Jack91

Woolacombe. It's got everything you could ever need. Surf, a pub, a shop and the odd surfer chick

Lesson one... Never assume anything.

Brilliant new Graham!! Am I right in saying the 175 is the old 189?

Told you he'd be along....

My father lives in Lower Almondsbury - I had my IELTS yesterday at Cotham School.... Very small country buddy!! haha Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189). 190 is a state sponsored one Sunshine coast will be where I'm going mate You username is confusing, RachelManning - signing as Sam!!!

Ok that all seems pretty straight forward for you. Chances are you will need to do an IELTS exam - with a minimum of 7 in each exam (Writing, reading, listening and speaking). This will be assuming you need it for the points. With regards to the TRA Skills assessment. It's $600 for documentation checks, then a further $1500 (+GST) for the practical exam! I am in the process of applying for the 189 visa. I did my IELTS exam yesterday, I've completed the documentation check and when I get the results back I'll book for technical interview as I hear there aren't any practical exams for joiners! P.s. I'm from Somerset so just down the M5, near Taunton!

I'm by no means an expert but am currently in the process of doing this (well close) as a joiner. A couple of questions for you, how old are you? How long have you worked as a carpenter? TRA will need to be done yes, it costs money yes. That shouldn't be too much of a problem as you'll be fresh out of college with the certificates ready to send of and have check. If everything is ok, you'll then be required to attend a practical (if there is one available) or an interview with a qualified person in your trade via Skype. You'll then have to wait to hear back. Have you thought about doing a working holiday visa? Doing the first year, then applying for the 2 year purely to get a taste? You mentioned the 4 years, why are you set on that? I know I've only scratched the surface when it comes to questions but chances are @Rupert will come along and add something

Had mine today - All seemed pretty good, feeling a little more confident than I did on the previous attempt!

I've given up trying to sort it! haha I'm the proper Jack

Me on the best beach in WA in my opinion!! Warnbro beach, 25 metres from my aunty's house! Sorry for the Instagram filter! (Edit: and the tiny picture, not sure what's happened to it!)

Best of luck buddy!I'm sure you did fine! Taking my 2nd IELTs next Saturday after studying a little more this time!

My main issue with this entire system is that it's a pretty shoddy one. I walked into the exams with confidence purely because I was the only native speaking candidate. I walked out of the exam with the total opposite feeling. I don't test very well and have never tested very well, gauging my ability to listen by making me sit through a dreary conversation about someone who is quite clearly a very bad actor isn't a brilliant way of doing it. Also making me pick pointless information from a block of writing I have little to no interest about again isn't the best way of letting me show I can read! Speaking exam was a piece of piss, I scored a 9. I walked in, she asked if I was a native speaker and from then on in I spoke about a radio station I had listened to on the way to the exam test centre! Having told a few people I'd taken the test and done ok but not ok enough to score into the right band they seemed surprised, again because I'm not a stupid person and can string a sentence together. Some may disagree after reading this I'm sure! The people who mark the exams clearly pick up on certain things, things I've been doing wrong for 23 years. Taking a retest a week today in Bristol (Cotham School), so if any of you are there and want to catch a coffee and perhaps sob together when I come out of the exam. That'd be great.

Let my girlfriend drive the farm quad, she wasn't able to change gear so I was multi tasking while taking this picture!

I have found Travelbag to be the best, cheapest so far for me too. I am booking to go out there 6th of June as a little holiday (again). Ask for Hugh Stanford.

General is what is needed

Ah easily done!

Oi! That's a little cruel!!

Hello Michelle, and anyone else who is reading! I appreciate all this information you have given me! So much help! I emailed the Australian High Commision to get a bit of info and a total run down of what is needed, with regards to points, IELTS and such like! I'll post it here just in case someone needs a step by step explanation....... Like myself!!! I'm so glad I have done everything right so far and haven't wasted time or money! I will be booking another IELTS exam for about a months time! Sister is an English translator so should know how to teach someone like me how to do it properly :laugh:

Hello Michelle!!! I am at the exact same stage as you are. I am a Joiner and am using that as my nominated trade. Well I have already taken the IELTS and scored an overall score of 7.5 - I don't think that's enough. As Gaz said straight 8s are the way forward, from what I gather getting 8s means you score more than 35 marks on each!!!! Best of luck contacting VETASSES Michelle! Thankyou very much for taking the time to reply!! Much appreciated!

Thankyou for the reply Russell. I really don't get how it can be that hard. Why do they insist on having so many different systems? Plus, an English exam for a English speaking citizen? Crazy.

Right thank you Rupert - I had a feeling that was the solution! A little annoying as I hate tests of that nature! I can make 55 points - that's including my Aunt as a sponsor. It's even more annoying I'm not a little older! My occupation is on the SOL. Thanks for the reply!

Evening all!!! Hello everyone. Just wanting to know a few things really! It's all getting a little stressful and I'm about > < close to jacking it all in! I'm a 22 year old male, I'm fully qualified in Bench Joinery. I have wanted to move to Australia since going out there for a working holiday in 2011. My girlfriend (of just over a year) is an Australian citizen and has moved out there. It's a bit of a coincidence that she's moved there really! I think I must've said something :biglaugh: First things first, I'll get you up to date on the situation; I've sent all my qualifications of to VETASSES. This has come back as successful and am now required to sort out a technical interview. This is not a problem. I'm just wanting to check a few things before booking it. What happens once I've passed, if I pass? I've taken the IELTS exam but ballsed up the listening exam and only got a 6.5. I did this a while ago purely to get it out the way. VETASSESS mention a letter I have to send to Immigration in Australia. Lodging my visa application etc. I have signed up for SkillSelect, was this correct? I'm really not even sure. The information supplied by the immi website/vetassess is very limited and helps absolutely no one, unless you're clued up on all the relevant Visa numbers!! It's all starting to get to me a little bit! :unsure: Any help would be ideal. If you need more information or anything that's totally fine! Cheers in advance! JR

Good evening, Fantastic information just from both of your replies! A few questions I have myself. I have just received an email, having lodged my application and having my Training and Employment Check "Successful", saying I will need to take a technical or practical exam. I have read a few other forums/websites and there is no real answer with regards to which is best. I don't really mind so am thinking the Technical interview will be my way. I have also already taken a IELTs exam, my results for the listening section were... lets say, not surprising. 6.5. I have read this is not enough. Once I've done the interview and fingers crossed got a pass. What happens then? Sorry to drag this out! Hope you, or anyone else can help!! Thankyou very much! JR.