GetMeDownUnder

Thanks We are happy with our home and my company will give me 12 months out. It therefore makes sense to try and keep it as we could come back to what we know if things did not work out.

Pretty much what I said in a previous thread I did see images in a PDF previously (think I found it on the official site). They looked pretty much like standard runs that you would see in a rescue centre. The cats at least had 2 levels so that they could sit up high and be bored stiff for 10 days. Just be thankful that it is 10 days , not 30. The irony is that I would have probably paid extra if it meant that I could reduce the stay from 30 to 10 days.

We are moving to Oz next year and had a plan. 1) Let out our house which has now just finished its 5 year Fixed Term mortgage. 2) Remortgage our property and use about 20k of equity to pay for Australia relocation (visa fees, flights, animal shipping etc and have some cash for a rainy day which could go back into the mortgage later). We spoke to our existing mortgage company today who advised that they cannot give us any cash back out as they would not be happy with us using it for Australia especially as we may not have a job there, or that we may be unable to let the house out (as if). He did say that they would have given us the cash to consolidate existing debt (e.g. the visa fee which is currently on a 0% card awaiting equity back from the house). In essence, it appears that I can get the 20k if I accumulate debt first, yet they will not give it to me if I ask up front for cash which I have already put in (and despite the house going up in value 50k in 5years). Does anybody have any good advice? Ideally I would go against a small loan, and switching 0% credit cards may be very hard to come by next year as we will no longer be in the UK. Do we take the debt up front first, then remortgage to another company and consolidate the debt with them? Can we remortgage with another company and take cash back out anyway ? (as we have about 60% LTV). Should we get a residential mortgage and then request a short term Buy-To-Let agreement with the lender just before we go, or get a Buy To Let now? I think the simple answer is to get proper advice from a mortgage broker or equivalent? Thanks to anybody with some insight.

Dave keeps creating threads like this and being told that he has not met the criteria , but he goes against advice everytime, before asking again later. I can understand he is hoping to get an opinion he wants to hear, but he is essentially just burying his head in the sand :-( I hope it all works out :-)

You won't get any points for experience unfortunately. (I think)

Firstly, do not use any words if you do not understand their meaning. E. G. You don't understand the word paradox so don't use it :-(

Well done I did mine myself too so it can be done. I would perhaps use an agent if there was confusing circumstances (or if I was filthy rich).

I was not asked to do a Form 80. I considered doing this up front but decided against it as perhaps you are giving them more detail than they require which could result in them spending more time combing through your application resulting in slower processing.

I did the RPL before I applied...the RPL took longer to write than to process.

I had to do an RPL though which took me a few months to finish. That was a real pain.

As per sig

Received my grant today. Thanks all for your help.

Mine took about 8-9 weeks..

http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/mc/2014/mc215271.htm

You can leave it longer than 88 minutes before bumping. There were only about 4 posts ahead. :mask:

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/206241-do-i-need-points-test-advice.html An agent has advised me here (and others elsewhere) that VETASSESS do not need to check your degree if ACS have ok'd it.

Your reading is correct. They requested for it to be removed for 2013 but it was left on the list. There is just no way of knowing for 2014. If you already have your experience / qualification validated by VETASSESS? then you could apply for an EOI now. You would then receive an invite which lasts 60 days and you could then claim it for your VISA if the job falls off for 2014. If it stays on then you could let the EOI expire. Of course, if you have not yet been through VETASSESS (or similar) then you cannot do anything in time for the new SOL in July anyway.

http://www.awpa.gov.au/our-work/labour-market-information/skilled-occupation-list/Documents/2013SummarySheets/2347Veterinarians.pdf http://www.awpa.gov.au/our-work/labour-market-information/skilled-occupation-list/Documents/2013Submissions/60AustralianVeterinaryAssociation.pdf Considering all this evidence, it is highly probably that Australia is experiencing the early stages of a significant oversupply of suitably qualified and registrable veterinarians. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recommends that veterinarians be removed from the SOL. Please provide any other information you consider relevant evidence to support your submission (for example, you may know of some independent studies about your occupation that supports your advice to us). The AVA is currently conducting a comprehensive survey of current and future needs for veterinary services in Australia. However, the existing data provided above underlines the high likelihood of an expanding oversupply of Australian graduate veterinarians over the coming decade. Therefore the Australian Veterinary Association requests that ‘veterinarian’ is removed from the Skilled Occupations List for 2013.

