My partner and I (and our 11 month old daughter) are trying to make the move to Australia. We have looked into different visa types and think the 491 would be best fitting for us. He is a bricklayer, 30 years old, with 13 years experience (City and Guilds). I am a project co-ordinator who has worked in the commercial kitchen industry (NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Business Administration). My partner has an employer in Brisbane who would be willing to give him a job tomorrow and would be happy to sponsor but with everything going on we don't think sponsorship visas are going to be considered for a LONG time (thank you COVID-19)
I have done some research and know that we would need to submit an EOI, but before we can do that my partner would need to do a skills assessment and an English Test. I have several questions (please be kind!):-
- Has anyone done their own 491 visa application and been successful?
- How long was the visa process from EOI to being granted?
- Are you able to book your own skills assessment or would this have to go through an agent?
- What did the skills assessment entail (bricklayers or other tradesmen's experience would be most appreciated)
- My partner is English, speaks, reads, writes and listens to English well - however, put him in exam conditions and he crumbles. Could anybody recommend which exam would suit his 'learning style' best? PTE or IELTS? I have read both are accepted but please tell me if I am wrong!
- Would they need anything else from us to 'boost' our application?
Any help/advice is appreciated. Covid-19 has really made us realise what we want from life and its NOT the UK!
