Kimorjack

Hi all Hopefully an easy question for someone here. Lucky to get the invite on 65 points (15th Oct) - and did the "Apply" button routine this morning. Questions 1-17 feel like a confirmation of what I put in EOI - the only addition being wanting information on the wife's work...this panicked me a little as I thought - have I done something wrong in saying "take the wife's skills into consideration.." as part of the EOI - but checked and I said "No" to this question...so continued through all the questions and Im now at 17/17 confirmation. I presume this is the last screen - and the next one is "Payment" Is that it? The Visa Application is then complete? I was expecting to be asked to upload more documents of some sort? thanks

thanks - I sent a reply to Wesley straight away - but not had a reply yet. VsweetV - where are you getting this information?

Thanks for the replies. I agree with gbuss (and there are many other posts on here about this controversial subject) - I personally wouldnt apply for a SS and then live in another state...yes, its only a moral obligation - but that means potentially another person/family that want to live in that state no having that opportunity... I will submitt my EOI on 60 points - and will also apply for the SS (we are in the process of going thru both our options now) - it may not be required. thanks

...after reading some more posts...can someone confirm to me.. ...with 60 points I just submit my EOI (for an independent visa) If I feel that after a period of time Im not getting an invite - apply for SS - and if successful - I just add this to my EOI...

Hi all, Many thanks for the replies. I understand I had to do the "background" work - (for qualifications) and the IELTS exam...it just took longer than expected (complication is that as an IT Contractor - I work for an agency and not the actualy company - eg. agency was ABC - but the company I did the work for was XYZ - XYZ could only give me a reference saying I was there from a to b - and the agency (ABC) could also only give me this information). The agency involved was of no help with this predicament - and also had limited knowledge of my circumstances - and it was for this reason why we parted company. I now have a different predicament and maybe a Migration Agent could advice me further - but I think after reading the replies - ther perception is that I just put an EOI in - and see what happens...but I dont want to be waiting for years :-) (like all of us!). If nothing happens then I request a SS to get more points...or bite the bullet now and look at SA/Victoria. All this information is really helpful. thanks

Hi all Let me start by saying - Im not after the answer - just opinion's, possible avenue's and maybe hear from fellow forum users who may have been in a similar situation. Started this long process around Nov 2011 - where we started to read these forum's and gather all the necessary information to start making the first "move".. We had decided on Brisbane as our destination. We approached a Migration Agent (following advice here) - and all was positive...first stage was to confirm my skills...which was a bit weird as I know what my job is and I had already done the research for Anzco...but I followed the advice - paid the money and 2 weeks later the agent came back to confirm what I had already told them...(after a while the Agent proved to be a waste of money for my circumstance...especially as the email's dried up...so we parted company...It seemed as I was doing the hard work....) We were told about the changes to come into force in July - and I already knew I had a date of mid June 2012 to have everything in place (turned 40 in June) - so knew I would loose points.. Next was to get the evidence...this took an agonising long time (Self Employed and had worked at multiple companies during this time) - as I was Self Employed it was very difficult to get the evidence required. After multiple attempts (and driving all over the country to get written statements) - I finally had all the documentation in with the ACS in mid April...I received a positive result a few days after my 40th birthday. :-( This was agonising - as I knew that my chances for an Independent visa had lowered significantly. Then came the EOI - which in essence should of helped...as it lowered the score requirements... So I now have.. Skills and relevant experience authorised (ACS) IELTS 8.5 Required Qualifications Score for EOI = 60 This is our problem. I've read here that EOI's with 60 points are at the bottom of the pile. One option is to obtain State Sponsorship - at present my skills are required in Victoria and South Australia - and a positive Sponsorship would give me 5 points and in some Forum Posts - what appears to suggest that an opportunity to apply (because of the SS).. This would mean doing the research again for 2 other states (we've gone as far as knowing which area, which school's etc in Brisbane). The family was set on Brisbane. We don't want to move to somewhere for 2 years and then up-root again. Not fair on children, not fair on us. We dont want to make the wrong decision and increase the chances of not settling in Australia. There are thousands of questions - but to me: Do we wait until there's a SS for Queensland for my skills? Do we forget about Queensland-quickly assess both Victoria/SA - and apply for SS and stick to these area's Is 60 points possibly enough and still apply for the Independent ? ....we are committed to go - it's our dream - but I want to give us the best possible chance when we do "land" - as in my opinion that's when the hard work starts all over again...maybe it is just "all in the head" about Brisbane....we accept defeat and look for somewhere else. Im sure there are many posters who have been in similar situation's - someone once said to me- there will be many hurdle's to jump over - but if you really wanted it - you will jump...jump...and keep jumping....(We are currently jumping). any guidance/opinions/suggestions would be great.

yes - have 8.5 IELTS have over 10 years experience - and positive ACS (Systems Analyst) - we were hoping for everything to be ready before the July 1st deadline - but ACS took longer than we thought - so that also meant I lost some points for my age...so it's not for the lack of trying - it's circumstances!

thanks - all our planning has been for Brisbane - but needs must...Adelaide ...hmm... I think Victoria also have Systems Analyst on the SOL.