Newbie posts and never returns...but still achieves 27 posts (including this one). /Thread IMO

Which will result in them increasing the cost further to cover their overheads :sad:

IT will happen. Yesterday DAFF sent out a global mail to anybody who sent feedback to them... I still don't see how they believe that the new Q&A below is valid. Costs go through the roof despite them having no exercise, no access to owners etc. They should be looking at why their costs are so high, not by looking at how to charge their customers to accomodate it. +61 (0)2 6272 3933 costrecovery@daff.gov.au daff.gov.au Frequently Asked Questions Fee Review Post Entry Animal Quarantine – Cats and Dogs May 2014 Q1. Why is this fee change occurring and what is driving the increase? There are three main reasons for the required increase in the fees (these are also articulated in the fact sheet and the draft CRIS document on-line at http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/import/live-animals/fees-charges/cri-peaq-program-fees ): 1. Fees were last adjusted in 2009 Fees in this program were last adjusted in July 2009, some five years ago. Since then, the costs associated with managing quarantine have risen. 2. The program has been operating in deficit The animal program is currently operating in deficit. In 2013-14, the cat and dog commodity line is forecast to cost $8.094m to operate. It is estimated that the cat and dog commodity line will be in deficit $4.7m in 2013-14, in effect, recovering less than half of its expenditure in this financial year. This program operates under full cost recovery. To operate contrary to this would be against government policy. 3. There has been a significant change in Post Entry Animal Quarantine (PEAQ) policy In February 2014, the import policy for cats and dogs was revised, stating a minimum 10 day quarantine period instead of the historic minimum 30 day quarantine period. This policy has had some impact on the PEAQ program expense base, specifically on costs which are variable (those which vary based on the number of nights a cat or dog is held in quarantine such as food). The majority of costs for managing cat and dog post entry quarantine are fixed (that is, they do not vary based on number of nights held in quarantine (i.e. entry and exit processes, property (including rent and property maintenance, operational policy development and administration). Q2. When does the fee increase take effect? The fee increase is expected to commence on 1 July 2014, for cats and dogs arriving on or after that date. We note that cat and dog importers will make arrangements to import their animal before this time and therefore all bookings made for animals arriving on or after 1 July 2014 will be invoiced once the fee review has been completed. Importers will be required to pay their invoice within 14 days or before the approval to send the animal occurs, whichever occurs first. Q3. If my cat or dog commences PEAQ prior to 1 July 2014 which rate will I be charged ? You will be charged the current rates up until 30 June 2014 and the proposed rate from 1 July 2014. Q4. If I have already paid for my pet stay in the period after the 1st July 2014 will I need to pay more? No, the department will not seek additional fees from those that had booked and paid for quarantine prior to the notification of the proposed fees. Q5. What is the new fee? If approved, the new fees will be $149 per cat or dog per day. The minimum PEAQ stay is for 10 days. Q6. Why are cat fees being increased more than dog fees? Through detailed analysis of our PEAQ process, we have determined that the costs for managing cats and dogs in PEAQ are the same. The proposed fee adjustments will address the current inequity in the costs for cats and dogs by increasing the rate of charge for cats so that it matches the new rate set for dogs from 1 July 2014. Q7. Does the fee model meet the requirements of the cost recovery guidelines? The department is meeting the requirements of the Cost Recovery Guidelines. The Australian Cost Recovery Guidelines are based on the premise that those who use Australian Government products or services should bear the costs of delivering those products or services. Q8. How have the volumes been calculated? The forecast volumes (activity levels) are set to reflect expectations of PEAQ services over the period. Forecast volumes are informed by historical trend analysis. These volumes are assessed against the program resourcing requirements to ensure that capacity at the quarantine facility is consistent with the requirement for services. Q9. Why did the Byford quarantine facility close? Byford quarantine facility, located in Perth, closed permanently at the end of 2013 due to an ongoing bushfire risk at the facility. Q10. Why is there another fee review following this one so quickly? The department is undertaking a more comprehensive review of all import cost recovery arrangements in the lead up to operations commencing at the new PEAQ facility in Mickleham, Victoria. This review will look at