Yuki(27)

After my Communication & Multimedia Design degree in Den Bosch I worked as a UX designer at two startups in Amsterdam. Fun work, but salaries in Dutch tech are embarrassingly low compared to the rest of the world. As a junior I earned EUR 35,000, as a mid-level after four years EUR 48,000. My Australian former classmate earned double in Sydney.

The 189 visa route was the plan, but my occupation (UX designer) wasn't on the list. Fortunately a Sydney fintech startup offered me a position and was willing to sponsor me for a Subclass 482 visa. The Labour Market Testing took six weeks — they had to advertise that no Australian was available. With my portfolio and specialization in accessibility design, the case was strong.

Sydney's tech hub is mainly in Surry Hills, Pyrmont and the new Tech Central precinct in Redfern. My office is in Surry Hills — a neighborhood full of cafés, street art and other startups. The vibe is comparable to Amsterdam, but with more sun and a beach culture that extends to the office. Board shorts on Friday are normal.

My salary as a mid-level UX designer in Sydney: AUD 110,000 per year, plus equity in the startup. In Amsterdam I earned EUR 48,000. Yes, Sydney is expensive — my studio apartment in Darlinghurst costs AUD 550 per week — but net I keep significantly more. Plus the superannuation of 11.5% that you don't have in the Netherlands.

The Australian design community is surprisingly strong. There are monthly UX meetups, Design Thinking workshops and conferences like UX Australia. LinkedIn is less important here — it's more about personal connections, coffee chats and the "mateship" culture. My network grew faster than in four years in Amsterdam.

My tip for designers and creatives: don't underestimate Australia. It's not only Silicon Valley that does innovation — Sydney, Melbourne and even Brisbane have thriving tech scenes. Start by keeping your portfolio up to date, connect with Australian recruiters on LinkedIn and consider a WHV if you're under 31. That's how my former classmate started.