PickledRic

4 hours ago, Cots said:

Is there anyway of getting an Australian SIM card before we get to quarantine? Or can we get one whilst in quarantine?

We quarantined in Sydney and they actually gave us a couple of free SIM cards on arrival at the airport  which was really handy!

Not sure if all the states do this though. 

On 02/03/2021 at 08:40, Heading4Tassie said:

Congratulations on making it to Sydney and into Quarantine. We are heading this way to in couple of months just re-booked the flights again with Qatar this time. Can I ask have you been  advised it is 14 nights in quarantine or do you leave on day 14? We are planning to head to tassie straight out of quarantine just not sure what date to book the onward flight if its 14 days so 13 nights or 14 nights.

Hope that quarantine passes quickly for you guys and you get to QLD easily to start your new adventure in Oz

Thank you quarantine has been relatively easy so far, we’re on day 7 now! 
we’ve been really lucky and got a spot in a hotel with beautiful views over the harbour and the opera house!

We arrived and checked in the very early hours of Wednesday morning; I believe we will be allowed to leave on the Wednesday in the morning, technically we will have done 14 sleeps as we went to bed as soon as we got here. 
 

I hope everything goes well for you

32 minutes ago, bicek said:

How far in advance did you book your flight? Did you fly economy or business class? Thanks for the info, much appreciated. 

Great news it went smoothly for you. Hope quarantine goes well and quickly for you! And enjoy QLD once you get there! 

We initially had flights booked a couple of months in advance with virgin but they were to fly via Hong Kong and got cancelled. 

We booked our flights with Etihad about two weeks in advance. They cost about £6.5k for the two of us flying economy but we felt that the cheaper ones with other companies were probably not going to happen and we were more likely to get bumped off. Plus we basically flew business class because we had so much space! 

We booked direct via Etihad Airways and our flights went ahead on Monday 22nd Feb into Sydney. We’re currently in quarantine and will be heading over to QLD when we can.

The flights were great; we had a whole row of seats to ourselves so we could sleep. We flew via Abu Dhabi. No issues at all. Would definitely recommend.

Etihad also offer full refunds/free changes to tickets and you have COVID insurance so if you test positive prior to your flight you can rearrange free of charge. 

I am flying out with Etihad on the 22nd Feb - From London transit via Abu Dhabi and land in Sydney.

Hopefully should be on the flight considering the cost but who knows if we'll get bumped!

Hi everyone,

I’m just looking for a bit of advice on a travel exemption application I currently have open, I’ll give some background info first:

491 visa granted March 2020 based on partners skills - secondary school teacher.

Obviously corona is here and our plans to travel to Oz in September were scuppered but I’m not one to give up! 

Ive secured a job in Australia as a mental health practitioner so have applied for a travel exemption for me and my partner on the basis of critical skills. 
I supplied as much evidence as I had available at the time (it all happened quite quick).

They have since come back and asked for some more evidence, one being the contract which is no problem but the other is a supporting letter from the employer about why my partner should be exempt.

I have no idea what they are expecting an employer to say about that, does anyone have any idea what they’re looking for?

I have provided financial evidence as well which suggests we have more than enough money for a year unemployed in Australia but they still want the employer one for him?

Thanks in advance!

On 07/10/2020 at 18:03, db100 said:

I guess this is the section of the budget announcement relevant to us:

 

The Government will refund or waive the visa application charge (VAC) for temporary visa holders affected by the COVID-19 travel ban. Prospective Marriage, Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme visa holders will be able to access a VAC refund. Temporary skilled workers and visitor visa holders will be eligible to have the VAC for a subsequent visa application waived, to allow them to return to Australia once travel restrictions are lifted. Working holiday makers will be eligible to have the VAC for a subsequent visa application waived, to allow them to return to Australia once travel restrictions are lifted or otherwise be able to access a VAC refund. VAC refunds and waivers will be available to current visa holders who are unable to travel until the border reopens.

I get the impression the refunds won’t apply to the 489/491 visas as these aren’t technically temporary visas.

I find it hard to believe they will refund the £3500 I paid for the visa. I also don’t think I would be able to apply for a further skilled visa as it’s likely the skills list is going to change and I won’t be eligible. 
 

