Relocating to Australia...

[James]

Hi guys,

 

My better half works in IT & has been offered a job in Australia (Brisbane) for a few years (at least 1 year, & possibly up to 4). The visa will be organised by the new employer and they're just waiting for us to give them the green light.

 

My position is slightly different. I'm a registered Architect & have recently made the move to self-employment, working from home. It gives me a degree of flexibility. At the minute, most work is drafting (planning applications, working drawings, etc.), with a bit of 3D work thrown in. I'm keen to do more 3D, but am putting more effort into establishing good relationships with clients. A lot of work comes from repeat clients, on a freelance basis.

 

Anyway, I know there are a few aussies regularly on this site... just wanted to get an insight into life as an Architect in oz... how does it pay? Is the industry busy (particularly around Brisbane)?

 

I'm trying to weigh up all the factors... the package being offered to my girlfriend looks quite attractive. Just checking to see what the consequences for me would be. I haven't fielded the question to any of my clients about continuing to do work for them, just from the other side of the planet. Its a possibility, but not sure how practical it would be. Option 2 would be to do freelance work over there... but I don't know if I know enough about the industry there. Then option 3 would be to look for contract/full-time employment... again, my knowledge of work practices is limited & I'm sure that would impact on the salary I'm offered.

 

In short, if we moved, I need to get a handle on what impact it would have on what I earn weighed against the benefits offered to my girlfriend.

 

Cheers,

 

James.

[archkre]

There is something in today world called "immigration laws".

I don't know exactly the Aussi laws, but if your girlfriend's new job was in US.,

you could only stay at home not being authorized to work!

Beware and check out Australian immigration law.

Thanks

[SandmanNinja]

I had a close friend go through this recently.

 

Basically, she can work and live here. You would have to have some sort of long-term visa granted OFF-SHORE (i.e. before you get here). DO NOT try to enter the country on a tourist visa (good for 3 to 6 months tops) and then convert - it will probably cost you a painful seperation down the road.

 

You might be able to get some sort of visa if your girlfriend (who has a business visa) guarantees to provide for your day-to-day activities.

 

You will not legally be able to work.

 

Immigration will be VERY WORRIED that you will:

a) overstay your temp. visa

and

b) work illegally

 

You can try to apply for a business visa for yourself. It generally works on a point system. 4-year-degree helps, as does certifications in your industry.

 

Some professional degrees transfer easily (right now, if you're a Doctor and willing to work in the heart of the outback, Welcome Aboard!) - some don't (like Lawyers).

 

A Migration Agent can help - but dont get a bad one!!

 

Good luck

[innerdream]

You might look into Westfield as an employer, they're based there. Huge company, shopping mall kings.

[Ernest Burden III]

Perhaps you could contact my friend Jane Grealy, who runs an architectural rendering company in Brisbane. I would bet she has some thoughts on the architectural scene in that area.

 

http://www.janegrealy.com.au/

 

If you contact her, tell her I said hello.

[vizwhiz]

sandmanninja

You might be able to get some sort of visa if your girlfriend (who has a business visa) guarantees to provide for your day-to-day activities.

 

You will not legally be able to work.

 

Immigration will be VERY WORRIED that you will:

a) overstay your temp. visa

and

b) work illegally

 

archkre

There is something in today world called "immigration laws".

I don't know exactly the Aussi laws, but if your girlfriend's new job was in US.,

you could only stay at home not being authorized to work!

Beware and check out Australian immigration law.

 

so what if he moves To Australia and works 'remotely' for his existing clients who are NOT in Australia?

 

does This count as 'not working' in Australia?

just idle curiousity. not sure how This all works

 

sounds like a 'global warning'

 

Thanks

 

Randy

[SandmanNinja]

sandmanninja

 

 

archkre

 

 

so what if he moves To Australia and works 'remotely' for his existing clients who are NOT in Australia?

 

does This count as 'not working' in Australia?

just idle curiousity. not sure how This all works

 

sounds like a 'global warning'

 

Thanks

 

Randy

 

But he would be performing that work from within Australia.

 

Unless he is independantly wealthy (and can show bank statements), he has to have a way of supporting himself.

