Sparkybaz

On 30/11/2022 at 12:12, TrinDav said:

Great news mate, we submitted Feb 2020 (electrician), recently got asked for our medicals and PCC, submitted 14th November, status changed to Further assessment and medicals say no further action. So hopefully we won’t be too far behind you

Good luck and hope it all goes well

 

Hopefully won’t be long for you, we submitted March 2020 had medicals and police checks in July 2022 and was granted our visas this week

Congratulations ! 

Having taken both IELTS  and PTE I would personally recommend PTE, I found the process allot easier whilst also receiving the results the same day, however you need to be familiar with the way the exam works, there are plenty of videos on YouTube.

On 16/06/2022 at 23:56, mrcactus said:

Hello all. This is my first post so please forgive me if it's in the wrong section of the forums.

So, I live in the UK and I am 30 years old. Currently studying a diploma in IT with the Open University which will finish in September 2023. I've decided I need a change...a big change! I still live at home with parents, no kids and no partner. Stuck in a dead end job for the past 13/14 years and I have simply had enough. Once I renew my british passport I will then apply for my work visa for OZ in the next few months.

I am not a skilled worker so don't fall under any of the in-demand jobs over there. 

If my visa is approved, I plan on getting rid of all my belongings for some extra cash to take over there (and I think my parents would want my stuff out of my room so my brother can move out of the box room )

I have tried to read as much information as I can from the OZ immigration website, forums and other places. I have a few questions:

• If I am granted my first work visa, I can work for 6 months correct?
• When should I apply for the 2nd year work visa?
• How do I apply for permanent residency after completing the required amount of work and after how long?

 

Family, friends and colleagues have said go for it. I feel now, since the age has been raised from 30 to 35 and any kind of work can be done on a working holiday visa, if I don't go for it I'll regret it for the rest of my life - while still stuck in my miserable job. 

Do you have any tips, suggestions or have a missed something? Or am I dreaming of something that is completely unachievable? Since I have this in my head for the past few months, It is ALL I can think about and to be honest, it's the first time I've been excited/looking forward to something in years.

Thanks everyone 

 

If you have nothing to lose then go for it, it may be the best decision you ever make!

best of luck

On 06/04/2022 at 13:18, Sparks21 said:

Congratulations! When you apply please keep us updated. I would be interested to hear the progression of a 190 submitted now for an electrician… 

Also got an invitation for a 190 SA today, will keep you posted

On 16/03/2022 at 14:51, Joe/Rose said:

I’m an electrician, offshore 190 NSW, applied back in 2019, on 27 months today!

 

Any movement? 

On 24/03/2022 at 08:26, Sparks21 said:

Fantastic news! When I hear a few tradies getting grants I will really start to get excited… but is great to hear off shore people getting grants. Thank you for the update. 

EOI submitted March 2020 and I was finally invited March 2022 for NSW 190 with 75 points only to find out the link did not work and now having to wait For another invitation with a new EOI!! 

16 hours ago, NLN said:

Hi Sparkybaz

I have to face the technical interview in the near future an it will be online-based. I have few questions

1) How long does it conduct?

2) what would be the questions?

3) Can I do the interview by my own computer if it is online ?

please help me to get this done...

 

Thank you in advance

 

 

Hi NLN,

not sure how long your technical interview will be remotely as we were questioned throughout the day, however we did have a short interview at the end of the day to recap but this was only about 10 minutes.
 

From memory they questioned me on maintainable and non maintainable emergency lighting, star delta motors, to be honest it was basic stuff nothing to stress about.

as I’ve said if you are a qualified electrician with relevant experience across the industry you have nothing to worry about, they are not looking to catch you out and just looking for competency.

Have you completed the practical assessment and multiple choice exam? 

Regards

baz 

On 24/03/2022 at 21:57, LearnInOz said:

I'm sorry to project my own anger, I feel for you - file a complaint, keep trying. If not... yes, a new EOI but I feel like if you reach an adult in the room, someone could help!

