Working in Australia
Working in Australia
(OP)
Hello all, just wondering if any engineers here had an opinion of working in Australia. I'm originally from the states, but I have been working as a mechanical engineer in Japan for a number of years. I'm getting a bit tired of the long hours, general restrictiveness and basically just looking for a change.
I don't have a solid reason for Australia, visited there once, seemed like a nice place, nice weather, bit pricey though. Though I don't mind overtime, staying at work until 11 every other day isn't my idea of a well balanced life and I have an image that Australians value their personal and family time.
I have my bachelor's degree in ME, am proficient in CAD, have a varied work experience, and passed the highest level of the Japanese proficiency exam. I would like to think I have a good work ethic as well, and I wouldn't be contemplating a change if I really wasn't doubting long term prospects here.
Is it hard as a foreigner to find engineering work in Australia? How's the life in general? Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated!
Best,
Medeski
I don't have a solid reason for Australia, visited there once, seemed like a nice place, nice weather, bit pricey though. Though I don't mind overtime, staying at work until 11 every other day isn't my idea of a well balanced life and I have an image that Australians value their personal and family time.
I have my bachelor's degree in ME, am proficient in CAD, have a varied work experience, and passed the highest level of the Japanese proficiency exam. I would like to think I have a good work ethic as well, and I wouldn't be contemplating a change if I really wasn't doubting long term prospects here.
Is it hard as a foreigner to find engineering work in Australia? How's the life in general? Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated!
Best,
Medeski





RE: Working in Australia
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Working in Australia
There is a lot of rather nasty wildlife that tends to scare off a lot of people, including such things as drop bears and hoop snakes, not to mention the crocodiles, sharks and jellyfish, highly venomous snakes and spiders too.
There are a lot of things to do depending on your location as well, though often the most popular pastime is actually synchronised inebriation, quite popular in Alice Springs, at least.
On a less serious note I've worked with quite a few foreigners, so it mustn't be too hard to get employment as an engineer in Australia.
RE: Working in Australia
Synchronised inebriation, eh? I better get practicing. Is that an Olympic event now?
I love the outdoors, and getting away from the megatropolis that is Tokyo. And if you're gonna kick the bucket, it might as well be doing something cool like fighting a croc or shark.
I've only been to Sydney, but I heard Perth is nice too.
RE: Working in Australia
The country is approaching full employment, so getting a job should be easy enough... but it might well be in mining, the good side of which is that the pay is great.
Houses are expensive here due to various ludicrous policies, the good news there is that that house of cards is unlikely to come tumbling down.
In terms of purchasing price parity Australia is expensive for things like cars and houses, and beer in pubs, but staying alive is cheap. Engineers earn about twice the national median wage, although mining distorts that.
Despite the lazy image hours worked are quite high, offset by 10 public holidays, and many places flex one day a month off, and have 4 weeks leave, and one week's long service leave. The famous Australian sickie is very organisation dependent.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Working in Australia
Well, maybe I'll take a look around and see what kind of job I could get. My current work (heavy machinery) could probably be translated into mining. Though I was thinking about bio-med too. Anyway, thanks again!
RE: Working in Australia
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Working in Australia
Be young!
RE: Working in Australia
Not sure about in Aus but in some places they can't legally ask your age etc. Of course, that's more employers than recruiters.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Working in Australia
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Working in Australia
I believe that salaries for mech are about the same as the US, but dont quote me on that as it is not my industry.
RE: Working in Australia
Dont belive what they say about engineers in high demands, it is all lies. I know engineers here that are going to Japan to find work.
check the australian immigraion for an article showing that 50% of all professional immigrants end up leaving Australia. this should explain it ..........
RE: Working in Australia
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Working in Australia
RE: Working in Australia
I have never struggled for work after finding my first job, I am earning more than I ever dreamt of in my home country, I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects generally by being thrown in the deep end.
Based on oil and gas and mining, some states (NSW and Victoria) appear to be a bit more temperamental in continuous work, but the other resource risk states are always looking for engineers.
The boom area is currently Queensland with four CSG to LNG plants proposed. Darwin also has a prosperous feel and has a lot of opportunities for younger motivated engineers.
I would not hold great expectations of a recruiter offering much assistance until you are in Australia. A lot of employers are happy to assist with visas.
Good luck
RE: Working in Australia
from your posts I can suggest you look into regional areas in Queensland & Western Australia. PNG(Papua New Guiena) is not a bad option either but bit unsafe.
There is a visible shortage in regional areas as everybody wants to live in capital cities & wanna avoid regional towns. You will find the salaries & work culture is much relaxed in regional towns. There is a lot of outdoor activities there aswell. Avoid very small towns with < 10k population. If in small town rty to get housing in the package. There is a lot of FIFO work as well.
Good Luck
RE: Working in Australia
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Working in Australia
Some things I learned along the way. They are not like the States. I was asked how I looked, since they don't want people looking certain ways. Sometimes you will be asked for a picture with your CV. To me it felt like it was the States during the 50's. Of course I am now 31, but that's how I picture asking that kind of stuff follows.
Also pay was pretty good. I was at the time going by the exchange rate to get a good feel if I saved up what I would be saving up when I left the country back to the States, if I ever did.
Some fun facts, did you know it's normal to drink at work on Fridays there? They also dress in suits in the office. Either way I was offered another job pretty quickly through the recruiter, but just wasn't so into the idea of going through the Visa process again.
Remember you will get a sponsored Visa for being in the engineering field along with a plane ticket there and some form of time in a hotel while you figure out where to live. That was with 5 years of experience under my belt.
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog
RE: Working in Australia
As for the capital cities, sure, with the notable exception of Darwin, a lot of them do wear suits in the office.
As for the drinks on Fridays, it varies depending largely on location and employer. At least one employer I've had shouted drinks for Friday lunch, others, alcohol was banned.
Medeski, depending on where you may be thinking of working, I'd be looking to see if theres recognition of your qualification in Australia, and whether your line of work may require registration (Queensland has different requirements to all the other states). Granted, that may depend on what you can get here, but its worth being aware of it at any rate.
RE: Working in Australia
You only put the dates, names and degrees earned for school, and dates, company and position for employment.
FreddyNurk - I'll look into that, thanks for the heads up. I'm in a exempt industry in Japan and the US, but I guess it depends what kind of work I find in Australia.
RE: Working in Australia
RE: Working in Australia
Also, I thought employers weren't allowed to ask for a picture with your CV - I've never included one or been asked what I look like.
Medeski, I know a lot of employers prefer people with 5+ years under their belts to have their CPEng, not a deal breaker though, and it would be easy enough for you to earn/claim it while you are here.
As others have mentioned, regional Queensland and Western Australia are quite easy to land jobs in. Just be careful, some places are pretty isolated and don't exactly have a whole lot going on.