claudiodr

Hi all - For those worried about the Organise Medicals link still appearing, don't. I had my Visa Grant 2 weeks ago and just checked my e-Visa page now and it still says Organise Meds! I know it's hell but hang in there and trust in the system (not e-Visa, it's total cr@p), it will happen for you all SOON! C

Yes you can, as long as it is on one of the State's skills shortage list. When I applied it was only available through ACT and demand was Limited so google Canberrayourfuture to check. FYI - I originally applied as a Marketing Specialist but got a neg Skills Assessment. VETASSESS then recommended I reapply under 'Project or Program Administrator' as there is a large overlap in Skills amoungs the two occupations. I did, &received a positive assessment in 2 days! Good luck!

I wouldnt stress about the e-Visa med link, some peoples' dont disappear. For me it was my PCC link which never disappeared. e-Visa is just a really cr@p system:-)

We received our Visa Grant email this morning! After just under 9 months of English language tests, Skills assessments, Medical examinations, finger printing & Police checks, more documentation then I ever thought possible and LOT's of email checking at 2am; we finally received the notification this morning that the app has been finalised and approved:-) Now the real stress begins! Thankfully we have a buyer for our house and we expect the exchange to happen by the end of the month. We are planning to be packed up and ready to fly by 9th September so everything seems to be really picking up pace now. All the best to everyone waiting on a response! C

Hmmm, this happened to me over the last week and has happened to a lot of other people recently too. It may be a glitch in the system; unfortunately I don't really know for sure.

Thanks Joannah - I checked on my mac this morning and it worked and wanted to check on my work pc using chrome now but it looks like the system is down:-( Thanks Shugah, I'm holding thumbs for you and the rest of the Gang;-)

Well that golden message appeared in the top right hand corner of my e-Visa page...FINALISED And there it was, under my document list was a Visa Grant letter link! Thank you to everyone in the 190 Gang for the support and encouragement! Wow a surreal feeling! C

Ah that's AWESOME! Well done buddy:-) First success of the new year...there's hope for us all yet LOL! Could you drop your timeline and CO details in a post please? C

This is the week...I can feel it! Week 8 since app and week 3 sine CO allocation...surely! Good luck all;-)

It took me 5 weeks and a couple of days - The DIAC site does state average 5 week wait for a case officer though so it's not an extraordinary amount of time (just feels that way, I know;-)

Done;-)

Best to add a signature so ppl can compare easily!

Hi all...anyone had any news from their Brisbane 34 case officer?? BK has become the hide and seek champion of the universe!

Hi Akshay The only place I think you can see your progress is SkillSelect, where in the correspondence section, under contacts the state will send you an email informing you that a CO has been assigned to your application...until you receive that confirmation; and from then until your SS approval it's a waiting game unfortunately. Cheers C

This seems to be a glitch which has affected everyone. Apparently it will go back to In Progress soon (according to others experience - I'm the same as you)

Congrats Carol, you've been waiting a long time so savor it!

