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Before we migrated to Australia, my wife and I were working in the accounting and construction sectors respectively while living in Hong Kong. Because of the demanding nature of our jobs, both of us were constantly stressed and exhausted. We badly wanted to quit our jobs, take a long break, and move somewhere outside Hong Kong for a completely fresh start. So we applied to migrate to Australia through the skilled migration program. After our visas were granted, we arrived in Melbourne in December 1999. At the time, we were both in our thirties and looking forward to starting a family and enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle.
Initially, we rented a unit in Melbourne's northeast. Once we felt settled, we began looking for work. At first, we were confident that we would find jobs easily, as we were only seeking positions that would provide enough income to meet our basic needs. However, it did not take long for me to realise that finding work was not as easy as I had expected, even though we both had relevant professional experience.
My wife found her first job in Australia after a few months of searching. Having previously worked in an accounting firm, she accepted a position as an accounting assistant with a retail company selling computer hardware in Melbourne's inner west. It was a step down from her previous role, but she was happy to take the offer because we urgently needed the income. Looking back, I think it may have set back her career development.
As for my own job search, I submitted countless applications for positions ranging from senior to junior levels. I received only a few invitations for interviews and, unfortunately, none resulted in a job offer. The most common feedback was that I lacked local work experience and was unfamiliar with Australian industry practices. Some interviewers also commented that my English was not strong enough.
During one interview, I felt discouraged and disrespected because of the interviewer's attitude towards my limited English ability. To be honest, it was one of the hardest times in my life. Not because I failed to get the job, but because of the reality of migration and the sacrifices we had made to start a new life in Australia.
After nearly six months of searching without success, I decided to return to study. I wanted to gain a local qualification to improve my chances of finding work. Studying also gave me opportunities to improve my listening, writing and speaking skills, as well as my social skills through interactions with classmates and lecturers. Along the way, I formed several friendships with people who were facing similar challenges. We have remained in touch to this day. After completing my studies at a local university, I was awarded my first Australian qualification in July 2001.
I was grateful when I finally secured my first job almost two years after arriving in Melbourne. I worked as a quantity surveyor for an international building company. My boss had migrated to Australia from Europe during World War II when he was a young child. Most of my colleagues were Australians, many of whom were second-generation migrants whose parents had also come from Europe around the same time.
I enjoyed working there because my boss and colleagues treated me with respect. I believe this was partly because of their own migrant backgrounds and partly because of the kind of people they were. I remained with the company for thirteen years. Eventually, I left when the Melbourne office closed and operations were moved to Sydney. After that, I continued working in Melbourne's building industry with two other companies until 2024.
Today, I work part-time as a support worker in Manningham, a role in a completely different sector. Unlike my previous technical and construction-related positions, this work is centred on people. I believe my life experiences have helped me develop humility and understanding when working with people from different backgrounds.
I hope my story can be shared with others who have travelled a similar path, and perhaps help others better understand the experiences of people starting a new life in a new country. God bless.
