Beginning the process!

[Patrice]

Hi Everyone!
I am an Aussie living in London and am assisting (well pretty much doing) the migration process for my Boyfriend. He is applying for the skilled independent 175.
We are currently obtaining all the info for his skills to be assessed by TRA.
He is a mechanic, however has some 'gaps' in his career as he was in Aus for a year and only worked 6 months as a mechanic there, and worked as a labourer for 6 months when he came over to London. For this reason, he cant apply until June until he has enough 'current work experience'.
I am under the impression however he can apply for the TRA assessment now, as he has completed an apprenticeship in motor mechanics, and has 4 years work experience. I dont believe TRA specify for current work experience? Would appreciate if anyone knows any different?

I am just wondering if anyone else out there is having the same trouble as us with the lst part of the form, where you have to give a detailed description in your own words of the work you have done?
How long and detailed does this have to be?
My boyfriend is really struggling with this part, as a motor mechanic, he never needs to write such 'essays' as he calls it!
I wonder if anyone can give us some useful info regarding this?

I am also more than happy to answer anyone's questions if they ahve any...
(from an aussie point if view!)

[Paul n Ness]

Hi Patrice & welcome to PIO

Just a thought - as you are an aussie, could you not apply for a spouse visa as a de-facto (living together) partner? As long as you can prove your relationship for longer than 12 months it may be an easier option for you as skills wouldnt have to 'proved' - although an 'essay' may still be required

Anyway, GOOD LUCK whichever way you decide to go!!

Ness

[ali]

From what others have said - the detailed description has to be very detailed and could run into pages. You have to break down the job to say what tools you'd use etc., I'm sure someone will be along to help you out that's done it

Ali

[Patrice]

Hi Ness,
Yes we have thought of that option, and have been living in London for a year together now, however we are renting, and our rent include bills, so we dont really have any documentation as proof to show this....
Also, i would rather he get the visa on his own rights, and not have to rely on the fact that he is with me. Atleast people at home cant say we are only together for his visa.

[Gollywobbler]

Hello Patrice

I agree with you that it is much better for your OH to migrate independently of you visa-wise. On the forms he would have to tick "yes" for do you have a partner but since you are an Australian Citizen, they don't need any other information about your relationship etc it seems to me.

With regard to work experience, I think I've heard something about 12 months in the last 24 months have to have been spent doing whichever skill you are nominating, but I don't think it has to be 12 months with any one employer.

In your shoes, I would ring a couple of Agents to check this because you can get a TRA assessment but then get DIAC being niggardly about the work experience later.

I would suggest that you contact Go Matilda in Southampton and also Ian Harrop & Associates near Oxford. Neither of these firms would charge you anything for 15 mnutes or so on the phone and there is no onus on you to use them subsequently if you don't want to. The details for both firms are here:

Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Contact and Feedback

Registered Australian Migration Agents, UK - Ian Harrop and Associates

Best wishes

Gill

[Patrice]

Thanks Gill,
Yeah we are hoping to apply for the TRA assessment next week some time, once he is happy with the 'essay'. Then wait til June til he has the 12 months experience in mechanics to apply to DIAC.
The main problem we are having is getting the 'essay' done for TRA. They dont give any guide at all, as to how long or detailed....Hopefully whatever he comes up with will be ok.
Will take look into getting advice from an agent, thanks!
we have decided to go it alone though, as my cousin went through the same process with an agent, and they did nothing but hold things up on their end. He still had to do all the hard work, i guess you just pay the agent for peace of mind of having everything complete!

[Alan Collett]

Remember that motor mechanics in the UK are now assessed by VETASSESS rather than TRA:
VETASSESS - Vocational Education Training and Assessment Services

Best regards.

[Patrice]

Thanks for the info. My boyfriend is Irish, so still goes through TRA!

[Alan Collett]

If he is resident in the UK he must apply through VETASSESS.

Best regards.

[Patrice]

He is living here in London, but is not a resident. He is From Dublin, so Republic of Ireland, not UK.
I hope im correct with this?