ways to streamline and adjust fees and charges to reflect the department’s business operating model for providing biosecurity services at the new facility. Q11. Why is the Government building a new Quarantine Facility? The three existing department operated PEAQ facilities are leased from private property owners or from other levels of government, and all the leases will all expire between the end of 2015 and the end of 2018, with no opportunity for extension. This presented the department with an opportunity to comprehensively plan for Australia’s long-term future PEAQ needs. As a result, the department is currently undertaking a project to build a single new PEAQ facility on a Commonwealth owned site in Mickleham, Victoria. The future PEQ facility will consolidate all post entry quarantine operations currently spread across Australia into one site. For more information please go to http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/quarantine/future-post-entry-quarantine-arrangements Q12. Have you included costs from the new quarantine facility in these fees? No, costs associated with the new quarantine facility have not been incorporated into this fee review. Q13. Are permit fees also proposed to be increased? If so when and why? Yes. Information about other proposed changes to fees for biosecurity services can be found on the Department of Agriculture website at: http://www.daff.gov.au/bsg/biosecurity-fee-review-2014 Q14. Why can I no longer visit my cat or dog whilst it is in PEAQ? Under the current import conditions many animals undergo just 10 days in post entry quarantine. In this period departmental staff are focused on providing the care your animal needs, while managing the administrative and biosecurity requirements that prepare your animal for release. Due to the short quarantine period, visiting of animals in post entry quarantine is not permitted. If your animal is required to stay in quarantine for longer than expected, visitation may be discussed with the manager of that facility. Q15. Will my animal be exercised during the PEAQ period? The department’s staff will attend to your animal’s exercise needs during its time in quarantine. The kennel runs in the facilities are well set up, and provide most animals with adequate room to exercise within their run. Where veterinary advice recommends additional exercise is required, departmental staff will provide this. Q16. Why is there a requirement to now pay a supervision of grooming fee and what is this fee? Under the changed import conditions of minimum ten days quarantine for the majority of cats and dogs, it was determined that the resourcing (people) could be reduced (and fees reflect this). In order to maintain visitation and supervision of grooming, the Department would have needed to engage additional staff and the recovery of this further additional cost would have needed to be spread across all owners of animals in quarantine, necessitating an increase in charges to all owners of animals in quarantine, regardless of whether they were able to visit their animals. Q17. Why not phase in fee increases? A phasing of the fee increase would prevent the program returning to a financially stable position. Q18. What extra services will you be providing to support the fee increase? The services currently provided will not change. Q19. Why has there been so little notice of the proposed fee change? Consultation commenced in April and the fees are proposed to be implemented on 1 July 2014. Q20. When will the department determine if a fee increase is to occur? The department is expecting that any announcement on a price increase for the Post Entry Animal Quarantine program would be made mid-late May for effect (on services provided) from 1 July 2014, subject to required approvals.

Why would you want to close as little as possible rupert??? You want to claim as much as possible for max points in a competitive code which requires more than 60 points. Similarly, if you knew they would take at least 2 years off then surely you would give all your experience? There is no harm in challenging it, and you should if your degree is an IT major. What is the degree? Did you give a transcript etc to show the syllabus?

Mine came just after 2.05pm (midnight ove r there). Or log on and check your status :-)

Unsure why I am replying again when the OP didn't reply to answer but hey Ho.. Actually MaggieMay, the employment after March 2010 is deemed skilled... This means between 2 and 8 years experience were deemed skilled prior to this date as per my last post.

Did you read the guidelines? https://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/7324/Summary-of-Criteria-2014.pdf If he does not have an IT degree then the first 8 years of experience discounted if no degree (or equivalent) and 6 years for a non-IT degree. They will also remove years if not closely related to the ANZSCO code. An Infrastucture manager does not sound like a support engineer to me You can only claim experience points from the skilled date given on your ACS result.