jrmurray1108

Wrussell.. Thanks for your most valuable contribution. I find it both offensive and entirely unnecessary. Your lack of profesionalism and tact is simply outstanding. I can only be grateful that I didn't consult a leaching lowlife like yourself and pay 3 grand for your 'professional opinion' You sir, are a gloating idiot! Perhaps if you can not contribute positively you should not contribute at all. Whilst I appreciate you may have made many posts here and had many likes you have clearly missed both the title and point of the thread. It is about 'going it alone' so we don't have to pay extortionate fees for frankly inadequate service. Also, if you took the time to read the post you will note my issue is not with 'migration', it is with Vetassess, a subject which a lot of threads clearly describe 'registered migration experts' as knowing FA about.... So if you would keep your smug remarks to yourself or go and tout for business elsewhere.

Adam, Thanks again, great link and really useful. I will lodge an advisory with Vetassess prior to a full reassessment and see what they say. cheers

Hi Adam, (or anyone) Checked with ILM and got the following regarding the level of my certificate Qualification Middle manager Level 4/5Award Certificate and Diploma in Leadership and Management Equivalent Level The first year of an under-graduate degree Certificate of Higher Education HNCs BTEC Professional Diplomas Certificates and Awards NVQs at level 4 Do you think this is a high enough level and worth appealing with support/documents from ILM? thanks in advance

Hi Cheva, thanks. Adam- Sound and relevant advice, thanks Have had the result back since I last posted. My experience was fine, but my qualifications weren't at a high enough level. Had I had an actual degree then I would have passed regardless of the subject. The outcome letter stated if the degree is not relevant then 3 years experience would substitute providing the degree is at the appropriate level. From what my results read you should be Ok with a tourism management degree providing your experience is sound I am awaiting for some documents from ILM as my certificate from them is equivalent to a 'level 4 foundation degree' which is supposedly enough. Vetassess didn't recognise this though. Either way I am part way through another degree anyway so will see where the land lies when I finish. Who know, the list may change many times by then. I hope you get a positive result and wish you both all the best...

Wouldn't it be great to have all the relevant/correct information in one place I will be back in 2016....

Hi Rupert, I have a level 4 certificate in management issued by ILM, same level/equivalent to a foundation degree. I also submitted my qualifications as a mechanic, no idea what either equate to Australia wise. Thought it would be enough but obviously not. I returned to uni last year anyway do complete a BA hons in hospitality management. Looks like I'll have to sit it out and re-apply then. to be fair our options were limited at best anyway with only NT having 141111 on its SMOL, I wouldn't be surprised to see it removed on the next update. Thanks Jay

Got the results..... Negative! looks like thats the end of it, I haven't had the letter yet but will assume as my qualifications don't match that is the reason. A bit frustrating but rules are rules. Wish I'd spent the money on a holiday :-D i thought having read the DIPB website I wouldn't need to show any formal qualifications as I have over 10 years experience "Skill level This occupation has a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma. At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)." Oh well, another 4 years in UK until I finish my degree. will post the outcome letter when it lands

Hi deeacz, congrats on your visa. We just missed the WA deadline but can still get into NT...hopefully. i just wanted to ask if you had any qualifications for your Vetassess and if so what they were. My results are due anytime soon. many thanks Jay

Just a quick post, sent an email of complaint to Vetassess yesterday about the delays. Had an email straight back from a team leader saying that my application would be processed within 3 days. Woke up this morning and looks like the assessment has been completed "Your application for the Skills Recognition - General Occupations has been completedand the result letter has been sent out by the selected mail service. Please note that VETASSESS cannot disclose the outcome over the phone or email and therefore you are requested to wait until you receive the outcome letter" Just need to wait for the results nonow fingers crossed!

Quick Update - Vetassess! E-mailed them last night to chase up my result. It has been 11 weeks and the website is now quoting 8-10 weeks. Had the following response this morning "In response to your query regarding the status of your application with VETASSESS, we apologise for the delay in processing your case and any inconvenience this has caused, however, your case is now being treated with priority. An assessment officer may contact you via email to notify you if further documents and/or information is required. If the documents are complete, all attempts will be made to try to complete your case within a couple of weeks. If there are any changes to your contact details (name, address or telephone number), please inform VETASSESS as soon as possible. This will prevent communication delays." It appears that my application hasn't even passed anybody's desk yet! Very frustrating considering the cost and the fact that while it is sat in somebody's in tray my chances of migration are getting slimmer by the day! Time for more waiting it seems!

