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Advice on moving to Australia after graduating from college in the US?

\ I've been to Australia 3 times in my life. In the 3rd and 4th grade I attended school in Australia for 6 months at a time. I flew to Australia last spring break to stay with our family friends in Sydney. We have so many good friends in Australia, even one in Adelaide who I consider a grandfather, a man who flies to the US to spend Thanksgiving with us every year. Anyway, ever since I was a child, I have been in love with the country. I love the people, the laidback attitude they hold towards life, the food, the weather, the towns and cities, the public transportation system.... When I visited this year, I didn't want to come back. After much deliberation, I have decided that I really want to live down there. It is a big decision as I know it will take a lot of work to apply for visas and residency and when I leave it will be a long while before I earn enough money to visit my family in the US. I am studying screenwriting in school right now but I think that I might switch degrees, seeing as screenwriting doesn't really open up a broad employment field for me and Australia doesn't have a large film industry. I am interested in switching to computer graphics as a major. Would this be a good choice to prepare me for an international move? I looked on the skilled occupations list and it said that computer graphics was considered a needed job in OZ but is it thought to remain so? Sorry for the insanely long question. I don't know if anyone has moved to Australia straight out of college but if anyone has any advice for me as to what to do to prepare or how I might prepare myself to meet the guidelines for applying for a permanent residency that would be very helpful. Thanks so much!

Public Comments

1. I would research companies that have graduate programs who might be willing to sponsor you out here. I don't know, maybe doing a summer internship with a company that operates in both the US and Australia would help you get sponsorship over here after graduation...
2. The short answer to your question is that you stand no, as in zero, none, chance of immigrating into Australia straight out of school/college. After obtaining a degree or other formal qualification, you will need an absolute minimum of 2 years, probably more, in practical experience in your chosen field and that is assuming that your chosen field is one that Australia wants and needs at that point in time. For all of the answers to all of your questions regarding immigration, visas etc, follow this link to the very informative government site: http://www.immi.gov.au
3. Carlie hi kiddo, firstly like you, I absolutely fell in love with the place. I have done many trips across there on vacation and on assignment, meaning I have had short stints of living there. Do your major in computer graphics, get your degree and get at least a minimum of two years experience under your belt. In that time, your going to do two things, put money aside which you will need, and source out companies in Australia in your field you can communicate with, and give them you resume'. I wear two hats, one of those hats I'm a "foodie", the other I can't tell you. I have over the years have friends in Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and some other states, and when I have leave to get on that flight to bring me home, I am also saddened. Work hard and do well in your degree, and get that experience.