jillgamble

Hi Paul, we arrived in Sandringham in Nov 2010 on a 457 visa. My husband's employer lodged our 186 ENS application on 26/11/12. We rec'd the 'valid application' notification on 18/3/13 and yesterday 28/3/13 we received the approval. We lodged a decision ready application (through an agent) on 29/11/12 - we think we may only be days away now from received our PR. I do know the immigration have had major issues with their new website (1/7/12) which are now resolved, and CO are taking up to 8 months to be allocated. We were told in Feb by our agent that the DIAC were working on August applications, so end of March they have now got to November, so fingers crossed you're not too far away. We've put the bottle of Moet in the fridge just in case it comes early next week!! then it time to celebrate. Where are you from? We are from Leeds in Yorkshire!

Hi everyone, I've had a conversation with DIAC to see if I could find out how long it takes for a 186 visa. (We are currently on a 457 living and working in Melbourne) I've been told that since the department moved over to a new system (1/7/13) the waiting time can now take up to 8 months to get PR. We lodge next week (2 years employment) and have decided to use an agent and submit a 'decision ready' in the hope it may speed things up. Has anyone lodged after the 1/7/12 for a ENS186 and how long did it take please..... Thanks

My understanding is that LAFTA was a government incentive and not one that companies should have put into employees contracts. My husbands company did not pay LAFTA when we arrived in nov2010 and only started it in Feb 2011. They have written to all 457 holders saying it will be withdrawn but they have agreed to pay a cash monthly bonus to cover the shortfall until July 2014, unless we become residents or buy a house. However I know other companies have just pulled the plug too, hopefully you'll get the outcome you need.

Hi I have a friend who lives in Mount Martha which is another 10 minutes further down from Mt Eliza, both are lovely places to live. Whenever I go I feel like I'm on holiday. To drive into the city will on a good day take you over an hour each way, a new toll road opens next year which will reduce travel time. We live in Sandringham, and when I worked in the city I caught the train which took 1/2 hour, driving would be an hour! Good luck with your move, we've been here 2 years on 15/11 and have never looked back. Just waiting for our PR now, then sell house in uk and buy here. Jill

We are planning on applying for PR after the two years, was hoping our son could apply in his own right if he was a qualified plumber as it is on the skilled shortage list. Just need to get him onto the course.

Hi Carole, our visa took about 2 weeks but was lodged through Fragomans, we didnt need a medical. Left UK on 7 Nov 2010, so over 7 months ago now, still living the dream, but have issues with our 19yrs son and his apprenticeship rights on a 457 visa!

Can a dependent of a 457 visa apply for an apprenticeship