TeacherBen

I guess it means the state is more likely to sponsor you as they can place you wherever in the state - if you tick no it will limit your options to the cities and I imagine you'll get fewer states willing to sponsor you. My understanding is that a lot of occupations on the SOL are for rural areas as opposed to cities! Depends how quickly you want to go I guess?!?

I was overweight when I went for my medical (Bridgewater in Manchester) and I didn't have to have any extra tests done. Guess it depends how overweight - but I play front row in rugby so I'm not small!!!

I mentioned all of mine on the basis that I wanted to be honest and not get caught out later. I was in for 12 days with a broken leg and snapped ligaments - had two 9 hour ops and that didn't stop me getting my 189 up to you but they're looking for long term issues that'll cost them money so they won't mind some hospital stays!!

If you're in the UK it doesn't take too long for the medicals and police certificate - I got offered an appointment in Manchester the next day but couldn't make it. The police certificate was back in a week...it's up to you! If you want to go out ASAP maybe get them done - just remember you have to have entered Australia within 12 months of the oldest of the two. If you're in no rush, there's no harm waiting to give you as long as possible to enter Oz just in case there are any unknown issues!! Hope that helps

Ash128 - that's fabulous news!!! well done! Really chuffed for you I'm off to Sydney (I think) but it depends where I get a job...I'm off in January permanently but I'm visiting in September! When are you guys heading out??

That email seems really positive ash128!! He/she says that they are satisfied you made a inadvertent error in uploading your points so they're happy to proceed! I think it'll be ok fingers crossed! Let us know how you get on!! teacherben

Hi ash128, Don't want to be the bearer of bad news but it said in all the info when I was applying that if you claim more than you actually have or can prove your visa application could be rejected "If you receive an invitation to apply, and your score under the points test is less than claimed in your EOI, your visa may be refused even if you are able to pass the points test or meet other threshold criteria. If you receive an invitation and your points have decreased or your personal information is not accurate, you do not have to proceed to make an application. You should correct the information in your EOI and wait to receive another invitation." This is from the SkillSelect booklet on the immi website. Guess it depends on the CO and what they think. Hopefully the fact they've asked you for permission to change your points score is a positive How has it dropped from 70 to 65?? Fingers crossed Teacherben

It doesn't have to be a lawyer! I'm a teacher and I asked the head teacher to certify all copies - he obviously did it for free! All sailed through no problems...the Oz info says anyone who can legally certify in your country. From Gov.uk: "Who can certify a documentTo certify documents, ask a professional person or someone well-respected in your community (‘of good standing’) like a: bank or building society official councillor dentist police officer solicitor teacher or lecturer The person you ask shouldn’t be: related to you living at the same address in a relationship with you" The whole link can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document hope this helps

Hi Kasia, With regard to the knee damage, I broke my femur, ripped my cartilage and snapped my ACL and medial ligaments back in 2010 - had two ops, in hospital for 12 days then 2 days!! I am now back playing rugby and they didn't care about the damage at my medical. I think they're more after things that will cost them long term like diabetes, CHD etc. I realise it's a bit weird going to a medical with crutches, but as it's temporary they should be ok. Anyone else been to a medical with a fresh injury that can comment further?? Maybe ask in the General Migration forum as well as more people will read that Hope this puts your mind at rest a little!!!

Cheers Wolvesaussie!! Didn't know that - thought you had to be assessed by AITSL anyway! There you go...if you're on a partner visa, (and it seems you may be as you said how it's nearly done) you may be ok! A bit more info and we can help hopefully!!

Was going to ask the same thing! What visa are you going on? And have you had your teaching qualification assessed by AITSL?? You'll need that as a minimum before you can do anything else

Well, I'm not heading over until January 2015 permanently so just going to start registering with NSW soon - no jobs available for Jan at the mo (understandably)! I've already handed in my notice at my current school for August 31st...going to do some other bits and bobs in those 5 months - a bit of travelling, some other work! Thought that last term would've been very disjointed - a mishmash of lessons, doing cover. I thought it was better for me and the kids to leave at the end of a school year! Very excited by it all. Heading out to Oz in September to visit and activate my visa. If I don't have a job by then I'll be looking at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to see which I prefer, and then focus on the preferred! Good luck in the medicals tomorrow Vandeux!! Exciting times!!

Ha ha!! Definitely not...especially in Australian teaching it would seem!! They like to make it complicated... How's things with you? How's the application going??

Yeah all good thanks! Sounds like the bit to follow...it makes sense to apply to one and be able to be registered in all!

I think I read somewhere that NSW is the only one that doesn't accept others as registration - so you have to do it separately for NSW but only one for the rest. Can't remember where mind you...

Hi tigerstripes, I uploaded it all just to be sure Cheers Teacherben

Hi ash128, Absolutely! P60's and Bank statements covering the time should be fine - it shows you being paid by the school/council and shows how long you were employed there good luck!! Teacherben

Hi Ash, As far as I know the CO will - many people only get online statements now so they'll only be able to send them! I never sent bank statements though - I only sent payslips, P60's, my contract and a reference letter from work! That got me my 189 Hope that helps! Teacherben

As far as I'm aware, DIBP only need proof of what you're claiming points for! Assuming you can prove any skilled employment you're claiming points for, you'll only need payslips for that. Before that is irrelevant - certainly was in my case!! cheers Teacherben

Nickystar - having a British passport and Uni degree is enough to satisfy AITSL that your English is good enough - IELTS is just for the Visa!!

Well I've read somewhere (can't remember exactly where - maybe on here) that the Australian CV is different to ours in terms of what goes in and what doesn't! I'll try and find where and repost.

Cheers dmjg! Will get on that this weekend...not out until Jan 2015 so got a bit of time but want to get the ball rolling!!

Vanduex, when you registered with SMART teachers did you re-write your CV Australian 'style' or did you upload your normal one?? Cheers!!

Hi Teachers!! I've set up a forum in the Jobs and Careers section called Teachers in Oz! Hope it's helpful and useful!! Cheers teacherben

I teach Biology, have a Senior Tutor role in the sixth form (mini HoY role for 60 students in sixth form of ~1000 students), and DofE Manager in our centre (directly licenced to Yorkshire & Humber DofE with 160 doing Bronze and 63 doing Gold!). Been teaching for 7 years. Heading to Sydney in Jan 2015 if all goes to plan!! Looking for a school with loads of outdoor activities if possible!!