Help and Adivce

[Bonniebum]

Hi to you All !!!

New member here!! I'm hoping that I can get some advice and help from you all out there....

We are just about to start the process of applying to emigrate to OZ (hopefully Adleaide, fingers crossed xx) and money is tight. So, we are going to try and avoid using an agent. After reading some messages on the forum the cost of agencies was astounding (maybe me being naive, who knows). Anyway, as I said we would love to do it ourselves.

My partner is a Management Accountant ( Degree and ACCA) and works for the coaling industry in Scotland. I work as a Medical Records Officer and we have a 4year old son, so our VISA would be based on my partner.

Now here's the questions?

1. Are we best to apply for skills test based on accounting exams before applying for VISA?
2. Will there be problems with us not being married?
3. Is there a definitvie cost for VISAS, MEDS or Police checks?
4. Is there a certain path we should follow on the way through the application?

I know that it looks like we have not done any checking but we have - loads!! - but we would rather have help from people who are in our position or have gone through and came out on the "Sunnyside of the Earth".

Yes...we are probably mad but after finding out that renting our house in the Bonnieland costs a lot to set up etc having the added cost of an agency or or other costs that are avoidable, would be a BIG benefit.

We would absolutely love to make the move but the costs are mounting up and we haven't even moved yet.

Also, if there are any other hopeful migrants out there living in Central Scotland drop us a line and maybe we could get together to help each other.

HELP!!!
Dawn
xx

[sheena]

hi guys, welcome to pio!! cant help on all your questions but many on here will be able to, but i do know that being unmarried is fine that wont effect you!! our police checks cost £10.00 each, and have you looked into a sponsored visa? thats what we are doing and its the quickest way to get in!! have you been looking on the immi web site? you will find loads of info on there! good luck with whatever way you go!!

[Gollywobbler]

Hi Dawn

The answers to your questions are:

1. You cannot apply for a visa unless Hubby first obtains a positive skills assessment from whichever skills-assessing body he needs to apply to. Please see here:

A-Z Occupations List - Australian Skills Recognition Information

2. Being married is irrelevant as long as you can prove that you are de facto partners and that your relationship is stable, solid etc.

3. The Visa application charges can be determined from the links in the section about whichever visa you eventually apply for. UK Police checksare £10 each, fixed. Meds costs vary a bit but if you assume roughly £250 per person you will not be far out.

4. Yes, there is a set path:

• Get the skills assessment.
• Also decide which visa to apply for.
• Apply for the visa once you have the positive skills assessment.
• Follow DIAC's instructions once the application has been received and acknowleged.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

Gill

Hi and Welcome to PiO..all the best for your plans and i'm sure you'll get all the help you need right here!..
Pingpongor Tess

[Bonniebum]

Thanks for the info...much appreciated!!!

Better get started ASAP....

xxx