ktandsm

No worries, thank you for getting back to me

Hi, I'm looking at trying to get a pastry chef apprenticeship/traineeship - I don't suppose you take on apprentices do you? I'd be classed as 'mature', and I already have a degree from the UK that's completely unrelated, but I think I can still do a Certificate iv in Patisserie or Commercial Cookery part-time (evening) at TAFE. I'd basically be starting from the very beginning because I've only ever done office work. I have permanent residency so visa restrictions are not an issue, I just need to get in with a company before I can enrol in a course. Thanks in advance

Thanks guys, I'll take a look.

Does anyone know if Australia has anything like the taste card or blackhouse card like we have in the UK for discounted dining? I know they have Groupon and Scoupon but I just wondered if there was anything like these cards that you can use on a group of different restaurants? Thanks

Thanks guys. Kind of thought we'd be looking at going back over blind, but managed to sort out a job for Perth whilst we were still in Auckland so we were keeping our fingers crossed we'd be able to do the same for somewhere on the east coast. Just seems to be a bit harder, though! Thanks Keith, will take a look.

Hi all, we've recently been granted permanent residency and have come home after a year of being away just to visit family. We're now trying to decide where to go when we return to Oz in the coming weeks (young(ish) couple with no kids or particular ties to anywhere). Job prospects are going to be the main deciding factor, and we were wondering if anyone has had any luck in securing jobs before they go? We were previously working contract jobs in Perth, and were hoping to head over East but it's proving difficult to establish contacts. I'm a Civil Engineer and my gf is a legal professional, though she is hoping to start a conversion course in accounting in March once we're settled somewhere... Any advice would be much appreciated...

Hi Lotti22, I have recently been granted a 189 visa and I had an outstanding tax return from the year 2010-2011. When I logged on to mygov I also had 'outstanding' returns from the years to follow (where I was in the UK and just had to tell them that a tax return wasn't due). I didn't sort out my tax affairs until after the grant so I wouldn't worry - I don't think it'd be a problem at all. I also agree that I don't remember filling in my TFN anywhere, but it will be the same as your WHV TFN as you only get one (a bit like your National Insurance Number). As others have said, you'll probably be due a refund anyway! Good luck

Congratulations CaptainC! Delighted for you

Been keeping an eye on this forum, CaptainC - are you still waiting?? Have you called them a few times?? The processing time is supposed to be 3 months for 189 - which I kind of thought as of a maximum really (since many get granted before) - you're coming very close to that so still have my fingers crossed for you that it'll be round the corner!

Thanks Keith!

Hi Keith, do you know how long the company will be recruiting for? My partner is a Civil Engineer with a Masters in Project Management and around 5 years of post grad experience. We've just been granted PR so we're heading home for a just over month to see family before heading back out. Do you reckon recruitment will be over by the time we get back?? (Around mid September). Thanks in advance!

We have received our grants!!!!!!! :smile::smile: Get on on the phone CaptainC - worked for us!!! Best of luck!!!

We are feeling the same Captain C!! I finally cracked and asked my partner to call this afternoon. He was told that a case officer has been assigned but nothing else really. They did also say that a decision hadn't been made on his request for an extension to the 6 month WHV rule, though, which is bizarre as he actually has a letter from them granting the extension. Anyway...just glad that there is some sort of movement. Give them a call, what harm can it do!! Good luck, and hang in there!!

Hi Seanyb - we lodged on 22nd May and still haven't heard anything so I wouldn't worry too much. I've been keeping an eye on the 189 visa forums and it looks like they're up to the 12th May or thereabouts

congratulations!!

Fingers crossed!! I Think I'm just starting to get flustered because it seems to be getting closer...it was much easier to put to the back of my mind when I thought we'd have months to wait...!

CaptainC the reality is finally kicking in and I think I'm joining the forum obsession haha! I'm not worried about not having a CO yet - I'm worried that when we do get one they'll ask for a ton of documents that we haven't thought of... It just all seems to take quite a bit longer to get UK documents sorted from over here, and I'm pretty sure my parents will have a fit if I ask them to wade through any more of my paperwork to find things!

I agree! I hate to be a pessimist but it doesn't seem all that legit. Be careful - there are tons of scams out there that promise visas and don't deliver anything except an empty bank account. As above - make sure they're registered!

We haven't got a case officer yet but I'm starting to worry that we haven't uploaded enough documents to prove my partner's employment. We have 70 points - only 5 of which are for skilled employment (at least 3 years but less than 5 years). All we've uploaded is an employment contract from one job in the UK (which he was at for 3 and a half years), and payslips from another one (which was a 6 month contract position). I'm wondering if we should try to get more documents together. His payslips were paper ones and he hasn't a notion where they could be... I think I've been trying to stay calm but with May applications starting to see their grants I don't want anything holding us up and I'm getting worried!!

Also, are you both under the age of 30? If so then you can come here on working holiday visas for the year (2 years if you do 88 days of regional work during your first year). That'll allow you to get out here sooner if you really want to...

Have you got an actual offer from a company? No offence to recruitment agents but in my experience they sometimes think they can get more than they actually can for their candidates (case and point, we were travelling in Thailand before heading to New Zealand, and my partner - a Civil Engineer - got told by an agent that he had interviews lined up for him. When we got there, suddenly these interviews were non-existent, and in reality he only had a meeting with the agent, whom we then didn't hear from again). Make sure you have an actual offer, with a package that is viable (i.e. weigh up living costs). I have come across plenty of people - in the construction industry and otherwise - that have found it hard enough to get sponsored whilst actually being employed over here by a company, so I'm not quite sure what you've been offered that someone would say that they'd sponsor you from back home. If your partner is on the skilled migration list you may be better looking at a 189 independent skilled visa, which is a permanent visa - i.e. you wouldn't have to rely on a company. Good luck with everything - I think I'm from your neck of the woods (Audenshaw)

Thank you jac2011 - and congratulations on your grant today!!

Haha! The April grants seem to be coming in thick and fast - we should hear something soon enough . Where is this visa tracker everyone is talking about?? Is it updated by immigration?

Trying not to think about it too much! Not feeling too much pressure, though, as my partner recently got granted an exemption to the 6 month rule on working holiday visas - i.e. he can stay with his company. You're a small bit ahead of us Captain C - I think I'll start constantly checking once I see that you/people submitting around your date have a CO

Really??! That's amazing! I was trying to stay patient for the next few weeks but hearing that makes me feel like it could be nearing closer... We lodged our application on 22nd May!