natalieandjamesoz

Hi Eggcatcher Thanks very much for your reply- really appreciate it! James doesn't to build anything, it's a skype interview so will probably be a longer version of the interview you mention...hopefully it goes ok! Thanks again for your advice. Natalie

Just got your PM, definately keep in touch. Did you ring Vetassess in the end? They have now released dates for Practical for May / June but I was reading in the Australia Magazine that Carpenter may be taken off the SOL! So want to get our visa lodged as soon as possible. The IELTS is a nightmare! James re-sat the IELTS on Saturday, so just waiting for the results now- he didn't think it went very well so if he hasn't got 7s we will be applying for 489 family sponsored and get the extra 10 points that way. We are borderline for points because we went travelling for 2 and a half years and are 26 & 27 so just have 5 years work experience in UK because the 3 years as an apprentice dont count. We spent 2 years in Australia on a WHV, can't wait to go back. My mum has also lodged a 489 visa had medicals done etc so just waiting to hear now... Let me know when you hear from Vetassess, hopefully we get a date soon too! x

Glad I could help! It must have been Vic uni where I seen the 80% but then we decided to go with vetassess. We've applied for carpenter. Yep he said no to "explosive power tools" whatever they are? Just praying the technical interview is ok! Still waiting for a date! If it will put you at ease you can always give them a ring, there in Melbourne aren't they so will be open soon.... Have you been to Perth before? Where does your sister live? We're planning to be there for Christmas, hoping to leave the UK July to do some travelling around Asia and NZ. No kids yet, but I have young cousins in Perth (ages 3 & 10). what visa are you applying for? x

Hi Shelly I've just looked back on our original trade set and James said no to one of the mandatory skills- explosive power tools as we were unsure what it was and also no to a few of the elective skills. I'm sure I read somewhere that you had to answer yes to 90% but I could be wrong an can't find where I read it now either! Anyway, James said no to one of them and still passed the first stage so fingers crossed we pass the second! I emailed on Friday to ask about the technical date and got a automated reply to say it is a public holiday so no reply until Tuesday. We're hoping to go to Perth, I have family over there. When and where are you planning to go? x

Hi Shelly, We recently applied to Vetassess for a Carpenter skill assessment, we have passed the first stage and now just waiting for a technical interview date (been waiting 2 weeks now!) I typed up the competencies for carpenter, I copied the example on the website and then just ticked what evidence i had supplied, i.e. Health & Safety I ticked Resume, Qualifications, Certificates I then put post-its on each document and wrote which compentencies the document related to. I had more than 2 pieces of evidence for some competencies and only 1 for others but passed the first part no problem...fingers crossed for the next part! There were some things listed on the TRA trade set which James had never done and we still passed that part. To be honest, I have emailled them a few times and they have got back to me quickly so maybe worth sending them an email and asking? Good Luck, let me know how you get on! Nat&James

Hi All, My OH is a carpenter and we have recently passed the first stage of the skill assessment with Vetassess. We paid for the second stage 2 weeks ago now and just wondering how long it took for others to be given a technical interview date and also what type of questions were asked in the interview? We originally wanted to do a practical assessment but were told they dont have any planned for this yet in the UK (as of yet) and we are hoping to get our application in before the 1st July changes...just incase Carpenter is removed from the list! Any help would be great! Thanks