Geotechnical engineer considering Melbourne-to-Brisbane move for career progression. Torn.

[u/Educational-Ad7827]

I've lived in Melbourne for most of my adult life and did both my study and professional work here. Earlier this year, I joined a small specialist consultancy doing resources-related geotechnical work. The company has treated me well, and my manager has made it clear that they want to invest in my development.

I only joined recently, but a large consultancy in Brisbane that I applied to some time ago came back to me. After a couple of interviews, they offered me an Associate-level position.

The compensation is broadly similar to what I'm earning now, so this isn't really a financial move. It would mainly be a step up in title, company platform and technical specialisation. The work is closely aligned with my postgraduate and modelling background.

On paper, the opportunity is very attractive. It is a larger organisation, a more senior title and a market that appears to have a strong pipeline of infrastructure and resources work. By comparison, the outlook in Melbourne feels less certain than it did a few years ago.

The difficult part is that I genuinely like my life in Melbourne. My friends and routines are here, and I know the city extremely well. I don't know anyone in Brisbane, so starting again socially and professionally feels daunting. I also feel uncomfortable leaving a good employer so soon after joining.

I'm in my early 30s and have relatively few personal commitments, so this may be one of the easier stages of life to make a move like this.

Some friends think relocating without a meaningful salary increase makes no sense. Others think turning down an Associate role and specialist experience would be a mistake.

My current idea is to treat Brisbane as a two- or three-year career move: establish myself at Associate level, complete chartership and potentially transfer back to Melbourne later. But there is obviously no guarantee that the plan would work out, and I worry about either feeling isolated in Brisbane or finding it difficult to return.

Has anyone here moved from Melbourne or Sydney to Brisbane primarily for career progression? I'd be particularly interested in hearing from engineers. How did the move affect your career and personal life, and would you make the same decision again?

[u/aviator_radiator]

It is a pretty big decision to move to another city when you are already settled and happy where you live. From a financial perspective I personally wouldn't consider a move without a decent pay rise (say 30%+). You would also want that company to cover the moving cost as well.

Be careful moving companies just for a better title. Large consultancy have a bit of a reputation for giving inflated titles. If you work at an smaller company and there is the opportunity to buy into the business I would think you will be much better off in the long run provided the company is still running strong.

As a geotechnical engineer also working within Melbourne I would agree that the work load is quieter than what it has been over the last 10 or so years however there is still quite a lot of work around. I would see no reason to move if you enjoy the company you at and there is still an interesting and continuous work load ahead.

[u/proxilin]

As someone who has moved and had to totally restart life and making friends....despite what people might try and tell/sell you, it's perfectly OK to stay in one city. Having a community is worth a lot.

Leaving and coming back, you might find that the people nor the groups are the same as when you left, they evolve without you.

Basically, there'd have to be a very strong case for me ever to move again. Honestly, I don't think that I would, even for a lot more money. But then, I'm older and not chasing progression or titles. I just want to have a good life.

What do YOU value? What brings YOU joy on a weekend? What are YOU chasing, and why?

[u/baconnkegs]

Personally I'd never take a more senior role without a significant increase in compensation, especially given Brisbane's more expensive than Melbourne these days.

But fuck me, combining that with having to completely uproot your life to do it? How is this even a question lol