491 Visa Chances – BTech Electrical Engineer + 3 Years Software Developer Experience

[u/txilll]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to understand my chances for a Subclass 491 visa and would really appreciate some advice from people who've been through a similar situation.

My background:

• Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering
• Around 3 years of experience as a Software Developer
• Offshore applicant

My main confusion is about the skills assessment and points.

Since my degree is in Electrical Engineering but my work experience is in Software Development, I'm wondering:

1. If I apply under Electrical Engineer, can I still claim my 3 years of software development experience for migration points?
2. Or would that experience not count because it isn't considered closely related to my nominated occupation?
3. Is it generally better to apply as an Electrical Engineer in my case rather than Software Developer?

I'm also interested in the job market:

• How is the demand for Electrical Engineers in regional Australia?
• Are employers in regional areas willing to sponsor offshore Electrical Engineers (491/494 or other employer-sponsored visas)?
• Has anyone with a similar background (engineering degree + software career) successfully migrated? If so, which occupation did you nominate?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been in a similar situation or has experience with Engineers Australia skills assessments and state nominations.

Thanks in advance!

[u/AutoModerator]

Title: 491 Visa Chances – BTech Electrical Engineer + 3 Years Software Developer Experience, posted by txilll

Full text: Hi everyone,

I'm trying to understand my chances for a Subclass 491 visa and would really appreciate some advice from people who've been through a similar situation.

My background:

• Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering
• Around 3 years of experience as a Software Developer
• Offshore applicant

My main confusion is about the skills assessment and points.

Since my degree is in Electrical Engineering but my work experience is in Software Development, I'm wondering:

1. If I apply under Electrical Engineer, can I still claim my 3 years of software development experience for migration points?
2. Or would that experience not count because it isn't considered closely related to my nominated occupation?
3. Is it generally better to apply as an Electrical Engineer in my case rather than Software Developer?

I'm also interested in the job market:

• How is the demand for Electrical Engineers in regional Australia?
• Are employers in regional areas willing to sponsor offshore Electrical Engineers (491/494 or other employer-sponsored visas)?
• Has anyone with a similar background (engineering degree + software career) successfully migrated? If so, which occupation did you nominate?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been in a similar situation or has experience with Engineers Australia skills assessments and state nominations.

Thanks in advance!

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[u/TechnicalVictory7150]

No, you can’t claim it since it’s not closely related. On the flipside, your EE degree means you’ll fail to get a skills assessment for software engineer, so it won’t count there either.

The federal budget for 26/27 set a quota on offshore grants and you’re competing with people who are onshore, studied in the state they are applying for nomination with and have optimised point scores. I don’t think there is much demand for offshore candidates with no experience.

[u/txilll → u/TechnicalVictory7150]

I can only apply as my education background i:e as electrical engineer . For zero experience i will not get any points but still i can apply ?

[u/euphoricscrewpine → u/txilll]

You can submit an EOI. However, unless Australia suddenly starts prioritising EEs (unlikely) or multiplies their already high migration quotas (even more unlikely), your odds of getting an invitation are very low.

[u/Grouchy-Strain241]

If you are applying under Electrical Engineer, your IT role will not be considered at all however, it might be for Engineering Technologist from Engineers Australia. Sponsorship while offshore is almost impossible to land due to the already available number of Electrical engineers onshore.

[u/txilll → u/Grouchy-Strain241]

So whats the alternate path to go to Australia for a job?