Agency or go it alone ??

[mick+lulu]

Hi there, we are about to begin the application process and wondered what the pros and cons were of using an agency. Does anyone have any advice ?

Mick+Lulu

[Life on easy street]

This really depends on your circumstances

If you are very close to an age deadline e.g. 45
Then I would use an agent because there is no time for a second chance

If you are a few years away from an age dead line then it may be worth while
Considering trying it your self you will need to quite bit of research on the Internet

Advantage of using an agent
Any mistakes in the paper work are spotted before your application is sent to
Australia.

Guide you through all the steps of the application process

Always some one at the end of the phone to help you fill the
Required forms.

Provide Templates for the best way to have references written

Advise you of any changes in immigration rules

Should any problems arise suggest possible solutions

Less stress.

Disadvantage of using an agent
Can cost up to 3500 k depending on which agent you use and your circumstances
(The cheapest is not always the best).
paper going to Australia via agent can take a few extra day's

Advantage of not using an agent
Lot cheaper
You feel smug if your application is successful

Disadvantage of not using an agent
Can be stress full if things start to go wrong
With no one to turn to.

You have to do all your research your self

You have to keep your eyes open for any changes in rules.

[calNgary]

We used an agent simply because i didnt know where to start.They check everything for you so theres less chance of your application being returned or refused.for us it was the best way to go and i wouldnt do anything different if i had to do it all again(god forbid,lol).Many folks on here however have completed everything on their own ,so its really your choice ,,if you do decide to use one we used Visa Bureau,,
Cal x

[IAN NINA & GEORGE]

Disadvantage of using an agent
Can cost up to 3500 k depending on which agent you use and your circumstances
(The cheapest is not always the best).
paper going to Australia via agent can take a few extra day's

Advantage of not using an agent
Lot cheaper
You feel smug if your application is successful

Disadvantage of not using an agent
Can be stress full if things start to go wrong
With no one to turn to.

You have to do all your research your self

You have to keep your eyes open for any changes in rules.

this is all good advice you have been given here we ve done it alone we had no probs see our timeline below

[Maz]

Hi

We are using Go Matilda (Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Visa, Tax and Financial Planning for Australia) as our agents and although we are still at the beginning of the process they have been totally fantastic so far. They are always extremely quick to reply and e-mail everything through and we are really impressed with them so far. Alan Collett who started Go Matilda regularly gives his advice on this website which i think proves he cares about what he does and its not just a job for him and that was one of the reasons we picked them as agents.

Everyone is different but i think its too scary doing it yourself, i would rather spend few grand and have better chance of getting my dream than risk messing it up because didn't have anyone to advise me properly.

Good luck whatever you decide and let us know how you get on.

Maz x

[Gollywobbler]

Hi Mick & Lulu

I agree with everything everyone else has said.

I think it also depends on your own temperament and how much spare time you have. DIY research takes FOREVER if you do it methodically, carefully and thoroughly. When I did it for my mother's Contributory Parent visa (which, trust me, are much easier than these skilled visas) I found that the best way to do it was to print absolutely EVERYTHING that looked half-useful and to trap it all in a ring-binder (I would recommend the lever-arch version, plus invest in divider cards and a hole puncher.)

Have a look at www.immi.gov.au and see what you think, I suggest.

The second thing I would say, if you decide to explore the idea of using an Agent instead of slogging through the whole thing yourself is, "Don't go anywhere near an Agent who merely gives you an "estimate." Many will offer a fixed fee deal instead," and Go Matilda's fees are a lot less than some, plus they are first rate in my opinion... The link below will demonstrate what utter sharks some Agents are:

Visit to Oz while awaiting Visa's? : British Expat Discussion Forum

Best wishes

Gill

[heieup]

we've done ours ourself and although we haven't had it granted as yet its not too bad.

Definetly the cost was an issue for us and once we'd read everything it really doesn't seem too hard. Particularly with the great people on here who can answer almost every question you might have.

Real important thing though is read EVERYTHING ! I did the same as Gollywobbler, printed everything about the visa we were applying for, read it, read it again and read it again. Check the web site a lot so that you are up to date on changes when and before they occur. Usually they tell you the changes are going to happen before they do and give quite a lot of info on there as well.

If you have the time and dare I say it Balls I think you can do it yourself. An agent will check your paperwork for you but it is just soooo expensive.

Also TRA if you are a professional is really quite easy, just send off your degree certificate. If you're a tradesperson it seems a lot more tricky in which case an agent might be more worth the money.

[homer and marge]

Hi

Just wanted to chip in, we have a agent and they have been brill we would have never had got this far without them and they are always there to help even with my silly question. We have step children so needed the help so the 1500 quid was worth it for us, but I do know lots of people went it alone without a problem.

If you are good with lots and lots of paper work and are good at wording things (unlike me) you should be ok but if not the 1500 quid isn't a lot when you get your visa at the end of it.

We used Concept Australia South

Good luck

Homer & marge

[BRAMBLE]

Hi & welcome. I did our all by myself and found it straight forward. No problems. (skilled independent)

[charliebrown]

I used an agency - cost about £2500, but they have proved themselves very useful already with the skills assessment phase as the ACS were very picky about my degree. I think if you know someone that has done it already and you're a simple case, you might be fine. I didnt want to risk it and wanted all the help I could get.