Erwan

Hi Curlie, Don't worry too much even though it is not easy. Since your situation would require an extended overview, did you try to get an appointment with a migration agent to discuss it all and evaluate your best options? I wish you to succeed and to reunite with your lover in Oz!

By the way, general question guys : do you only rely on the email you receive with the visa grant, or do we have another way to confirm everything is ok with our application online? I mean, all this stuff has huge consequences on our lives, obviously

Thanks! Actually, right after I lodged my visa in April, I got an email asking me for additional documents, medical, etc. I sent all my file in early May...and since this moment I didn't get any feedback. I was a bit desperate lately and was about to email them, but I didn't had to since I got the precious email few days ago Good luck with your application!

YES!!! After almost a year of processing. First the IELTS and ACS at the beginning of the year, then the visa lodge in April, and now the visa grant. I have 6 months to enter Australia and start a new chapter.

To be more clear, on the automatic email I received right after, I can see that my file is processed by Brisbane GSM team 34, with a CO name. But It's been 5 months so far and my CO didn't contact me at all. Is it normal? thanks

Hi I sent my medical and police check with my application, all together. Isn't it how it is supposed to be done? The only thing I received was the email confirmation, right after I sent my application. This email was also stating that they don't answer status requests.

Hi! thanks for answering. How do I know if got a CO yet? I didn't received any communication from them since I submitted my application.

Hi all, I'm just wondering, what are your average processing time this year? I got invited 1 month after I submitted my EOI in March, after that I sent my complete application in late May '13. Since then, I'm still waiting and I got no feedback at all about my application. Is there something we can do? Like a status update or sthg? Also, I read lately than the average processing time indicated on the immigration website is now set at 12 months (it was 6 months a few months ago). Is it concerning only new applications or also ones already processing? Thank you for any information!

Hi, I have finally collected all required documents for the ACS skills assessment. 1) Is there different priority between the occupations? I'm still hesitating between "software engineer" and "developer programmer" as I was mostly a web developer and manager. i'm hoping to get invited ASAP before I drop 5 points for age in July. 2) some people say they included a resume with their ACS application, this is not required, right? thanks

Ok thanks. End of deal.

Hi, I have read that you can submit an EOI without all the docs required, and then update it with your skills assessment later, waiting for an invitation. Is it something recommended to do, so we are ranked earlier with the EOI date of submit? thanks

Thanks for sharing. I hope my previous diploma will be qualified as Bachelor equivalent.

I have another concern: my highest diploma is an UK Masters of Science was done online just a couple of years ago. So does my whole professional experience (8 years) accomplished before will not count with ACS/DIAC?

Wow 4 days, you are so lucky!

Do you have a template for a working reference letter? Are we supposed to provide pay sheets? Did they contact your employers to check information?

Like snifter said, casual jobs are quite easy to find, but don't count too much on working in your field. They don't like much WHV visas as they always ask on which visa you are on when you apply for serious jobs.

THanks for your help! At least i'm a bit relieved about the visa fees. So yeah I guess I can just submit my EOI, wait until July, and if I'm not invited before, I will resit the IELTS and will update my EOI, with hopefully 10 extra points. About the state sponsorship, I heard you can apply to both with your EOI? Does that mean I can submit an EOI with 189 and 190 applications together, if by any chance i get nominated by a region faster than being independant? Initially, I would have love to live in Sydney but if I have to go in Perth or Melbourne that would be fine at least for a while.

By time of application, you mean after the waiting time you have to wait when you submit your EOI. At first I thought it was at the time of submitting your EOI, so I was good, but now I depend of their will and processing time, which is freaking me out since I will have to pay the visa fees of $3000 with slim chance to be selected on time before mid-July... I looked about the community language thing, but you need to be accredited, which is another timely and costly process I can't afford right now given I'm short on time. Basically, my chances are right now low because of this lowest 6 in IELTS, while I was confident to score at least 7 everywhere. These extra 10 pts would have save me all this stress... But resit the IELTS right now would postpone my application so i can't do that. Thank you,

When you apply for the WHV, it takes just a few minutes online, and i got it...the next day. So you can do it soon or later, it doesn't matter. As for accomodation, it depends of the level of privacy you are looking for. Best is to be there to visit a few to feel it. I would say hostels are good if you stay just a few weeks at a city, but if you stay a month and more, take a real shared flat, you will feel more at home than hostels. Don't you worry too much: I booked 3 days in a hostel in Sydney before my arrival, then on my first day I contacted 3 accommodations on gumtree, and I moved in one of them the next day. It's better to wait once you are there so you can pick a location you really like. For hostels, you can check hostelworld.com And August is winter there so it's not fully booked at all.

Hi, I did a gap year in Oz last year -- my best year ever! I don't recommend you to pay for an organisation. From what I heard, they don't do much, you can all do it yourself. The WHV visa is piece of cake. And you will find eveyrthing else once you are in Oz. For accomodation and jobs, you can look on gumtree and seek, and you will find all you need easily. You just book for a few days before your arrival, then you figure the rest once you are arrived. As for the money, well it depends a lot of the type of year you will do. If you live in big cities, you will need about $2000/month. If you travel in a van, it will be less every month, if you travel with flights/hotels, it will be more.

Thank you. Yes, i'm so stressed right now i'm can't even sleep since I'm feeling I lost my chance with the VISA... I'm starting right now with all the documents and I will contact my 2 previous employers next week for Reference letters. (By the way, does someone could provide a template that is required with ACS, please?) Proofs of work experience are juste references letters stating your employment dates and job duties? No pay sheets ? So I guess you succeed by now? Are you in Oz?

Sorry for all the questions guys, I'm just a bit lost at the moment. Would it be possible to express an EOI for 189 AND a regional 190 that would give me 5 extra points? thanks

- Could someone confirm me the age taken into account is at the time of invitation, which is how much time generally after the EOI? - Also, I just read that there are other factors like community language skills for 5 extra points, and French is included. Someone ever heard about it?

Yes, that would be an option even if I would prefer not to. I don't have time right now regarding my "deadline". And if I do later, that means I would have to pay and wait again for a new EOI? I got an average of 7 but unfortunately my lowest was a 6 at speaking, so currently no bonus points... I did an online Masters with Liverpool from 2009 to 2011. So I was 31. What do you have in mind?

Yeah, I want to believe it's still possible, but when I see the processing times for some people, I'm crushed... I didn't want to use a migration agent since it's a real cost in addition to all the visa cost, but maybe they would have some tips about my situation...