Ausvisitor

2 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

Paul has already given it and I have just explained in more detail what that means in practice

Totally agree with you @Marisawright I do though have a lot of sympathy with @31Hillbury I remember the feeeling of helpless limbo that is the wait for a grant, and I can't imagine what it would have been like to have had it drag on for so long, especially in a period when the world is upside-down as well.

Hope @31Hillbury isnt waiting too much longer

39 minutes ago, 31Hillbury said:

Again, I was hoping to get a reply from somebody with a professional opinion.

Maybe pay for it then!

Ok - so the above is a bit flippant, but maybe you need to consider that the fact no RMA has replied is down to the fact that there are a lot of moving parts here:

1. They could decide just to junk everything pre-Covid and start again

2. They could ramp up the processing and churn through the outstanding ones really quickly

3. They might be taking their time due to staff shortages and priorities

4. There is an election soon, maybe things improve after that

Once an RMA gives an opinion on this, they will be held to it (either legallly or just reputationally), and as it is purely conjecture at the moment they are unblikley to want to "stick their necks out" except in  private under a service agreement which indemnifies them and you

15 minutes ago, 31Hillbury said:

So we could be waiting forever to get a grant then?

Surely they can’t leave us pending indefinitely? 

It sounds like they’re doing something dodgy with the processing statistics to me!

90% in 18 months doesn’t seem accurate to me. 

 

 

They can leave you pending indefinitely, that's totally within their right. They are under no obligation to grant you a visa (or even decline you one, they can just leave you waiting if they want to).

Ultimately until you have a residency or citizenship they have no duty of care or responsibility to you.

Its not great, but that is the reality

My advice would be IELTS is hard and heavily skewed to Queens UK English, so be careful not to lapse into Canadian English. Use strong grammar constructs and show use of many different language constructs.

If you were not a teacher (and therefore I think bound to use IELTS) I would suggest you look at PTE (it is so much easier)

For clarity I have a master's in English (from a UK Uni and lived in UK most of my life - including all schooling). I still missed out on full marks on IELTS (probably due to complacency). However I was much more qualified in the English Language than any one of my examiners, but still didn't get the high score based in their inflexible scoring rules

On 05/04/2021 at 04:06, LandM said:

Thanks everyone! Yes, we have made contact with GoMatilda so should hear this week. 
yes, following advice on this forum, it will be my husband applying and doing the test
thanks again

Unless you are going for a anzsco code that requires IELTS academic you can choose the simpler IELTS course for migration purposes.

More to the point if your assessment doesn't require IELTS I would opt for PTE test instead.

Ive got a master's in English and I didn't get the 8+ required for full marks on the IELTS test (but then I also assumed I'd walk it so did no prep). I then did the PTE and full marks in every section and it was the simplest test I've ever done.

The company I used to work for offered this for most employees:

• Economy one-way flight for all family (booked by the company within 2 days of your preferred travel date to limit costs)
• 2 weeks in a cheap serviced apartment while you found your own accomodation
• $10k in relocation expenses - claimed back - so either excess baggage, shipping receipt or knew furntiure bought in AUS - but as soemone else said it was claimed back not cash handed over

For more senior hires, think department heads and above it was more generous

• Business class flights on day/flight you wanted
• One return Economy flight in the first year for family to visit home country (in fact it could be anywhere so a cheap holiday in year one)
• 2 months in serviced accomodation
• $25k in relocation expenses (rules as above)
• $15k "hello" bonus paid with first salary

All these (except the airfare) where repayable if you left within the first 9 months, and in the case of the relocation expenses these were repayable for 18 months. Unless it was the company telling you to leave. 

We did police checks and medicals in the late October and had a grant early December, this was 2019 though so pre Covid

7 hours ago, starlight7 said:

8.30- 4.30 pm would be a short day here. Just saying. 

Its a short day in the UK too, I've not worked less than 10 hours a day in the office plus a bit in the evening and hours at the weekend in the last 20 years - but then I'm not a teacher I have a job that has real deadlines and pressures

11 hours ago, FirstWorldProblems said:

“on or after day 6 after arriving in NSW”

so for you that will be 10th 

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/recent-vaccinated-arrivals-guidelines.aspx

 

we landed 3 days ago so if you’ve any questions I’ll try to answer them if I can.  

We will be heading out in February - other than testing is there any other restrictions in place (like stay at home etc)?

52 minutes ago, Family R said:

Thank you all

i made an incorrect assumption that it would be a remote area. Sunshine Coast is where we want to go ideally.

Paul - I’ll get in touch in the new year to book that consultation and see if there is a path.

 

thanks all again

I wouldn't wait, just have the chat now. In the new year you will be so much closer to the next AUS election, and the undoubted changes to immigration that will bring if previous elections are anything to go by

To out it in perspective, when we applied I had done my expedited vetassess career review and English PTE test submitted my EOI for a 190 and received a request to apply for nomination in less time than you are considering waiting to talk to an agent. I guess if you are really keen to move it shows in actions...

