u/Particular-Ad-1847

Hi everyone,
I’m an international student in Australia and I am finished with my Master’s in Biotechnology. I’m getting ready to apply for my 485 Temporary Graduate visa, and I’m trying to decide which English test to take.

For those who have recently applied, would you recommend IELTS or PTE

I’m mainly looking for:
Which test did you take?
Which one did you find easier?
Did you have any issues with your 485 application because of the English test?

I know both tests are accepted for the 485 visa as long as the required score is met. I’m more interested in hearing real experiences about which test is less stressful and has a better overall experience.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm finished doing my Master's in Biotechnology in Sydney, Australia, and I have got my full working rights visa but within two weeks I've reached a point where I honestly don't know what else I'm supposed to do.

Everyone says to start somewhere but how?
I have spent soo long applying for QC, QA,
Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Microbiology and Molecular Biology roles the application volume is so high for these basic entry level roles that atp idek who are they even hiring? I don’t get rejections i don’t get interviews either…

I've rewritten my CV multiple times, tailored cover letters, networked on Linkedin, and kept applying.
The problem is that I only have university laboratory experience and unpaid research experience. I don't have commercial GMP experience because... nobody will give me the opportunity to get it.

Almost every "entry-level" job asks for:
1-3 years of industry experience
GMP/GLP knowledge and commercial lab experience
How are graduates supposed to get those things if no one wants to hire and train people.

I genuinely enjoy biotech and want to work in the industry, but it feels like the barrier to entry keeps moving further away.
For those already working in biotech:
How did you get your first job?
Did recruitment agencies actually help?
Which recruiters specialise in biotech in Australia?
Should I be looking at contract roles instead of V permanent positions?
Are there companies known for hiring fresh graduates

I’m finished doing my Master’s in Biotechnology in Sydney, Australia, and within two weeks I’ve reached a point where I honestly don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.

Everyone says to start somewhere but how?

I have spent soo long applying for QC, QA, Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Manufacturing Associate, Microbiology and Molecular Biology roles.

I’ve rewritten my CV multiple times, tailored cover letters, networked on LinkedIn, and kept applying.

The problem is that I only have university laboratory experience and unpaid research experience. I don’t have commercial GMP experience because… nobody will give me the opportunity to get it.

Almost every “entry-level” job asks for:
1–3 years of industry experience
GMP/GLP knowledge and commercial lab experience
How are graduates supposed to get those things if no one wants to hire and train people.

I genuinely enjoy biotech and want to work in the industry, but it feels like the barrier to entry keeps moving further away.

For those already working in biotech:
How did you get your first job?
Did recruitment agencies actually help?
Which recruiters specialise in biotech in Australia?
Should I be looking at contract roles instead of permanent positions?
Are there companies known for hiring fresh graduates?

I keep hearing that Australia wants more STEM graduates, but the reality seems to be that everyone wants experienced candidates for “entry-level” jobs.
I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m genuinely trying to figure out what the next move should be because continuing to submit applications into what feels like a black hole isn’t working.
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve managed to break into the industry, especially within Australia.

I’m honestly freaking out right now and looking for some perspective from people who have been through something similar.

I recently took an online statistics exam that was done through the uni web browser. During the exam, I looked up some things online that I definitely wasn’t supposed to. The exam wasn’t proctored on camera, but it was taken through a browser-based system.

Now the teacher to the other class which she was invigilating that they check browser history and may take action against students who cheated and that’s what’s making me panic.

Has anyone here taken exams where instructors actually checked browser history afterward? Is that something they check or is it just to scare students off?

I’m not asking how to hide anything or get around it. I’m just trying to understand what typically happens in situations like this.

What consequences did people face?
I know I messed up, and I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m just trying to get a realistic sense of what I might be facing here because my anxiety is through the roof.
Thanks.