Quote Originally Posted by HavocXphere View Post
Unless you get an offer where the employer agrees to cover visa & moving costs...
True, but I don't think it would be easy to secure a job offer like that unless you're getting transferred within a company you already work for, or unless you are in extremely high demand for some reason

Quote Originally Posted by FarligOpptreden View Post
I considered the move years ago and I might be moving towards it again. I scoured every thread on www.saaustralia.org back in the day and started reading there again recently. I also considered the 189 visa back then, but the estimates were 12-18 months before it's granted, which is too long for me.

Apparently you can do a 457 (which guarantees work when you land there) and apply for the 189 when you're there. The 189 is granted within 3-6 months if you're already living and working is Aus. The visa fees are also less of an issue, due to the $ being worth more there and the fees won't seem as exhorbitant there.
Ya that's another route, I think the 457 is a temporary work visa, and is apparently the most common way that people get in, and probably way quicker and cheaper, but you need to get a job that will sponsor you (you're guaranteed work because you must find a job to get the visa). You don't get the perks of permanent residence though, and it only lasts for 4 years, so you do have to apply for residence after a couple of years.