Yep if you can get the right score you can get the extra points.

Worth pointing out that just because you are English the 20 points isn't a guarantee.

23 hours ago, wrussell said:

As a rule I do not give telephone advice. I reduce all advice to writing, so it is  more efficient and certainly less susceptible to error to use email in the first place. I do not charge for preliminary assessments.

 

To the original poster, given what has been said here, you will lose nothing in having a quick preliminary assessment. I'd go for it if I was you and see if it answers your questions.

The only thing you might waste is a few minutes of time

39 minutes ago, Kristie said:

How about a family sponsored visa? I would i be eligible for one if I had family living in Australia? 

If you had parents or siblings living in Aus then maybe, but they aren't prioritised over other sponsored visas so you are in the same pot as the 190 and 491 applications

2 hours ago, paulhand said:

It will depend how your contract is worded and how you can demonstrate that SA is your usual place of work.

We have similar problems in the Uk in determining things like employee expenses. You may be able to work from home, but usually your contract will say you work for X department at 123 high street, London. 

This is so that the company can opt to allow you to work from home if it suits you and them but not be on the hook to provide travel and accomodation expenses when they want you in the office.

In this case even though you may work from home 240 days a year you are still actually employed in London. 

You would need an immigration consultant and a tax/contract lwayer in all likelihood to be totally sure if your plan is watertight

16 minutes ago, Kristie said:

We’re you already in Australia when you were sponsored? 

I wouldn't put too much significance on this answer as things were very different in immigration in 2006 than they are today.

Back then you could migrate until age 50 and 65 points was generally enough and the 189 style visa was the main award and sponsorship by state (190, 491) was less prevalent

1 hour ago, Kristie said:

Just at the moment? Or ever?

Never say never, but WA seem to do this with a lot of occupations that other states will happily take overseas qualifications for.

10 hours ago, Yetirat said:

Hi all,

 

Quick one as I seek clarity here: I currently work for a global tech business. It's fully remote with a distributed workforce. If I apply and am successful with the 491 skilled work regional visa for South Australia, can I ONLY work for companies that are PHYSICALLY in South Australia? Or can I live in South Australia but continue working for a global business remotely out of South Australia?

 

Well it's a working visa to help Australia fill shortages in their workforce, so I would guess the intention is no, but whether or not that is actually enforced, who knows (not me anyway)

Just to highlight at the end of October there were just over 4,000 EOI in the queue for Software Engineer that had a points total of 80 or above (7000 in the queue in total).

I don't beleive they make 4,000 189 visa grants a year in this career code, so that already suggests you need to up your points or try the 491 (or a less popular state for a 190)

To put that 4000 number into persepctive, there are only 190 management consultants in the queue with a points total of 80+

Registered Nurses (medical) has less than 200 with 80+ points

Plumbers less than 35 EOI in the queue at any points tally

So you can see whilst Software Engineer is a strong career in demand, the competition is massive

1 hour ago, Gowtham said:

I am current working as a management consultant (Supply chain and operations) close to completing one year.  I have finally got my employer to sponsor 186 (direct entry). 

I need some advice on getting skill assessment and which category should I apply ? 
All my career I have been involved in improving operations - before Australia it was in the manufacturing sector  , in Australia its in the health sector. 

I have an existing skill assessment as a production engineer, but haven't been able to get my work experience assessed previously.   

Can I use my skill assessment with Engineers Australia as production engineer and get my work experience also assessed  ? 
or
Should I get a new skills assessment as a Management consultant (operations) ?  both would cost me approximately the same. 

to lodge my 186 visa.
 

Have you actually checked the ANZSCO definition of a management consultant?

It's incredibly narrow and probably the most common career code to be rejected from as most people don't really use the term management consultant correctly.

Assuming you are a management consultant and not a technical consultant skewing their job to management consultant because it is always on the list of migration roles.

You will need 8 years of proven work experience in a management consultancy, and a degree, this in itself isn't easy to achieve and still be young enough to amass a decent points tally.

Now on to the assessment itself, I had to produce huge amounts of paperwork to evidence my experience as a management consultant, despite the fact I was (when applying) a director in one of the largest global management consultancies in the world and youtube/internet is littered with recordings of my conference presentations over about 15 years.

It isn't an easy path, but if you really are a management consultant you should be able to be successful...

Incidentally are you using a migration agent? The one thing that will single you out to the assessor as not being a true management consultant is if you can't see the benefit of employing experts to do the job for you (after all that is the only thing a management consultant actually does)...

1 hour ago, JamesB23 said:

Hi all - this is my first post.

It's a massive dream of mine to go to and hopefully live in Australia. I've contacted a couple of migration agencies who have both told me different things. The first one I spoke with for about 30 minutes which ultimately ended in disappointment when they said I probably wouldn't be able to migrate under my current circumstances. I've since spoken to a different agency who have worked out my points to be either 70/80 depending on how I perform in my English test. They've quoted me £4200 for the whole process, excluding visa application fee and all my test fees but they have said I may be eligible for a 190 state nomination visa which I was initially pretty excited to hear.