It’s all a bit of a shit show in my opinion. 

5 hours ago, Dazspy said:

Hello,

I am looking to appeal to the Aus immigration powers, to lay oit the scenario that we have found ourselves in and I thought there may be more power in numbers. 

So our visa went active August 2019 and we we arranged to move in May 2020. 

If you are in a similar situation you will know that the first entry date rule has been waived, but that doesn't stop us 'losing time' available to build up to apply for permanent residency. 

I have seen that recently there have been some concessions applied to assist (some) who have been in the country and not quite attained the full application requirements and it is my intention to try and make plain my/our issues and hope that some relevant consessions will be made to suit our circumstance. 

 

So, please only join in here if you fit this scenario. 

 

All the best

Darren

I’m with you on this. I have a 491 visa which replaced the 489.

Was sold as a provisional visa, grants basically save rights as a permanent resident and is a pathway to PR.

Same process as applying for a 190 or 189 and same price.

I obviously understand the current situation and the restrictions and that citizens are struggling to return home. However, my concern is that time is ticking on my visa and I don’t trust that Australia won’t just turn around and tell us it’s a bit tough luck when we can’t fill the criteria and that’s thousands of pounds and a whole lot of time down wasted.

I feel really disgusted to be honest at how migrants have been treated with no inclination of when things might resume. It’s almost like they don’t give a crap that this is people’s whole lives. It’s really upsetting
 

So yes. Power in numbers.

Although budget is being announced tomorrow, maybe we’ll get a mention then but I’m not holding my breath.

10 minutes ago, Maddysue said:

I noticed on a few pages today that there has been invitations for 189 visas and also family sponsored 491 today / yesterday. I find it hopeful and interesting that this is the case but there is no talk of when the 491 people can actually enter the country? 

Even if they could give a date for the end of the year that would be helpful. Not expecting the borders to open by any means but the 491 visa should be allowed entry just like 189 and 190 PR visas  

I agree with you. I feel like we’ve been completely forgotten about!

I just wish we could get a mention at some point and say ‘yep, we know you exist, here’s what we’re thinking of next year or whenever for you guys to be able to come in.’ 

1 hour ago, Marisawright said:

You're right, the 491 is sold as a pathway to PR. The whole idea of the visa is to attract migrants who will settle and stay in rural and regional areas.   I was gobsmacked when I discovered they were being lumped in with other temporary visas.   Legally speaking, the 491 is temporary, which is why it's got caught in the trap.

The shutdown is very hard on 482 visa holders, too, but I  can at least see the logic of not allowing employer-sponsored visas - there's going to be high unemployment from now on, so local candidates should be easier to get, and besides many of those employers will be cutting staff or closing down altogether.   

It’s enough to make me want to challenge it but I doubt I’d get anywhere and I doubt many people would have any sympathy at the moment with everything going on

I just feel very frustrated that the visa we fought so hard to get isn’t worth anything. The fact that people can still travel to Australia because they have a PR visa feels very unfair especially when for many, it’s their first visit. But I guess that’s life! 

18 hours ago, kimboslice said:

https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/gsm-closed-indefinitely.html

 not good news

Oh dear

Surely they can’t keep existing visa holders out though? I understand not granting any new ones but I really feel like the people who have a visa that’s not PR at the moment are being totally shafted. 
The 491 especially was sold as basically an equivalent but with a pathway to PR. I can’t believe I paid so much money and spent so much time on a visa that’s not worth anything at all and we’re being treated so differently even though the application process was literally the same.

I hope that things change over the coming months and the government allows some visa holders in! 

Thanks both for your responses!

Its very disappointing that our visa means we can’t enter, especially as time is of the essence in a way with it only being a 5 year visa. If the borders don’t open until next year we will only have 3.5 years and the criteria to be eligible for PR is already quite tough. 
 

Feeling very deflated

Hi everyone just checking in!

Just wondered what people’s thoughts are on the 491 visa and chances of getting to Australia this year? 
 

I know Qantas have said no real travel Until next year and Scott Morrison has said no international travel until July 2021. With the same token though there’s been talk about allowing international students and ‘long term visitors’. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether this is likely to come to fruition? 
 

