eadesman

This is what I feared. I don't really want to sell the dream of Australia to my fiancee only to tell her we can't go because of my lack of degree. Is there anyone I can get in touch with to thoroughly look into this before getting my CEO to go to great expense only to have the application embarrassingly rejected? One other factor that may make a difference. I will soon have a certification in the technology (a software platform) that I work in. Also, I may do a Postgraduate Diploma (one lower than a masters degree) over the next year. Will I be eligible for the 457 with the Postgraduate Diploma and NOT an undergraduate degree? The university are letting me do the diploma based on my undergraduate diploma and work experience although I don't know if I'm going to go ahead with this as I have other commitments. Thanks

I would be more than happy if I knew you were right. Do you have a link to something that shows that with the 457 visa a degree doesn't matter for my occupation because I can find literature on the immi site that says I may need a degree. Thanks

No I won't be working for the University. I was just using their recruitment page as an example. The agent I spoke to did sound clueless, he sounded quite unsure of himself. He kept putting me on hold to check with his manager. I wasn't filled with confidence. I understand what you're saying about experience but I'm not sure that I have enough as the SOL says 5 years can be used in place of a degree. I'm not sure if this only applies to PR visa applicants rather than 457 applicants though.

I just read this on the Sydney University recruitment page where they talk about hiring people on a 457 Visa. The applicant must have the skills, qualifications and experience to match those required for the position for which they have been nominated. Generally, the minimum required is a relevant degree and at least three years' work experience in a related field, although the amount of experience required can vary depending on the position. Any thoughts?

I don't think I need to pass a skills assessment. The immi website just makes it clear that you have to meet the skills and experience on the occupations list to be eligible for a 457 visa and my for occupation, that includes a degree.

This page: http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/index/visas/subclass-457/ Says that the worker has to have an 'eligible occupation' according to the 'consolidated sponsored occupations list'. This list states that software developers should have a degree as per this page: http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/occupations/d/developer-programmer.htm#SKIL I only have 2 - 2.5 years of experience and a Diploma (one less than a degree) although I do have a specific certification in the technology that I work with. This is why I think I need a degree for the 457 visa. Edit: Further down the last linked page under the ' Program eligibility' section. It says that people with this occupation may be valid for a 457 (long stay) visa. Second edit: Skill requirementsSubclass 457 visa applicants are required to demonstrate that they have the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation. What do you think?

I thought a degree was still required because the 457 visa has to specify a job from the skills shortage list (or whatever it's called) and the role of software developer is on the list as requiring a degree.

blossom79 is right. Companies don't know the rules that well. The managers that have said I can go may not even realise that I don't have a degree. Does anyone have any idea what rules apply in these circumstances?

Hi All, Towards the end of the year I will be moving to Sydney. My company in London want to send me to their Sydney office to work for them. As I understand it, this will need to be done on a 457 visa. I am a Software Developer and the skilled occupations list says that I need a degree to be eligible for this occupation in Australia. I don't have a degree, I just have a diploma (one level lower) and have been working as a Software Developer for around 2.5 years. Will my lack of a degree be a problem. After all, I'll be doing the same job in Sydney as I'm doing in London and for the same employer. I'm not interested in permanent residency at this point in time. Thanks Chris

I'm guessing no one really knows for sure then?

I just spoke to an immigration agent in the UK and he is sure that the educational requirements and experience requirements don't matter if I'm going on a 457 visa via my employer. Is this correct as it sounds suspicious to me?

Does the 457 VISA exclude you from having to have a degree?

I'll only have between 2 - 3 years of actual work experience when I go. I'm hoping that because I'm only transferring offices from London to Sydney (with my company sponsoring me) that there won't be too many stringent rules on the Australian immigration side of things. I see people with far less valuable skills (in terms of salary) that get to move to Australia on TV all the time. If I know that I won't meet the criteria for the 457 visa then I won't bother going through with the transfer request as I don't want to build my fiancee's excitement up only to let her down.

Thanks for the reply. I'm really not worried about PR at the moment. I'm worried about not being able to go to Sydney on a 457 visa because I don't meet the BSc Degree requirements for a Software Engineer. Will this be a problem given that I'm going through my company?

Hi Guys, I'm potentially getting moved out to my companies Sydney office sometime next year :-) I'm really worried that I'm going to ruin my fiances dream by not passing the skills test! I have a Diploma in Computer Science from University (I didn't complete my final year so didn't get the BSc). I'm worried that this will mean my visa application will get rejected even though I'm going via my company! I have around 2.5 years full time experience (might have 3 by the time I lodge the application). I'm not really sure if I need a skills assessment or if I'll pass it should one be required or if my lack of BSc will somehow affect me? I'm a British citizen and in the 25 - 29 age range in case that matters. I've had no trouble getting employment as a Software Engineer in the UK at 3 different companies now, it would be a shame to think I couldn't do the same thing in Sydney due to educational issues. I do plan on doing a masters to make up for my educational failure in the future but I really wasn't planning to do that for a good while. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.