BronxFan

Thanks for the above posts guys. Really really helpful stuff to know, its great people are passing this knowledge along to help others (I am in a similar position).

Hi Varghese, Which VISA have you applied for? how many points have you claimed on your EOI?

Thanks for the advice guys, very much appreciated! I find myself second guessing even the most simple things. Looking forward to not having to worry about this anymore.

I have had a search but have not been able to find the answer to this this question, so it would be awesome if someone could give me some advice. I have submitted my EOI and received my invitation and have NOT claimed points for work experience, I just listed my jobs but then didn't tick the box to say it was related to my nominated occupation (even though they actually are). Now that I am filling in the main application for my 189 VISA, my work history has been carried over from my EOI, and still there is a box next to each job ticked as not related. But underneath this there is a now a new question: Has the applicant been employed in Australia in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation at a skilled level immediately before lodging this application? So I am confused by that, I have already claimed my points for the EOI, so surely I should be honest here and say YES I have worked in my nominated profession for a year, otherwise I will be telling a lie (which I am paranoid about doing). I am worried if I say YES they may think I am trying to add on another 5 points which might complicate things needlessly and I may have to provide references etc which I am trying to avoid. Thanks in advance if anyone remembers answering that question and can help.

Corinda, Oxley, Sherwood, Graceville are really nice areas - Corinda and Oxley could suite your budget. There are loads of awesome parks in the area for kids and a great outdoor pool for summer. There are loads of coffee places + restaurants even a little Cinema. There is really only two pubs but they are all right on the train line so you can get into the city and back really easy. For Ipswich - five minutes drive and your on Ipswich Road/or get the train there. Would certainly give them a visit!

Does anybody know what happens if you get de-merit points whilst in Australia and driving with a UK licence? This recently happened to me with a speeding ticket. I paid the fine but was not sure what would happen with the points.

I have a really similar question that I would really love some advice on. I have submitted my EOI and received my invitation and have NOT claimed points for work experience (I just included my jobs but then didn't tick the box to say it was relevant - even though it actually is). Now on the main application, my work history has been carried over from my EOI, and still there is a box next to each job ticked as not relevant. But underneath this there is a new question: Has the applicant been employed in Australia in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation at a skilled level immediately before lodging this application? So I am confused, I have already claimed my points for the EOI, so surely I should be honest here and say YES I have worked in my nominated profession for a year, otherwise I will be telling a lie (which I am paranoid about doing). I am worried if I say YES they might want me to get references etc which I am trying to avoid.

Thanks for the help/reassurance guys!

Thanks for getting back to me. The trouble is the form asks for a start and end date... otherwise I would definantly have just put July 2001 as you say. The question has made me think they wanted the course start and end dates rather than the exam dates. It has been a while to be honest but I thought we started work for GCSE's in year 10 - I could easily be wrong. Which ever way I go, I can be pretty confident with the month but its going to be tough to figure out the exact dates.

Hi I have a similar question, How about dates for GCSE/A levels? The application asks for dates. I have had a guess at the dates and put the start of year 10 and then the end of year 11.... I am sure it is not a massive deal but thought I should ask around for reassurance.

It is a tough job market in Australia at the moment, it's good for you to prepare yourself for that before coming out. However that does not mean you should hide away... you still have to go for it and enjoy your life. I have had most luck using agencies for contracting work (engineering in Brisbane) it is worth ringing them and offering your CV. To be honest the way things are now they will only be interested in helping you if you actually in Australia. It is good that you have PR sorted already, and clearly both have skilled jobs... you will be fine. For an advertised position I think it's usually best to ring the company if you can and talk before or just after applying. They might not like it or it might help them remember you. I have found a lot of companies don't even bother to reply so what have you got to lose. The most sensible way to go about it might be for your husband to come out and try and find work and an area to live initially without the added pressure of the family...it took me a month to get my first job out here so I was starting to worry a bit about letting wife and kids down at the time. It is 50/50 on this though as how exciting to all come out and experience it together as a family. Hope it works out for you.

I was about to suggest Oxley/Corinda/Sherwood/Graceville but Paul got in there first. When you get here just check out some of the parks in the area your son will love it! I used to do the commute from Corinda to Logan everyday was about 30 mins on the way in and 40 on the way back - seems pretty short compared to most commutes I have done over the years and now. There are loads of nice restaurants and cafe's in the area and the train makes it easy to get into the city. We love the area our elder son is in a good school the younger one at a good kindy, and they both play for the one of the local Rugby teams.

Hi Igor90, Did you figure this out in the end? Are you contracting through an employment agency?

Skyba, I just wondered who you had found to handle your application post EOI on wards? for £650? I am in a similar boat to you in that my case seems reasonably straight forward.....but at the same time I really don't want to mess this up. The agents do seem expensive (I am from Yorkshire which doesn't help). It would be great if you could just pay for an hour of their time on an ad-hoc basis and just go to them with specific questions. Has anyone come across this service? the handful I have spoken to just want to handle the whole application. I am going to get in contact with veronica myself as maybe the checking service would be a good option for me.

I would be interested to hear about this myself. Do you need to think you need to prove continuous employment for the full period of time you are claiming skilled employment for? It is hard if you have had a few different jobs over the years! Good luck with it.