82rhoads

thanks for that info, we were just looking into flights. Haven't heard about the cookies thing before, but i'm cynical enought to believe it!

Hi, this is a worry as we've just booked our flights. I've been reading the West Australian on-line and been getting job feeds from the west Australian and there seems to be work in my trade but not in the abundance there was when we were over there a year and a half ago. I guess it depends what industry you're in and it does appear the mining is slowing down so things are getting tighter and more selective, hence..' WA experience' only! Although, saying that, i was talking to my relatives in Perth last week and they hadn't heard about the 'wa experience' that much ,so is it just a way of saying politely no! A 112 migrants a day is a huge amount though and I'm glad we've got somewhere to stay when we first arrive....they said the bubble would burst just hope it's not as my plane lands!! Cheers, Darren

We booked flights to Perth the other day and used the 'international organization for migration' that was suggested on our visa grant. Got a good price of £2490 for a family of 4 at the end of July with the 40kg of luggage each with emirates. The price direct was £4000 on-line although I did find some around the £2700 mark on sky scanner with other airlines. It was quite easy to go through the IOM in London and got i my e-tickets in a few days. Just thought I'd mention in-case others were thinking of using them. Cheers, Darren

I seem to remember with us it took about 4 days. They had a lead time on their site indicating how long the applications were taking. We received an e-mail and a 'pdf' with the sponsorship details on. hope that helps. Darren

thanks for your thoughts. I was right to worry a little then. I've got a contact in perth who's in my trade so i'm hoping to get work with him or, as it seems to be a 'who you know' type of situation in Perth, maybe he can recommend me to a few in the business. I've gone knocking on doors in this country for work so i'm happy to do it over there. cheers, Darren

Hi all, i've noticed recently on some posts and in the job feeds i get from Perth that companies are asking for 3/5 years W/A experience to apply for the positions. It's not every job that comes through, but it seems to be getting more frequent. We're going to Perth in July so i'm a little concerned that maybe things are getting tighter over there....or am i'm just paranoid? Anyone else noticed this or had experience of it? cheers, Darren

When we get there in August I'll fancy it. Had a look at Wembley course when we were there a couple of years ago and it looked nice. Not sure of the green fees but imagine it's a touch more than the municipal course near me:-)

Hi,thanks for all the replies, i'm glad it was all postive. We're definitely going to book through them, i used this e-mail if anyone needs it bookingsuk@iom.int cheers, Darren

Hi all, been a few months since we got our visa but now looking at booking the flights. Has anyone else used the 'international organization for migration' for cheaper flights and extra baggage allowance? I've just been in touch with them and got a resonable deal for one way, 2 adults and 2 children,£2400, 19hr flight with extra baggage weight, and comparing with companies online it's around £100 cheaper through them. Anyone had any experience they could share before we book up? cheers, Darren

Hi without a doubt get the ielts test book from the library and do some on-line tests. It's really good to do it under test conditions with time ticking away to give you the feel for the actual test as that's the part that trips you up. Cheers,Darren.

Hi,I was offered either but was told the technincal interview was harder to sort out with the time differences. He'll probably go to the college of north London and if he's a level 1 will find it quite easy....but still a little nerve wracking!

Hi, It was applied online and the wait was very painfull!!

hi,i was team 4 and found them to be good at responding,didn't get any hassle.....maybe i was lucky. i was referred for nearly 2 months and got the visa today. I did send a sort of pushy e-mail about my medicals taking so long and then got a positive outcome 2 days later and the visa. It might of been coincidence! I can't make out the order that things are being processed though, and pretty much put the whole thing to the back of my mind! Darren

Hi all, we had our medicals on the 10th aug and only mine has been referred, the rest of the family has been finalised. We had a message back from my c/o which said that the 'medicals will been dealt with in the near future and this is perfectly normal', i'm a bit loathed to call Global health as many people have had a generic email or told 'it'll be 2 weeks/1 week' etc so there doesn't seem any point in contacting. so now i'm looking at the 30 day club....for now! Darren

Hi, i did mine this year and got as many relevant work references as i could from employers,took photos and videos on my phone of myself working using various machines,got together college transcripts which i had kept since 1988!, copies of certificates, p60's,the odd payslip and a partridge in a pear tree!! all in all took a while but had to be thorough. hope that helps.

Vetassess is the way to go with this I reckon,works out at just over a grand and is official and above board. You get your aqf3 so no worries.

hi, i had to wait a while for an available space at the college,the dates come up on the vetassess site when you log on and have passed your history check. You don't need to take any certificates to the test but you must take passport and the admittance voucher or you won't be allowed in. I did my english test before as it was the cheap part! cheers Darren

thanks for the info and breakdown,very useful ....really looking forward to this part!!

Hi mark, the £1000 was for the practical test,there is theory rolled into the test as well but if you're looked at as a level 1 by vetassess there isn't much to it, the assessor goes through it with you to a certain extent. The £400 cost of the history and employment check was to vetassess alone which i sorted myself, i didn't bother with an agent as i thought the fees were quite high! I found vetassess quite good to get hold of and get replies from, so you could DIY. The practical took place at the college of north london, but i think there are a couple of other places as an option. hope that helps, Darren

Hi Phil,i'm also a joiner and 40 so was pushed for time before the july thing. I went through vetassess for my skills assessment and they were very good at communication etc. I'm not entirely sure about partner points now it's all changed, but i know you could claim them before but your partner has to do a skills assessment also. The cost was about £1000 for the skills assessment and around £400 for the employment and history check. hope that helps, Darren