457 sponsorship headaches

[MelbournePhom]

I came over to Australia in April 2011, I had 6 amazing months working as an IT contractor at a really great organisation where I felt really happy and valued and made lots of friends, but couldn't stay as I was on a working holiday visa.

I started working for a new company who could sponsor in November last year, I got 457 sponsorship which started in April this year. However I'm very unhappy in my job for a variety of reasons (I don't really want to go into detail, simply put it's a very boring job stuck using technologies I am really not interested in, and people aren't very social with people in work, and seeing as I am traveling alone that is an issue for me), so I have decided to start applying for the 175 visa ASAP and then leave as soon as it is granted.

However, if the application process takes up to 1 year I'm really not sure I can "hold out" at my current job, I hate it!

I am having thoughts quitting now going on a working holiday in New Zealand whilst I am waiting for the 175 to be processed, then I could still do contract IT work over in Auckland or whatever which should make me a bit happier! I have just over 2 years experience in IT and a Bachelors degree, so I should have enough experience to be accepted for the 175.

Am I going crazy with this idea?!

[Rupert]

Well visas have not really been taking a year or more of late, although that could change at any time. I think I would be tempted to give it a bit longer, you have only been there a couple of months maybe it will pick up. And you could find other methods of meeting new people that do not rely upon work, although in time maybe that will pick up too. I have found that the employment market is quite small in Australia, so don't jump ship too soon, you might find that it comes back to bite you later.

If you really don't think you can stick it, then there is no visa reason why you could not go to N whilst you wait for your skilled migrant visa to be processed.

[MelbournePhom]

Hey Rupert, thanks for the suggestion. Just to clarify I've only been sponsored for around 2 months, but I've been with the company in total 7-8 months now. I know from applying for the 457 it only took 5-6 weeks from start to finish, so that's one part of my thinking about sticking it out as it could be processed much quicker than I expect.

Think I'll apply for the NZ visa anyway and then I could start applying for jobs once I get it (should only take 5 days max for a decision), just nice to keep my options open with this type of stuff!

Also means I wouldn't need to leave the country when a decision is made on the 175 as well...

[Perthsunshine]

My advice would be to apply for your permanent residency asap. 457 is a good and quick solution, but it is attached with a lot of disadvantages. From the 1st of July will DIAC introduce a new system: http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/

Subclass visa 190 will replace the former 175 - but have a read on the site.

If you after the 1th of July send your EOI and get invited to apply for a visa, then will you get a bridging visa while your case is being processed. So if you leave your current job, then would you still be allowed to stay in Australia.

There are also no rules about leaving the country after the 1st of July to get a off-shore visa granted. As I see it - you have nothing to loose, by applying for a individual skilled visa, but it will open up a lot of doors in the future.

[MelbournePhom]

Perthsunshine, thanks for the info. As far as I can see, isn't it the 189 will replace the 175 as thats the independent migration one? However even the 190 visa looks interesting as you can specify which state you want to be eligible to apply for.

I'll do a lot more reading this evening and see what I can find, potentially this new skillselect could really improve the whole migration process!

EDIT: Best resouce I have found is here.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...ew-skilled.htm

For both the 189 and 190 you need to "hold a suitable skills assessment in a nominated occupation on the SOL". So I suppose I can get my skills assessment done ASAP... then register for the EOI immediately on July the 1st.

I think it will be interesting to see how SkillSelect works, my worry is that you could add yourself to the list then just not hear anything! I suppose thats the idea of the system though, people with necessary skills get invited...

Thanks again

[Perthsunshine]

Perthsunshine, thanks for the info. As far as I can see, isn't it the 189 will replace the 175 as thats the independent migration one? However even the 190 visa looks interesting as you can specify which state you want to be eligible to apply for.

Yes - that is correct. Sorry for my typo. The 176 will be replaced by the new 190.

For both the 189 and 190 you need to "hold a suitable skills assessment in a nominated occupation on the SOL". So I suppose I can get my skills assessment done ASAP... then register for the EOI immediately on July the 1st.

That is spot on. Do however expect the assessment to take 3+ month, but that is just another reason for getting it sorted asap.

I think it will be interesting to see how SkillSelect works, my worry is that you could add yourself to the list then just not hear anything! I suppose thats the idea of the system though, people with necessary skills get invited...

The idea is that Australia want to attract the most qualified people and particular those in high demand. I see the EOI as a filter and hope that those people that are invited to apply, will be processed quicker. The point mark to apply for EOI is 60 points, but the more points you have, the higher is the chance that you will be invited to apply for a PR.

[MelbournePhom]

Got my NZ working holiday Visa approved today, still kind of deciding what the best strategy is. Still waiting for my documents to come in for the UK before I can get my skills assessed for Australia PR... So I'm probably going to be late to the party with this SkillSelect stuff, I think I'll have around 65 points, so no idea if it will be enough TBH...

My real concern is whether it will be easy to pick up an IT job in Auckland now before Christmas. If anyone has any experience about the job market in Auckland then let me know!

[lebourvellec]

There has been a few announcements in the last week

The points pass mark has been reduced to 60.
A new SOL has been announced for Independent and family sponsored visas http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/updated-sol.pdf
Your occupation will need to be on it to be eligible for 189 visa

If you have not yet done it yet - you should sit your IELTS to gain extra points - now valid for 3 years

You can apply for more than 1 EOI and get state sponsorship and be able to apply for 190 - applications are processed faster.

Perhaps you should run your case past a Registered Migration Agent for the best strategy for you.

[MelbournePhom]

I'm sure I read somewhere that if you are English you don't need to take the IELTS test? Is this not correct?

I've kind of realised today that if I had a job I enjoyed I wouldn't be in a rush to get PR, I honestly wouldn't mind waiting a year. Did a lot of googling last night and I found a lot of people with the same type of feelings about being trapped on a 457 and being unhappy but trying to hold on whilst they apply for PR.

Seems like it isn't too difficult now to switch employers as long as they can sponsor you, as you don't need to apply for the entire 457 again, you just need the nomination approved, which is likely to be a formality and shouldn't take that long. Then in theory you can just at that point hand in your notice...

So I'm going to apply for some new jobs in the Melbourne CBD over the coming month, I'm kind of figuring I'm in a much better position than before as I already have 457 sponsorship, so it shouldn't be as hard this time around...

If things don't work out I'll switch to Auckland next January... God my life is such a mess sometimes!

[lebourvellec]

Yes You dont need to do the IELTS if you hold a UK passport - but you need to be able to pass the points test - and if you are looking to go for the 189 visa the more points you have the better chance you will have to get an invitation.

Can you pass the points test without the IELTS?? Most people require it to make up points http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...fact-sheet.pdf

After 1 July you need to work in same company for 2 years to be eligible for PR without a skills assessment - or with a skills assessment 3 years on work experience.