Bottleandahalf Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Hi folks Long time lurked, first time poster here. Just after a bit of advice if possible please. I am 40 years old with defacto partner and 3 kids; 12, 4 and 3 months. I currently have a degree in social policy and criminology and have been working as a disabilities support worker since Nov '16. I am now applying for a graduate social work degree to start this sept. I am thinking of doing a 2 year fast track and then applying for a state/ family sponsored visa in Jan 2020. I have 2 cousins in Sa and Syd. My partner has an uncle in Melbourne. What I am wondering is will I stand a good chance of getting the visa (as visa guidelines stand)? I am a bit worried I will train as a social worker and then be unable to get the visa and be a while waste of time, money and effort. We are planning a tester month in Melbourne next Christmas to test the water before applying. I have spent a year there before ten years ago on a WHV working on building sites etc. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABG Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Based on what you've written, it could be tough. I calculate you could get a maximum of 55 points (15 for age, 20 for English, 0 for experience, 15 for degree, 5 for state sponsorship). You may need to try get the extra 5 point through your partner, or look at alternate strategies. If I recall correctly, most states however expect you to have a minimum amount of work experience before they sponsor you - Vic for example for Social worker is two years experience. I think the best option is to speak with an agent who can map out a strategy for you that is achievable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 As things stand, you "may" qualify. You would need to look at the skills assessment guidelines carefully to see if such a degree meets them as Australia is very chosey about degrees. For example, teachers must have 4 years of university to qualify not the usual three. You would also need to look at your points as you wouldn't get any for experience and may struggle to get 60. I would also say you need to study if it is what you want to do regardless of visas. The occupation lists change regularly and there is no guarantee that the occupation will still be there in two years - over 200 occupations were removed last year alone. Also, there is a very good chance that other factors may come in. For example, it the age limit used to be 50 and then it was then almost impossible for anyone aged over 45 to qualify as there were no age points awarded. Now they have reduced the age to 45 and they may move the age points accordingly as they tweak the system in the coming year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul Senise Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 I don't believe that there is much point assessing yourself against the current Regulations for a proposed application in 2 years time. We are regularly seeing extensive changes to the Regulations with talk by the Government of an extensive overhaul of the entire skilled visa system in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottleandahalf Posted February 6, 2018 Author Share Posted February 6, 2018 Hi folks. Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it. Social workers always seem to be in demand so hopefully by the time I apply they will still be on the skilled occupation shortage list. Hopefully the overhaul you mention Raul won't be too drastic in the future as I can't see them relaxing the regulations but making them more stringent, thanks for the reply. Nice to get comment from a registered agent and really appreciate the input. Verystormy, do you mean I should stultifying to add to my current degree or study in Oz? I'm thinking of either Msc in finance or social work but don't think the finance degree would get me in? Time to have a wee gleak at ABG's blog now to see how his journey to get to Oz fared out. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Hi folks. Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it. Social workers always seem to be in demand so hopefully by the time I apply they will still be on the skilled occupation shortage list. Hopefully the overhaul you mention Raul won't be too drastic in the future as I can't see them relaxing the regulations but making them more stringent, thanks for the reply. Nice to get comment from a registered agent and really appreciate the input. Verystormy, do you mean I should stultifying to add to my current degree or study in Oz? I'm thinking of either Msc in finance or social work but don't think the finance degree would get me in? Time to have a wee gleak at ABG's blog now to see how his journey to get to Oz fared out. Cheers Hi BottleandaHalf, welcome. I will offer some positive light on it in case everyone disheartens you here. While it is inadvisable to plan on doing a course with hope of getting sponsorship in subsequent years, I feel if you're going to have a chance then social work is one such occupation. I'd say do the course ONLY IF you enjoy it and if you were willing to do it irregardless of the move. It's highly likely the profession will stay on the shortage list in two years. Also if you were looking to get state sponsorship on a 489 (regional or family) you will get 10 points which could bump up your points total. Keep an eye on the immigration changes as it seems like they will probably tweak visa types by the time you apply. Oh and, like someone above mentioned your achilles heel could be lack of experience which is normally a prerequisite for sponsorship. Good luck and happy studying. Apollo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottleandahalf Posted February 8, 2018 Author Share Posted February 8, 2018 (edited) Cheers Apollo for the optimistic post. For most of the work I am interested here in NI - probation officer etc, I need a social work degree anyway so it won't be a waste if I do it. I'm hoping my 3/4 years experience as a social care support worker might count for something in regards to job interviews etc, even though it will gain 0 points in visa application. What is the criteria for applying for PR? Does this have to be done before the age of 45? Edited February 8, 2018 by Bottleandahalf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 On 06/02/2018 at 23:17, Apollo said: Hi BottleandaHalf, welcome. I will offer some positive light on it in case everyone disheartens you here. While it is inadvisable to plan on doing a course with hope of getting sponsorship in subsequent years, I feel if you're going to have a chance then social work is one such occupation. I'd say do the course ONLY IF you enjoy it and if you were willing to do it irregardless of the move. It's highly likely the profession will stay on the shortage list in two years. Also if you were looking to get state sponsorship on a 489 (regional or family) you will get 10 points which could bump up your points total. Keep an eye on the immigration changes as it seems like they will probably tweak visa types by the time you apply. Oh and, like someone above mentioned your achilles heel could be lack of experience which is normally a prerequisite for sponsorship. Good luck and happy studying. Apollo While I agree the OP should only study if it is regardless of visa and is something she enjoys, I do disagree with some of your other post. No one can say what the chances are of any occupation. For example, I would have bet big money that nurses and doctors would always be on it. But last year the government announced it wants to see doctors removed and given nurses have been made redundant in a number of states and that they can now find it hard to find permanent work, I wouldn't be surprised. In a number of states social workers are over subscribed other than in some very specialist areas such as CP. There are also likely to be some massive changes in the system as a large scale examination of it is now underway - the government have said they want to trim the number of visas available from the hundreds of different classes to a handful. We have already seen in the last 12 months a huge change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 While I agree the OP should only study if it is regardless of visa and is something she enjoys, I do disagree with some of your other post. No one can say what the chances are of any occupation. For example, I would have bet big money that nurses and doctors would always be on it. But last year the government announced it wants to see doctors removed and given nurses have been made redundant in a number of states and that they can now find it hard to find permanent work, I wouldn't be surprised. In a number of states social workers are over subscribed other than in some very specialist areas such as CP. There are also likely to be some massive changes in the system as a large scale examination of it is now underway - the government have said they want to trim the number of visas available from the hundreds of different classes to a handful. We have already seen in the last 12 months a huge changeYeah but that is what I said though. I am comparing the chance of SW being taken off in comparison to other professionals. For example IT is always at risk because of the number of people that apply for it every year. Your argument about trimming of visas is neither here nor there because it affects every single profession. From my own experience SW is as safe as safe can be but not a guarantee and I never said it was. By the way not all doctors are GPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeltInCaulfield Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Safe as safe can be means you haven't a clue when it comes to second guessing immigration policy. Defending the indefensible usually fails, and is never worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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