i live and work in sydney. it may all depend on your visa situation when you arrive. i've only worked for small firms, and i bought my own visa (expensive). you may need an employment agency (or recruiment agency) which will take a chunk out of your salary. with 5 years of experience, i'd imagine you'd be a hot item. i'd need to know the firms you're interested in and your visa situation to really be of help. good luck. by the way, check out <www.butterpaper.com> and <www.raia.com.au> for more info on firms and links to their websites, as well as current events regarding the built environment.

Thank you so much for that information! I actually don't have a visa at all, was hoping to get an offer of employment and then have them sponsor me. I didn't know that one could buy their own visa (!). I've been looking seriously at agencies, but they all seem to say that you already need a visa or don't bother applying. I was planning on coming for a short visit (one month or so) interview, get a sense of the firms I'd like to work for, and then hope one of them would sponsor me. I can't imagine why they wouldn't; I have a lot of experience both within architecture and in other fields. As for what firms I'd work for, I think it would be best to continue in email, if that's acceptable to you. My address is spatialagency@gmail.com Would very much appreciate hearing from you.

ps, not sure why it gave me a different moniker this time (?) but it did; we're the same person.<s>

Ihooq,
Any luck getting work in Australia yet? I am in a situation similar to yours, tried applying for work through employment agencies but they have all insisted I have a work permit before I apply. I dont know how that works? I have a work experience of 4+ years and was hoping I land a job and then apply for visa.