SiameseCat

Does anybody know if it's safe to use my UK laptop with a power adapter in Oz? I'm reading that there's a difference between a plug adapter and a voltage converter but I really don't fully understand which one I need to get hold of (assuming it's safe to use). - I once used my UK hair straighteners with a plug adapter whilst in the US and they literally exploded next to my face after seconds of use! Hope someone can help, thank you

Thanks!

Hi everyone, Sorry if this is a daft question - but I will be entering Australia soon to activate my visa (skilled 189) and was wondering if I need to bring anything with me as proof when entering the country? Is the visa grant automatically linked to my passport or do I need to print out the Visa grant document? Do I need any other proof with me? Thanks!

@ Alexis - How long ago did you actually apply for a police certificate? I'm aware that the process has changed in recent years. You are mistaken when you say: " Any record for Northern Ireland and Scotland is done through the local police force. " I got my ACRO police clearance done in SCOTLAND (recently), I submit my application online via the official ACRO webpage. If you still don't believe me - taken directly from the ACRO webpage: "Police certificates from the ACRO Criminal Records Office cover England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. All citizens and residents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including those resident in Scotland) should apply through ACRO Criminal Records Office." https://www.acro.police.uk/Police_Certificates_FAQs.aspx

He says he has lived in N.Ireland his whole life. Why would he need a police clearance from a country he's never been a resident of? The DIBP ( http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Char ) clearly states: When is a police certificate required? If you are over the age of 16 and have lived in any of the countries listed on this page for a total of one year or more in the last 10 years, you must get a police certificate from that country.

Who told you that you need a paper from Garda Siochana? Police certificates are required from all countries you've lived in (12 months or more) within the last 10years. You say you have lived in N.Ireland your whole life so you will fall under the United Kingdom. The ACRO police certificate covers the whole of the UK, I got mine done for Scotland. Taken directly from their webpage: "Police certificates from the ACRO Criminal Records Office cover England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. All citizens and residents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including those resident in Scotland) should apply through ACRO Criminal Records Office."

My VISA 189 was granted yesterday, much faster than I expected! VISA application lodged: 15th October '16 CO assigned: 27th October '16 (asked for medicals and police clearance) Responded with additional information: 21st November '16 VISA grant noification: 2nd December '16 Good luck to everyone still waiting - hope you all get your good news soon :cute:

Mine came back positive after 2 weeks

I would say you only need to make sure the reference reflects the time period of work for which you are claiming points for. If you're 18 months away from applying and claim points for another 12+ months of work experience then you would need a reference to back your claim. You'd get asked for it during your skills assessment anyway. I only used 'personal' references (work colleagues/manager) during my skills assessment. When it came to submitting my PR visa which was around 6 months later, I just asked for an additional generic reference from HR confirming I was still employed with the same company. But there's many other ways of doing it, such as providing tax records, payslips etc

Hi all - back with another question :embarrassed: Would I need to notify or update my 189 visa application if my employer name changes? I’m not actually leaving my role but my team is being moved to a new legal entity contained within the same global organisation I’m currently employed by. Although I would still fall under the umbrella of my current org, a new employer name will appear on future payslips and I’ll be issued a P45 form next month. I’ve read that any change in circumstances during the visa assessment should be made known but not sure about my case? Thanks!

Thanks for the replies. I had my medical completed on the 15th but the clinic submitted my results on the 18th because I was told the blood tests would take a few days to come back. So it's already been a few days waiting for me but not really because of any delays. I'm hoping that everything can be finalised on Monday given I was considered a gradeA case:smile:

My ‘View health assessment’ is now displaying the following: Examinations ready for assessment – no action required The required health examinations have been completed and submitted by the panel clinic to the department. This person's case will be processed or referred to the department's migration medical services provider, Bupa Medical Visa Services, for further assessment. Can anyone advise on how long the department typically takes to process a medical case once it’s been submitted? The examining doctor on the day said I was a grade A case and I’m assuming the remaining tests came back normal as the clinic didn’t contact me.. or is there a way to validate this? Does the ‘View health assessment’ display change to something like ‘complete’ once it’s been processed? How will I know when the department has processed my case? Thanks:cute:

Thanks rammygirl. I'm just over thinking everything it seems :embarrassed: I thought everything needed to be completed within the 28days so I sent for my police certificate and booked the medical straight away. The certificate is already back and uploaded and my medical already completed. I'm just waiting for the results to update on immaccount! As I still have time to respond to the CO I was thinking to wait for my results to update and then click on the 'information provided' button before replying to inform everything's done :smile:

I'm by no means an expert but here are my thoughts: Do you have any other work experience that you are claiming for? I ask because I have around 6 years of work experience (in the same IT role/same company) yet they only awarded me 3 years of experience. Based on all the posts I have read through this is common practice for ACS.. I have no idea why Were both your undergrad and postgrad degrees assessed as comparable to AQF qualification with a major in computing? I was not awarded any extra points for my Masters degree but was awarded for my Bachelor degree (even though both my BSc and MSc were comparable to AQF qualification with a major in computing). I have also read in previous posts that ACS doesn't award any work experience until after the completion date of your relevant degree.

The email address is a '@border.gov.au' address which seems like a generic processing office email. Do they want me to email them back with my written acknowledgement that I received their email? The confusing part is that under the 'Submitting documents' header it says: "Do not email us to advise when you have attached documents in ImmiAccount." So I don't really understand what's meant by 'You should provide your response in writing'. I already have my police certificate and my medical is booked. So it will be completed within the 28days. Do I still need to upload evidence of booking the appointment?