cherries1:
huge thanks to Zenkel for the AirAsia tip. I didn't find it stressful and I am so glad I saved some bucks taking that route. Thanks again

malkinburg:
New info. Transit visa to oz through Malaysia is on hold for now. U will have to apply for a social visa if u still want to transit. It is still 1k. Got mine few days back. My friend who applied was told to check back next week. Will update the forum when they start reissuing. If u still want cheap ticket through the Malaysian route u have to package ur application like ur going to visit Malay. Dem Don dey vex say we Don sabi de way.

deaero:
Please where can I download the SVP checklist. I have seen it on DIAC's site but it doesn't look normal copying and downloading from their page. I checked for it Immi.gov.au/checklists still proves abortive. Page not found. Somebody answer??!!

rolabettin:
Please house, am presently on www.booking.com to book a room temporarily, though I wasn't asked to pay for it beforehand but I was asked to put in my credit card number, so as to confirm the booking. Please, hope it's safe and who has used booking.com before please?

malkinburg:
Hey good day everyone. Happy new year.

Have been going through the forum everyday since sometime in 2013. I have learnt a lot from contributions from a lot of dedicated people I can't start to mention. To cut the long story short, me and my wife just got our subclass 573 visa after all the plenty drama and long thing my case officer put me through that I can't mentioning here.

Zenkel, Futuredon,Bossladymo, Equilibrium, and a host of others many thanks.

Brisbane here I come.

ArtistA:
Hi Everyone,

I applied for a Temporary skilled graduate Visa (18 months validity, multiple entry) which was approved some weeks back. I was given a one year window to turn up in Australia before it starts counting. I have a BEng (Nig) & MSc (UK) in Chem Eng. I'm in Nigeria at the moment and thankfully, participating in a recruitment process of which if am successfully, I might not really need to tow the visa path. (Not still convinced yet ). Truth is I love Nigeria and would be happy if I can contribute to making things work but unfortunately, the love has never been returned. Having this at the back of my mind, I always try to seek alternatives. So guyz,

I need advice (Especially from those currently in Australia) on how best to go about graduate job search in Australia.
I decided to give Australia a try because I heard there are lots of prospects there.
I am already searching online using search agencies like seek,careerone,gradconnection etc. How effective are these sites with respect to graduate job search?.
I am hoping to secure an offer here before travelling over as it will help determine so many things e.g travel destination/city, housing, proximity etc. Can this be done or do I have to set foot in Australia to achieve this? How soon from experience can I secure a job on either scenario?. ( I don't know anyone in Australia)
My past work experience has been internship roles in the O&G sector thus the search for grad positions. I'm open to contract or full time that can lead to Permanent Residency

I really need info/suggestions from as many of you as possible. You can refer me to those you know working in my field (recent graduates inclusive) if you don't have answers suited to my needs. My U.S (B1/B2) Visa expires mid next year and doesn't grant me working rights hence my focus on this.

Pardon me but I had to chip in the last sentence incase anyone has a broader or out of the box suggestion.

cc: Jennykadry
Manmeta
Watermelon
Okesammie
Nobody
bossladyMo

snowburn:


I dunno where to start from, cos the matter no be here Congrats on the new job and the visa as well. Forget about your love for Nigeria (you no love Naija reach me wallahi ) There are lots of Job prospects here in Australia, especially O/G (i mean right now till say maybe end of 2016).
Searching online is good, it works but Australia too like agents and agencies, so if you come down here in Perth and have a chat with an Agency like Bechtel or Hays, you most likely get a job faster than someone applying to the companies directly. I say this from my own experience and general observation. You can send these agencies apps online but trust me, if you go over and meet them in their office, there's a difference. (Australia man know man strong pass Naija own ooo na just say them dey do their own with class, with style, codedly)
I support your idea of securing an offer before travelling for some reasons; especially if the Naija offer you just got is in O/G preferably a MNC.
But if you choose to travel, head straight to Perth or Queensland cos the major O/G projects are in full swing now. Of course there's Darwin too, huge projects but i dont wanna go into that here.

Either way, whether trying from here or abroad, its achievable but there some factors common to both that will determine if and how fast you'll get an offer.

1. Permanent Residency i'm sure this is an easy guess. Australian employers (most especially in O/G) know that the locals come first before any other type of visa. Of course we believe in miracles so a company could take you and sponsor but what are the chances? yeah those slim chances could be your portion, i dunno.

