EllieW

Hi, we seem to have hit a slight snag with the skills assessment, has anyone gone through the process for a draughtsman under the architectural draughtsman 312111 as opposed to the joinery draughtsman as this one is listed as related speciality under a joiner so not a separate code on it's own to be able to do an assessment in this? Thanks

Thank you the info. We are going to use an agent but the appointment isn't going to be for a couple of weeks yet. On the 489 visa then, either regional sponsored or family sponsored, we can automatically apply for permanent visas ourselves rather than having to have the employer agree. Would we both still need to be under 50 to do this or is there some movement on that if we have lived and worked for two years in the area. We are going to ask agent etc but as the first appointment is a short one, I am trying to get as much info as I can to know what to ask. Unless I am missing something (which I probably am) this is a better option if we want to be able to go to a permanent visa in a few years without having to rely on an employer? I am very mindful of being in a position of the employer not going permanent even if they have said they would previously. Thanks

Thank you both for the advice, makes things a bit clearer, bit worrying that you can be caught out by an employer not doing PR even if they say they will after a couple of years. We also have to think about the fact we have a 17yr old that is going to want to do an apprenticeship out there and I imagine that would be a real problem if we are only on a temporary visa. I didn't realise the visa is tied to the employer and it is only them that can apply for the PR sponsorship, I had thought that after two years, we would be able to apply for the permanent visa. Thanks for letting me know about this, I assume it would apply to a regional sponsored visa as well and we would be in the hands of the employer again as to whether they were willing to go forward with a permanent visa, shame. Thank you both for the replies

Thank you, you are probably right, I will do more research first so I know what to ask when we do.

The skills assessment shouldn't be a problem and we are going to continue with that as planned. The trouble with the state sponsored visa is that it prevents us from living or working in the main areas where his industry is as we would need to go via the regional sponsored one as we need the 10 points, OH already has the highest points for the English test. We are just mindful of trying not to restrict things too much, ie not being able to work in certain areas as I will also need to work full time via his visa and it may just make it more difficult to find the work. When you say we could apply for the 186 before two years, does this have to be with the original employer that we would have the sponsorship with, if not that makes it more attractive, we just don't like the idea of being made to leave the country if anything goes wrong with the employer especially in the construction industry as that is a industry that can go downhill quickly or at least it is in the UK Thanks for all the advice you have given, it is really appreciated.

Thanks rammygirl, OH is 46 and I am 45 so we lost out on the age points in the last few months which then dropped us under the minimum points needed for the independent visa. We haven't spoken to an agent as things changed quickly from our original plan where we were just putting in the EOI under the independent visa so didn't really need to use an agent. Sounds like we are definitely going to need the employer offer first from the sounds of it. So what you are saying is that even if we come out on a 457, after two years, we could look for permanent jobs then and transfer to the 186 if the new employer agrees this route and is qualified to offer it, thank you for that info, it gives us an idea of which way round we need to start.

Thank you for the reply. We have had an Australian company contact us asking if OH could do some work for them over here as they cannot find anyone to do the job and there is a shortage but this was just based on him working from here and not living there etc. Before we started contacting companies, we just wanted to make sure which process is better to follow. Thanks for the advice on the EOI it just seems a huge risk on a temporary visa but this may be the only option. Thanks again.

Thanks for the reply verystormy, we are no longer applicable to apply for the independent visa as the age limit for points passed due to me needing to put everything on hold to look after a relative who became very ill which is why we are now looking at a different route. If you manage to get a 457 visa, are you free to look for an employer that will also sponser towards the end of the two years if the current employer doesn't want to keep you on or go forward to a 186 visa? Also whichever visa we apply for do we have to have employer first or can we put in an EOI for employers to see whilst still trying to find an employer through agencies etc. It is completely different from the original route we were taking so just trying to get as much information about this as possible really. We have everything ready for the skills assessment as we were about to put it in when things changed last time. Thanks

Hello, Can anyone advise the best way of applying for this visa. Can we put an EOI in requesting the ENS route or do we have to find the employer first before submitting on the immi account. Not sure of the correct way or order for an employer visa. We are hoping for the employer route as it seems most of the industry that applies to us, Joinery/shopfitting draftsman is in an area we wouldn't be allowed to live or work in if we went down the regional sponser route. We still need to get the skills assessment completed but as we are no longer going for an independent visa, we are not sure of the right process for an employer nominated visa. Thank you for any advice you can offer us. Ellie

Hi Does anyone know how to find out if joinery draftsman are needed in Australia at the moment and how you go about finding sites where employers are willing to sponser on an ENS visa? I have searched on the usual job sites but not sure if there are any better sites to see if there is any possibility of sponsership? Thanks, Ellie