Ok I am having major problems, we couldnt get in under the skilled visa as I only have 4 years experience in my job and no formal qualifications.
So we decided that we should try an go through the student visa, and I am planning to do a Certificate III in hairdressing in sunshine coast. Only problem is that the course will give me the qualifications to be a hairdresser but as far as i know to get in on a student visa the course must be 2 years, am I right?
Next problem is that we have a baby boy of 7 months, well he would be nearly 2 when we leave if all goes to plan, so the plan was that my mum would move to australia with us and work part time (at weekends or evenings) and be able to babysit while I went to College and OH works, my mum will be 58 when we hope to go out. ANyone got any ideas on how to get her there as I cant sponsor her til I have PR and she is too old to get skilled list, but if she went on retirment she wouldnt be able to work would she??
Sorry to go on and on but there are sooooooo many hurdles in our way it seems.
Hi there Mandy
Think you've got a mission there!
There are some migration agents on here who may be able to help or you could get a free assessment from many of the migration agents if you havent done so already.
Alternatively have a look on www.immi.gov.au which is the aussie immigration website. There is absolutely loads of info on there which takes a bit of trawling through but l wish you the best of luck!
lyn
thanks for that, I have tried speaking to a couple of agents but to be honest none of them are very helpful and when they hear the words "student visa" they just tell me they cant give me any advice on anything because I have to apply for a student visa on my own.
I will start looking through the website and see what I can come up with.
Its true that not many agents deal with student visas as they are quite straightforward to do yourself once you have the offer of a place on an international course. have a look at www.studyoptions.com they are a great bunch who can guide you regarding study.
If you are able to get a student visa you can apply to work once you get there - up to 20hrs per wk termtime and as much as you like out of term and any spouse/partner is the same l believe however you do need to confirm you are able to support yourselves financially without this.
Your mum would probably have to apply for a retirement visa of some sort but they too require a lot of financial outlay, she will need to confirm she has quite a bit of money to support herself along with healthcare etc.
Personally l would have thought your best option would be to get your qualifications here along with a bit more experience and then go for it. l know thats probably not what you want to hear but it would be a lot cheaper.
l am certainly no expert, this is just stuff l have picked up whilst researching for family but good luck whichever way you choose.
l am sure some others on here will add some stuff too which may help.
Its definately a dream worth pursuing :)
Lyn
The student visa only lasts as long as the study. So if you're only studying a 1yr course, then that's how long your student visa will last for. If you're intending to study hairdressing, which is a skill in demand, you really need to do the 2-year Cert III AND Diploma to become a trained hairdresser. Even after gaining your qualifications, you then have to satisfy 900 hrs of experience for the TRA...There is a new 18-month graduate visa coming out, precisely for new Diploma holders, so they can get their 900 hours and then be able to get Permanent Residency.
Your mum will be a different kettle of fish altogether . I certainly know very little about Parent Visas, except that there are 2 types, Contributory (costs u lots of dollars) and Non-Contributory (takes years to be accepted). Please send a PM to Gill (Gollywobbler) who has loads of experience/advice re Parent Visas.
If you go onto the official Government website www.immi.gov.au there is a section for International Students. I don't think you'll be able to get your mum out there to look after your little baby, so that brings with it additional problems.
Sorry if this is so negative - know fair bit about Student Visas as Stu and my daughter have been accepted onto their courses. Also, Peter (posts as Connaust) gives some good Student Visa advice.
If you've got any more questions - please ask or PM. Happy to tell you what we've trawled through to get this far.
If any PIOzzers know anything different than what I have just posted - hope you'll put me right folks.
Cheers Mandy and Good Luck,
Rachel x
__________________
Big Stu, Little Rache,
Accepted to study in Melbourne, July 2008.
Confirmation of Enrolment received 26.4.07.
Police Checks requested 06.12.07
Thanks for your advice, I am a Personnel Officer, but I dont have either a diploma or 6 years expeirence, but the company I work for is going through a major restructure and they will be changing everyones job titles, so they can pay us less, and mine will be changed from PErsonnel office to Regional Administrative Assistant. Even though I will be doing the same work I dont know if they would accept me in a couple of years because of my title change.
OH is a scaffolder which isnt on the skilled list, things just arent looking good for us and we had our heart set on going to make a better life for our son, but we will keep on going until we get there.
Hmmm...got me thinking now! As far as I'm aware, Personnel Officer probably not good for sponsorship.
What about your hubby? You say he is a scaffolder and it's not a Skill in Demand, but is it possible to be sponsored as a scaffolder? I'm not sure. You could maybe put out a post 'scaffolders' to see if anyone has been sponsored? Or, is it a Skill in Demand in NZ? I say that cos when things looked bleak for us, we had a look at NZ. Their rules on migrating are a little different in that you can be aged up to 55yrs if you've got a Skill in Demand, and also their Skill in Demand lists do differ to Aussie one. Can't remember the NZ Immigration website, but sure you can Google it.
Secondly, if NZ no good/doesn't appeal, what about your OH studying? He could study, say, bricklaying for 2 years, get a Diploma. He would be allowed to work 20hrs a week as well, you would too but obviously you're the primary carer for your little boy. If you had a little bit of capital behind you, it may be possible for it to work.
You could maybe also use the 'search' box at the top of your PIO page. Put in 'scaffolders' and it would bring up old threads.
Trying to think of everything possible for you! Do not give up! Where there's a will there's a way!! Maybe also try and search for old Phil Olsen posts, agent based in Perth who has put out posts before looking for construction workers.
Keep us posted Mandy! Am really rooting for you
Byeee
Rachel x
__________________
Big Stu, Little Rache,
Accepted to study in Melbourne, July 2008.
Confirmation of Enrolment received 26.4.07.
Police Checks requested 06.12.07
. I certainly know very little about Parent Visas, except that there are 2 types, Contributory (costs u lots of dollars) and Non-Contributory (takes years to be accepted). Please send a PM to Gill (Gollywobbler) who has loads of experience/advice re Parent Visas.
