Hello Ally & Nigel
Welcome to Poms in Oz.
Please see these links:
Higher Education Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 573) - Assessment Level 1
Higher Education Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 573) - Assessment Level 1
It seems that Ally would have to study for a Masters before you would be able to work full time?
If somebody offers you a 457 visa (or better) once you get to Oz, there is no reason why you cannot switch onto a 457 visa leaving Ally on the Student visa if she wishes to continue to study full time. Alternatively, she could switch to a 457 visa as well but would still be able to study according to this link:
Higher Education Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 573) - Assessment Level 1
That said, you might be able to negotiate for immediate
PR on an RSMS visa (depending on your employer's location.) If so, I would expect that you would want to include Ally in the RSMS visa. Pease see here:
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 119/857)
I've heard of a couple of people recently who have been caught out by the closure of TRA Pathway d - as you are. Both have been offered jobs and employer sponsorship in South Australia. I'm not sure about the second guy but the first guy told me that he was offered a 457 visa to start with. He pushed and said he wants an immediate RSMS visa instead. That was readily agreed to by his prospective employer, I gather. The other chap will also be applying for an immediate RSMS visa but I don't know whether that was offered up front or whether he asked for it.
Please consult the relevant Information Booklets as well, which are here:
Information Forms and Booklets - Applications & Forms - Visas & Immigration
Another possibility for you might be to undergo a workplace assessment in the UK leading to the Australian AQF III qualification, to bring you within TRA Pathway E. I've heard that the cost of doing this in the UK is £3,750 and I don't know whether you need to add VAT.
Please see the following links:
http://www.workplace.gov.au/NR/rdonl...tember2007.pdf
ACTS UK | Welcome to Trade Train
Don't be put off by the idea that they seem only to be involved contriction related trades because they also doAQF II assessments for Chefs, so they might actually be able to cover everything on the MODL one way or another. It would be worth enquiring if you want to investigate this possibility.
A fourth possibility is that Go Matilda are looking at arranging for certain tradies to go out to Oz to have the workplace assessments done by TAFEs out there, meet possible local employer-sponsors whilst there etc. Please see this link:
Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - News
As far as the 457 visa/RSMS visa idea goes, whereabouts in Oz are you hoping to live, what is your exact skill and how old are you please, Nigel? I am wondering whether you could organise a 457 or RSMS visa before you leave the UK? Please consider the following links:
Welcome to Hire A Migrant (Ask for Jamie Smith)
Global TradeSearch Recruitment - assisting trades people and professionals obtain work placement in Australia (Ask for Sandy Coates)
Complete Migration Solutions
Find a Job in Oz (associated with Go Matilda.)
It seems to me that there are several potential possibilities for you besides a Student Visa.
Best wishes
Gill