We know QLD are charging for quarantine and are happy to pay for it, we absolutely expect to have this cost given the situation and we’re pleased they’ve done this as maybe it means it will open up to other people?

Any thoughts appreciated!

1 hour ago, LostInCuba said:

Just to be clear, get my skills assessed with AITSL then with a state thereafter? Do you need the skills assessed by the state before an EOI or just with AITSL?

Just with AITSL, the states don’t assess your teaching qualification, but they require you to have the certificate from AITSL. But before you lodge an EOI, provided you’re successful with AITSL, you need to check you meet the other specified criteria given by whichever state you’re applying to otherwise there’s no point lodging the EOI.

23 hours ago, LostInCuba said:

Thank you for sharing. I will be reaching out more as I get closer to applying. I have a further question, did you have a job offer when you applied? 

No, for the 491 Queensland you didn’t need a job offer they just wanted you to be registered with the QLD teaching board and have 3+ years of experience.

I think the starting point is getting your skills assessed and then consider your options from there as like others have said; each state has its own criteria so you’ll have to pick which ones you’re eligible for. 

16 hours ago, LostInCuba said:

Thanks for sharing. Would you mind telling me how many points you had and when you applied?

I had 95 points for the 491 but I think Queensland made it clear they weren’t nominating based on points anyway, as long you have enough to apply they would consider it.

The current circumstances are rubbish for everyone but things will recover soon enough and I wouldn’t give up hope. Definitely make a start on getting your skills assessed etc. And then you can be ready to apply once the states open their programmes up again.

Happy to chat more if you want to send me a message

On 13/06/2020 at 18:15, LostInCuba said:

Hello, I am in a predicament on choosing the appropriate visa as a Secondary Teacher(History/. My goal is to get PR. I am open to doing a 491 visa because a 189 seems impossible with the 75 points I have. I’m open to any state that would sponsor me as it would give me 90 points. The concern I have is that I am lacking in terms of experience as I only have 2 years of teaching experience. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions what my best options are?

I got a 491 nomination from Queensland as a history teacher granted so it’s definitely possible, although I have over 5 years experience on my side so that helped points wise and their nomination criteria was for 3+ years at the time - I don’t think they cared so much about the topic I teach though.

On 19/04/2020 at 12:58, Eagle2020 said:

Hi, did you use an agent? 

No I didn’t use an agent

9 hours ago, Ausvisitor said:

Our plans are also thrown out by this, we planned to activate our 190 in the summer and then move properly in Jan 2021, not sure what time we will do all this now

It’s really difficult to make any concrete plans and I think that’s probably the hardest thing at the moment; we accept that it’s likely to not be this year but not knowing when it could be and when we’ll need to start preparing things at this end is a little stressful. Do you have a home to sell or anything like that or are you pretty much set up to go?

3 hours ago, Skhush said:

I am sailing in the same boat as you. I got my 489 SA in Nov 19 and I planned my entry in June to SA, my spouse resigned in Feb and I was suppose to resign in March end but due to border closed and COVID 19 there is not much we could do. The only good thing is my spouse could retain his resignation so we don't loose our current income and no one know when things will be normal. 

we are in touch with our agent and he is helping us to be optimistic about the situation and suggest once the border are open plan your trip as soon as you can and at least get your first entry before the timeline. we have time till Nov 2020 to make our first entry and we are hope/wish/pray the borders to open by Aug/Sept.

I hope you make your entry as well

fingers crossed the borders do reopen, keep us updated if you get any more news from your agent - we’re not using one so it would be good to get some official information from others

2 hours ago, Eagle2020 said:

Hi when did you submit your application? How long did you wait until it was granted? 

the whole process took us well over a year with skills assessments and registering with QCT etc. but in terms of applying for the 491; I applied in January I think and got invited a couple of days after, got the final grant in March. 

53 minutes ago, Ausvisitor said:

It's because 491 visas aren't entitled to all state benefits, but once allowed in if you get ill or can't survive without benefits, in a time of crisis like this AUS would have to look after you (from a pure publicity point of view) so from their point of view it's better you aren't there to need this help.

