How did you get your 457??

[welder85]

Hi All,

 

After trawling this forum for answers, advice etc. etc....

I couldn't help but notice the amount of people on or going for 457 sponsorships.

 

So I thought I'd ask...how did you all go about it?

 

I mean I know how it works but my partner and I spent 2 years on a WHV in Australia and lightly looked at sponsorship and saw how difficult it can be especially without even setting a foot inside the country.

 

Really interested in people's answers.

 

Thanks

[wrussell]

If you had lodged a 457 application while you were still on a WHV, you would have been granted a bridging visa and the 417 clock would have stopped. To proceed, you must find a qualified employer willing to nominate you.

[xxlornaxx]

I'm a nurse so Employers came to London to recruit and sponsor....I got another 457 just by applying for job and saying I needed sponsorship...guess it depends what profession you are in as to how easy it is

[welder85]

Thanks wrussell, I understand all that side of stuff. It was just a general question...do people go out on a whim (on a visitor visa) hoping to find an employer? Or are they offered work before they go?

[welder85]

xxlornaxx exactly what I was asking. I've heard of the recruitment open days but thought they must be so flooded with applicants I never really took a lot of notice.

[VERYSTORMY]

It varies by occupation. For nurses and things it is often from the UK. I am a geologist and was head hunted in the UK by an Oz company.

 

For others, they are on other temporary visas such as working holiday visas.

 

it is generally not a good path for someone that wants to actually migrate as it is only a temporary visa with no automatic path to permanent residence.

[Bungo]

Thanks wrussell, I understand all that side of stuff. It was just a general question...do people go out on a whim (on a visitor visa) hoping to find an employer? Or are they offered work before they go?

 

Over the years I have seen some but relatively few people just go out on a tourist visa and hope for the best. This is likely to be an unsuccessful strategy for the majority. This is a forum for people moving to Australia so it will naturally attract 457 visa holders, that should not be interpreted as a 457 sponsorship is easy to find, because it isn't. Most people will have little chance, but some occupations, like medical ones, will probably always be more in demand than others.

[evets]

I was sponsored by my employer due to a project with a customer, that required someone to be local and not offshore(terms of the initial contract). Also a specialised position in which it was difficult to find anyone locally even though it was advertised.

 

You have not mentioned what line of work you and your partner are in. Some positions can be easier than others and also depending on the size of the company sponsoring you, the path to PR may not be guaranteed unless you fund that part yourself.

[welder85]

I was sponsored by my employer due to a project with a customer, that required someone to be local and not offshore(terms of the initial contract). Also a specialised position in which it was difficult to find anyone locally even though it was advertised.

 

You have not mentioned what line of work you and your partner are in. Some positions can be easier than others and also depending on the size of the company sponsoring you, the path to PR may not be guaranteed unless you fund that part yourself.

 

Sorry I didn't mention, I am not going through the 457 route, I personally think it's the most stressful way of doing it.

I am applying through the 189 visa, as once it's done, it's done and my life is in nobody else's hands.

 

BUT should anything go wrong through the application process it'd be good to know people's view/experiences of 457 visas

[Guest]

I attended an 'invitation only' expo at Australia House organised by Dept. Of Immigration and attended by employers looking to recruit from overseas.

[robfromdublin]

I got mine while in the UK. I rang up a few companies to suss out what the market was like for someone with my skill set. My timing was fortunate and I was offered a job and a 457.

[Que Sera Sera]

My OH was offered 2 different 457 sponsorship options after he'd registered with Seek.com. We decided to go for a permanent visa as we had children and didn't like the insecurity of a 457.

[Tickled Pink]

Husband works in a very niche area, despite a search within Australia the company couldn't fill the role with anyone suitably qualified. Was offered two different posts in two different states after Skype calls. The 457 was used to get us over here quickly to start work (for 2.5 years I worked in same place also, they employed us both), we were fortunate that we were given a relocation package etc. too. Paperwork for permanent residency via employer sponsorship was in within 3 months of being here and we're citizens now.

[srh82]

My employer sponsored me.

 

My advice: Check your skill is on the skilled list and if it is, apply for PR straight up.