Chris B

I have been on the Vetassess website tonight getting to grips with all the skills assessment process, I am going to start gathering all the evidence to submit for the first part and yeah I will look into the IELTS tests. I do need to study more in depth both SA & NSW. Do appreciate your advice & I will update my progress on here. Good luck with receiving all your visas soon.

Yes your right i do need to get cracking with my application, I have some time off work now, so I need to use that to make some serious progress. Did you just submit EOI's to more than one state ?, what made you choose SA ? Yes I need the 20 points from the IELTS to get the 65 points, I did read about the changes in Nov, it also looks they will award 15 points for being nominated by a state and with the extra 5 points for my English speaking wife I could hopefully still hit the 65+ point mark if I score say 10 points on the IELTS. Thanks again for the info.

Hi Lavers, Thanks for the reply. I can score 65 points with the state nomination, which I know is not particularly high, that's another thing l am a little nervous with, as I do appreciate that they do take the highest scoring applicants first. I did read a few places that some of the states do look at occupation first then points, I suppose it depends on the demand for my trade. An agent did send me some details saying only Northern Territories, NSW & SA had my occupation on their lists. The other issue for myself is also my age, I am 44 the start of this October 19, so 45 in Oct 20, looking at the timeline the agent gave and other people's timelines, it could be approx Jan 20 by the time I am in a position to lodge the EOI, only giving me a 9 mth window to get invited, nominated etc before I turn 45. Obviously I do wish I had started this process a lot earlier than now, I have dual nationality for the US and was planning on moving there next year, but some work our plans changed. I know getting the visa for AUS is probably a real long shot now, with the clock ticking, but while it was still maybe an option I feel I want to give it a shot ! I remember reading on one of your posts where you said you couldn't acquire the needed 20 points for superior English using the IELTS and the you switched visa from 189 to 190, does that mean you don't need to sit a English test to gain the 20 points for the 190 visa and having a passport from the UK suffices ?

Hi Ross, What are the point system changes you mention happening in Nov 2019 ? Thanks

Lavers, I am a new member on here just trying to pick up some tips before I start the process. I read some of your previous threads, my situation is similar to yours I think, I am looking to apply for a 190 visa as fitter (General) ANZSCO 323211, I have been in my trade a long time so got plenty of trade qualifications / experience hopefully. I am also going to apply without and agent mainly due to saving costs, I was just wondering how you or anybody else found the whole process without using agents ? Thanks and appreciate any advice.