Whilst it's true that you paid the same costs, you also had the option to apply for a 189/190 visa and chose not to, it's not their fault that your easier journey to a visa grant  came with conditions that now are shown to be slightly difficult in this situation

I completely understand re. The benefits.

in terms of other visa options, I applied for all of them but unfortunately as a secondary school teacher the chances of getting a 189 are pretty much non existent and the 190 for QLD was outrageously competitive so the 491 in the end was the only option available to us. It wasn’t an easier journey to a visa grant by any stretch of the imagination and was as difficult as any of the other routes and I’m incredibly grateful to have been granted a visa . I don’t feel it’s anyone’s fault I just wanted to voice how I felt, which is mainly disappointed currently, and see if there were any other people whose plans for the year were up in the air so we could talk about things.  

28 minutes ago, Nemesis said:

Unless you know someone with a crystal ball I don't think you'll get an answer to that one!

Haha I do realise it’s virtually impossible to know, just wondered what people’s thoughts are on it I guess.

Feel like I should preface everything with of course I understand the restrictions currently etc. But also feel a little bit like holders of the 491 visa have been pushed aside (again, no desire to travel anywhere right now but definitely in the future).

Considering we had to go through the same process as all of those who have been granted PR visas, and pay the same fees, it all just feels a little unfair to then not be allowed in when the other visa holders are. I wonder if this is something  to do with the restrictions on the 491 and obviously with increasing unemployment rates it may not be possible to fulfil the criteria for the follow on one?

I’ve no idea I just wanted to speculate/have a little moan. Yesterday was the first day I felt a little upset about the prospect of our future plans not happening; of course up until then I was very much focussed on the current situation but it’s hard not to feel upset when something is very important to you and you put a lot of effort into it.

Hope nobody thinks I’m being selfish here, i understand the gravity of the situation and realise there are more pressing matters but I just wanted to offload and hopefully other people who feel the same way can join in.

On 03/04/2020 at 10:51, helpplease said:

Hi,

 

How long did it take for the CO from the state body to approve your documents? And after approval, how long did it take to receive an invitation from home affairs to apply for the visa?

 

Thanks

It took less than 24 hours for it to be approved. 

Hi,

we got granted our 491 visa (QLD sponsorship) in March 2020. 
 

Obviously since then coronavirus has become a pandemic and Australian borders are closed.

I’m aware that this means holders of the 491 are currently not allowed to travel to Australia and completely understand why; I have no intentions of travelling currently! 
 

However, we had planned to move over to Australia in September and we’re just looking for some advice really on how things are likely to go over the next few months and whether we should cancel our flights.

My partner is a teacher and will be jobless come September as he handed his notice in before coronavirus was a huge thing; we’re not sure how or what to plan for; obviously we’d like to get over to Australia as soon as we can but just wondered if there was any idea of how things might look in terms of international travel this year, particularly for people who hold a sponsored visa? 

No worries, good luck with it!
 

I’m not sure about whether the WHV will impact on how you apply etc. Might be worth chatting to one of the migration agents on this forum, I don’t want to give you the wrong advice about that!

3 minutes ago, BethanLouise88 said:

Hey! 

 

I also looking into the 491 for QLD. Before you applied for the 491 what had you sorted? I am bit concerned of applying and then only having a few weeks to complete assessments etc. But I also do not want them to ‘time out’. 

 

Did you complete you police check, medical and teacher registration before applying? 

 

I already have my English scores and AITSL assessment. 

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Bethan  

Hi Bethan,

I would definitely apply for the QCT registration prior to applying for the 491. It takes a long time for this to come back and if you don’t have it when you get invited your application can be declined. 
We’d already done police checks too as these were needed for QCT registration. They’re also not all that expensive to replace if they expire so we figured it was worth getting them done in advance anyway.

We didn’t book in for medicals until we got the official invite to lodge our application; the medical process is quite quick and we didn’t want this to expire by doing it in advance, especially as it’s so expensive. 
 

You’ve definitely done the hard bit with the English test and AITSL anyway, the rest should be a breeze

Hope this helps!