2. Qualification/ Experience: you may be surprised to hear this but in Oz, THE TRADES RULE. The truck drivers, electricians, offsiders, etc. they make big money(talk about 100k - 150k per annum just for an apprentice;depending on the company sha, think of how much you'll make as an experienced mechanical fitter, or crane operator, etc )These guys make big money even more than Professionals and the Trade Union is Strong (always there to protect their interests) and those roles are the easiest way to get in into the industry but you need to have Local licences, registrations, permits and qualifications. Most roles require just a Cert II, Cert III, maximum of Cert IV.
They dont care much about your Diploma,BSc, MSC...only for some (very few number) positions and of course considerable experience has to go with it. The easiest way to get in with this high qualifications is through graduate programs that come annually (fair enough, cos a tradie cant apply for that ) Or better still man know man.
Recently, i think in June, WA passed a law that only PR and Citizens can procure the Maritime Card which you require to work offshore in Western Australian waters. I'm sure you know what that means.

In fact sometimes they threaten people from the east coast
If you dont have local experience, FIFO experience, the slimmer your chance gets, technically speaking.
If you can get an internship, that'd be fantastic.

There are some pros and cons( a lot of talking points) of being on ground or trying from abroad that time wont permit me to go into here.
Good luck.

malkinburg:
@ zenkel.

Oboy how was the experience going the Malaysian route. Hope u didnt experience any drama on ur interchange from Malay to Oz Any flight delays from air-asia How will you rate their service?? Abeg play the cassette may boyz know wetin to expect when time don reach. holla

malkinburg:
@ zenkel.

Oboy how was the experience going the Malaysian route. Hope u didnt experience any drama on ur interchange from Malay to Oz Any flight delays from air-asia How will you rate their service?? Abeg play the cassette may boyz know wetin to expect when time don reach. holla

equlibrium:
hmmmm
gtb
I had a very bad experience with them.
I used them to pay my fees via my atm card, they charged me 172naira to an aussie dollar, when the intl rate for that day was 150 to a dollar.
is it a good idea therefore to come with a gtb card?
Cos I was thinking going for some other bank, you can imagine paying 200k over the expected amount on the day I paid my fees.

iriferi: @house how much do I have to hold in cash when travelling? Maximum cash to hold...

cconcept:

bro/sis,could you reconfirm these destinations because i just checked and i could not see NZ and USA on their website

juliana13139: the only time you get to be questioned that way is when you actually enter the country and then continue your journey.....EG instead of just making a transit you actually visit malaysia for a few days then move on the Australia...thats when they begin to question you...the truth is most of the airlines from naija except etihad will usually take you through thailand if your using egypt air, then etiopian air will tke you through singapore......the list goes on and on.even qatar...guess the buttom line is what you can afford esp if your bringing your family along you get to save enough.....plus it reduces the very long 13hrs of seating.

cconcept:

i was about to stress the same thing(the bolded).
while we are looking at cutting costs,we should not overlook this important point to aviod unnecessary embarrassment at the airport.

bossladyMo:

And I gave my opinion about it. But he had to go all personal about it...you would think he owns the airline or sumn! Haba

bossladyMo: So because of how much, I go come waka dis kain Isrealites journey lol....when I can easily get Los - Dxb - Mel/Syd or Los - Jnb - Per for a slightly higher price, but shorter travel time, fewer connections and no extra transit visa embassy bla bla stress...

cconcept:

thank you.
how long was the flight from Malaysia to Australia?

cconcept:

what about luggage? did you have to pay extra or the transit flight accommodated your 23kg bag(i assume you will have 2)

bossladyMo:


Pls which airline is this o? Cos I'm quite knowledgable in the travel industry, and this fare sounds unreal. Even if it were one-way sef...

equlibrium:
solid link brov, thanks a bunch for that.
along with not including bank statement and such, I won't have to submit all those financial documents right? All those pay slips and stuff?
plus since I will be sponsoring myself, will that be an issue?
Cos I don't see the relevance of sponsorship letter and affidavit if I will be paying myself.
Anyone gone through this and was self sponsored before?

equlibrium: Emmm. . .
hello house, before ya'll tear into me lemi apologise first.
I'm sorry cos I know its probably already been discussed somewhere back back back but I wana just hear from people who have passed the hurdle.
please what are the documents required for svp (that you submitted to get your own visa).
I know it has less documentation, I don't know what to put and what to leave out. So I want input from people who have gotten visas and what they submitted during their process.

nicholls2013: hello house, please can anyone help me with cheap tuition universities or TAFE programme for HSE courses and does a person have to pay full tuition before Visa can be granted and what are the documents required to apply for a visa. Thanks

xkunzo: advise on Australia tourist visa.. all streams... and chance of getting visa as virgin passport..please house i need your urgent help on this..

chookudi: you mean accomodation wise i guess...I would have loved to help out but i am staying with a relation who is married with kids and do not want to "pass my boundary" by looking to bring someone else in. I can however try to get contact info for shared apartments at least for you to stay for a while and then u can be on the lookout for another if you dont like it. Meanwhile you can also browse, google and check up on accomodation close to where you are going to in sydney. You can check for backpackers accomodation. I think its relatively cheaper than other forms of accommodation.

Haustraliah:
Is it compulsory to deposits tuition fee before applying for visa?