AmyM

If she does a PGCE, do it in Early Childhood Education - that way you may be able to apply under 'Pre-Primary Teacher' (which is on the SOL) - so you could go for the 189. Also make sure she gets some experience with 0-2 year olds. There is a demand for Early Childhood Teachers at the moment as new legislation is coming in in 2014 that requires all Children's Centres to have teachers. (Lots of places you can read about this for more detail). Either way it's a long road ahead - but if it's what you both want I'm sure you'll make it happen!

CSOL - you need to be sponsored by either a state/territory or an employer. (Schedule 1 is all the occupations that are on the SOL - so these would be for people who need the extra points by being sposored. Schedule 2 occupations don't appear on the SOL so you HAVE to be sponsored). SOL - you can apply independently and have no limitations on your visa in terms of where you live/where you work. For both visas you need 60+ points. How old are you and your gf? If you're under 30, you could get a Working Holiday Visa. You could then try and get sponsored while over there? I know it seems crazy that your gf is highly qualified but I'm afraid that many occupations don't feature, and you shouldn't assume that there's an easy way! It takes lots of assessment and heartache for everyone who is lucky enough to have a job on the list.

Hi, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but Primary School Teacher isn't on the SOL anyway, so you wouldn't be able to get the 189 (with no strings). It's on the CSOL: Schedule 2 (employer sponsored) so you would need a sponsor. I'm pretty sure it isn't on any state shortage list either....they seem to have plenty of primary teachers already! I would contact AITSL if I were you - they are the people who would assess her qualifications for migration purposes, so they could give you the best possible advice. She may be lucky - the problem may be what she actually studied to become a teacher (as the SCITT is more school-based, there isn't as much academic study involved). They were very helpful to me when I emailed them with a query (I'm an Early Childhood Teacher so luckily got in with a 189). What do you do? Maybe there is a way you can get there on your skills?

Do your skills assessment first, because if that gets refused, there is no point spending money on everything else! Then get your IELTS done, and submit an EOI! You can't submit an EOI without IELTS and skills assessment, although you can create an EOI (it will just be dormant though). Find out which assessing authority with assess your skills/qualifications on the government website http://www.immi.gov.au. Or you could find out on here by doing a search I'm sure! What is your occupation? If it's teaching, you'll need to use AITSL. Hope that helps!

Just to let you all know......I woke up to the BEST email ever!!! OUR VISAS HAVE BEEN GRANTED!!!!!!!!!!!! 189 PERMANENT SKILLED VISA!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that hard work has paid off! So happy :ssign19:

Thanks everyone, I'll do as Littlegreenman advises and let them know the situation whilst drowning them with evidence, so I will cross my fingers and see!! Our police checks came through today so hopefully the grant isn't far off now....! Amy

Hello there! I have almost finalised my application - have got a case officer and had our medicals, now just waiting for UK police check to come through. We've been asked to fill in the Character Form 80 as well, this is where I start to worry a bit! Does anyone know whether they contact your present employer for a reference after receiving the Form 80? We are planning on going over to Oz in Aug/Sept next year, but I haven't yet told my current employer - not out of any deviousness, simply because it is not good timing given what is happening at my work at the moment. I'm planning on telling them when (and if!) the visa is granted, which should still give 6 months notice, plenty! I am only required to give 8 weeks notice. But I am now worried that the Aussie government will get there before me........I know that this is a very small problem in the grand scheme of things but would appreciate any advice! We're on a 189 visa and haven't needed any work references as my points are for age, qualifications and language ability. Thanks in advance

I have started my application and have filled everything in up to the 'payment' section. So now that's saved and I have a transaction number. Once I have all my certified documents I will go back, complete the payment and then upload all the docs! Hope that helps!

Yes I got mine on 15th Sept with 65 points! Yafetberhe - Yes I'm still pretty shocked! I'm planning on sending my application through this weekend! Just got the last of my documents certified so all ready to go! How about you?

My email said the same, it must just be a clerical error as you don't need sponsorship or nomination for the 189! When you log in to SkillSelect, there is no mention of the sponsored/nominated thing so don't worry! Yes you can lodge your 189 and when you are assigned a CO they will advise you when to get meds and police checks. Good luck!

Thank you! We're going to Sydney - we lived there while on Working Holiday Visas a couple of years ago and have been working towards going back ever since! We have friends and work prospects there already We're thinking next October - seems ages but with everything that needs to be sorted before a permanent move we think it's realistic! Oh where did you get police checks? Was it a CRB? I guess I'll apply for mine! Congrats on your invite too! When and where are you going?

I got my invite too!!!!!!!!! Can't believe it! It's my husband's birthday today so has just made it the BEST birthday on record! I'm an Early Childhood Teacher, have 65 points and submitted EOI on 1st July! Amy xxx

I got my invite too!!!!!!!!! Can't believe it! It's my husband's birthday today so has just made it the BEST birthday on record! I'm an Early Childhood Teacher, have 65 points and submitted EOI on 1st July! Amy xxx

It's difficult to give advice as the SOL changes every year, so there's no guarantee that either job will be on the list in 4 years (although I'm sure they will be!) but the good news is you'll both still be under 30, so could go on a Working Holiday Visa (VERY quick and easy to get hold of) and then try to get work over there and apply from there (skilled experience in Aus gets you extra points, and it gives you time to move around and see where you like). You may find a sponsor as well if you impress! You have really good plans, protecting yourself with qualifications is very sensible and it sounds like you're determined, so I'm sure you'll get there! Just keep working hard and don't try to decide now who will be the main applicant - if you both have something to offer, all the better!

Is anyone else getting rather giddy about the prospect of invitations this week? Do we know if the first round are being sent on Aug 1st, or is that just a guess? Fingers crossed for lots of good news!!!