Cath1

Im a Midwife. Was thinking about NSW but will go wherever I can find a job Just in the process of titivating my house to sell and sorting my little doggie out with his paperwork. What about you? what branch of nursing are you in and where is your chosen destination? X

We were thinking of NSW (Hubby fancies the Illawarra region. Not started applying for Jobs yet as to be honest wasnt expecting things to move so quickly (and got side tracked with a couple of health scares) so going to start hunting on line for suitable jobs (midwife) and schools for the children. We are prepared to go where ever we can get jobs. Still cant believe it!!!! If there are any midwives out there.........Could you tell me if the roles differ much from that in the UK? I have been informed that private hospitals think only obstetricians can 'deliver babies' :no: Ideally do not want to relinquish too many of my UK responsibilities if possible (cannulation, suturing prescribing as per PGDs/midwives exempt drugs) but will do if thats the Aussie way.

Hi Guys, joined the site back in July 2012 when I was just embarking on our journey to obtain permanent residency visas for Oz. Just wanted to let everyone know that we did employ Visa Bureau as our agents (who were fantastic) Once Ielts and skills assessment was done we lodged our EOI 12/02/13, our invitation to apply came on 19/02/13 medicals and police checks were 19/04/13 and 25/04/13 respectively. Application was decision ready with all relevant information in place on 25/04/13. On 16/05/13 we got the call from the agent saying the Visa had been granted Whhhooooooooooooooooop!!!!! Thank you all for your help in those early stages!! Seems like only yesterday but we have come so far since then!!!!

Just wanted to share our timeline with everyone one here 27/06/12 signed contract with Visa Bureau to act as agents, 15/09/12 sat IELTS test, 06/11/12 sent skills assessment into ANMAC, 19/11/12 ANMAC acknowledged receipt of paperwork, 21/01/13 positive skills assessment from ANMAC, 12/02/12 EOI lodged, 19/02/12 Invitiation to apply, 25/02/12 Application submitted, 08/04/13 Request for police checks and medicals (Medicals 19/04/13 police checks applied for 11/04/13 received 25/04/13) Application decision ready 25/04/13....................................16/05/13 VISA GRANTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, just reading through this thread. I used a migration agent. My EOI was submitted 12/2/13 Invitation to apply was 19/2/13, full application went in 25/2/13 Received email from agent 9/4/13 been assigned CO who was requesting medicals and police checks. (Medicals tomorrow Police checks applied for last week) Does anyone know if by the time DIAC request medicals and police checks they have already considered the rest of the application or do they wait until they have all the information before even looking at it?

Hi all, just a quick question. I had first contact from caseworker requesting I arrange medicals and police checks. Does this mean that I have passed all other criteria and if medicals and police checks come back OK I will get a visa or do they wait until they have all the information in before even considering the application? (Visa applied for skilled independant subclass 189. Im a Midwife) Thanks

The agents are 'VISA BUREAU' we have had a payment schedule. The lady who I have been speaking with so far is listed on the MARA.GOV website. Has anybody used this Company before and is this ladies Mara registration enough to confirm the company are reliable?

No character issues and no health issues (that we are aware of anyway) Just dont know where to start with it all and understand that it could be expensive and time consuming if we fail to include relevant information in the application and it ends up being rejected on that basis so going with an agent just seemed like the best thing to do (Although could certainly live without shelling out £3000 for the privilege!! But in saying that.........If we get a visa granted it will be £ 3000 well spent!

Ideally NSW - did consider state sponsorship but they are not currently sponsoring Midwives so was being directed by the agent to try independant (changing direction to state sponsored if not invited to apply following EOI in which case - maybe Victoria)

Thanks for the info. Total costs including agents fees come in just over £7000 (That includes medicals and stuff for hubby and 3 kids) We did consider going on a temp 457 but really need to sell our UK house for funds when we arrive so thought the PR route was better for us

Thanks Cal. This is reassuring. So no eye test then? How long did it take from start to finish of the process for you? I know it will be different now with the EOI process but a rough idea would be good.

Hi everyone, we are about to embark on the process of applying for permanent residency in Oz and were going to use an agent whose fees are close to £3000 (is this a typical cost??) I am a midwife so having a skills assessment is all part of the process. Will I also need Ahpra registration if we are granted visas? Ideally I will secure a job before getting out there but if I have had a positive skills assessment by ANMAC do I still need to go through all the Ahpra stuff or can I just sort that when I'm there? Also does anyone know exactly what is involved in changing driving licence over to Australian one?? My husband legally drives in the UK but only has sight in one eye, would this prevent him getting his Australian licence? I have a zillion more questions but will wait to here from these first.