10 Years in Australia: From Sponsored Migrants to Citizens

8 May 2015

A date that changed everything for us.

Ten years ago today, we — Noemi and Raul, the founders of Anzscosearch — arrived in Australia for the first time. Two skilled professionals with open minds, two suitcases in hand, and a humble website that had quietly gone live a couple of years earlier, in late 2013.

“Anzscosearch was born out of our own migration research struggles.”

Anzscosearch began as a side project to help others understand Australia’s complex skilled visa system, especially how different occupation lists aligned with skilled visa pathways. Back then, we never imagined it would grow into the trusted platform it is today.

From Sponsored Migrants to Australian Citizens

We arrived in Australia on a Subclass 457 visa (Temporary Work – Skilled), thanks to a sponsoring employer who believed in our potential. That opportunity marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in our lives.

In 2017, after years of hard work and determination, we proudly became permanent residents through the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, a significant milestone that gave us a real sense of belonging.

Then, in 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we officially became Australian citizens via an online ceremony (yes, in our pyjamas 😅). A moment both surreal and unforgettable.

A Decade of Transformation — Professionally and Personally

Over these 10 years, the migration landscape has shifted dramatically.

We have seen changes in the government, occupation lists updated and reshaped time and time again, new visa subclasses introduced, and others phased out. More recently, the arrival of OSCA, the new occupation classification framework… and yet, somehow, ANZSCO is still here, alive and well (for now)! 😄

While the system has evolved, so have we.

Noemi’s journey in Australia is a story of reinvention, from engineer to law graduate, driven by purpose and a commitment to helping others.

Noemi arrived in 2015 with a background in engineering, initially sponsored to work in food safety. Brought in from overseas to help develop what was then an emerging sector in Australia — the ‘ready-to-eat’ food industry — she applied her expertise to support innovation and compliance in a rapidly evolving field.

In 2019, inspired by both her own migration journey and the growing impact of the Anzscosearch platform, she completed the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice, passed the Capstone Assessment, and became a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1911128).

Motivated by her passion for law and advocacy, Noemi has also taught and convened in the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law at Griffith University, where she has guided and supported future migration professionals.

In 2020, inspired by the dedication and integrity of the legal professionals she encountered during her time at the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS), she decided to study law.

In late 2024, after years of balancing client work, teaching, and life, she completed her Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

Noemi’s path reflects her belief that migration can change lives, and that navigating it well can make all the difference.

Raul’s role — the driving mind behind the platform

If Anzscosearch had a thinking engine, it would be Raul. The developer, the problem-solver, and the source of more than a few wild ideas, some of which turned out to be brilliant. From the very beginning, Raul was the one quietly updating occupation lists, sometimes at 3 am, on weekends, holidays, night buses and after long days at work.

When he first arrived in Australia, Raul worked as a software developer for the Queensland Government. But as Anzscosearch grew and the system behind it became increasingly complex, he eventually made the leap to working on it full-time.

He always believed in Anzscosearch, even when it was just a tiny tool helping a handful of people. From its beginnings in 2013 until 2022, he maintained and updated the lists entirely for free, driven by a deep belief in the platform’s purpose and potential.

What Has Not Changed?

Through every migration reform, legislative update, and political shift, our mission and core values have remained the same:

• To help others understand skilled visa options with clarity and confidence.

Anzscosearch is still run by the same two people who once googled “ANZSCO”, only now with a decade of experience and professional insight.

Anzscosearch was created by migrants, for everyone. Whether you are exploring your migration options or are a registered migration agent, legal practitioner, or professional who needs quick and accurate access to occupation and visa information, Anzscosearch is for you.

We know how it feels to wait, to worry, to hope.

And we know the incredible reward of finally being able to call Australia home.

A Message to Our Community

This milestone is not just about us; it is about you: The engineers, teachers, nurses, social workers, chefs, and countless others who have used Anzscosearch to understand what is possible.

Whether you are still overseas, have just landed, or are already settled, thank you for letting us be a small part of your journey.

Here is to the next 10 years, and to helping even more people turn their migration goals into reality.

We are proud of how far we have come, and even more excited about what is ahead.

Thank you for being part of our story.

🧡

Noemi and Raul
Founders of Anzscosearch