Refrigeration engineer moving to Brisbane

[Bristol_born]

Hi Everyone,

I've been an industrial refrigeration engineer for 4 years now and am planning on moving to Brisbane with my girlfriend. We've been together 7 seven years and shes an Australian citizen so i know i could get a visa as her de facto partner but am in the process of getting a skilled visa as we worked out its a bit cheaper as either way i would have to get my skills assessed if i want to work as a refrigeration engineer out there.

Im currently on the stage 1 of the TRA and am just waiting to hear when the practical skills assessment dates in the UK are for 2019. I just wanna check what the next stages are as theres a LOT of info on the net and some of it seems to contradict what others say. So as far as i can see the stages you need to go through for the skilled visa as a refrigeration engineer are:

1. Apply for the TRA pathway 1 and get my qualifications, licences and skills assessed through the 2 stages of it.

2. Apply for my Australian skilled worker visa showing my completed TRA and making sure i have at least 70 points on their test

3. Submit an expression of interest (EOI) and wait to hear if im accepted

4. When arrive in Australia apply for my refrigeration gasses handling license from Queensland state

5.If i get a job offer from someone have to work supervised for a year before i can then work solo

I ask as i know they have changed the requirements for getting in, also i want to check that theres not anything ive missed out and am not doing that could seriously hold up or mess up my application.

Also has anyone ever used a migration agent? Im just wondering if there is any plus to adding on that extra cost or if everything can be done myself with a bit of hard work and effort?

Cheers for any help you can give guys.

[wrussell]

If you  calculate your costs in detail you will find that you do not  save much by avoiding the partner strategy; for which there are fewer pitfalls.

A skills assessment is not a prerequisite for employment - you need to be licensed.

[Bristol_born]

oh ok, thanks for that advice wrussell. i was under the impression that i would have to get Vetassess approval before i could then start working in my chosen field of refrigeration in Australia?

i understand that i would have to get my Arc license from Queensland when i arrive but i thought that Vetassess was THE big one that always had to be done if you wanted your qualifications and skills transferred over and accepted in Australia. or have you heard something different?

Cheers

[MillieB]

My son is a Air conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic in WA.  He applied for a partner visa 4 years ago rather than a skilled visa which was straightforward. He then went to TAFE (college) in Perth to get his skills assessed.  From that assessment he ended up doing a fast track level 4 qualification on day release over 12 months while working under supervision for an employer.  (Not much supervision)!  He then got his Level 4 certificate and his restricted electrical licence. Both are needed to get your Refrigeration & Air Conditioning licence in WA.  He did have C&G level 2 and NVQs from the UK but they counted for nothing.  

 

[VERYSTORMY]

Your skills assessment doesn't get you a state license to work in your occupation. It is a licensed occupation and each state will have its own rules. As a rule of thumb. You will need to work as a trade assistant, a bit like an apprentice and undertake some college courses.