My points were worked out to be this:

• Age: 30 points (will drop to 25 when I turn 33 in July 2022)
• English language: 10/20 depending on IELTS/PTE performance
• Qualifications (degree): 15
• Overseas work experience: 0
• State sponsorship: 5
• Partner (n/a): 10

Total: 70/80

I am extremely wary of handing over a very large sum of money to this agency when the first one I contacted said it was not worth applying. I'm hoping if someone here can help and tell me what my chances really are of achieving permanent residency especially in these strange covid times? I'm also aware that I will lose 5 points when I turn 33 which has got me worried about if I'm going to make it at all. My occupation is currently on the priority skills list (software developer) and I have 3 years experience however I am not sure if that helps me at all for the 190 visa.

So if anyone who has been through this before or can offer any advice for my circumstances, or even a recommendation on a good, trustworthy agent that would be so helpful, thank you.

Software Developer is a priority skill, but it is also a very popular one with applicants, as a result it is a capped pro-rata occupation, meaning only a set amount are allowed from that occupation each year, in ratio with other applicants invited in other areas.

So whilst peopl in none pro-rata careers might get an invite on say 75 points, because of the high amount of software engineers with massive points totals (they tend to be young, highly skilled in English with masters degrees and work experience) you might still get overlooked at 80 points because there are thousands of software engineers with 85 points in the queue already.

Whilst it costs nothing to apply (if you do it yourself), you will still have to pay the assessing body fees (around £1000) just to be able to apply. 

I thought the same about agents when I applied, but in the end I settled on the fact people pay me well to do what I do well, why would I not do the same when it matters to me. My agent was a star, From application for skills assessment to visa grant only 8 months (190 NSW) and I was 44 at the time with 70 points (but not software). I couldn't have done it quick enough to get in under the 45 year old cut-off without an expert guiding me

On 27/11/2021 at 05:07, jameserob said:

Wow, such a kind response. Do you think it’s right that someone with a Bachelor Degree in Islamic Studies (a Degree which is completely unrelated to my sponsored occupation, Recruitment Consultant) along with just 1 years experience, would be eligible to pass the Positive Skills Test and get PR over me, someone who has worked in Recruitment for nearly 10 years in both the U.K. and Australia, and has been through promotions and works in a managerial position? If myself and this person were put in the same office, I’d be teaching them, yet they’re deemed as more “qualified”.
 

Your response was horrible. I was asking for help in what is an extremely difficult and unfair situation. There are thousands and thousands of migrants out here in similar situations. As for your comment about me going to University, why would I pay $90,000 to do this when a Degree in recruitment doesn’t even exist?! That’s how crazy it is. I wouldn’t risk it anyway, as the way migration works out here they would probably change the goal posts again. Your response was extremely nasty and condescending. There are extremely experienced and qualified migrants who have lived out here for over 13 years, yet due to the constant changing of the goal posts, they still don’t have PR. It’s playing with peoples mental health. People have given a lot to the country and and made their home here. How can you tell someone that their skills aren’t needed when you’ve given them a visa for 4 years? Or even worse allowed them to work in an occupation for over 10 years? There’s many, many people stuck in this situation and it’s disgusting. Australia is an incredible and beautiful country, but migrants are treated appallingly. Have some respect. 

The visa rules were the same when you first came as they are now (that you needed a degree for PR in your role)

So really you are just angry at the process and have gotten upset at me highlighting the fact that in Australia's eyes you aren't wanted unless you have a degree (in your role).

It's not fair but it is a fact

Australia wants highly skilled and highly educated immigrants.

It has no obligation to offer you a visa just because you want one and you've lived here for a while, you need to be eligible like everyone else.

In some professions (useful ones like plumbing) the qualifications don't explicitly require a degree but your job doesn't really fit into that "key-worker" definition

Go to university would be one option do the course you referred to and then you'll be able to stay...

1 hour ago, ChrisJD said:

I’m planning to, only just found out tonight.  But is that a possibility?  Applying for another partner visa or does that not look good?  I’m gonna try for work sponsored visa also

You only found out last night that your relationship broke down in 2020?

You seem to be missing the point that the issue here is that you have not notified the authorities when you should have, not the fact that your partner has now decided to tell the truth

On 07/11/2021 at 12:46, TheBs said:

My goodness! 

So if I'm reading that right the EOI time potentially could only be a month in some cases.

Then once invited to apply for visa you get 60days to do so, that process though is what the immi site is saying could be anywhere between 5 and 20 months 

I'm not a nurse, but we had an invite from NSW to apply for 190 sponsorship within 24 hours of submitting EOI.

Visa granted a few months later, we will be there in February

So it it's a temp visa as said above you will need 10k for school levy.

On 120 you will take home about 90k.

Take 10 off for school and you are at 80k

Which will be around 6.5k a month

Rental for a 3 bed in a decent area will be 3k, you've probably for 500 on bills so now 3k left

Still got to pay for cars and food and then some fun. 

It's doable but it ain't luxury