dthomp

Thanks for your reply. Yes, that makes sense if an agent doesn't want to give out too much information in advance. Wish they'd just tell us though...we'd understand. We did ask on more than one occasion what their fee structure was and how we could begin working with them - because I was very aware that we were tapping into their knowledge and wanted to make it clear that we didn't want to take advantage of that. But they completely ignored that question...which seems very strange! It seems from your response that we won't have enough points anyway, as my wife is on the general CSOL, not the specific Victoria CSOL. Thanks for your help.

We had lots of good advice from people on this forum when we were considering the 457 visa route. And we have consequently put that on the back burner. So now looking at more permanent visa options. Our aim is a 190 State Sponsorship visa. But we are on 55 points. Tantalisingly close. My question is if we can reach the magic 60 with 5 partner points. And we can't quite get to the bottom of it My job code is on the SOL, the CSOL and the State Sponsorship list for Victoria. Unfortunately I'm 46 years old, hence the lack of points. My wife's job is only on the CSOL. Can we make her points count towards a 190 visa for Victoria? We are both on the CSOL list, even though I'm also on the others too. We have approached a recommended agent to ask, but the responses are really slow, and are kind of half answers, which just prompt further questions from us, which is frustrating. And I guess may not auger well for the answer we want. Am guessing if we were an obvious 60 the replies would be quicker! But this is crucial for us, and we're anxious about it, so we thought we might get something clearer from people on this site. Thanks in advance for any help

Yes - that's exactly what we've been discussing following the answers on this thread and concern about the 457. Then at least I couLd assess the job and ensure it was sound before moving the kids out. Thanks again for all the advice.

Thanks for your response. You're right - we're aware it's a risk on a 457. But at every stage for years and years , we've been 5 points away from a PR visa, and this is really our only option for Oz. We know we'd rather stay in London than move elsewhere in the UK or to Europe. Hence not going anywhere up until now! Am grateful for your thoughts and warning. Especially as our children go to an excellent school in the UK (another reason for not going as yet...it's not quite bad enough in the UK to force our hand). We need to decide whether to take the risk - but for a variety of reasons, we want our future to be in Oz not the UK if we can make it happen.

Thanks for this. Just to be sure, Year 11 is when they start the year the January after they turn 16?

Thanks for everybody's help.

Sorry you didn't have a good experience with this. Appreciate your feedback (and everybody else who has replied - thank you). We're lucky that our house is in London, so rent would be very high. But know that we can't rely on it for income completely, as there are costs - including the ones you suffered. Unfortunately we think our only option is a 457, so we'd be nervous to sell straight away...

Hi there, I am trying to work out what my net salary might be and found a calculator http://salary.calculatorsaustralia.com.au/ but it has some check boxes that affect the results. Talking to a recruitment agent they suggested likely sponsorship would be on a 457 type visa and any salary package would get super on top of the base salary (9.5% quoted) Does anyone know if I an to select yes/no to: Includes Superannuation Includes HELP debt Non-resident The last two seem to affect the net result quite a lot ! Many thanks Dominic

Hi All, If we were to move out to Australia we would be initially renting our house out and hopefully using some of the income against the rent on an Australian property. Once expenses have been paid here in the UK for our house which will be rented out (mge, agent, repairs etc) is it just a case of converting to dollars and bringing it in to pay against the rented property in Aus, or is it more complex than that.... If anyone has any experience with it your advice would be most welcome. Otherwise can I assume if we had £4000 profit per year, at an exchange rate of 1 - 2 would that give us $8000 in Aus. Kind Regards Dominic

Hi All, We are considering a possible move this year from UK to Aus and have 2 girls aged 12 and 14 as of today (happy birthday Alice !). Am a little concerned about her who will be starting her GCSE course / year 10 this September. Please does anyone have any experience moving older children at what could be a more critical time in their schooling, don't want to mess her future up. Also any idea how easy the transition might be in terms of subjects etc. She's abit of a swot and would never forgive me if I was seen to affect her exams and her future ! Not worried about the younger one. Many thanks Dominic