benlast Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Morning/afternoon/evening all Situation: we're in the process of deciding if moving to Perth is the right thing for us. I'm an IT bloke (25+ years of consultancy, software development and systems engineering), and thus I've been looking at getting my skills assessed by the ACS (ASCO 2231-79 for a subclass 175 visa). We're going out to Perth in March 08 on a visit to family/recce trip and I'm wondering whether it makes sense to get my ACS assessment ahead of that trip, so that I could talk to potential employers. Against that is the expense of the assessment: if we end up not moving, that's several hundred quid spent. There's a little bit of time pressure here also: I'm 43 in January, so I'd have about a 18 months or so to get a visa application in if I leave it until after we visit. So: how do employers (especially those in IT) tend to view this? I've heard comments like "don't bother talking to them without a visa because they'll only tell you to come back when you have one". I guess a fair amount depends on the IT/software/new media job situation in Perth... Any comments/advice/experience welcomed! Thanks b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest heieup Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 I don't suppose it will make much difference. If you find a company willing to sponsor you then you'd be doing well. if you're planning to go on an independant visa then many companies won't speak to you until you've got your visa. Getting your skills assessment won't give you a visa guarantee so for employers I can't see it will make a difference. I suppose the real question is do you REALLY want to go and if so, get your skills assessment in asap to give you more time for the rest of your application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest charliebrown Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 The ACS process can take a while (in my case - about 5 months from starting to collect evidence to getting certified as a J2EE specialist) so if you do decide you want to live out there, I'd get cracking on that As for jobs, I applied for a few (in Perth too) before my visa application went in but got the same response - come back when you have your visa. I had a contact in a major employer out there too - and even he really wanted me to have a visa first - they only sponsor visas for "trade" type people for working in mining and such. Perth is a corker of a place though, I think you'll like it good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benlast Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 Thanks guys I certainly wasn't after sponsorship - much prefer being an independent But those are good points... think the time taken for the ACS assessment (which I reckon should be done before spending any money on visas) is probably the deciding factor. Cheers b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest charliebrown Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 it wasnt that expensive to do (a few hundred for the ACS and about a hundred for certifying all the docs and getting a new passport) so yeah, if you wanted to get it done in advance, it wouldn't be too much of a cost if you never used it. Bear in mind that if you're planning on leaving the main application a while - the skills assessment is only valid for a year, and you might need to redo your employment references for the main visa application as they're only valid for a short while too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommo64 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Hi there, If you delay your skills assessment until after your trip in March, you will have approx. 22 months to submit your visa app. You must be under 45 at the time your app. is recieved by DIAC. I am in a similar position but worse - I turn 44 in January! I am in the process of applying for my skills assessment with TRA. If that is successful I will apply for the visa in April 08. I would have liked to visit Oz prior to going through the expense and hassle of skills assesments, visas, etc., but unfortunately time isn't on our side. Me and the OH agreed we'ed take the gamble - get the visa (hopefully!!) and then go take a look. If we don't like what we see (unlikely, in my opinion), then we'll just have had a very expensive holiday - but at least we will have tried. It all really depends on your attitude to it all. Provided you get your finger out after your trip, you should have plenty of time. Or, like us, you could just throw caution to the wind. The choice, as they say, is yours! Good luck either way. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OilDigger Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Benlast, Don't delay with anything if you think this is what you want. The nearer you get to 45 the harder things will become, even 44 is late to join the procession. The skills assesments are time consuming and unless your committed to the idea it will be very easy to let the whole process slide, next thing it'll be to late. You may find your skill slips in points in the SOL and find yourself struggling for sufficient points. Get yourself assesed by some of the agencies even if you intend to go it alone to find out what visas may apply to you, then get cracking with the paperwork. My circumstances mean I joined the merry go round late at 44 and with 45 approaching I have no room for error or delay, a very uncomfortable position when you decide it's the right move for you and family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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