Calling The Brown Family

BOOBEAR · 01-04-2007, 05:42 PM

Hi,
Your student visa which agent did you use in the end? And what was the cost?
I'm applying for Hairdressing in Brisbane and am using studyoptions & the agent I was going with is Ian Harrop cost of visa alone is £799+ vat is this good or expensive?
Any help much appreciated. everytime I come on this site my 18month old just won't leave me alone,his a cheeky little monkey!!!!!!

bfn
BOOBEAR

Lynandsean · 01-04-2007, 05:50 PM

Hi there BooBear
Sorry l'm not the brown family but my daughter and her boyfriend are going on student visas via study options. We used Ian Harrop for the rest of us on a 136 skilled independant and they were excellent but we have also been advised elsewhere that student visas are pretty easy to do and you dont really need an agent. My daughters boyfriend is planning to study at Brissie TAFE and my daughter at Griffith Uni.
Hope that helps and will help more if l can.
Lyn x

BOOBEAR · 01-04-2007, 06:28 PM

No need to be sorry any info from anyone welcome, I've just being following the brownfamily progress and just wondered who they used.
I know you don't really need an agent for student visa but just thought it might make things easier.
Thanks again.

BOOBEAR.

brownfamily · 01-04-2007, 08:07 PM

Hi Boobear,

Sorry I haven't replied sooner..................have been out stuffing my face with Sunday Roast

, which will probably show in the scales for Tuesdays medicals but hey ho!!

First of all I just wanted to say that I am by no means an expert on Student visa's, but of course will share our experiences with you!!

In my opinion £799 + vat does seem very high. We have gone with 'This is Australia' (Laura) and she has been brilliant. I also know that Yvonne & Paul are also going with them due to recommendation and I think she is pleased with them so far.

We are paying £400 inclusive of vat. The reason for this is that if 'this is australia' register you for your course they receive appx £400 from Australian Education Dept for getting them an international student. With this in mind they only charge £400 as they have already received the £400 from Aus Ed (which saves me a few bob so I am happy).

I have to say though that the actual Student Visa is very straightforward and there are too many documents to fill in, so probably wouldn't be too difficult to do yourself. I have found it very useful having an agent that is already in Australia as they are also going to help us with other things as well (housing contacts/Tax file number etc etc).

Hope this helps, but please let me know if you need any other information as it is still fairly fresh in my mind all the forms/fees etc.

Good Luck xxx

Heather

BOOBEAR · 02-04-2007, 10:10 AM

Hi Heather,
Thanks for info, contacted 'This is Australia' very helpful ringing me tomorrow with a list of courses. Will speak to laura soon about schools for my 5 yr old. Will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again
BOOBEAR

brownfamily · 02-04-2007, 10:51 AM

Hi Laura,

Don't knoe if it helps, but we haven't chosen a specific school for our two children (13 & 10) until we get there. What we have done (to get a confirmation of enrollement for them both) is put pay their school fees for the next 6 months, but we have paid an additional $100 each as 'unspecified school'. This just means that we can choose the school when we are out there, and if we do this within two weeks then we will get the $100 back.

Keep me posted.

Heather