Accountant 2211-11 skills have to be assessed in Aus - Correct??

[Alan Collett]

PS. Don't overlook visa strategy. We recently progressed an ICAEW client application for assessment as an External Auditor rather than as an Accountant because the VIC Government was sponsoring External Auditors for subclass 176 visas, while Accountants were not on their list.

The client's visa will be granted in the next couple of weeks when he and his family depart in Australia (they are presently in Australia as the holders of soon to expire employer sponsored temporary residency subclass 457 visas).

Moral => look at the whole visa strategy, rather than each element of the application process in isolation.

[bentkitty]

Tim,

This article from Go Matilda News might be of interest:
Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - News

Best regards.

Alan, this is great! Do you know if the ICAA have a similar arrangement with the ICAEW? (they didnt at the time I got my skills assessment done but they were clearly 'aligned'). I am ICAEW qualified.

[Smirfyduo]

Jules,

Thanks again to you and others (you rock!). One question regarding when you say "I didn't have any need for the company to be contacted at any stage during the visa process". What about for extra MODL points don't you need some reference stating what you did at company etc? I have worked at a German Bank for last 6 months as contractor. before that 4.2 years at Citigroup with 3 months in between DB and Citi in Australia. Can I really prove my work history without my company bein alerted? That would be great. Also for those reading this ICAA offer 2 week turnaround express service :)

Thx Tim

Hi Tim,
I did a stat. dec for my work experience, and also explained in the stat dec why I was doing that instead of providing work references. (At the time I was up for a promotion, and didn't want to jeopordise that or my job in general when a visa application can take years or be rejected...)

I basically used the work experience overview that I submitted to obtain my CIMA membership, added a few bits to make it like a current extended cv, and then changed the wording so that it read as a stat dec and not a cv (If that makes sense...) Then it was off to the solicitor in MK city centre, and I think he charged me £8 to stamp it. (Not that he bothered to read it - he just asked me if I was sure that it was all correct...)

And it was not a problem, as we got our pre-grant email last week. We just need to plan a holiday and leave Aus to get our PR granted.

Good luck with your application - if there is anything else you can think of that I can help with, just shout

Cheers!
Jules

[TimStaples]

Thanks Alan! That is very interesting I may look into that one :o). Wow, you can learn alot on these forums, I think I may be becoming addicted! Good vibe though, as people genuinely offer support! Anyone know if I can go through whole visa application without alerting my current employers? I do I just need to bite the bullet?

[Alan Collett]

Thanks Alan! That is very interesting I may look into that one :o). Wow, you can learn alot on these forums, I think I may be becoming addicted! Good vibe though, as people genuinely offer support! Anyone know if I can go through whole visa application without alerting my current employers? I do I just need to bite the bullet?

In my experience, Accountants from the UK are unlikely to find that their employers are contacted to verify work experience claims - but make sure your application is supported by employment references that are in the required format (setting out your duties, hours of work, remuneration, etc), payslips/P60s, etc.

Best regards.

[Alan Collett]

Alan, this is great! Do you know if the ICAA have a similar arrangement with the ICAEW? (they didnt at the time I got my skills assessment done but they were clearly 'aligned'). I am ICAEW qualified.

I would have a chat with the ICAA in Sydney, and maybe also the ICAEW - reciprocal recognition between the ICAEW and the ICAA has (I recall) been enhanced recently.

Best regards.

[TimStaples]

Alan, that is great advice! How long should I expect to wait for a 175 CSL on submission of application? Should I front load police checks and meds? What if Accountancy drops off CSL whilst application in? Looking to have complete in 4 weeks.

[TimStaples]

Jules, fab, fab, fab! I am very glad you have been accepted for a visa, your certainly deserve it! That my friend is karma for all help you have given others!!

[Alan Collett]

Alan, that is great advice! How long should I expect to wait for a 175 CSL on submission of application? Should I front load police checks and meds? What if Accountancy drops off CSL whilst application in? Looking to have complete in 4 weeks.

I'll let others answer those questions.

You are welcome to contact us by telephone or email if you think you might require some formal assistance.

Best regards.

[Smirfyduo]

Hey there, me again!
Have a look at this thread - people log their application times etc on here, and it might give you an idea on long you could be waiting.

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migrat...e-monitor.html

Unfortunately we had a bit of a nightmare with our agent, - we weren't told that I needed to take the IELTS for the extra points to get onto the CSL. Our application was lodged on 20th May 08. I sat the IELTS at the end of May 09 - got my IELTS results on 18th June 09, and visa pre-grant was on 26th of June 09. But there is no hard and fast rule to processing times.

The meds and police clearance does not take long - 2 weeks for UK police clearance, meds we were able to book within one week of needing to take them. As they are only valid for 12 months, and the meds are not cheap and only take a few weeks, I would suggest waiting for the go ahead from you CO before doing them.

When the visa is granted, you have a certain period to validate it. It is usually within the 12 month period that your meds are valid for. So if you do your meds now, and then the visa takes eg 5 months to be granted, you will only have 7 months to validate instead of 12?

Have fun!!
Cheers!
Jules