To use an agent or not!!

[willyeckerslike]

If we were to go it alone, how difficult would it be?

My husband has been a qualified coded first class welder for 20 years. He has all his City and Guilds certificates to hand and has worked for the same employer, with whom he has gained loads of other qualifications, a large firm, for 15 years with no problem.

I am a finance officer, have worked for local government for over 8 years, so quite good at form filling, gathering info together etc.

We have no criminal records, just the odd parking ticket. We are in good health, neither of us on any medication. Our children are 14, 10 and 2. The eldest 2 are doing well in school and have never been in any trouble.

We have no ex husbands, wives or stepchildren and have been together since 1988, married since 1991.

How straightforward would if be to go without an agent. I'm thinking that we could either use an agent OR do a visit, we can't afford to do both and would much prefer to spend the money on a visit.

Those of you who have decided to NOT use an agent, what have been the hardest things to do and do you wish you had used an agent instead.

One part of me is saying, you NEED an agent as you've never even been to Oz, but the other is saying, course you can do it.

I only work part-time so have 2 full days off per week and although I have to see to my toddler, she still naps in the afternoon and she is in bed by 7.30pm. My husband works nights, the elder 2 children are busy doing their own thing so have quite a bit of time to kill.

All replies will be much appreciated.

Thanks Andrea
xx

[dwaldron]

We did it ourselves but it was an interdependency visa so a bit more simple. Our CO was very helpful and if we needed more info she told us what we needed. They won't just reject it straight out. We calculated that be could do it nearly three times over for the cost of an agent so figured it was worth a shot.

Why don't you have an agent do the TRA and then do the rest yourself?

[nattie]

Me and my partner are in the process of going through the visa application, we personally arn't using an agent but our visa application isn't really that complecated.

If you feel confident enough to do it yourself then go ahead thats what we have done, but if you feel that you need one then use one.

Think it really depends on how you feel about doing it yourself, and what visa you are going for.

[scottish-kiwi]

some visa's more time consuming than others but in my opinion if youhave the time and patience give it a go yourselves and put money towards trip. worst case scenario if you find it too time consuming or difficult you can always get an agent at a later date but if you do manage it yourself then your trip is your reward. good luck (did ours without an agent and no regrets)

[batman]

do it yourself the hardest part for us was the tra gathering all the info w,which you have to do on your own even if do use an agent from what you wrote your application looks to me like it will be straight forward www.immi.gov.au use this website for info to help

[kimdownie]

Hi,
I totally agree with everyone else. The TRA is the hardest part, all it is, is basic form filling and lots and lots of reference and information gathering and getting things certified.

Have a go you will be fine
Kim

[Welshtone]

Generally speaking, if you are working in the occupation for which you have been recognised for the last 3 years, subject to getting your skills recognised, there should be no problem. An inital assessment with a reputable Migration Agent is invaluable even if it is to just assure you that there are no hiddent pit falls. Unfortunately, Agents are trying to get you to sign on with them so it is difficult to get full independent advice.

Some skills assessments are more difficult than others so the TRA preparation is something to get expert help with but being a registered Migration Agent does not mean that you are a Trades expert.

so it may be that only 20% of people would not have got through the whole process without the help of an Agent, but how can you be sure that your case does not fall under this 20%. If a mistake is made, it may be impossible to undo once you have showed your hand to the Department of Immigration.

So, in the perfect world I would say everyone should get initial expert advice - what visas might you be eligible for, what are the variables, what are possible pit falls etc. Then the identified 20% can get the further help they need. Unfortunately, the Migration Industry is full of agents who are only interested if you go the whole way with them and the initial assessment is more a marketing tool rather than fully informative migration advice.

Regards


Tony Coates
MARN 0635896