jamie

hi just a quicky, i am awaiting my TRA outcome (21 days and counting) and wondered do they send a letter with ref that you need for your EOI?or do you get a ref on the home portal tracking site? Doing one step at a time so not looked into this to much yet, we are applying for 190 vic ss ,hopefully, many thanks

Congrats i know how it feels to get the results back,just the best. Do not want to ruin your day but did you need 7s or 8s towards your points tally,. All 7s =10 points and ALL 8s =20 as your results give you 7s=10 points

Giving a bump up as alos interested

Hi gang,got myself in a muddle and need some reassuring advice.Planing on applying for state sponsorship 190 visa with Victoria.Now what i have got confused with is i understand that i must get an EOI first before i apply for Vic state nom' but i thought i read somewhere that the EOI is only valid for 60 days and vic sponsorship is on a 12 week turnaround meaning the EOI would expire before i would get nomination. please help and put my spinning mind at rest:wacko:

Hi just posted mine last week,so no outcome yet.I sent all my trade certificates including my apprenticeship certificate and had to re-do some myself as they have been lost over the years,I then wrote a statement to go with each one explaining tools used on training course ,objectives ,skills learnt and dates i also included any company procedures and pictures that would sit in line with each course where possible.I then got my manager to sign all of these ,with myself.I then wrote a VERY detailed explanation of my daily job duties and tasks which included lots of photos of myself doing tasks, job work packs and instruction manuals.It is very important that you try and tailor your job skills to the requirements of the skill you are applying for on the skills list,MY manager wrote a detailed reference that also kept to this .I also managed to get a reference from my company main HQ (bit generic,but better then nothing)I included pay slips and P60s any any awards received such as APRs ,thank you notes and recommendations ,then Finally got all originals certified by a solicitor (£30) It took me a VERY long time to do this and i am just praying it is OK,even though i believe it would be impossible to fail me I don't know exactly what TRA are looking for apart from loads of paperwork and waffle so fingers crossed,:wink:

HI, got 2nd interview this week been, told its down to 3 of us but am i am the only off-shore applicant , fingers crossed although i am not hopefull

Hi ,thanks all. I have 75 points but my job is not on the 189 list so have to go down the 190 route which is not a problem,Sounds good to be able to carry on with my application

Hi Shar ,i hired an agent ,then after about 6 weeks realized that the one I was using didn't seem to know as much as myself,i done my homework and research and thought they would be the support i was after,but it turns out that you still have to do 99% of the work yourself and you end up answering your own questions if you read and then read again you can fill in the forms fine as long as your case is fairly straight forward.I ended the instructions with my agent and started myself (no outcome yet,lol). It really is a confidence thing ,because i really didn't think i could do it,but am now quite proud that i could.If you want that extra bit of support and guidance then use an agent but get lots of info on them first and pay in stages so you can jump ship like myself if you are not happy.Agents are not cheap but can be invaluable if you have a problem. good luck.

Hi gang,need some info. We are currently applying for 190 visa ,but i might just of secured a job with temp sponsorship at this time.I am reluctant to go to OZ on temp visa because we don't want to take the chance of being sent home in 12 months time when the contract expires and we also have 2 kids to consider. I don't have full details of visa type yet but wondered if we can continue down the 190 route whilst being in OZ on temp visa or are there other options many thanks Jay:wacko:

Hi again,the problem is to many places and not enough time,i reckon the planning is ALMOST as good as the doing .I use a Toyota hi-ace which you can take almost anywhere and is very reliable.make sure you also do Jervis , Crowdy and the Eumundi markets in Noosa(only on twice a week cant remember the days) , and check the turtles in mon repos as im sure they will be still hatching in April/May,the campsite is right there on the beach with the education center next door,very peaceful .Top spot.:rolleyes:

Hi Kel, yeah all of mentioned are very easily accessible, only crowdy bay is a bit bumpy, but OK .As for Byron bay,it is very busy and full of touros ,if you could take away all the people and tack shops it would be fantastic but you cant,it is also hard to find a camp spot here. Its just one of those places you feel like you have to go to, some good bars and cafes and great beach, its upto you t,he beauty of the camper van is just decide when you are about 5kms away whether to turn right or not ,lol.:wink:

i am in the UK applying under telecommunications lines-worker 342413 and will prob aiming for VIC (extended family there)but just wondered if i could apply for other states before i submitted my visa application, thanks for your help Jay

Hi gang,to save me trawling on the net ,does anyone know ,can i apply too two different sates at the same time for sponsorship as i cant decide which state to choose so would like to keep my options open for a while many thanks:biggrin:

