Joeyroo

Thanks Vertstormy, although we are ignoring what I've written above of course and not applying to VetAssess at all for my skills. I'll be a non-skilled de-facto. I'll look around at other agents and start negotiating figures with them. It seems some charge a blanket fee which is a shame because the work level is obviously going to differ vastly dependant on individual circumstances of the case. It should be quite the competitive market albeit with the odd cowboy or seven. I wonder if they've thought of getting Compare the Migratkat onto into?

Thanks everyone, it seems like we have an advice forum with only one piece of advice which leaves me a little uneasy. I remember using this place 10 years ago and it seemed full of people offering support and guidance to help each other out, with and without vested interests (vested interests which are fine to have, I also work in sales) I looked into it further and as my degree is in Geography and Tourism Management rather than Hospitality Management I can't see my VETASSESS being accepted considering I didn't have any Hospitality modules. I appreciate the advice @Marisawright it probably just all adds up to not being worth the extra 5 points. My partner will have a 95 point application if her EOI receives a state nomination which we will have to hope is enough rather than dive into this worrypit. Yes it might make the difference, however dropping a shed load of $$$ gives no guarantee of getting the extra points.

Bit of a weird question now... hopefully this will pique someone's interest to help while allowing me to keep my money for a new paddling pool. When I was on my 2 year Aussie Working Holiday Visa I was only allowed a contract for 6 months of a 12 month period for any company as per the WHV visa rules. The hotel owners I worked for had a shell company elsewhere so once the 6 months was up this shell company employed me although I carried on doing the exact same job Hotel Manager job at the hotel for the same money. I am not sure if this broke the rules or just the spirit of the rules, either way I guess it makes my CV look a little odd - either I write that I was employed for the same employer for a 20 month period or I have a 6 month (hotel) 6 month (shell company) 10 month (hotel) section. The last 10 months was on a 457. If I write that I worked for the hotel for 22 months straight which is what I effectively did then I'll have conflicting statements of service unless the hotel is able to find a work around. If I put the owners shell company in then it will look like I didn't work at the hotel. Potentially it could also get me or the hotel in trouble for some visa naughties (a naughty that seemed very common practice at a lot of employers). Very grateful for any help! Joe

Thanks guys - that seems absolutely crazy! What is the point of getting people to apply under certain roles if they have no interest what you do once in Australia? Out of interest is it because it is unenforceable or just because it shows by having experience/degree that you're to a "better class" of human being?

Thanks Paul Hand, I've messaged Suncoast Migration where it looks like you're employed. My next question would be if I add that onto an application (bearing in mind I am not the primary applicant) am I forced to work in that field? It's only worth 5 extra points and the thought of subjecting myself to more Hotel Night Manager shifts starts to dim the shining lights of Australia! Cheers, Joe

Thanks Marisawright! We wouldn't expect much for a freebie but we are umming and arring over the benefits of using an agent and would if they're well priced so it would be good to see what they say!

Hi @Marisawright - we're new to the forum and if there are good agents offering free consultation it would be great to get some recommendations on who to contact while we wait to here back from VETASSESS. Cheers, Joe

Hello, Thanks in advance for any help on this! My partner is on the MLTSSL list as an audiologist, and we are looking to apply with her as the applicant for a 491 visa, which we think is our most likely avenue into Australia. I used to live in Australia between 2014-17 on a 2 year 417 (working holiday visa) before being granted an employer sponsored 457 visa under the Hotel Manager category. This was a 4 year visa however I left after a year. Hotel Manager was on the STSOL list before and remains so now. This was all in VIC. Since returning to the UK between 2017-present I moved into the tour operator side at a tailor made travel agent, a role which I haven't found on any list (unless it is named differently in Australia). However as I worked in the Hotel Manager industry for over 5 years with a lot of Australian experience I hope that would mean I would be considered as skilled enough to return to that role if required. I am asking of course because there are extra points available if the partner of the main applicant is on a Skills Shortage List. We don't know if this applies to just the MTLSSL list or the STSOL list? Does anyone have any guidance on this? I have plenty of follow up questions to the above but thought it better to start step by step. Please let me know if the above is unclear or if I need to provide clarity on anything. Cheers, Joe