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Hi guys is there any dif between family sponsor and independent skill migrant rather than pass mark? Will the processing time of family sponsor slower than independent migrant? Thank you

Has any here heard anything from any semi-reliable source of the rumoured possible raising of the age limit for independent skilled migration? Or is the much-vaunted smarter points system going to confine itself to fine-tuning requirements for the sub-45 migrant pool and continue to ignore all the rest of us with the experience, skills and temperament to give Australia 20-years-plus of gainful employment? I read somewhere recently that the original imposition of 45 as a cut-off age was in part informed by assumptions about retirement age, health and life expectancy made in much earlier decades. If so, the time for dragging this particular article of faith into the 21st century is long overdue. I don't know many people in paid employment these days who realistically expect to retire before their early sixties at least. And how many people over 45 and working in a skilled occupation in a comparable economy do not, these days, have either full entitlement to a transferable state pension, or a sizeable private pension, or both? The only risk factor for Australia is likely to be the cost of health care, and the answer to that is simple: mandatory insurance. I truly do not understand why Australia continues to deny entry to skilled independent migrants over 45. Here's hoping for an overdue injection of realism into the points system and the raising of this ludicrous age limit.

Anyone know how much quota left fot Skilled independent? We all know that it will be reduce by 3600 in 10/11 financial year, how many places would be left for us?

I am from Brazil. I am applying through the General Skilled Migration program for the VISA 175 (CSL) with my de facto partner. We have been living together since 2005 and we are currently employed by IBM Brazil. My de facto partner not only also has the skill assessment document validating her profession, but also had a band score of 7 on the IELTS exam - like me - on each of the four components. She is also less than 29 years old like me. From my point of view, both of us are in very good shape regarding our profession and English level. However, she has two children from another relationship. One girl is 10 and one boy is 8. Although the children live with us, my de facto partner does not have the formal documents proving the formal custody of them and these documents normally take a long time to get ready here in Brazil. In order to take advantage of the current Australian immigration requirements, my partner and I decided to apply for us immediately and, as soon as we get our visa, we will apply for children - supposing that we will already have their custody documents. I applied on March 2, 2010. The stepchildren were added as non-migrating applicants. For my surprise, on March 25, a Case Officer sent me an e-mail requesting the medicals. The process is going much faster than expected. My questions are: 1 - Considering that we get the custody documents, could we take them to Australia as students and apply for their permanent residency from Australia? Would it be faster than applying for their permanent residency while they are still in Brazil? 2 - Even if we get stepdchildren's visa before going to Australia, my de facto partner and I plan to go first to get a job, a house, and prepare everything for the children. During this period of time, their grandmother will look after them in Brazil. Is it important to let the immigration aware of it? Thank you all! Carlos

I applied online for Skilled - Independent (VE 175) VISA last Monday (March 3rd). I have already reached the limit of 60 attached documents. I have made a mistake and attached less important (maybe unneeded) documents before attaching most important documents, such as the required filled forms. I suppose it is a very common mistake. Has anyone already faced this situation and know how to proceed? Thank you, Felipe