DanGB

4 Maroochy river was our last choice to be honest due to location and obviously the chalet style camp site, I think we've found a place which is well within our budget now with bills included. Unfortunately with regards to references we don't have any which will be a bit of a bummer, we've only lived in one home and it's council housing, we're only 27 so havn't had chance to rent a lot of places. I'm pretty sure my parents could give me an absolutely brilliant reference? :biglaugh: Thank you all for your advice, I can always rely on you folks when things get tough and stressful to channel your positive vibes and advice! Dan

Hello all, Me, my partner and child are flying to OZ on the 17th August, (189) looking at living on the Sunshine Coast, preferably Mooloolaba and surrounding coastal areas. We are constantly going round in circles with our options of living arrangements. We are looking for a lease no longer than 3 months as we don't wan't to commit to a 6 month lease just in case we're unsuccessful finding work, which we will then use our remaining money to relocate to Brisbane, if that fails, back to sunny, Hull. We have temporary short term accommodation when we arrive which is only a week in a hotel, we want to start renting fully furnished right away (Short term lease) so we aren't literally burning our money (Especially with AIRBNB). I have a few questions about our situation which are as follows as the estate agent's don't seem to be getting my emails (Either that or they're ignoring me) Is it common for an estate agent to lease a property without meeting you first? Even if we pay our 3 months in full up front? Would an estate agent consider lowering a 6 month lease if the property has been on the market a while? How long does it usually take from submitting your application form to getting the keys to a property? My friend lived in Mackay last year and said it took him about 2 days from viewing the house to getting the keys. It's massively stressful but we will find somewhere in the end. P.S ...Anybody had any experience staying at Maroochy River Resort?

Just wondering what opportunities are out there around Sunshine Coast for fabbys / sheetmetal workers? Is everybody fighting for jobs there like we are here in the UK? Got my Cert III in metal fabrication and looking to make the move within the next couple of months. Desired location is Sunshine Coast but looking on job sites there's absolutely nothing unless we go to the Brisbane area. Also, any advice on an average salary / weekly income for someone in this trade? Thanks, Dan.

Thankyou to all of the people that gave advice and knowledge answering my question. It's been a while but we had our 189 Granted on Wednesday. Thanks again.

Hello to you all, Does the 189 allow the main applicant to go to Australia alone, then allow the dependants to come afterwards? Thanks.

I did my Metal Fabricator tech. interview 3 weeks ago, I have an NVQ level 3 fab weld with almost 9 years experience. Vetassess will require you to do a TradeSET report which is basically a checklist of skills you are capable/not capable of. 'Perform Geometric Development' is one the skills, if you feel you can't do it then don't tick it, the assessor may ask you about it anyway but if you can't answer his questions you wont get that skill on your final certificate. I was asked "Name 2 types of ways you can develop a pattern, for example how would you develop a cone"...which is radial line development and triangulation. That was the only question I was asked about geo. development so there's no need to sweat over it. Other question types were based around setting up and shutting down welding plants for different materials, so revise your gas flows and polarity's and tungsten types. Safely setting up burning gear, machinery ect . I will say you should really emphasise on safety as this is an important aspect in our trade as you probably know. You'll get asked questions solely about safety aswell. He showed me a drawing of a dust pan and basically asked questions like how much material would I need to make it, what size sheet would I need to make 5 of the dustpans, how would you weld it together (welding symbol on drawing). I was incredibly nervous about my interview and still worried until I got my outcome certificate, which came in the post about 30 minutes ago :smile:....... If I could give you any advice I'd just say do your revision on all of the skills you tick on your TradeSET report. It's not as difficult as you probably think Hope this helps

I just thought the 457 was a simple-ish way to gain PR if you proved your worth with your work. I have heard people in the past mention about the exploitation of workers when they think a PR visa is in their grasp, that isn't an option unfortunately, being turned down in 2 years would be heartbreaking and a waste of time. Been speaking to an agent this week and they think we'd be eligible for a 189. Accepted their offer of assistance and waiting for the next move. Fingers crossed, thanks to all for your advice.

I really didn't think the 457 was as hit and miss as that, Glad I asked. Well I think our next step is talking to a migration agent about our chances, I booked my IELTS last night so hopefully thats the ball rolling. kicking myself for not opening my mouth on here earlier!

I didn't really consider either of those visas due to the fact that it can cost a hefty sum before your visa is even accepted, we couldn't afford to lose so much of our savings and get turned down at the last hurdle. We have no property to sell and no belongings to take with us and I thought I could cut costs by getting the 457 as I thought it would be cheaper in the short term.

That is a show stopper, I was under the impression that you could get a permanent visa through the 457. Thanks for your comment, we'll have to reconsider our options (and savings) As I believe these visas are a lot more expensive, thankyou!

Good evening, or morning for you in Aus. Me, my girlfriend and daughter (not mine by blood) have been dreaming of living in Aus one day and with a substantial amount of money saved we believe now is the time to start making ground, however the requirements are making my head bleed with confusion. After days, if not weeks of research on here and immigov I'm still finding it difficult to identify what we need to get the ball rolling and with fear of getting a visa declined due to insufficient documents I provide looms over me constantly. I'm a metal fabricator (322311) by trade and want to bring my family as dependants, my girlfriend is a self employed nursery nurse and daughter 7, is at school. Me and my partner are both 26 and have been living together for almost 2 and a half years and been together for a total of 5 and a half. Is it just me that needs to provide work documents? I.e referees, trade certs ect? Also, is an IELTS and Trade test compulsory on a 457 visa application or is it just if an employer requires it? ANY help/advice would be really appreciated! Thanks, Dan!