Sparkybaz

Thanks for the clarification on the 491, I don't think you are entitled to benefits ( not that I'm looking for them ) school fees could become costly and then there may be an issue buying a property. I'm not trying to talk myself out of the 491, just want to do the best for my family. Thankyou for the reply

Seems Covid has a lot to answer for! Shame as I was supposed to be on the October / November trade test but unfortunately missed the dead line due to waiting on references etc. Yes sorry it is 8 years but as I had 11 months in Australia working this was not classed as UK experience so needed the extra evidence to fill the missed year. To be honest the references took months as they kept making mistakes, end and start dates not matching with payslips and incorrect information was all a bit of a nightmare, my agent advised everything has to correspond or it will just lead to issues once your invited as you cannot amend statements once they have been submitted. As for the English test I have taken the PTE exam 3 times and the results have been pretty much the same for writing 75, 72,70 the other parts are above 79 so I only have the 10 points well I say only its better than 0, I will retake when I understand more what's happening with the intake, its just frustrating and knocks your confidence if I'm honest. I'm with a well know independent agent so I know my application is in safe hands, just looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Any way I will keep positive, good things come to those who wait! I wish you well with your application and thankyou for the response.

Thanks for the positive reply, I quoted I do not feel I have enough points. Even at 75 points with the extra points in my English exam this wouldn't be sufficient enough, so do I hope and wait for a skilled nominated invitation form NSW or do I look at the 491 route in SA when it becomes available ?

Hi, First post so please be kind , I'm looking at the 190 or 191visa route ( Electrician ) I have completed my English language ( PTE 10 points ) and skills assessment and have also produced the relevant 10 years + work experience evidence, our EOI was submitted early March with 65 points skilled independent and 70 points for skilled nomination through NSW ( lost points during lock down due to birthday ) I have previous work experience in Australia but unfortunately was only 11 months, I also have my Australian recognised trade certificate from the TRA in Electrical mechanic that I was granted whilst in Australia on a sponsored visa, this was granted by the electrical trades committee. My question is does anyone envisage NSW inviting off shore applicants in 2021 through the nominated Visa as I do not feel I have enough points for independent. I have been asked by my agent if I would consider the 491 pathway to residency if this was to became available with any of the state ( SA being a possibility ), my only concerns are its a temporary visa with limitations, I have a young family and wouldn't want to risk moving to the other side of the world on a temp visa. Our long term plan is to move to Australia and settle and I just don't feel comfortable on this type of visa unless it was a very last resort. Our long term plan would be to reside in Queensland as my parents live there ( immigrated in 2008 ) unfortunately electricians are not on the skilled list for Queensland hence the NSW route for a few years but we may well end up residing in NSW long-term if all goes well. We were hoping to be there by February 2021 prior to Covid but now we have decided for our son to finish secondary school ( July 2022 ) so do I hold out and hope they will start invitations for skilled visas or do I go with the 491 if it becomes available. I could try the PTE test again for the 20 points but my writing keeps letting me down and I cant seem to get above 74 but all other communitive skills are 79+, Tried the IELTS but again was the writing, I was going to try again but anxiety gets the better of me on the day. Basically I'm looking for someone to shed some positivity, we started our process in February 2018 and now feel that it may have been a wasted journey and expense. I know its the unknown at the moment with Covid and we are trying to stay positive that one day we will eventually get to Australia! Thanks for your time reading the above, any relevant replies would be much appreciated. Baz