“The culture is about giving everyone a fair go; it is not solely about work and money, but striking a balance between career, social life and family.”
Luiz Fernando Franco studied a Bachelor of Economics in São Paulo, Brazil. After graduating, he worked in corporate banking and helped raise capital for a tech startup. Luiz began researching international markets to launch the startup and identified Australia as a location with significant economic opportunities. In 2017, Luiz and his colleagues were invited to participate in Runway’s startup incubator in Geelong, Victoria. While living in regional Victoria, Luiz fell in love with Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. He surfed every morning before work and formed great relationships with the local community.
Working for the tech startup, Luiz saw a long-term future for himself in the IT sector that he believed would bring significant change to the world. To pursue this interest, he enrolled in a Master of Information Technology at the University of Melbourne. Despite lacking an IT background, through hard work and determination he thrived in his studies. In his final semester, he secured an internship with a local consulting firm and was able to increase his job readiness by completing a professional year through the Australian Computer Society. At the end of his internship, impressed by his performance the company offered him a full-time role. In 2022, Luiz joined a multinational consulting firm, contributing his banking and IT expertise to assist banks with their digital transformation, IT architecture and retail business strategies.
In August 2022, Luiz applied for permanent residency through the Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visa. The migrant-friendly culture that celebrates diversity and the city’s emphasis on work-life balance influenced his decision to want to live in Melbourne permanently. Luiz states, “The culture is about giving everyone a fair go; it is not solely about work and money, but striking a balance between career, social life and family.” Luiz submitted his Registration of Interest in August 2022, quickly received an invitation, and was nominated in less than 3 weeks. In March 2023, during a family holiday, Luiz proposed to his partner, Eleni. On the same holiday, they were granted the visa, further adding to their excitement and celebrations.
Luiz and Eleni recently purchased a home together and are busy planning their wedding. Luiz aims to further grow his career and aspires to become a partner at his firm one day. He believes “Melbourne should be the top choice for prospective migrants due to its great educational and career opportunities.” Luiz advises migrants to clearly define their career goals and seek guidance from migration professionals if they are unsure about how to achieve them. He and Eleni express, “We are forever grateful for the opportunity to be permanent members of the Victorian community."
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