Another 457 visa question

Hi all

I'm completely new to this website and forum. I have already done quite a bit of research into the 457 visa, but am still unsure as to whether my main question has actually been answered through what I have already read.

A bit of background....i'm a 20-something year old and have dreamed of living and working in Australia since being a wee thing in secondary school. I've always put it off for one reason or another but circumstances dictate that now is as good a time as any to head out there and do it.

I'm aware of everything to do with the WHV and intend to initially obtain that to get myself into the country and, consequentially, into employment. I may hate Australia when I get there. I may get incurably homesick. I may run out of funds quicker than I anticipated. All of the above may happen, and send me packing back home. However i'm coming at it with a bit more of a "glass half full" approach, and envisage myself loving it enough to want to settle and try to make some kind of life there (however short or long term that might be).

Therefore I have been doing some preliminary research into possibilities beyond the WHV, and everything seems to point toward the 457 sponsorship visa. I understand that you have to have a skill on the prescribed list in order to be granted a visa and, of course, an employer who would be willing to put themselves forward as a sponsor. I understand that if you leave your sponsor, you have to also leave the country within a certain timeframe.

However what I'm unsure of is...what is the etiquette when trying to obtain 457 status? I've read more than enough advice which states that you should not tell immigration officials at the airport that you are intending to seek permanent work in Oz. However once you've been stamped in, how do you go about obtaining that golden sponsorship? Is it considered bad form to make your intentions clear when applying for jobs on your WHV (i.e. "Please sir, i'm on a WHV but I would really really like you to sponsor me"), is it better to work temporarily somewhere for 2-3 months and THEN voice your hopes to your employer? Or is it just better to keep your mouth shut and hope they approach you with the suggestion instead, moving on if not?

I'm not even sure if it would be considered pretty bad to be asking this question in this forum....but I believe in honesty and getting intentions out there in the open :-)

Hope somebody can offer something/anything useful.

Thanks :-)