Who would I complain too, the agent? Surely there must be a way of me contacting immigration to find out the real issue regarding the link. Was there an issue with the link or did the link actually expire… 

just feel we have missed the boat now until the new Finacial year! Annoyed is an understatement. 

On 23/03/2022 at 09:40, Marisawright said:

It's not her fault the link didn't work, but doesn't she have a phone? or email?  When the link didn't work, what steps did she take to get hold of the correct link?  How many times did she try?

It was your future at stake.  You're entitled to expect she would've made strenuous efforts to get the right link.

Feedback from agent - contacted NSW and they are unable to reissue a link,  due to the existing EOI expiring this week a new EOI has been submitted. Fingers crossed for an invitation on the next round!

after all this time we finally get an invitation and boom the link does not work, typical! 

On 20/03/2022 at 21:57, Marisawright said:

You sound remarkably calm.  I'd be screaming at my agent and demanding he does something about it, or you'll complain to MARA.  

I didn’t want to be too hard as it’s partly not her fault but also feel that it’s unfair on myself as we had rightly been issued a nomination to apply but the link did not work.

maybe I should apply some pressure? 

On 05/03/2022 at 08:29, Phil1712 said:

Hi everyone 

Submitted my application march 2020 (491). Now been waiting two years. At what point do you realize that it will never happen. That your application is lost in the system and you have spent thousands of pounds to achieve your goal.

As we push on from pandemic to get back to normality how long do we wait? Another 6 months? Another 2years.

We need to get on with our lives and need answers.

 

 

Have faith, we also submitted our EOI in March 2020 and received our invitation for a 190 in March 2022. Unfortunately when our agent went to submit the documentation the link did not work and now the 14 days has expired so currently waiting on NSW to respond, if they do not respond it will mean submitting a new EOI and hope that we get another invitation…… 

9 minutes ago, Phil1712 said:

How far along are you with your process?

Submitted EOI in March 2020 received 190 invitation last week for NSW. But took about a year prior to EOI to get all the information including trade test and English language test.

Yourself? 

On 21/02/2022 at 03:35, Phil1712 said:

Concept Australia 

I’m also using concept, very professional and knowledgeable! 

On 21/02/2022 at 04:29, Gene said:

yes in 6 weeks i know its not for everyone but works for others. how 6 years experience and been registered with niceic for 4 years.

Just an insight into my 190 process as an electrician. I can tell you now that a 6 week course will not suffice, granted you have the experience but you only need minimal qualifications for NICEIC as all they want is your money.

full apprenticeship 

NVQ 3

2394 / 2395

HNC in electrical engineering 

10+ years post apprenticeship experience

 I just don’t think you qualifications will wash with Vetassess.

could you wire and fault find on a DOL 3 phase starter?  This will be part of your vetassess exam.

best of luck 

Electrician in 6 weeks , how can you be fully qualified in 6 weeks! Try 2.5 years minimum plus AM2 plus NVQ3 plus minimum experience looking at at least 3-4 years  

Hi Joey, I done my trade test in March 2020 with vetassess, all good!

I had to do a practice test, safe isolation, wire a DOL starter, technical interview and a 30 multiple choice exam.

just wondering if this was the same for you during Covid.

TBH English language test was harder…….

hopefully good news soon with borders opening 

baz 

Hi, I completed the Vetassess assessment in March 2020 which was an all day event covering practical and theory. The interview itself probably only lasted 30 minutes but then again the assessor was monitoring our experience throughout the day so probably had a good understanding of our knowledge. They basically go through the pre filled assessment forms and ask a few technical questions based on the information YOU provided, I wouldn’t stress to much over it to much but easier said than done.

just remember it’s a technical interview so expect the unexpected.

good luck 

On 28/12/2021 at 08:03, Phil1712 said:

Merry Christmas and happy New year to all us offshore visa applicants.

Hopefully next year will bring us the good news we have been waiting for.

Keep positive everyone.

 been 2 years since EOI lodged, good luck

Hi Tommy,

I done the trade test in March 2020 ( I believe the last before Covid ) As expected your nerves kick in, what I will say is they want it carried out in the Australian way, I was under the impression it would be similar to an AM2 test but it wasn't!

