Mel

We had our medicals on the 11th Sept (£825!) now our link states no health checks required for all four of us!!! Like you, we haven't got a Case Officer yet... Curious...

Well after years of research and pondering, we decided to just book flights and go see for ourselves what Australia is all about. Today is the day we fly!! We are all so so excited. Spending time in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. I've got a couple of employment agencies and hospitals to visit. We're packed,we're good to go... OMG..... :biggrin:

I got L8.5, R9, W9, S9 first time, but didnt do very well at all with the online practice papers. I used Target Band 7 - How to maximise your score. The writing section focusses on the structure of the essay and shows you how to turn any question into a pro's and con's argument. And reminds you to do exacty what is asked in the question. For example - I didn't have much idea about the topic of the question, so I just 'had a go' and focussed on the structure. The question also asked for an opinion and examples if i wanted to. Intro - re-word the question into a for/against argument. Couple of paragraphs in favour of each way. Paragraph saying which side of the argument I agreed with. An example to support my opinion. Conclusion - summing up the contents of my essay. In total, I wrote 3 and a bit pages. The book also giveds a good structure for writing up tables/graphs/flow charts etc for the first part of the writing test. The book was £15 online. Money well spent. Good luck. x

Trip to the pound shop to gets loads of stickers, crayons, plastic horses and other such pound shop tat!! Good luck! x

Take 2 highlighters in with you and highlight the key words in each paragraph. Defo worked for me. Good luck. x

Thanks for the replies and information. BeeBoDee - I would love to see your example refs if you dont mind. I feel like I'm being asked to bulk it out for the sake of bulking it out. Who needs a 4 or 5 page ref???? Thanks. x

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on writing my professional reference as part of my skills assessment for ANMAC. I'm a midwife - my manager is happy for me to write it for her to sign. I've written in the format of the example refs provided by my agent, but the example refs are for community nurses so can't lift too much from it! I've covered the points from the ANZSCO job description. It reads well and is succinct and to the point. The agent says that if it was for a job application it would be spot on, but for the purposes of ANMAC, it should be 4 or 5 pages long with lots of detail. Well this is where I'm stumped.... Would anyone who's had their skills assessment through ANMAC be able to share some ideas on how to bulk it out and not sound like a load of old waffle!!! Thank you!! Mel x

Thanks all for the replies so far. I agree it does seem a demanding exam and I will certainly be putting some time in to get the best result I can - if I dont get the 20 points I may have to apply for the state sponsored regional visa which is my back up plan. As you say though, it's my working skills which are more important than my ability to write an essay!!!

I've been told by 2 agents that I need to do the academic exam - think it's because I work in healthcare?? Need to get 8,8,8,8 for the visa I want - not looking forward to it. How can you plan an essay when you dont know in advance what the topic will be? Will get a book and look for more practice online (and keep everything crossed!!!)

So have decided to go initially for the independent skilled 189 visa - however, this is dependent on me getting 20 points on skill select for my English (scoring 8 for all 4 tests). Eeeeek....!!! Have looked at some practice questions online and it looks like I need to get my thinking cap on!!! Have looked at a few books and practice questions online but wanted to check if anyone who has sat the Academic paper can advise any particular resources. Need to get it right as only want to sit it once!! Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

Until I know I need it (depending on which visa we choose) I'm holding off, but from looking, think it's arranged via ANMC.

Hi Shoosh I havent registered with AHPRA yet - have updated my CV and downloaded form ready to do. Am just getting my head around everything and deciding the best way / order to do things!! Initially, my plan was to register with AHPRA soon i.e. be registered before going to Australia at Easter so that once we'd decided where we thought we'd like to settle,I could start applying for jobs when I got back. That was going to be with the 457 but then I got confused with the skilled nominated 190 visa (!). However, I'm not convinced I have enough points for the 190, despite 2 agents telling me I have.... So I'm waiting for clarification from a third agent!!

Thanks for the replies so far. In terms of wanting the quickest visa - it's only because my big boy would start high school in January and I think it would help him settling if he's starting a new school at the same time as several other primaries are coming together to one high school. So it's not a mad rush - just wanting to be out there and have the kids making friends before the long Xmas holiday. Also, on the 457, my colleagues didn't have to do the IELTS which is quite appealing! However, I am looking into test dates and looking at practice papers now in case we do opt for the 190. Davidson4 - I really hope another job comes up - or are you resigned to the fact that you're coming back? Good luck with it. Thanks.

Thanks for the replies so far. In terms of wanting the quickest visa - it's only because my big boy would start high school in January and I think it would help him settling if he's starting a new school at the same time as several other primaries are coming together to one high school. So it's not a mad rush - just wanting to be out there and have the kids making friends before the long Xmas holiday. Also, on the 457, my colleagues didn't have to do the IELTS which is quite appealing! However, I am looking into test dates and looking at practice papers now in case we do opt for the 190. Thanks.

So having been pondering on this for a number of years, we have finally booked flights and are going for a reccie (albeit a quick one!) at Easter - that is myself (a midwife), OH (contract manager) and 2 lads (aged 9 and 12). Flying into Adelaide for 4 days, catching the Overland to Melbourne for 5 days then flying up to Brisbane for a week. I know this isnt enough time for a thorough look around but am restricted by kids' holidays. Am hoping to get a 'feel' (altho again, I know it is different when in holiday mode!!). I have been looking at visa options (applying myself as a midwife) and am undecided between the long stay business 457 and the skilled nominated 190. I know several midwives who have gone out on the 457 and have then got their PR via employer so know this is an option. However, speaking to a couple of agents, they are trying to persuade me to apply for the 190, as will defo get the PR (as long as remaining working in the nominating state for 2 years). I've been told that with the 190, I would be entitled to free schooling and first time buyers grant. But I thought the kids were entitled to attend state school free (apart from contributions) anyway on the 457. The 457 will be cheaper and quicker to get out and part of me thinks the agents advice is biased because I will more than likely need their help with the visa which will cost me. But depending when I look at it, I can see the pros and cons of both visas. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I've got brain ache !! Thanks.