Hi CLT03 - I've gone down the exact same route...my signature has my timeline FYI Below is also a post I created on another forum on my experience: I don't feel like working this morning so thought I'd pull a post together offering you info and tips for a 190 SS application. I've not completed the application and don't profess to be an expert, these are simply my opinions, suggestions and recommendations - If this helps anyone even a bit then I'm happy. I am using an agent and what I'd say is if you can afford it, do it! Can it be done without an agent, probably; however there are many pitfalls, the process is hugely time consuming and stressful and if you need to focus on work, selling houses, ordering shipping containers then I believe it's worth the money. I'm not going to recommend agents here, there are a number of posts on this topic so have a look around Step 1 - Collating doc's Below is a list of documents I collated, copied and certified (this is a massive pain in the @rse so prepare yourself for the slog!) Passport – Main applicant Passport – Spouse / Dependents Passport photos for both Previous Employer Reference letters Previous Employer Employment contracts Previous Employer Confirmation of resignation (dated) Last 4 payslips from Previous Employers Previous Employer P60 tax documents (UK) Current Employer Reference letter Current Employer Employment contract My last 4 payslips from Current Employer Current Employer Pension Plan letter (or other similar documents) Unabridged birth certificate Unabridged marriage certificate Qualification – Certificate/Diploma/Degree Confirmation of graduation letter (confirming study in English) Complete Academic record International Qualifications letter Step 2 - IELTS test PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE! This test is not easy (and I am an English, first language speaker). Check out the training materials on the IELTS website. If you go in prepared then you have no reason to stress, so my final tip is take deep breaths and stay calm. Don't get into your own head and don't over-think it! Step 3 - Skills assessment Ah, the dreaded skills assessment! I went through VETASSESS and received a negative first assessment, I then changed my occupation and my re-assessment came back positive in less than 2 days! What the process taught me: Make sure that prior to requesting reference letters and polishing up your CV that you go to the Aus Bureau of Statistics website and read through the Indicative Skill Levels and Tasks for your occupation. This should form the foundation of what is in the references and CV. You cannot copy the information word for word but ensure you adapt what your roles and responsibilities are to the specific requirements on ABS. I did this second time round and my positive assessment happened in days! If you're on good terms with your old bosses, ask them to read the ABS website before writing the reference and ask them to base the letter on those tasks. If you've not heard back in 12 weeks (from when they receive the hard copies, not online app unfortunately!) then call them! I did (after 16 weeks!) and they were super friendly and helpful and it was the lady there that actually recommended I change my occupation! If you do need a reassessment, ask for the same assessing officer, it fast tracked my application. Step 4 - State Sponsorship / EOI Here my agent basically did everything for me. The only thing I'd say is do LOADS of research of the State you're applying to. For ACT I needed a Commitment letter (attached), this is your opportunity to show that you're interested, that you've read up on the areas and would fit well in the community. GOOGLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND, but some other good research tools to help you start include: http://www.saaustralia.org http://www.abs.gov.au http://www.wikipedia.org/ http://www.realestate.com.au http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ http://http://www.seek.com.au Well that's about all I can comment on as I've only just submitted my SS application. Other suggestions, some of which have no basis on any experience or concrete facts would be: Hound your agent, this is your right! If you're not on top of him/her then someone else is and they're getting the best possible service whilst you hang around your mobile pulling your hair out! Engage with people on SAAustralia, this is the best resource I've ever found and everyone wants to help! Likewise, don't be a Lurker, help people, give advice, show support and generally share the love;-) We're in this together, come hell or high water! Don't give up - Nothing worth having comes easy so just keep persevering and you'll find a solution to any problem (unless you're an international arms dealer or you've murdered someone...). No problem is unique, someone on this forum has been through it, just ask for help Right, I may as well do some work now...hope this is somewhat useful to people entering the process (The post with live links and attachments can be found here GOOD LUCK C

Congrats Alishine! All the best for what's to come:-) It looks like 189 applicants seem to be getting grants slightly faster than 190's at the mo.

That's such great news, congrats Joanna! Now the really exciting bit starts:-)

That is great news, congrats! Super-fast too, did you go over on a 190?

Im sorry to be the bearer of bad news Akshay:-( I'm not sure, you'll have to get State Sponsorship before you submit and you'll need your EILTS test and skills assessment done for the State Sponsorship I think. Either way, keep tyhe faith as the closure of these occupations is only interim and will be reviewed when the occupation list is finalised so may well become available again on July 1st

This was posted by a well respected Agent Stephen Dickinson on the SAAus forum (http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/40174-act-announce-changes-to-occupation-list/)

Hi Akshay - If ACT is the only state sponsoring I think you might miss the cut off, they have recently posted the updates to their CSOL from 1st July: The following occupations will be closed from 1 July 2013. The closure of these occupations is an interim measure. The demand for each occupation will be reassessed when the 2013-14 Occupation List is finalised. The closure of these occupations will not affect applications lodged before 1 July 2013. Closed 149211 Call or Contact Centre Manager Closed 149212 Customer Service Manager Closed 149311 Conference and Event Organiser Closed 225111 Advertising Specialist Closed 225112 Market Research Analyst Closed 225113 Marketing Specialist Closed 232411 Graphic Designer Closed 232412 Illustrator Closed 232413 Multimedia Designer Closed 232414 Web Designer

Hi - I believe that just because your gf's mom is from England doesn't automatically make her a UK citizen, she is only eligible for citizenship. I've read through the form and think you only have to mention it in Q14...but I'm not an expert so maybe seek confirmation.

Yes, you have enough points, your IELTS result will give you an additional 10 points - just remember that you need 7 in each component, not 7 as the average Good luck