ArnoldA2009

Guys, after 4 yrs and 10 months, I've finally received the grant letter yesterday. Here's my time line : Applied 176FS - 4 June 2009, Moved to 175 after new IELTS score - 3 Feb 2014, CO allocated - 25 Feb 2014, PCC and Med submitted - 31 Mar 2014, Grant Letter - 24 Apr 2014. I wish everyone here will receive their grant letters as soon as possible so we can close this thread and move on to another Best of luck guys !!

@mumofCD : I received email back in 2012 saying that I can be transferred to 175 or 176SS if I manage to obtain enough points for 175 therefore I retook IELTS and managed to get 7 in all bands. I submitted the new IELTS result to gsm.documents@immi.gov.au and received a reply that I am transferred to 175. As for points, I believe it still follow the old points method (pre July 2011) @abhay : I got my CO for 175 not 176 as stated on the email from my CO. @parissa : My CO name is KS. Looking at your timelines, you have been assigned a CO since 2012 ? Wow.. I guess it is still a long way for me

Hi, finally I just got my CO yesterday - team 4 Adelaide. My application was lodged back on the 4th of June 2009 (176) and last month I asked for a transfer to 175 due to my new IELTS score. CO is asking for additional documents now.

Sorry, I pressed Post Quick Reply too soon My next question would be... if we need create Immi Account, how do we select 175 or 176 subclass during import selection as they are not available on the list ? I read someone suggested using other subclass, has anyone try this ? Thank you Arnold 176 - June 2009 - trying to change to 175

Hi, If we do not need to create ImmiAccount, can anyone advise how to upload documents into our application ?

Thanks a lot Quocchuong. This is a very helpful information. I will definitely re-take IELTS. Mine was 8 on all 3 subjects but 6.5 on speaking, do I have funny accent ? :err: Anyway, I'll give it a try. You are right, it's worth spending few $$ on IELTS than seeing * every fridays and waiting in the dark for almost 4 yrs now. Cross my fingers DIAC will not change this policy as always

Hi Quocchuong, do you know if I can move to 175 if I manage to get ielts band of 7 each ? When I applied 176, my score was 115. I was not really care about 175 that time as I thought 176 should be in higher priority due to sponsorship. I did receive a letter from DIAC last year telling me that I can move to 175 if I have sufficient points to meet the pass mark but it didn't state how. Calling to DIAC was proven to be useless -- the customer service told me that since my sponsor had lodge his sponsorship, my application is considered in both classes (175 & 176).. come on.. seriously ?? Anyone here move to 175 ?

I did ask them. DIAC customer service reply was 'since my sponsor has submitted his sponsorship, my application is considered in both visa class (175 & 176)' :chatterbox: my point when I applied in 2009 was 5 points below 175 pass mark (120), that's why I applied 176 other than I thought having sponsorship gives me some kind of benefits back then (I didn't use any agents) :em4600:

I received same email back in July. Called DIAC and given an even more confusing answer after waiting almost half an hour By the way, our timeline is quite similar. I am a couple of month later than you, would you please post once you get a CO ?

Anyone know how to swap to 175 ? I mean which pass mark do we need to follow (the old 120 or 65) ? back in 2009 when I applied 176, I claimed 5 points for community language due to my degree was taken using my native language. Can I still claim that point based on 2009 rule or do I need to go for NAATI test ? Can I claim additional points for my work experience since 2009 to now ?

Hi, sorry if someone had asked this question before.. I am wondering if anyone here (cat 5 visa 176 offshore lodged before 1 Jul 2010) received an email from DIAC mid of last month with below information ? FYI, I have not been assigned with CO - lodged in June 2009 I've called DIAC about this and the officer told me that since my sponsor had submitted his sponsorship, my application will be considered as 175 (which has more quota) and 176 which I find totally strange. Quote -------------------------------- As your GSM visa application was lodged before the legislative changes made on 1 July 2010, you are able to consider your eligibility for nomination by any state or territory government. In seeking a nomination from a state or territory government agency you should consider whether your nominated occupation is listed on the current State Migration Plan (SMP) for your intended state or territory. SMPs commenced for all states and territories in late 2010 and early 2011, and specify which occupations state and territory governments can nominate applicants under. States and territories have a limited capacity to put forward nominations for occupations not listed on their Plan. These provisions allow states further flexibility in providing nominations which may be valuable in meeting shortages in very specialised occupations. It is important to note that it is entirely at the discretion of the state or territory government agencies to nominate applicants and to submit nominations of their choosing to the department. Once a nomination is received by the department, it will be considered and the nominating agency will be informed of the decision. You may also be able to obtain sufficient points to meet the pass mark for a Skilled Independent visa (subclasses 175 or 885) without lodging a new application. Further information on this program is available at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/175 and http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/885/. ------------------------------------------------------------------------