RichK Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 So after spending the day trying to figure this one out myself, I was hoping experts such as yourselves may be able to help... I currently have a 482 application in processing - it was lodged 3 weeks ago from the UK where I am currently based. My employer (well, the Australian arm of the global company for whom I work) has raised concerns that if I cannot get into Australia this year due to the covid travel restrictions, then they will not be able to keep the position open. Which made me think... if I can get a 186 underway at the same time, the permanent residency aspect would allow me to travel into Australia and start work. Unfortunately, I'm starting to fear that I'm grasping at straws here and I might trip myself up with some overly optimistic assumptions. Some wise words would be appreciated please! In particular, I cannot figure out the following: 1. Am I allowed to raise a new application for a 186 whilst I have an ongoing application for a 482? 2. With regard to the employer nomination, the Homeaffairs website notes that "We can’t link a new nomination to your existing visa application. If this happens one possible option is to withdraw your first visa application and submit a new visa application in relation to the new nomination.". But the terms "new" and "existing" are throwing me here (as I actually wish to link an existing nomination to a new visa application). In short, would my employer have to lodge a new nomination or can i use the TRN # from my 482 for this 186. 3. Is there a generally accepted probability of skills assessments being able to be take down the "priority processing" line with VETASSESS? Seems they normally need 3-4 months if they can't process an assessment as a priority, which would kill this whole plan - but you only find out once you've logged the request with them.... Thanking you in advance for any help you can provide - I'm slowly losing my hair trying to figure this plan out, Regards, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul Senise Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 2 hours ago, RichK said: So after spending the day trying to figure this one out myself, I was hoping experts such as yourselves may be able to help... I currently have a 482 application in processing - it was lodged 3 weeks ago from the UK where I am currently based. My employer (well, the Australian arm of the global company for whom I work) has raised concerns that if I cannot get into Australia this year due to the covid travel restrictions, then they will not be able to keep the position open. Which made me think... if I can get a 186 underway at the same time, the permanent residency aspect would allow me to travel into Australia and start work. Unfortunately, I'm starting to fear that I'm grasping at straws here and I might trip myself up with some overly optimistic assumptions. Some wise words would be appreciated please! This would be a risky strategy as it is possible that they will not process offshor 186 applications while the travel ban is in place. 2 hours ago, RichK said: 1. Am I allowed to raise a new application for a 186 whilst I have an ongoing application for a 482? Yes. 2 hours ago, RichK said: 2. With regard to the employer nomination, the Homeaffairs website notes that "We can’t link a new nomination to your existing visa application. If this happens one possible option is to withdraw your first visa application and submit a new visa application in relation to the new nomination.". But the terms "new" and "existing" are throwing me here (as I actually wish to link an existing nomination to a new visa application). In short, would my employer have to lodge a new nomination or can i use the TRN # from my 482 for this 186. They are two completely different nominations. You cannot use a 482 nomination for a 186 and vica versa. 2 hours ago, RichK said: 3. Is there a generally accepted probability of skills assessments being able to be take down the "priority processing" line with VETASSESS? Seems they normally need 3-4 months if they can't process an assessment as a priority, which would kill this whole plan - but you only find out once you've logged the request with them.... You can pay an extra fee to Vetassess for priority processing of complete applications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichK Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 Thank you for responding Raul. It seems the key missing piece of the jigsaw is, as you mention, whether offshore 186 applications are still being progressed. I'll try and get in touch with HomeAffairs today and find out. I've googled it and it's strange that no one across the internet had mentioned any impact to 186 processing due to covid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichK Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 I've just spoken to Australian HomeAffairs who have confirmed that offshore 186' are indeed still being processed. I've also spoken to VETASSESS who have advised that although their website states they are taking longer to do skills assessments, they are still doing these within 10days under the priority route and within 4-6 months for non-priority. All good so far with this new plan then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul Senise Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 4 hours ago, RichK said: I've just spoken to Australian HomeAffairs who have confirmed that offshore 186' are indeed still being processed. I would advise you to proceed with caution. If you spoke to the Department of Home Affairs Help Line, you should be aware that this service has been outsourced, so you are not actually speaking with anyone from the Department of Home Affairs. Also be mindful that there is a big difference in terminology between "processing" and "finalising" applications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichK Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 Ah, nothings simple is it - especially with immigration. Your comment comes as no surprise as I spoke to 2 different people and it was apparent they didn't really know but eventually came up with answers for me. Do you know who it has been outsourced to? How do I get hold of the people "in the know" who can give me a definite view please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 The processing time for the 186 on the home affairs website is 4-6 months (unknown if the pandemic is blowing these estimations out) - longer than the processing for the 482 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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