Basically there were 3 of us and it was 09.00 till 17.00 the test was carried out in Isleworth London

This is how the day went,

1. Introduction
2. Draw a stop start circuit for a DOL motor with the correct symbols
3. Into a booth,  install and wire a single phase DB with sockets and 2 way lighting including full testing ( this is to no British standard as they way they ask you to test was a bit misleading, I have my test and inspection so was frustrating ) bit of conduit work and ensure you follow the drawing for measurements etc, the examiner will witness the testing and ask questions 
4. Safe isolation ( I cannot stress enough to read an fully understand the requirements as it is very different from how we would prove dead in the uk ) if you get this wrong you will fail instantly.
5. On a bread board you need to wire the control circuit of a stop start circuit for a DOL Motor , they will then put a fault on it and you have to rectify ( just rewire it as its only fly leads )
6. Technical interview - the will question you on your in-depth knowledge 
7. Theory test of 24 questions over multiple sections, you need to score at least 3 in each section, majority of this is calculations which are tough. If you do get more than 3 wrong in a section they will give you one more chance to rectify and mistakes. 

My advise would be to practice control circuits and symbols, start delta connections on motors and practice the Australian way of safe isolation. I'm an industrial electrician so motors and control circuits are fine with me, the 2 other lads were domestic and really struggled - the examiner does let you help each other on only the theory test but discretely don't make it obvious. The 2 lads that were with me didnt even know what start or delta meant.

The English language test is probably more frustrating!!........................

All the best 

Baz

On 14/12/2020 at 20:18, waydeross87 said:

Would you recommend doing emergency lighting with some research and not any hands on experience? What would you look up? Was taking plc option but im not 100% confidant.

I live in Zimbabwe. Did city and guilds diploma in electrical engineering. This silly test is worse than those exams! Passed multiple choice on the day. But not safe isolation.

From the previous units I need to pass...DOL...Safe iso...power and lighting circuit...testing(insulation) and elective. Not being online I have no clue how this will actually be tested as compared to in a workshop environment.

In all honesty your have to do what you feel comfortable with, I have been a qualified electrician for 13 years so I was confident with the interview stage and practice assessment. The safe isolation is not carried out the same as in the UK nor was the practice assessment but the principle is the same. 
 

I also done the diploma in engineering after I finished my apprenticeship so you should be ok theory wise if you brush up. Just go in with a positive attitude, understandably there will be nerves but don’t let them get confused with nerves and lack of competency! We all know electricians from ”electricians” the people testing you are also electricians so they know the what to expect.

Let’s hope 2021 brings us all some luck

21 minutes ago, waydeross87 said:

Funny we were supplied with all enough materials. Just my nerves got the best of me that day..

As you said no guarantee and im sure they test more and pass more then they accept without communicating that. Plus, these crazy times just make it worse.

Your man had to go to Screwfix to get stuff as he was asking for the right terminology .

they will ask you about maintained and non maintained lighting all depends what you chose for your elective. 

lighting

emergency lighting

smoke alarm circuits

star Delta configuration inc soft start DOL and variable speed drives  

test and inspection 

you won’t cover safe isolation again as that was part of your practical test  Also the multiple choice exam you shouldn’t have to cover again 

most of the questions are what I put on my elective tbh plus a few random ones.

Me personally I feel it should have been similar to an AM2 with a uk assessor with an Australian assessor in the back ground, thats my Personell opinion on the matter.

my agent said she had only heard of one fail and that was someone pulling a knife towards them stripping cable and not away from them

21 minutes ago, waydeross87 said:

Due to covid there is no physical practical assessment currently it is now an online interview. I actually failed the technical assessment last year. Few things caught me out so paid for assessment wait for date then lock down happened. And as I said its an online interview now. When you thought you knew what to expect.