 

If he comes over on another type of visa, overstays and/or does remote work and gets caught, then he's excluded for a period of 3 years from even applying to get in to Australia under any visa.

 

I'd say try to do what the girlfriend did - get a company to sponsor you. BUT - the sponsoring company has to show they advertised in 'X' amount of newspapers, etc for local talent and when the local talent pool was exhausted, then they tapped overseas resources.

[James]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for all the responses... particularly Ernest's contact in Brisbane (I checked out her site... very impressed).

 

Anyway, should've mentioned this in the original post, but the visa thing isn't really an issue. Can't quite remember how they phrased it, but as we've been living together for quite a while, I'm somehow covered under the visa they're sponsering for her... think they referred to 'de facto' status... although we're not married (yet), for the purpose of the visa, we'll be treated as if we are. Again, that might not be the exact phrase they used, but I've been assured that I won't have a problem.

 

My main question was in connection with the job prospects for me if we decided to go... again, as I'm self-employed its easier in principle for me to pack up & relocate... but I'm also considering the full-time employment situation too. Just trying to keep all my options open.

 

I'll be sure to follow-up with your contact Ernest... thanks again for that.

 

Any other advice is welcome.

 

Cheers,

 

James.

[Justin Hunt]

Get clarification from the immigration department. It isn't as straight forward as you are Defacto therfore you can work too.

 

Having gone through the hoops a few years ago it isnt easy. We got in on my wifes qualifications. Arch Vis isn't even recognized as a job on their lists. The whole process took 2 years. There are quicker ways but it's involved.

 

As to working in Brisbane, there are not that many jobs advertised for 3D work. Although there is a shortage of good experienced people. There is work going around. There is also alot of architectural work going but it is very competitive. Brisbane is gearing up for an upswing so there is alot of development underway. It is said that around 50 000 new arrivals come to Queensland every year.

 

Having said that, you will not find a job with out the relevant visa. Perminant or freelance. Companies are very strick about that. You will get asked the insane question of " Have you got Australian experience?":rolleyes:

If you are going to work for yourself, you will have to gat a ABN (Austrailan Buisness Number) from the tax office to operate. It makes it very difficult to opporate without one.

 

Good luck

 

JHV

[Ernest Burden III]

Many years ago my wife and I were seriously considering a move to Japan. The idea was that my wife would teach in an English school. But it was clear that I, as a freelance illustrator, would not be able to work there. As long as she was making enough money that would have been fine. I was going to put that year or two into painting architecture. In the end we didn't go for a number of reasons, one being that the city the company was suggesting locating my wife's position in was ugly as sin.

 

I've heard that Brisbane is far from ugly, quite the opposite. So being stuck there for a few years living off your wife's salary might not be all that bad. You'd have to do the cooking, but your days could be spent on the beach, and you could develop your artistic skills by drawing and painting the local architecture.

[guitarboy]

Hey, ive just recently moved up to Brisbane myself, not from overseas, like you guys, im from nth nsw. Brisbane is a pretty nice place to live and work, there are heaps of jobs going at the moment, i know my current employer could put on 20 new people today and we'd still be wanting more. Arch vis jobs are a little harder to come by, but most of the other jobs relating to architecture are really booming around here and will continue to due to the amount of growth and development going on in this part of australia.

 

and austraila as a whole is a very beautiful country, friendly people everywhere you go, whether your after sand, surf, snow, mountians, hills or valleys, australia has a bit of everything.

[Justin Hunt]

Just bring enough water with you, we need all we can get

 

JHV

[3D_IC]

I moved here from the uk just over a year ago. It took me 2 years to get a visa as a "graphic designer" The visa is the main problem, but if you contact an architectural practice they may sponsor you. This will be a little tricky as they have to prove that you can do the job that no australian can. This visa also means if you leave the job then you have to leave the country. You need to like the job

 

Try this architecture firm http://www.sydney.hassell.com.au/

 

I currently work for them as a 3d artist (Perth) and they have an office in Brisbane so i've been told. I was told that they can sponsor a set number of people, and are very short of people at the moment, in Perth anyway.

 

The gold coast is a very nice place to relocate

 

Good luck.