spangley

Kellie thanks for the update. I've been checking back as you'd been fairly quiet around here....I hope all is working out for your family.

Computer Network and Systems engineer is on the SOL. Don't be put off as an ICT Technician can very easily fit this skill title. I did it and achieved my 189 Visa. Do your research and adapt your CV accordingly. Of course your work history will need to prove you had Network and Systems responsibility too.

Why are so many people leaving Melbourne? Is it the economic climate or home sickness?

Good luck Kellie. To think all your anxiety not that long ago was whether you'd get your visas. Now it really is happening. I hope everything goes smoothly.

I got my 189 Visa in March, and we activated the visa on a visit in June. We've now postponed our planned move as the IT jobs market seems quite scary. Recruiters I've encountered are contemptuous and unhelpful, emails and calls aren't returned. Many job adverts seem to prefer local experience or Australians....which in IT makes zero sense. And I don't believe half the advertised jobs actually exist. So we're holding out in Switzerland for now...in another tough market, although for me going to Oz now would be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Hopefully things will pick up in a couple of years as we don't want to let go of our chance to live in such an amazing country full of amazing people. It's just IT recruiters I hate

I was never asked for my 189 if this helps.

Thanks for your advice, particularly your suggestion about leaving the city till later. Makes a lot of sense given our time constraints. I note you're in Somerville, an area I'm also curious about. Is it practical to live where you live and work in Melbourne? Many thanks

So my wife and 3 yr old daughter will be arriving on Thursday in "Melbs" to activate our 189 visa and to enjoy a 6 day reccie. We're keen to get a flavour for South Frankston as it seems to tick a lot of boxes including affordability. The only downer is we're arriving when the weather isn't going to be so pleasant. Any advice what clothes we should bring at this time of year? Also, what outdoor activities can we get away with this time of year in Melbourne? Excited and nervous, as this will likely determine whether we really make the move from Switzerland.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who's had that thought.

Is anyone aware of scandals in Australia of the same magnitude of Stafford NHS hospital scandal? Hundreds of needless deaths due to maltreatment of patients. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_Hospital_scandal

Wonderful news Kellie. I was keeping my wife in the loop on your application, and she's delighted for you too. You did emotionally drag many of us in......I feel I can now celebrate my Visa Grant now without feeling too guilty So was it QL you're planning to go to? We're actively searching in Melbourne. Tip, go the website www.homely.com.au it's a bit like UpMyStreet for ratings of areas and suburbs. Congrats to you and your family, and my thoughts are with all the other January gang who are still waiting.

UKIP are offering something incredible. The opportunity to stick two fingers up at the 3 parties who've served only their own interests for the past generation.

Do the practice papers and listening tests on the IELTS website. That set me up to breeze through. Good luck.

Kellie, My daughter has severe hearing loss in both ears. She has to wear hearing aids and she sailed through the medicals. Hopefully that gives you a little more confidence in the delayed outcome.

I doubt you'll need to fill it out again. It'll surely be for new applicants. I'm crossing all my toes and fingers for you, try and concentrate on other stuff otherwise it's going to send you stir crazy. Your grant will come.

Congratulations. It's a great feeling. Now the real work starts to find a home and a job.

Once the Case officer picks up your case then the status changes for documents that are "required". You only need to upload required documents.Then lower down the page a link will appear for creating your Medical reference letter. This letter will be taken with you to an Aussie govt nominated health practice for your medical assessment. In Switzerland we have only two approved medical assessment centres. Your GP is unlikely to be suitable. The immigration site also provides a link to approved med centres in your country. Good luck.

My ACS assessment took around 12 weeks too.

We got it!!!!!!!! 6 months from start to finish, what a slog! Hopefully it'll all have been worth it. Credit to Adelaide GSM Team 2 who've been very efficient. My advice for those still waiting for their Grant. Once your Work experience and Qualifications status has been changed to "Received" then the remaining documents are a mere formality, assuming there are no concerns or questions. So anyone waiting for their police checks for example thinking of Thailand here You're at the mercy of other bureaucracies, and once their system has processed it's own little chunk then for the GSM Teams they just want the right documents to process you as quickly as possible. Remember they have performance targets to meet. Good luck to all the remaining January lodgements. I think our journey has only just begun

We're a the same stage. All our final docs uploaded. Meds aren't yet "Received" though a new alert appears informing "No health examinations are required for this person for this visa subclass based on the information provided to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection." Which I understand means they've received our Medical reports. So, hopefully Adelaide GSM Team 2 will do the honourable thing ASAP

My German wife got her IELTS results yesterday. Non UK, US, IE passport holders need to attain 4.5 points, or undertake Aussie state English courses for around $2000. Anyway, she got 6 points, which is a fantastic result. So, we're just waiting on her IELTS received status, and our family medical tests. I think we're only a matter of days away from a grant.

Can't your OH get another qualification that's recognised by ACS? Perhaps CISSP is recognised? I know it's a slog, but it could be worth the final hurdle.

In ACT a lot of the jobs will be in government, which I guess means you'll need the security clearances etc. It might also mean being non Australian goes against you. So I'd suggest Melbourne for private sector jobs such as the banks.

I have my medical tomorrow....and I've now got a chest infection I really hope this isn't going to foul up my results.

My wife is German, and she took her IELTS test in Zurich yesterday. She needs to achieve 4.5 points to avoid us having to stump up English language training costs for when we arrive in Aus. I'm confident she'll get the required points. Get your wife to do some of the mock exam tests on the IELTS website. This helps familiarise and reduce any nerves before the actual test.