Hi kel,you will not regret the trip its fantastic.We have driven the east coast 5 times taking about 5-6 weeks to do it,all in all we have clocked up 68,000kms on our road trips around Oz(done the big loop and down through the center)The biggest problem ,not that its a problem ,is the climate in each state as you know can vary a lot. Any way i can give you some great advice and some top spots that are a must but it really depends on what you like. starting from Melbourne its a NO brainer it has to be Wilson's prom about 3 hours out although might be getting cold in march but the sunsets will amaze along with the wild life and walks ,do not miss this spot.After the prom we find the route a little drab not keen on lakes entrance to be honest bit like a British seaside town but is a good midway point to stop,or you could drive another hour to cape conran national park,after here Pambula beach(nice camp site here on beach with pool and kangaroos but can be pricey in holiday times)Miribula and Tathra are all good spots.Next would be a good drive to Jarvis bay as already mentioned ,stop here , beautiful.next is Sydney so do as you please lots of good campsites with great service to the city,lane cove is a good site and Narabean is also good as right on beach and close to manly and ferry into city which is best way to go.After Sydney there are lots of stunning national parks to camp in,with some terrific free camps to be had (open fires lots of wildlife and great star gazing),a favorite of ours is Crowdy bay,a basic campground with cold showers only and flush toilets but its fantastic you camp with the roo's and are aloud open fires(this one is about 8kms off road but we do it in a normal combi camper just a bit bumpy nothing serious.Next up a defo is Hat-head nat park and south west rocks you can free camp or use campsites (i do both when here as it is easy to mix it up a bit).Then you can drive onto Sawtell or coffs, these are just nice towns to stop at for a nose.After this you will be entering the Byron bay (can be hard to get a camp spot here) lennox head area before the gold coast (every one likes different things but we just drive through the gold coast).Once upto Brisbane you have Morton and Stradbroke iskand ,never been on them so cant help but have heard good reports.Now you will come upto the sunshine coast,i suggest a visit to Australia zoo (Steve Irwin fame)and Caloundra is prob best place to stop for this, nice camp and owners at dicky beach.you can then pick anywhare on sunshine coast for a relax but you must make a visit to the Eumundi markets near Noosa and take cruise around the hinterland,some great little towns and drives.Then up comes Fraser Island,i have never driven myself but have done a 3 day 4x4 tour which was fantastic so put this on your list.Next is Bundaberg,do the rum factory tour if you like this stuff and then head towards bargara and stay at a place called 'mon repos' think the camp site is called Turtle something where depending on time of year you can watch turtles mate or hatch on the beach at night time in this protected place.I love this spot.You can now make your way to Airlie beach where you can camp at lots of campgrounds and arrange which island you want to visit,good tip is to talk to camp owners and they will let you leave your van on site for a reduced rate whilst you visit the islands,word of warning here the ferry's onto the islands are VERY picky if the weather is not right as it can change dramatically. Sorry bit of a waffle but there is so much to see and do on this route and i have missed out tons ,others can fill in gaps i have missed, but DO take the opp to free camp and use the national parks as this i believe will introduce you to the real Australia with its real people and you will then understand what a truly fantastic country the Ozzy's have been hiding from the common tourist,its stunning. You will be completely safe and all i have mentioned is very easy to do ,we have two kids 6 & 2 and have done trips like this twice with them and they love it. If i can help you out with anything just ask as we are in middle of planning our next adventure in January 2014 and its just so exciting so i have all my maps and photos out again Have fun , Jay

Thanks for the support,cant believe the credit card payment service is new,mind you cost me a bomb to post my application,ha ha

Thanks, yeh used the new credit card option

Hi gang about to post my TRA ,fingers crossed ,can i check with you all if this is the right postal address to send it Post Trades Recognition Australia Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education GPO Box 3022 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA THANKS JAY

Hi,not sure i can help but do remember the reading being the hardest part due to time being fairly tight.TBH there is no trick the answers are either there or not ,just try not to panic and if unsure move on as i think you can read to deeply in to the topic which is usually nonsense and come back to it later.People have lots of methods for the reading section one of which is just random scan the paragraphs,but i found that if i just concentrated and read the whole paragraph i found the answers quicker as i got less confused and you will have time to do this .Regarding your examples i would of thought the first one was 'not given' as it does not state either way,and the second example without sounding patronizing is obvious as the paragraph dose not state that you must make an appointment neither does it say you cant make one so it to is not given,stupid i know but this is how the reading section works. I sympathies with you as it is the hardest section and you cant revise very well for it and the annoying thing is you have to retake all 4 modules again instead of just the one you fail.so sorry not to be more helpful just stick with it and i promise you will pass this early hurdle and the relief is amazing, good luck and keep us informed Jay

Yepeee forget the above ,it has now gone through only took 3 hours!!:wacko: Thanks for your help

yeh no worries,tried everything just my toys r us rewards card to go,ha:wink:

Yep having problems as well,keep getting message Your transaction was unsuccessful The following error was reported: Your financial institution is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. tried 3 different cards anyone else had this thanks Jay

Hi thanks for this,once you paid were you given some kind of receipt/ref no' to attach to your application before sending

Hi gang,just after some reassurance, has anyone paid for their TRA application via the new credit card service.I am about to complete mine for payment and wondered if anyone has used this yet Many thanks Jay:biggrin:

the saga continues, got this direct from TRA Thank you for your enquiry to Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). Yes you can use an international bank cheque. Please be advised that we cannot accept payment through Money bookers/Western Union or via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). All international cheques/drafts must be drawn on (made payable to) an Australian bank (e.g. Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation, etc.), in Australian dollars and made out to: 'The collector of public monies INNOVATION'. The international cheque/draft will be that of the Institution drawn from but made payable in Australian dollars to an Australian bank, that the bank is affiliated with. Please see the below example. It is not necessary to open an account with an Australian Bank. ********************************************************************************* JP MORGAN Bank (NY Plc) 01/01/2010 Chq No: 123 456 Pay: The Collector of Public Monies INNOVATION $300 AUD The Sum of: Three Hundred Australian Dollars To: Australian & New Zealand Banking Corporation Melbourne 133-21684694:2010 #123 456 ********************************************************************************* All replies to this email must be forwarded to traenquiries@innovation.gov.au if you require the matter to be actioned. Trades Recognition Australia Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education Phone 1300 360 992 | Fax 61 2 6290 8780 www.innovation.gov.au/tra SG0644 my agent now lets me know if i wish to pay this way then they will accept no responsibility for my application. How kind of them.

14 hour days 6 days a week does not leave much down time ,so we thought (like fools)that this agency would help share the load