From China to Australia: How I Found My First Software Engineering Job Abroad

If you’re thinking about moving from China to Australia as a software engineer, I want to tell you my story honestly — not the polished LinkedIn version, but the real one.

When I was in Shanghai five years ago, I had no idea how confusing and emotionally draining this journey would be.

Why I Wanted to Leave China

I graduated with a computer science degree in Beijing and worked as a backend engineer for three years. On paper, my life looked stable. The salary was decent, the tech industry was growing fast, and my parents felt proud that I had a “good job.”

But I felt tired all the time. The hours were long. Promotions felt political. And I couldn’t imagine living the same rhythm for the next ten years. What I really wanted wasn’t just a higher salary — it was a different lifestyle. I wanted better work-life balance, an international working environment, and a migration pathway that felt more predictable. Australia kept appearing in my research. The tech scene was smaller than China’s, but it felt accessible. The permanent residency pathways seemed clearer compared to other countries.

Still, I was scared. My English was fine for reading documentation, but speaking in interviews was another story. I had never worked with Western teams. And I had no idea how the visa system actually worked.

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The First Reality Check: Visa Confusion

At the beginning, I made a big mistake — I focused only on jobs and ignored visa strategy.

I didn’t understand the real difference between the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, the Skilled Independent visa, and the Skilled Nominated visa. I assumed that if I could just secure an offer, everything else would naturally fall into place.

That assumption cost me two months.

I applied everywhere without checking whether companies were willing to sponsor. Some roles weren’t aligned with migration occupation lists. Some recruiters clearly preferred candidates with “local experience.” After sending out 32 applications, I received zero interviews. Not even a rejection call — just silence.

That was the first time I seriously questioned whether this plan was unrealistic.

The Turning Point

Instead of continuing to apply blindly, I forced myself to slow down and understand the system.

I confirmed that “Software Engineer” was on Australia’s skilled occupation list. That single discovery changed my mindset. It meant I potentially had more than one pathway. I could aim for employer sponsorship under the 482 visa, but I could also consider independent or state-nominated skilled migration in the long term.

For the first time, I felt I had options. I wasn’t entirely dependent on convincing one company to take a risk on me.

Rebuilding My Resume (Harder Than I Expected)

I thought my resume was strong. I was wrong.

The Australian format was different. No photo. No personal details like age or marital status. More emphasis on measurable achievements, collaboration, and impact rather than just responsibilities.

I rewrote almost every bullet point. Instead of saying I was “responsible for backend API development,” I described the systems I built, how many users they served, and what performance improvements I delivered. I quantified everything I could. It felt uncomfortable at first — almost like bragging — but I learned that this is simply how impact is communicated in that market.

That rewrite alone took nearly three weeks.

Learning to Interview in English

Technical questions were manageable. Behavioral interviews were not.

In one early mock interview, I was asked to describe a time I disagreed with my manager. I froze. In my previous work culture, you don’t openly talk about disagreement — especially not to a stranger evaluating you.

I had to learn how to structure stories using the STAR method. More importantly, I had to shift my mindset. Interviewers weren’t testing loyalty; they were testing communication, ownership, and teamwork.

I practiced speaking out loud every night for more than a month. It was exhausting. But gradually, I stopped translating in my head and started thinking directly in English.

Applying Smarter, Not More

The second time around, I was more strategic. Instead of targeting only big, famous companies, I focused on mid-sized tech firms and startups that mentioned being open to sponsorship. I customized each application instead of sending the same resume everywhere.

By the time I reached 47 total applications, I finally received my first interview invitation. Then another. And eventually, one offer.

I remember staring at the offer email for at least ten minutes before replying. I was afraid it would disappear if I refreshed the screen.

The Visa Process Was a Test of Patience

The company agreed to sponsor me under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa. I thought the hardest part was over. It wasn’t.

There were documents to prepare, health checks to complete, and waiting periods that felt endless. The entire process took around three months. During that time, I was constantly anxious that something small would delay or derail everything.

When the approval finally came through, it didn’t feel dramatic. It felt quiet. I just sat there, realizing my life was about to change.

The First Six Months in Australia

The beginning was humbling.

I struggled with accents in meetings. I sometimes misunderstood jokes. I felt behind technically, even though that probably wasn’t true. Renting an apartment without local rental history was another unexpected challenge.

But something shifted over time. My English improved naturally. I gained local references. I learned how Australian teams communicate — more direct, but also more relaxed. I stopped working late just to prove myself.

For the first time in years, I had evenings where I wasn’t exhausted.

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Where I Am Now

It has been four years since I moved.

I later transitioned from the 482 pathway toward permanent residency. Today, I work as a senior software engineer in Melbourne. My income is stable, my work hours are reasonable, and I spend weekends hiking instead of debugging production issues at midnight.

More than the salary or title, what changed most is my sense of control. I feel like I chose this life instead of just following momentum.

If You’re Starting This Journey

If you’re a software engineer in China thinking about Australia, my honest advice is this: understand the visa system before you start applying. Be prepared to rebuild your resume completely. Take behavioral interviews seriously. And expect the process to take several months — not weeks.

There will be moments when you doubt yourself. I did too.

But if you approach it strategically and patiently, it’s achievable. Not easy — but achievable.

If you’d like, I can also write a version focused more on salary reality, permanent residency pathways, or a month-by-month preparation roadmap.