Mr and Mrs Holmesy

Congratulations!

Any grants lately? Anyone know which months are being processed/granted at the moment?

Blood test, chest x-ray, tests which check cognitive functioning/ability (touching finger from nose to outstretched arm for example), eye test (similar to optician), urine test, feel of stomach for any hernias, checked glands in neck....think this was it. To be honest I fainted after the blood test and it was all a bit of a blur! All passed and fine ?

Yay!! Pleased for you ?

It didn’t take long to get invited at all- it was about 4 days I think. Great that you can go on your husband’s skills and I guess you will be able to add 5 points for your skills too! Sorry to hear you have struggled to find work....I only qualified in 2017 and have been working whilst waiting for skills assessment etc. Keep me posted on your progress- I’m sure you will be invited very soon- keep positive!

Just waiting now for visa! Police checks uploaded and medicals done- submitted visa application on the 2nd July so in for a long wait yet. Although I think we are used to patiently waiting after the AASW processing time! We have applied to NSW (Northern Inland) for a 489 visa. How is all of your things going? Have you made a start now?

Thank you ? social worker

I received an invite for Northern Inland within a week (although my agent said to expect a wait of up to 8 weeks). This was on 26th June- just before the points increase on 1st July....I only had 60 points so I made it just in time!

I had mine done by a solicitor- and you're right it was an expensive process! I know on the Facebook page 'UK social workers wanting Oz' , some people have used other social workers and these have apparently been accepted. I just wanted to make sure I did everything 'by the book' as I didn't want to run the risk of it not being accepted as I was on a tight timescale. Good luck with it ?

Think for visa-wait time is currently stated as 9-12 months. Good luck with your application ?

Hello, Very pleased to be joining the 489 gang...? Submitted application for a 489 to NSW on 2nd July (Northern Inland)

Did you manage to get your EOI in before they changed to 65 points....? Oh goodness- yes- fingers crossed....

Yes- we were originally looking to put an EOI in for far south coast but they changed from 65 to 60 points the day after I had received my skills assessment back...! ? I have submitted an EOI for a different region in NSW now. I am awaiting 1st July's changes and watching from behind a cushion ?

Thank you! Yep, feels good and slightly surreal to be able to submit an EOI now....good luck to you guys too

I have received a positive skills assessment outcome- 31 weeks after lodging. Pleased though.......!

Just wondered if anyone has had a positive skills assessment from Australian Association of Social Workers ( AASW) recently? I am now on week 29 of my wait....

Hi there, thank you so much for thinking of me and letting me know about your NSW invite- we are actually planning to apply to NSW for state sponsorship as well. Really pleased to hear you have received an invite so soon....,.that’s fantastic news!! Still nothing from AASW - I am on week 26 going into week 27 now so I’m really hoping I hear soon. It is the longest skills assessment known to man I think!! I’m starting to get fed up now... ? Thanks again and good luck with the next steps.

Has anyone put in an EOI to far south coast recently for a 489 visa recently? Just wondering on timescales for invitation at the minute. Thank you ?

I am just at the stage of waiting for my skills assessment to come back (my profession takes approx 6 months...!) It should be back anytime soon though and then we will be applying for the 489 straight away. I’m realising this is a process that you have to let take it’s natural course- I’m not the world’s most patient person!! We have a 7 year old daughter so will have to take into account schools etc. What about you...? Do you have children? You’re right- it’s a hard process trying to pinpoint what and where etc but I’m enjoying the research and finding out about the area as a whole. There are certainly some beautiful spots...! How is it all going for you? Are you much further along in the process? Let’s definitely keep in touch! Good to know someone is in a similar boat and we can always swap notes :-) Thanks for replying and enjoy the rest of your weekend! Best wishes

Hi, We are also hoping to go to far south coast and have been looking into the areas around Nowra. The responses and opinions on this post have been very informative- thank you :-)

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes im using an agent too- did you hear of the positive assessment from your agent or did AASW email you directly? Hopr your visa application is going well now you are at that stage- more waiting I’m sure but fingers crossed it’s not too long or painful! Thanks again ?

Sorry to bother you again, just wondering- did AASW email you to say they had received everything in the early days? I submitted my application on 9/11/2017 and they emailed me back on 24/11 to say they had got everything and taken my payment. So I’m counting from the 24th as my start date.....just wondering if you had similar. Looked at your dates and that’s was just over 28 weeks for a wait for you!! I’m chewing my own arm off and I’m only at the 20 week mark!

Sorry to bother you again, just wondering- did AASW email you to say they had received everything in the early days? I submitted my application on 9/11/2017 and they emailed me back on 24/11 to say they had got everything and taken my payment. So I’m counting from the 24th as my start date.....just wondering if you had similar. Looked at your dates and that’s was just over 28 weeks for a wait for you!! I’m chewing my own arm off and I’m only at the 20 week mark!

Thank you! Its not the only part of NSW sponsoring my occupation but after lots of research we have decided it’s the place that will suit us the best. Yes it’s far from Queensland but we’ve come to terms with the fact we can’t live there specifically so will just have to suck it up and get on with it! :-) If we are lucky enough to get a visa- we will be extremely grateful and willing to give it a go. Thanks again for clarifying :-)

Hello there, Can anyone explain the process for applying for a NSW state sponsorship (489) visa? Do you submit an EOI stating NSW as your wanted state or do you apply directly to NSW and then wait for them to (hopefully) invite you and then put an EOI in for the visa? Many thanks