Hi, I submitted mine in the 11th September and can still track it online and log any enquiries etc. To be honest though my status hasn't changed since they relieved the paperwork so hardly any point 'tracking' the progress. From what I can gather reading various forums they pretty much take the full 12 weeks or longer and email when the assessment is complete, you can then request a fax or scan of the outcome while you wait for the one in the post. To answer your question though, based only on my assessment, your agent may be telling porkies...:mask:

Hi Pete, I'm an 'average Brit' lolol did my IELTS not long ago and scored pretty well. I did the free practice tests for revision but that was pretty much it. Definitely worth doing for the extra points. Scores are in my Sig. I would say do it, just make sure you revise to understand the format of each part of the test and as an average Brit you should easily achieve a 7 and 8-9 with a bit of work. best of luck with everything Jay

We were going to just come over bit we have 2 kids and it would be a massive gamble. We are from the Uk but I'm 33 so no WH visa available. We looked at NT but have to have a minimum of $60k in the bank, if I had that lying around I'd be happy anywhere lol. did you guys go over on a 457 visa initially then, I have considered sponsorship but it seems just as problematic at the end.

Thanks Lacemail, We thought there was no way it would come off as it was still 'available' when the list changed. What are you guys going to do then if you are already there, I hope you have some other options.... The most annoying thing is the amount of money we have already spent. Perhaps they should accept applications based on the date vetassess or IELTS was applied for given how long things take. Looks like we are just gonna have to sit it out until (if) it comes back on the list Best wishes Jay

Nice No 14111 cafe/restaurant manager though .... Maybe next year lol

Hi, Thanks.. For my Vetassess I have not submitted any 'relevant' qualifications. I was originally a vehicle technician until I changed careers. I submitted these qualifications anyway in case I can get the extra points for study but highly doubtful. I am currently studying for a BA(Hons) in Hospitality Business Management with a foundation degree in Managing in Service industries (should be handy as back up) My Vetassess however, is experience based. I have over 10 years experience in restaurant, bars, clubs and casino's. Having spoke to Vetassess prior to applying, 3 years experience is sufficient to substitute for any formal qualifications and should yield a positive outcome providing my references and evidence stack up. I have also submitted a number of trade qualifications, certificates and licenses as well as a personal development I have done including a level 4 (equivalent) certificate from the Institute of Leadership and Management Cheers

Sorry, forgot to quote the post I was referring to.....^^

I am in the same boat, it is however still on the list for Northern Territories, doesn't seem to be much work that way though, still an option.... If it helps I am in touch with an agent in Victoria who deals in sponsorship for Restaurant Managers, she is very good and charges less than you would pay for a 190 visa in most cases, feel free to PM me if you need the details. Gutted (

Not updated for a while so here is the latest.... Completed IELTS on 12th October, got results on 25th October Reading 8.5 Listening 8.5 Writing 8.0 Speaking 9.0 Overall 8.5 Still no news from Vetassess and we are 7 weeks in, emailed them for an update and got the standard response 'your application is currently being processes' The bad news however is that as of yesterday the WA sponsorship list changed and my job (141111 Café/Restaurant manager) has now been removed! This means my only options now are Northern Territory or to look for an employer who will provide sponsorship on a 457 visa. Not happy.... Will update again if anything changes

Hi All, Having used the site and read hundreds of posts I thought I would do my bit and start a thread on my Visa journey. I found the posts informative and helpful and hope mine might be of use to people as we progress through the process. So after months of research we took the plunge today and started the process from scratch. We are doing this ourselves and not using an immigration agent. A little bit about me... I am 33 (I know, a year to late!) I have been a restaurant manager since 2003, before that I was a mechanic in the army. I have trade qualifications as a mechanic but none for my current role other than on-job qualifications. I am married with 2 kids and my wife is a chef, although I will be making the primary application We first tried to get job sponsorship on a 457 visa but found this time consuming, long winded and often very difficult to get anywhere. When employers did get back to us it was to tell me that yes my CV is great but couldn't offer me a position 'sight unseen' and to get in touch when I land. After a few months of this we decided to go it alone. So we are going for either a 190 or a 489 visa. Which one will be decided on our skills assessment result and IELTS score. I am doing IELTS because I want as many points as I can get, here is my estimation of points 25 - Age 20 - Language (I need to score 8+ for superior IELTS) 15 - over 8 years of skilled employment (subject to positive skills assessment) 5/10 - state nomination depending on visa As you can see we are sailing pretty close to the wind. We need a top scoring skills assessment and a top scoring IELTS to get in without state sponsorship but have a buffer with so we should be good. Today I submitted my skills assessment with VETASSESS. We also applied for the points test advisory and because I have had 5 jobs in the last 10 years we were charged an extra $350 do get the skills recognised. In total the cost for the assessment was $930 (about £550 at todays exchange rate) I will send off all the paperwork today and keep you posted. To let you know what is included in the paperwork I have sent Passport copy 2 Photo's A list of all qualifications and certificates, licenses etc CV in VETASSESS format Employment references with dates, salary, hours from all employers Copy of job descriptions Copy of payslip, P60 Anything not original needs to be certified, I had mine done from a friend who works for LLoydsTSB as a personal banking manager. Also today I paid for my IELTS test. This is booked for 12th October. Will let you know how it goes. Cost for this was £135 So in summary I spent almost £700 today and am just starting out. Will post every time something changes, in the meantime feel free to give/ask for any advice Cheers Jay & Heather