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Hi, yes, I was going to put it back on ebay but hadn't got around to it yet, message me if you are interested

Just wanted to say welcome to the party, I am also a late arriver! You don't have to stay in Sydney even if you get the 190 visa, or you could go there temporarily and apply for jobs in Perth from Sydney. Your other option would be to wait until you have a bit more experience, but like you say there is a chance of them taking accountant off SOL (this has also been my worry)

Thanks mgreaves, 115 is quite high, so that leaves about 800 for the rest of the year? But I guess if they keep it around that level each time then it would be straight line for the rest of the year.

I got mine on eBay and was going to sell it on eBay again. I paid £17 new. Where are you based? I agree practice questions are vital. Why the hurry for April?

Thanks russab2000, did they just assess you for qualification or experience as well?

Thank you, I have a friend who is a solicitor and onhand for doing that for me :-). I have a variety of payslips, P60s and my contract. I've been with my current employer for over 10 years so it would just be for that job. Did you have to prove that your experience was relevant? Or was that obvious from your job title? Maybe I just need to write my CV so that it highlights the relevant parts that ICAA are looking for? A migration agent told me that they needed a signed letter or email from my boss to say that I have experience in each of the 8 (or so) areas that are mentioned on the skills definition.

I got 83 and 81 for the writing practice tests, but my microphone didn't work at all so I couldn't really get a meaningful score for the other categories. (I only bought the gold kit the day before the test, so I didn't really make the most of it!) I'd had the book for a couple of weeks, it had useful content, but not enough test examples. The gold kit has a lot more examples and I wished I'd bought it sooner, but in the end it didn't matter.

I have received my letter back from ICAEW and got the required results for English, so the next thing would be the skills assessment. Which is better for skills and experience assessment - ICAA or CPA? What information/evidence do they need? So far I have my ICAEW letter, and 2 certificates for ICAEW (ACA in maiden name and FCA in married name) Degree certificate and university transcript (in unrelated subject) What do they need in terms of evidence for experience and employer's references etc? Any tips on what to say to the employer?! Thanks!

Hi, I got 90 in each and 90 overall, so it's definitely possible. I bought the gold preparation kit and the book

Oh yes I can understand that! For me, it was the worry of letting down the rest of the family I think, whereas when I did the accountancy I didn't have a family and now it's about 14 years since I last sat an exam. Phew glad it's over anyway

First step successfully completed! PTE exam yesterday, results this morning - 90, 90, 90, 90, overall 90!! Can't quite believe it, I'm still a bit in shock. Onto the next step now

I am just back from sitting my PTE exam this morning. I have to say that was of the least enjoyable experiences of my life! I found it very stressful and intense. I ran out of time on one of the essays and the timer stopped before I was finished, and I know that I made some spelling mistakes (so used to relying on a spell checker these days). I think that I have reasonable English, but I need 20 points from this and that doesn't leave much room for error on the day.

Congrats!

Hi ALix, try calling some other migration agents, most of them seem happy to have an initial free chat on the phone for about 15 minutes

No I didn't know that, and I have searched online several times since 9th to see if I could find out, this is the news I was hoping to find out! Thank you!! Where did you see it?

Thank you, that's good to know

ICAA was my first plan, especially as they have a fast track and can do it in a week or 2, however, I am not confident on the amount of experience I can claim, and it was previously mentioned on the thread that CPA will also assess experience, so that's why I was going to go with CPA. Do ICAA also do that?

English exam is on 23rd March, but I'm expecting ICAEW to take at least a few weeks to process this letter. Not sure whether to wait until I have English results or just push on with this too. Is there an time limit for this letter? I got one back in 2005 when I first considered applying to Australia!

Hi all, I am preparing the documents that I need for my CPA skills assessment. What do I need to get from ICAEW? Specifically, what do I need the letter from them to say? Thanks!

Thanks for all your replies, I think even if he's made some positive contacts with some companies nearer to the time, then that will give us some comfort. My biggest worry would be choosing a school and area etc, get the kids started at school and then need to move again to be closer to his work. Que Sera Sera - I am the main applicant (Accountant) but he will be the main earner. We have young children and I also know it's difficult for accountants to find jobs, so I'm happy to let him do the work!

Hi We are in the early stages of the visa application process, I have my English exam next week. My husband works in the food manufacturing industry. Food manufacturers are often located out of town and in cheaper places, so it would be difficult for us to choose Perth for example, move there and expect him to be able to get a job within commuting distance. So our ideal plan would be to get the 189/190 visa and then for him to apply for jobs from the UK. Has anyone done this? Any tips, website etc? Is it possible, or do we need to wait until we arrive? Thanks!

Where can we see how many invitations were sent per round?

Wow thanks Peach!

Great, thanks for your replies, I thought that I read a few people's comments about things that couldn't be bought online, glad it's not the case

Hi I am a big fan of Internet shopping in the UK. I can't imagine having to go to the supermarket for a big shop anymore! Although I go for veggies, milk and to top up. I shop for nearly everything else online, apart from kids shoes. What is it like in Australia? What can you not get online there that you wish you could? Thanks!