Thanks Bubbe2005 - make's it a bit more easier to "stomach" - - and possible not in a good way :-( My anzsco (261112) - Systems Analyst doesn't seem to be on the SS list for Queensland. Is there a consolidated list of SS's for all area's somewhere?

thanks for the reply. I've corrected my "mistakes" and think Im now good to "go" - its a hard decision - as so many have said a pass score of 60 is "in the pile" and will probably not get a look in when there are higher point earner's also in the queue..It would be good to know what a BTEC HND in Computer Studies actually gives you in "points" - I think it's 10 - but would love it to be 15! Applying for a State Sponsor would also give us another 5 points - so maybe this should be our path...decisions decisions. Has anyone had an invite on 60 points?

hi all, Luckily being able to finally complete an EOI...but couldn't easily any "simple" checklist for the questions...so want to make sure we do this right! PART ONE - Query! a) Family Members - (Are there any family members the client would like to include in a future application?) - YES Is my answer! b) How Many family Members - 2 (wife and child) c) Would the client be accompanied by the client's partner in a future application? --> Weird question - YES, but I've already answered this in b) ?? Am I reading this incorrectly!? Part TWO - Query! IELTS --> Test Reference Number --> I only have a Test Report Form Number on my IELTS Certificate - is this the same? MY IELTS Score's were: R(8), L (8), W(8.5), S (9) --> Giving an Overall Band Score of 8.5 but on EOI --> when I put these figures in --> it says 8!! I know that an 8 is a superior English - but wanted it to be consistent... Part THREE - Query! The Questions would Imply it's to do with Australian study - but where else would I put my Qualifications (from UK) that would give me the required points? Help! I think I click "Yes" to "Does the client meet the Australian study requirements for the Skilled Migration points test?" and then select (and add) my details in the Education History section Part FOUR - Query! My ACS Reference - is my login - and the only Reference I have - so I've put this in here.. Thanks!

Hi - I did mine at the end of May and we didn't need to send anything to ACS - upload only (there was a change) - not sure if this is still the case? I got my results thru (currently appealing) so at least I know I didn't do anything wrong. Send them an email or call them to clarify - they are very helpful - good luck

thanks Lara24 - good information - hopefully someone else who went through a similar situation can also comment.

Hi all, A bit confused on this - hoping someone has the answer... Been self employed IT contractor for over 15 years. Took ages to get the ACS documentation together. As a contractor I've been able to submit the following info to ACS: Agency Reference Stating Position and Dates for each job Could only get some Company References stating type of role I completed - as most companies were not able to provide this to me. ACS have stated in the Result Letter that Im suitable for the ANZSCO code I wanted. In total they've given me 2.4 years experience out of the last 10 years, this is because the other companies have not given me a detailed reference, as its against company policy. For my Visa I need the maximum points available for over 8 years experience. How do DIAC calculate this? Do I provide the references I have from the Agency's to prove I have over 8 years experience (along with supporting Financial information from Accountants, Contracts etc) - or do DIAC want 8 years "proven" experience in the eye's of the ACS? In the last 10 years, I've worked for one company for 5.5 years, and the other 2.5 years - and its their company policy only to give Dates in the reference - I have tried contacting previous colleagues - but they are scared of getting involved (not wanting to go against company policy). The remaining 2 years are covered with a Company Reference. So in Summary - ACS have given me the ANZSCO code I need. But not given me the relevant number of years work experience I have (Not assessable due to insufficient documentation). Will DIAC use this information - or will they take the references I can supply saying Ive worked in Company A, B, C D etc for X amount of years? Hope this makes sense...at the moment - feel like this is a huge blocker...especially If I cannot get references. thanks

Has anyone gone through a review with ACS - I'm going to try to ask my previous company's again for more detailed references - but this time show them the ACS report and hopefully this gives them a visual of my dilemma...eg. It says the dates I've worked there but actually recognises them as 0 years, 0 months - this is the difference between a life in Australia or waiting for another avenue to appear. How long is the review process (says 4-6 weeks) - feel there's some urgency now (again) because there's only a low number of available slots for my role this year on the new skill select- in reality this may already have been reached...

Im just looking into this now - I can Appeal or Review...early indications are that I can Review "if" I can get additional information to support my "case"...unfortunately this will be slim - as I am an IT contractor - and will therefore have been working via an Agency - hence why I cannot get a "company" reference..totally frustrating...surely they have to take these things into account - especially with the high number of IT contractors now working (globally). To support my experience - I gave all my company accounts, and contracts to support it. But more or less all of the contracts have been marked as 0 years, 0 months experience...

Hi all After a long wait I received my ACS result today - which said: ACS - Your skills have been assessed to be suitable for migration under 261112 (Systems Analyst) of the ANZSCO Code --> TICK in th BOXACS - Your Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies from XX completed July 1994 has been assessed as comparable to an AQF Advanced Diploma with a major in computing -TICK in the BOX ACS - Work Experience (over 10 years) assessed as 2.4 years...I work as an IT contractor and the references from the agency's (simple one's saying I worked in company A as a system Analyst between X and X have been classed as "not assessable due to Insufficient Detail" - really frustrating as that's the rule for IT consultants --> TICK in the BOX - but this means - my points are now: Age 40-44 --> 15 points (if turned 40 a few weeks ago...frustrating) IELTS - 8 --> 20 Points Skilled Emplyment --> 2.4 years recognised experience --> 5 points (I was able to get 2 companies to give me a reference - one is my current employer - as i am there...and the other was from 07/98 to 05/03 - but as its over 10 years ago - I cant show the 4.10 months as experience - only the 1 year...is this right? Education (I think im correct in saying I can get 10 points This means to me..I currently have 50 points - but if i can somehow get the ACS to recognise my 15 years IT consultancy to various large blue chip companies (I even submitted Stat Decs from me for these...gave them all my LTD company accounts...and gave a reference from the Agency - which by law is all I can do)...I spent endless months trying to get some previous colleagues to give a Stat Dec saying I had worked there - but they were not prepared to go against the company HR policy for submitting any references...which is understandable. This is now completely jeopardising my Visa.. any thoughts/suggestions? Anyone gone through this? Is it worth going back to the ACS? thanks