Jonno1981

I also used E2launguage for PTE-A on YouTube and found it very useful for explaining the correct structure of each question type. I am English, but practiced pretty much every day for 2 months (on average an hour a day, more on the weekends). Possibly this is overkill for a native speaker, but I wasn't taking any chances. I also purchased the scored mock tests on PTE's website (Gold package), twice!!! These showed me areas that needed improvement, which I then focused on.

Hi all, I was wondering when we can expect to see the changes that will come into effect July 1st 2018? Are they normally released in advance of that date?

Quite fancy living near the Gold Coast at some point down the line, but keeping an open mind.

Congratulations JetBlast. I was extremely relieved to pass my PTE recently. I've never felt so much pressure to do well in an exam before, not something I'd care to repeat in a hurry. I'm also looking for SS South Australia, but have to wait until July as my nominated occupation is currently under "Special Conditions" apply. Hoping they offer sponsorship in July without "Special Conditions". What is your nominated occupation?

That's the problem I think, I don't believe my current role is on SA's list unless they accept it is related to my nominated occupation (Laboratory Manager), which I feel it should be. I find it strange that SA don't require your current role to be the same as the nominated occupation, but it must still be on their occupation list. If my current role was on their list I would have nominated it for skills assessment by an appropriate industry body and applied for a 190 with that occupation.

Hi all, I have already achieved a positive skills assessment for 139913 Laboratory Manager (3.4 years) and was hoping to apply for state sponsorship with South Australia on July 1st (not able to apply now due to high 90 points requirement, I only have 70). I have just realised that South Australia require "at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the last 3 years", see http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-process. Please also see section 5.2 of http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-process/skilled-nomination-requirements, which states "Skilled work experience is defined as at least 20 hours per week of paid employment in a skilled occupation on the list of state nominated occupations. The skilled work experience does not need to be in your nominated or closely related occupation...". VETASSESS have not accepted my current role as being closely related to Laboratory Manager, but have included my two previous jobs. So in accordance with VETASSESS, the last job I had that was relevant to a Laboratory Manager ended November 2015. Even if I were to apply SA state sponsorship now, my nominated skilled work experience would only be 9 months (March to November 2015). In July, I would only have 5 months (July to November 2015) of nominated skilled work experience. My question is are South Australia as rigid as VETASSESS when it comes to deciding what experience is closely related to the nominated occupation? My reason for asking is that the job I do now is very similar to what I did before, only it is a more senior role with added commercial responsibility, but no direct reports and fewer laboratory based activities (hence why VETASSESS did not accept it). Any guidance/advice on this would be appreciated. I am so worried that I may now not be eligible to apply for a subclass 190 with South Australia.

I was hoping they might simply raise the bar as the occupation gets filled throughout that year, but then wipe the slate clean at the beginning of a new visa year. I hope that is the case as I would be gutted to lose out at this stage.

Just received my test report for PTE Academic and achieved a score of 90 overall with all 90's except 89 in writing. Really pleased with that and immensely relieved!!! This now gives me 70 points, but SA still have the bar raised to 85 points for Laboratory Manager. I was wondering if Laboratory Manager is still on the short-term skills list in July and SA continue to offer sponsorship for that occupation, are they likely to lower the threshold to 60 points at this point, or maintain the existing special conditions at 85 points?

Earlier in 2017, SA required 60 points for Laboratory Manager, but as the quota started to fill I guess they raised the bar. I have everything crossed that the occupation will be back down to 60 this July.

Hi all, I am new to this forum so felt it only polite to introduce myself. My current status: - Recently received a positive skills assessment for Labaoratory Manager (VETASSESS), which equates to 5 points. - My age affords me 25 points. - I shall be taking the Pearson PTE Acedemic test in February. Hoping for 20 points. - Univeristy degree 15 points. - State nomination South Australia 5 points. So all being well, I should get at least 60 points (possibly 70). Unfortunately, South Australia have recently raised the bar (Special Conditions) for Laboratory Manager to 80 points. So it looks like I will have to wait until July and hope that the occupation is still there and without Special Conditions. Living in Australia has been a dream of mine since 2005. Based on the above information, do you think I will be suscessful and if so, when could I expect to receive the subclass 190 visa? Any comments or advice would be most welcome. Best regards Jonathan