Raul Senise

Be mindful that the new Government has announced that it is abolishing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and replacing it with a new federal administrative review body. The establishment and transition to the new system may slow processing further.

It is odd that this would be requested before the visa is granted.

The number of exemptions are small. Not all exemptions are occupation based.

In most cases but not all. The subclass 186 has a number of different age exemptions. There are also age exemptions for subclass 186 visas under Labour Agreements.

Small Engine Mechanic may be appropriate 321214 depending on the specific duties

They would need to negotiate the labour agreement first.

Tourist visas, especially from high risk counties have high refusal rates at the moment. A family sponsored family sponsored tourist visa would require a bond be paid by the sponsoring family, which is forfeited if the applicant does not depart by their visa expiry date.

If your wife is pregnant she won't be able to do the medicals required for the PR to be finalised, so the point is moot.

You can't just apply for 189 or a 190 as you have to be invited to apply. Residency requirements for State sponsorship are specific to each State and can change regularly.

Yes it is, but often people are not advised this up front. I have had conversations where people have contacted me as they have become dissatisfied when they have not bee invited to apply for a visa. Many are shocked when I assess them and advise them their chance of being invited are almost none. It is a common sales technique, to tell people that they qualify for a points tested visa and start by charging money to apply for a skills assessment and lodgment of an Expression of Interest. There are many websites that make it seem like if you have an occupation on the List you can get a 190/491 visa.

The first thing that you should consider is that a 491 visa is not guaranteed. It is a lengthy process that involves first doing a skills assessment, English, etc. Then Lodging an Expression Of Interest. You then need to be invited by the State to lodge a sponsorship application. There is no guarantee that you will be invited, as this is based on the individual State's ever changing requirements, their labour needs and how many other people have lodged an expression of interest before you. Just because you meet the State requirements, does not mean you will be invited to apply. IF invited, you apply for State Sponsorship. IF the States sponsorship is approved, you will be invited to apply for the 491 visa. Only then can you apply for the 491 visa. Also, you do not get PR after three years. After three years of living in a Regional area on a 491 visa, you can apply for Permanent Residency, if you meet the requirements. I mention the above details I have seen too many people sold this potential pathway, without being told the full story and being disappointed when they do not get past the Expression of Interest stage.

Some States will not nominate you if you choose more than one State or even subclass in your EOI. This is not possible as Lawyers cannot be registered with MARA.

The original question is irrelevant as you stated that the visa came through in time. I posted as the advice in your post to go to New Zealand, wait at the airport and return on the next flight is not ideal.

Not recommended as you would risk having your visa cancelled on your return to Australia for not being a genuine visitor.

Considering that the planned partner visa numbers for the current program year have dropped from 72,300 to 40,500, I think we are going to see ongoing processing delays. The published processing times are already showing 6 to 36 months.