tazmancblue

No, it's not point related for a 457. whilst I can't comment on the IT sector in particular, I needed to prove 6 years experience in my field of work to enable me to pass the criteria.

If the employer is going to pay for the visa application, flight costs and relocation costs, that's a big investment that they won't wish to lose out on. Not forgetting that if they decide they don't want you, they also have to pay your return costs. There was a thread about 457 visas being cut, but the main thrust of it appears to be in relation to lower skill jobs; and also seems to specifically question chefs and restaurant managers which seems an easy route to emigrating here from some countries and open to fraud. Plus that's a job where locals will have the skills. I can't see them being able to just cancel all 457s for existing workers, that would leave a massive hole that the country could not fill. What I meant about living 'what if' is that if the suggestion that the number of new visas will be reduced is true, and you are then unable to get one, then you may regret the delay now in making the decision and always wonder what it might have been like here in Melbourne.

Oh...and with regards shipping costs, look at move cubes with Seven Seas Worldwide; we found that to be the cheapest option. And the best option for insuring the goods was with a company based in Liverpool which gave better cover for less.

With an approved employer, which I assume the government are, and the job being in the list, which I assume the government would be aware is, and the necessary skills and experience, which I assume you have for them to offer the job...then getting the visa would no doubt be easy. There are worries about partners getting jobs; but that's the same anywhere. My wife managed to get a casual job where I work and is looking in the meantime. There are of course other possible negatives, but there are also opportunities. If the possibility is that the visa won't be available from July, then you may end up living 'what if?' for the rest of your life. Melbourne is amazing. I'll worry about PR and visa renewal when it's necessary, and in the meantime enjoy living here...

I think they simply make phone calls to the employers rather than turn up!!

My sponsor's MA submitted the nomination and visa application at the same time and it took exactly 7 weeks for approval of it all at the same time...

We applied on 23rd September and were approved today so yours should be next week.

Our MA said that the log in details would not work for me as they have their own portal system when they log in, so that might be there issue. In any respect, get the MA to do the chasing, that's what you are paying them to do!!

Heard from the future employer and migration agent at the same time. The letters of approval go to the MA and she forwarded them on... Ive just noticed that Lou replied earlier haha...lack of sleep from being awoke at 5am with the news!!

We are off to Melbourne

Thanks...time to book flights now

Nomination and visa application placed on 23rd September. Visa granted today; exactly 7 weeks/35 working days.

Did you get this sorted? The lifting of the flooring suggests there is a leak somewhere which would be sitting below the flooring and causing the damp.

This is their description of initial allocation together with the current timescale which is 35 working days [TABLE] [TR] [TD]EXPLANATORY COMMENTS[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Initial Allocation It was 40 days last week, which suggests they completed 2 weeks worth of allocations last week to stay at the level and then decrease it by a week...let's hope the purge continues[/TD] [TD]35[/TD] [TD]Initial Allocation is the first assessment of an application by a case officer. If the application is lodged assessment-ready, we seek to finalise it at this stage. For processing efficiency, we request applications be assessment-ready when lodged. Consistent with this, and the programme’s aim to provide quick outcomes, the network’s focus is on reducing the time taken to make Initial Assessments. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Was the employer nomination lodged on 6th September or approved then having been lodged before? Thanks in advance, and enjoy Oz!!

What date did you apply for the nomination?