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We have been on every visa under the sun I came over on a WHV. Have had two student visas and am now on a graduate 485 visa that expires in June. I can imagine that it must be terribly hard if you have kids. I know what you mean about sponsorship. Some call it the 'slave' visa. Also, I guess there is always the risk that it could come off the CSOL before you can be sponsored for PR and you are very much at the mercy of your employer. Cafe/Restaurant Manager was on the State Priority Occupation List (although it was schedule 3), so at least there is still a skills shortage. At least with IELTS and skills assessments done, we will be ready to make an application right away if it ever does make it back on the list. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for your reply Jay. I know what you mean about the expense! We were living in Sydney, but moved to Perth a couple of months ago, so that my husband could secure the job offer that he would have needed. He found work and it looks as though his employer will probably sponsor him, but it will take time and we have had such bad luck with lists changing etc that we have become pretty disillusioned! Have you not considered coming here on another type of visa to test the water? I am not sure of your age or nationality, but maybe you could come on a working holiday or student visa and try to find a sponsor. It certainly is not easy and can be quite a gamble, but finding a sponsorship in this area from abroad would be very difficult indeed. Yes, praying that Restaurant Manager will be added to the list, but I guess that won't be a possibility for 12 months and who knows what will happen with the criteria changes before then! Like you, I also looked at the Northern Territory, but their criteria are pretty rigid Well, all the best to you. I will keep my ear to the ground and if I hear of any possible opporunities for you here, i'll be in touch. Times like this are pretty depressing, but Perth is lovely! Don't give up on the dream!

Hi Jay I just wanted to say that I really feel for you. My husband is also a restaurant manager and we were just waiting for his IELTS score to come through before making our application. We just cannot believe that now when we finally got so close, it was taken off the list. We actually live in Australia and have been facing these sort of disappointments time and time again for the past 6 years One of the most frustrating things, is that they used up a spot on the list for Retail Manager, when this is not even a sponsorable occupation (it is not on the CSOL). They had to take it off the list on Monday due to this error. This morning I complained to the WA Migration office, as this spot may well have taken the place of my husband's occupation. Anyway, best of luck to you and god help us all!!