melbournegirlinny

Do you have a registered agent acting for you? Switching from a 175 to a 176 visa has not been possible for quite some time. So you cannot do this.

Do not speak to DIAC before you have formulated a strategy based on sound legal advice. Cheryl Bird who used to post on there is recommended and she is in Brisbane I believe. Think her company is called Oz Migration Agency.

It depends on for which purpose you are asking. DIAC accept anything above 20 hrs per week as full-time but the skill assessing authorities generally require 38 hrs a week as full-time. Don't understand your comment about your 8 yrs' experience. If you have been doing 40 hrs a week then you clearly meet the DIAC and skill assessing authorities' definitions of full-time.

Here's some advice. If you want to improve your writing score you need to focus on clarity. You say you know you cannot pick the results from different exams and yet that is what you wrote in your post. So if you did not mean that then your writing is not as clear as it should be. Have you tried a tutor at all? You write well but to get all 8s is not easy. You can submit the best IELTS results you get. It does not have to be from the most recent exam sitting.

You cannot pick and choose your IELTS test results from different exam sittings. You have to submit the results from one exam date/sitting. You should apply for state sponsorship-processed more quickly than a 175 visa. And if you are really set on trying for a 175 visa you could also sit the IELTS again. If you get the desired score then you have a choice if you also get SS.

I just sent you a PM. Read it and then call me on the free phone number I provided. I'll see if there's anything I can suggest that might help you out.