Old Employer - No Reference

Jhonnywalker · 17-06-2008, 09:36 AM

Hello All,

I am a newbie to this forum and after going through few threads in this forum, I can say I am bit more confident in proceeding with the formalities for 175 Independent Migrant Visa.

I was planning to apply for my skills assessment by end of this month, but having a hard time getting references from my previous employers :(

Question:
One of my previous employer is out of business, and I have got someone (that worked in my same company) who is ready to provide reference. I was going through the FAQ's on the ACS website and they had mentioned to attach Business cards, Payslips e.t.c

The person that is providing me the reference, doesn't have the old business card's. Is it ok, not to attach the business cards?
Also, should the my referrer provide any kind of declaration? and should this type of declaration by signed by a Notary?

Is Statuatory declaration provided only in cases where I am unable to contact my ex-employer / ex-employee. Is that correct?

Thank you,
JhonnyWalker.

leeob77 · 17-06-2008, 08:54 PM

hi mate.
i had the same problem with the company i served my time at / worked post apprenticeship.
they closed in 2001 and i lost touch with most people.
i simply did a statutory declaration stating that the company was no longer in existance. went to solicitor to have it sworn and stamped. you have to be a bit careful how it is worded but i passed my skills assessment no problem.
hope this helps. let me know if you need any help with it.
cheers
Lee.

melissa · 17-06-2008, 09:06 PM

I did the same but also backed it up with a cert from company house, to prove the companies existance. You can do this online but have to order the cert from them. Not the downloaded version. The more documents to back it up the better.

darren

mandisfam · 17-06-2008, 09:33 PM

Hi, My oh is has just finished putting together his skills assessment for the ACS. One of his old employers no longer exists and he has just done a stat dec, stating that the company has ceased trading, you then give details of what you did like a reference. He took it to the local solicitors, had it sworn on and signed. We are also backing it up with a certified copies of offer letter, P60's and P45. Out agent seems to think this will be fine.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck. If you have any other questions about the ACS, do post as there is quite a few of us on here who have or are going through the process.

Mandisfam

clare robson · 17-06-2008, 09:43 PM

Hi Madisfam,
Can i ask what is to be included in the skills assesment that you have to show is it just proof of what you say you can do, and what does ACS stand for. Just starting to research for Oz, could u give a clue of the things that need to be done and what needs to be collected, meds police check any other info would be appreciated. Are you thinking of shipping your furniture with you?
kind regards
Clare

mandisfam · 17-06-2008, 09:49 PM

Hi Clare, Well firstly ACS stands for Australian Comptuer Society. Do you work in IT then??? As for getting started, well you have look at it in smaller steps. Firstly, you have get your skills recognized/approved, then you move on to the visa application, which when medicals and police checks come into it. Do you plan to use an agent or do it yourself???

As for furniture, well to be honest we haven't thought that far as yet. I feel at the moment, we will only ship the good stuff and our personal belongings. I plan to hit Ikea when I get there.......

I am more than happy to answer any other questions you may have.
Good Luck
Mandisfam

Jhonnywalker · 18-06-2008, 07:13 AM

All - thanks for the replies / suggestions.
Well, I am in the process of getting reference letters from my previous employers and hope it have it filed with ACS by end of this month (to take advantage of the 50A$ concession).

Should I provide the stat dec, even if I have a colleague with my previous employer that is ready to provide a reference? Would a plain paper declaration by my colleague be enough?

Thank you,
JhonnyWalker

moving2melbourne · 18-06-2008, 07:45 AM

We had the same thing, a stat dec and a reference from a fellow worker did the trick. The more evidence you can show the better as in DIMIAs eyes it isn't up to them to prove you worked somewhere it is up to you. They can easily just refuse the visa. So the more evidence you can supply the better, also you can request information from the tax office under something like data protection act and this will show that you were employed during this time frame, we did this also and it all worked out well for us:)

Jhonnywalker · 18-06-2008, 03:45 PM

Hi There, Thank you for reply. It definitley makes sense.
I am pulling out all my old files and scanning every minute detail to see if I can find anything more than what I have :)

sazzle76 · 24-06-2008, 04:25 PM

bonus!!!!!!!! i found the thread i was looking for! thanx so much you guys!

My OH is a panel beater and we are also gathering all the evidence required for a TRA assessment.
They need so much but it all seems quite repetitive. current employer statement, personal statement, statement from apprenticeship etc.

However, the company OH did apprenticeship with is no longer here. We are doing a stat dec and his ex boss is providing a ref (but obviously not on headed paper)
We contacted data protection to get old p60s and wage slips but not sure if these will state 'apprentice panel beater' which our agent said the TRA require!
Have also approached his college but they are a bit slack in getting info back. OH did training in 1996.
Its also difficult because the TRA do not recognise NVQs as being proof of apprenticeship, so we had to get hold of a National Trades Certificate, which was pre-NVQ.
Its all for the hope of a better life tho!

If anyone can help with regards to the stat dec and what TRA are looking for il be v grateful as well as any help where to get hold of any other info, like proof of apprenticeship.

many thanx
sal