member of Engineers Australia. The code of ethics reflects the expectations of Australian employers and the Australian public.

Obtain full details from Engineers Australia website : http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/

Here is an extract from their handbook.

The members of Engineers Australia are committed to the Cardinal Principles of the Code:

• to respect the inherent dignity of the individual
• to act on the basis of a well informed conscience
• to act in the interest of the community, and
• to uphold its Tenets.

The Tenets of the Engineers Australia Code of Ethics are:

1	members shall place their responsibility for the welfare, health and safety of the community before their responsibility to sectional or private interests, or to other members
2	members shall act honour, integrity and dignity in order to merit the trust of the community and the profession
3	members shall act only in areas of their competence and in a careful and diligent manner
4	members shall act with honesty, good faith and equity without discrimination towards all in the community
5	members shall apply their skill and knowledge in the interest of their employer or client for whom they shall act with integrity without compromising any other obligation to these Tenets
6	members shall, where relevant, take reasonable steps to inform themselves, their clients and employers, of the social, environmental, economic and other possible consequences which may arise from their actions
7	members shall express opinions, make statements or give evidence with fairness and honesty and on the basis of adequate knowledge
8	members shall continue to develop relevant knowledge, skill and expertise throughout their careers and shall actively assist and encourage those with whom they are associated, to do likewise
9	members shall not assist in or induce a breach of these Tenets and shall support those who seek to uphold them if called upon or in a position to do so

When preparing your CDR and when applying for jobs on Australia, you need to be able to demonstrate you understand ethical standards. This is done through your actions. The important word assessors and employers want to hear is “I”.  Your CDR will includes many statement similar to “I did it like this.”

Engineers Migrate Australia Pack Video Clip

Attention Engineers! Everything you need to know about migrating to and working in Australia. Play sample Video clip …

This is a video sample from Project Australia - The Engineers Career Pack featuring Ian Little author of Project Australia.

Learn more about the Project Australia Engineers Careers Pack (Migrants and International Students)

Ian Little and Ailis Logan interviewed in The Australian Newspaper

“Other Side of Think Local” September 20th 

Demanding ‘local experience’ doesn’t guarantee the best person for the job, writes Karalyn Brown

‘BILL Gates wouldn’t get a job in Australia because he has no local experience,” says Ailis Logan, the founder of Tribus Lingua, a consultancy assisting skilled migrants find jobs. Logan is only half joking. She believes that Australian employers value local experience much more than their counterparts in Europe and the US.

For the many overseas professionals enticed here by the lure of a bountiful job market, the difficulty of finding a job without local experience is no joke.

What does “no local experience” really mean? Are we so parochial that we’d reject Bill Gates if he sent us his resume? Do we run our businesses in a uniquely Australian way? Many of us will go overseas to work, valuing the career and life experience we bring back — yet we appear to view the experience that others bring here with suspicion.

Ian Little, the author of Project Australia: Land that Engineering Job in Australia, suggests our geographic isolation has contributed to our conservatism. As the senior engineering manager at engineering giant Worely Parsons, he’s hired many overseas professionals. He believes that a lack of Australian experience is actually the biggest barrier any newcomer will face. Employers appear worried about the communication skills of skilled immigrants.

Poorly written resumes from overseas professionals may fuel employers’ doubts about immigrants’ communication skills. Little and Logan say they see many bad resumes from recent arrivals. This makes it harder for employers to assess overseas experience. Logan recommends that newcomers provide context around places they’ve worked, including the challenges and drivers of the businesses they’ve worked in. It can be difficult