IT Contract: Sydney vs London

[minestrone]

Working holiday in the sun is becoming more and more tempting by the day! What is the best job board to use for gigs in oz? I'm currently searching on Jobserve but there inst a great deal on there and other sites I've tried off google seem quite minor.

Don't expect to land there on a tourist visa and pick up a job with no hassles, unlike here where it seems you can get in under a truck at Dover and be working in IT the next morning Australia's immigration control is very strict and many of the companies will not entertain the prospect of hiring you if you have not done it properly which will take a year.

[d000hg]

You'd have to change your CUK login. Are you ready for that sort of disruption to your life?

[DieScum]

I am working in Sydney. The contracting culture is more of a perma-temp thing although rates can be decent due to the exchange rate.

Cost of living is substantially higher than the UK but it's a cracking place to live. Spring now and it is like the height of summer.

Unemployment is low so fairly easy to get a job.

As a contractor you could get the umbrella company (like Lester Associates) to sponsor you for the 457, for which they take about a grand a month, but it is a lot harder to get contracts as agents always want someone in yesterday. You'd be much better with a permanent visa.

[aussielong]

Its ideal for a couple of years

For a British contractor that is intending to go back to Britain and live after coming to Sydney to work for a while - its good now. You can make a lot of cash.

This is because of:

Screwed up exchange rate that wont be improving for at least 2 years - thanks Mervin King.

High contract rates in Sydney due to demand.

LAFHA meaning as a temporary resident you get a huge tax reduction.

Relatively high interest rates on your savings in the banks.


It's a different story if you intend on coming here permanently. You lose the tax breaks. Buying property is hard, etc.

[aussielong]

Don't expect to land there on a tourist visa and pick up a job with no hassles, unlike here where it seems you can get in under a truck at Dover and be working in IT the next morning Australia's immigration control is very strict and many of the companies will not entertain the prospect of hiring you if you have not done it properly which will take a year.

Depends on your skill set of course - but you can always get some phone interviews sorted before you come.

You want to aim for a 457 visa which you can get through management agencies or direct from employer sponsorship. Backpacker visa wont get you far.

These guys used to do it. Not sure how good/bad they are: Connections visa and migration services

Minestrone is correct, you have to do your homework and a bit of spadework before you come.