To be honest I thought the whole assessment was a joke, no materials etc, he wanted it done the Australian way which by the way if the HSE walked through the door he would have been reprimanded! Which I told him, was using mixed cabling as didn’t have sufficient singles, the one bit of “building wire” ( T&E ) he gave me was too short so was not the same length as on the Mickey Mouse drawing they give you so he knocked a point off lol, the testing I don’t think any one understood what he wanted, low or high reading etc. Lucky for me I have my Australian trade certificate by TRA as have worked over there for a few years on a sponsorship so knew their standard and sort of what to expect ( bare in mind the Australians are the best sparks since sliced bread )I think he took a disliking to me as he stated “ Poms know nothing about motor control circuits” well that was my bread and butter so completed the wiring and fault finding in under 5 mins so that didn’t go down well . I found the technical assessment relatively easy basically went through my application asked me a few questions, had to draw a star delta connection and explain, emergency lighting, ac & dc circuits etc, if this is being done online now then least you have google . The whole process is a money spinner when in reality there is no guarantee of an invitation which is the part I find so frustrating. 
 

keep us posted on progress

On 10/12/2020 at 09:26, Andy G said:

I know exactly how you feel dude. I'm in the same boat. 

I'm a mechanic (apparently in very short supply in Oz) and after lots of hard work to prove my qualifications because my certificates are all Heavy Vehicle and last 10+ years have been working on Light Vehicle, we submitted my EOI in Dec 2019 through a registered agent. We submitted for 189 and 190 with 70 points for NSW Nominated 189. I was only a few points short of 79+ in the English test, had sat it twice. 

I was told to expect an invite by June. Covid hit, June came and went. I asked what I should be expecting to happen. The agent suggested scoring higher in the Pearson test to be ready for the new Budget in July. I managed that so was really pleased but told to also add the 491 to the EOI as PR visas are going to be unlikely. 

So I'm now just waiting..... and waiting.... and waiting. I have 90 points thanks to the extra in English and you get another 10 with the 491. I dont know if I might get invited for all 3 or none. 

But more delays I think. My agent said we should see things moving again this month. I just saw a new update on the NSW Gov website yesterday. If i'm understanding it right. ALL skilled visas will continue to be going to people already living in NSW. If that's right then I don't think 190's, 189's and maybe 491's will come our way until the new financial year in July. 

I wish someone could say to me "You WILL get an invite, it's just going to be later". 

With the Pearson test. I found from watching lots of videos that your structure and technique is more important than anything else. So with your writing, just stick to words you know you can spell and only use grammar you're comfortable with. Concentrate on the correct number of words and beginning, middle and end, etc. 

Good luck, we'll get there!

Its disappointing as you know yourself the time and effort that goes into the application process, people think its easy when its not. So I spoke to my agent last week who has advised Queensland may open the 491 soon so we are hoping electricians may be on the skilled list.

As for the PTE test I took this again after the first lock down and scored 79+ in reading and listening, 77 in writing and 60 in speaking, unfortunately I had to wear a mask so can only assume this was the issue as I have scored 90 in all previous speaking exams  

My agent has advised that there will only be onshore invitations for NSW for some time, had we done this process 3 years ago 65 points would have been sufficient. My parents immigrated in 2009 with 50 points.

Going back to the PTE I just find it so frustrating, I have paid for the online PTE practice tutorials, paid for private tuition with no issues, as soon as test day booom nerves kick in.

wish you all the best and keep us posted!

On 04/12/2020 at 16:46, waydeross87 said:

Hi there,

Sorry for all the doom and gloom associated to your application at the moment. I feel your pain and not even near your stage in the process.

 I have been waiting in technical assessment stage of vetassess as an electrician since covid to restart. Was informed online interviews  are now conducted for technical assessments. (with 2 weeks notice for booking date!)

Im a bit thrown off by this change and wonder is there anyone on this forum who has done it though I think I may be one of the very first. Any advice?

Not sure what to expect and nervous.

I hope we all make it there some day when things normalize.  I will take any visa necessary whether 189,190, 491. Anything!

Hi,

its all doom and gloom at the moment!

I don't think you have to worry about the technical assessment as long as you have confidence, its just basic questions on lighting and three phase motors. Have you completed the practical assessment yet?