Conyo2588

Hi, The 491 visa is a regional visa and therefore, your partner would be unable to work or live in Brisbane unfortunately My partner is a Tiler and we’ve just put in our visa application, albeit, using an agent. I’d highly recommend using a MARA registered agent as the process is exhaustive, especially if you have to sort skills assessments etc TRA did my partners assessment. I think there’s also another called VETASS? Or something along those lines We were advised by the agent to do PTE as apparently that’s what tradies have more success with...I’m not sure how true that is, just the advice we received Also, only post qualification experience gains points, this has to be proven by tax records, statements from employers or customers if self employed. Any experience prior to qualification doesn’t count Hope this helps

Hi I’m not sure about if there are any consequences retracting a 489 for a 491, but I thought the 491 programme was closed for the time being? Or is that just for offshore candidates? Are you onshore?

I assume the link relates to state sponsorship applications? We lodged our state sponsorship application in April and paid the fee then. We got notified in June that it had been accepted, which is the point where we put our full visa application in to DOHA When you say you got your invitation in March, do you mean notification that you were successful in gaining state sponsorship and applied for the 491 visa through DOHA?

Yeah we also saw Glenelg and Henley Beach, think they’re quite popular! They look really nice! We looked a bit further inland, still commutable to Adelaide, we just didn’t want to live in the city as we’re not big city fans. We liked the look of Aberfoyle Park. It’s really difficult isn’t it as you don’t know what the areas are like until you actually start living there!

I think the hold must have only come in early July, from what I’ve seen on here. I’m just going to keep an eye on the Govt website to see if the processing times get updated. Sort of hoping they don’t considering we can’t travel anyway! Will you let me know how your medicals go please? I’m dreading it! Also, where in SA were you thinking of going to?

Hi We also received our ITA from SA at the end of June, we were told the visa application had to be lodged within 60 days or it would expire. We lodged it around a week ago, now need to send Medicals, Police checks etc Our agent has said that visa processing for offshore candidates is currently on hold due to travel restrictions so they can’t predict when it’ll be processed. We just have to wait and see and know it’ll be a few months down the line. Fingers crossed things improve soon

Manchester are still doing medicals

We’re looking at a 491 on my partners trade, not accountancy. Also, I have seen jobs in Adelaide for accountants, are you saying you anticipate there not being much work there for my field?

Hi, I’m also an accountant (ACCA qualified 2019) but had been working in that area for years prior (as you do whilst studying etc) I completed an online questionnaire which said I was eligible to apply as I had over 65 points. Upon speaking to an agent, I found you can only claim work points for post qualification experience. Also, the barrier is that high for accountants now (95-100) that it’s nigh on impossible to get in unless you have points for Australian study/work. We’re currently in the process of trying to get a regional 491 visa on my partners job. I had a skills assessment for extra partner points to his visa, just sent them my AAT & ACCA certs and it came back really quickly. I suggest you speak to a MARA agent and get their advice, if you haven’t already done so. Hope you get some good news