Franconian

Hi Marie, Thank you for your reply. Which documents did you provide for the work experience? Did you obtain detailed work statements from your employers and back everything up with payslips? Please let me know how you go with Victoria University. All the best! Cheers, Frank

Hi all, What is the procedure to get a Skills Assessment for a Cook? My understanding is that I can chose between Vetassess, William Angliss Institute & Victoria University. (recommendation which one is best to use?) What documents to provide? Must everything be backed up with payslips? I would appreciate any tips. Cheers, Frank

Thanks for your replies! I finally reached someone from the Citizenship Information Line. He checked my passport in their system and confirmed the same date I received through the calculator when entering my "Lawful Residence Date" of the first stay, i. e. 1 year earlier. Good news for me

I was just reading through this thread, but it is still not clear for me...:swoon: I arrived in Australia on my 1st Working Holiday Visa in July 2009 until June 2010 Back on Evisa from October 2010 for 6 weeks (Evisa expiry July 2011) Then I returned on my 2nd Working Holiday Visa in January 2012 and stayed until now (Permanent resident was granted in January 2013) I don't understand if the "Lawful Residence Date" would be January 2012 or if the first visit counts, i.e. July 2009?

I agree, the bike prices here in Oz are ridiculous! I bought a used Tenere for around $3,000 when I was on my first WHV in Oz. I think it's the best way to travel, I did 45,000km on it around Oz and then 35,000km overland to Europe. I was very lucky with the bike and it had never let me down. It is also important to be aware of the different registration and compulsory insurance fees in the different states. The best would be Western Australia.

I travelled around the world by motorcycle for two years and had to ship the bike from time to time. Have a read through here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/get-ready/shipping-the-bike The best would be to contact the freight departments of the airlines directly, however most likely they refer you to agents. Just google for shipping agents, or better have a search on "horizonsunlimited". There are many people airfreighting their bikes from the UK. However I don't think it's worth it for a permanent import. Calculate all costs + work against buying another bike in Oz.

I don't think it's worth it to ship, depends on the bike (emotional value?). You can get some quotes from shipping agents. Generally it is more reasonable to send the bike by airfreight. Would be cheaper if it is as small as possible (price goes by volume weight or actual weight, whichever is higher). Shipping by boat seems to be cheaper in the first place, but you get hit hard with additional costs when clearing it at the port. There will also be a strict quarantine check (they even check the air filter...) and additional costs. Check out horizonsunlimited.com there should be some info on it. Better buy a new/used one in Oz. Cheers, Frank

I did not say it's a nice way, but it might work. I am on a substantive visa now and if I receive the invitation prior to my visa expiry / 31 Jan and lodge my 190 application I will automatically be granted a Bridging Visa A. Worst case scenario would be that I do not receive the invitation by the 31 Jan, then theoretically I could overstay and become unlawful/illegal. My substantive visa would have been expired. I hide in the basement until I receive my invite. Let's assume the invite will come in February, once I apply I should be granted a BVC. You end up on a BVC if you are – unlawful and you make an application for a substantive visa before you come to the attention of DIAC (before they find you)

I should be guaranteed that I will get an invite. I am already nominated by Victoria, I have 4 months time to accept by submitting my EOI reference to them. Even if my occupation will be taken off the list the nomination is honored for 4 months. I called them a while ago to confirm and apparently the invite will be as soon as they receive my EOI. According the DIAC website I could get a Bridging Visa C if I stayed and then apply for GSM visa. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/bridging-visas.htm But of course nothing is really guaranteed...

Thanks guys, Unfortunately there is no test date in December available. Because of Christmas there are only 2 tests, all Australia is booked. I might register for the 5th Jan then and pay for an intensive course in order to guarantee Band 8 this time :-) As soon as I did the IELTS I will forward my EOI reference to Victoria and hope to get the Skillselect invitation prior to my visa expiry on the 31 Jan. I read about a Bridging Visa C / this would be granted if you are in Australia without a substantive visa. So theoretically I could stay "illegally" and wait for my Skillselect invitation, once lodged I can be granted a Bridging visa C. Not a good way though...

Why did I apply for state sponsorship? Because I was convinced to have enough points. I have more than 10 years experience in my occupation, but some of it was done more than 10 years ago. Additionally VETASSESS did not accept all of it to be closely related to the nominated occupation... I would have been 100% safe if DIAC would give work experience points for overseas+Australian employment combined. IELTS is an alternative, I was short by 0.5 points in one section to achieve the Band 8. Next available test will be on the 5th Jan, so a bit tight. It depends how quick the invitation in Skillselect will be lodged once I submit my EOI reference to the state. My current visa will expire on the 31 January. In case I wait for the IELTS in January and I do not get an invitation in Skillselect prior the 31 January could I apply for any kind of Bridging visa in order to stay onshore legally waiting for my Skillselect invite?

@Rupert: It is an issue as I am in Australia on my 2nd Working Holiday Visa which runs out very soon so I am unable to complete the 12 months Australia work experience. I am already nominated for state sponsorship, the nomination is only valid until January 2013. After that I would have to re-apply and I think my chances are very little to get it again once offshore? My point is that giving points for work experience makes sense and just because a part was done overseas and another part in Oz seems to be ridiculous to me not giving any points. I just wanted to clarify this situation as I could not believe it. Apparently no points for work experience at all then for me.

It would be work experience of 3 years and 10 months all together and would deserve 5 points in my opinion. Australian work experience counts more therefore it is split up in two sections, but not giving any points? It would have been good to hear back of a similar case and how DIAC handles it. So everybody agrees with the "state servant system"?

Hi all, I was just playing around in my Skillselect account to see how the points are being calculated. According the Skillselect calculation DIAC would not give any points if for example 2 years + 11 months were worked overseas + 11 months in Australia in nominated occupation. I know according DIAC information it is split up in either overseas employment 3-5 years 5 points And Australian employment 1 year 5 points, but common sense would still grant 5 points for above scenario. Can someone confirm this? The whole migration procedure is getting even more bizarre.