Guest Misty Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi, We went with ASA too (on a friend's recommendation), and on the whole we found them really good. Did the TRA supported by agents in this country, and then they handed over to agents in OZ when it came to the actual visa. Always very helpful, and very prompt with replies to questions. We communicated online mostly, but did ring a couple of times, or they rang us at an appointed time to talk us through the next stage. We uploaded everything as we went along for them to check, and just made any changes they suggested before bringing the final application together. We did have a bit of confusion at one point over the question of my OH's divorce, and we were a bit annoyed at the time. We thought we'd been told one thing, for someone else in the company to tell us something else, but to be honest, in hindsight that could have been us not understanding properly in the first place. They got us through the TRA and visa application with no problems at all, and were always very patient and friendly, Best wishes, Cheryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WARDStoOZ Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi Kelly, We haven't spoken to any agents seriously yet - we did speak to a couple regarding our chances of a visa but nothing so serious as for them to start outlining the costs - will try it though hopefully - so thanks for the advice x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi Kelly, We haven't spoken to any agents seriously yet - we did speak to a couple regarding our chances of a visa but nothing so serious as for them to start outlining the costs - will try it though hopefully - so thanks for the advice x No worries at all, good luck. I got quotes from most of the agents I contacted, to be honest I did send out about 10 emails! Good agents to try are MARA registered ones, alot are listed in the back of Australia&New Zealand Magazine. Kelly.:smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheHollies Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 We are using Thinking Australia, brilliant so far, emails/calls returned really quickly. Everythings going smoothly with our application!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chris_mac Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi there we are with visa bureau, and i can honestly say they have been great, Only too happy to be pestered by us, always follow up any telephone conversation with an email, detailing what has been discussed, and they always phone when they say they will, so no complaints here,:jiggy:John & Dawn I'll second that! :notworthy: General Electrician Applied TRA Aug 07 TRA Retuned Oct (Skill path D removed) Re-applied Vetassess 01.01.08 Vetassess Paper Assess Passed 10.04.08 House up for sale 28.03.08 sold 14.04.08 (3 weeks, crikey) Vetassess Practical 15.07.08 Practical Passed 11.08.08 176 Visa Application Submitted 11.09.08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest juliemtaylor Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi We have just signed up with Peter Chiam, Ptlabs as he is an IT specialist for the ACS test. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sam&Si Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi, We're with Ian Harrop who has been fantastic. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rigmech Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 HI I am using Visa Bureau and they have been excelent so far . All e-mails are answerd promptly and their attention to detail is impresive . They also did the TRA / application for my step brother and his wife and they were very pleased with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUNSCOMBE FAMILY Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 WE USED MIGRATION EXPERT BASED IN LONDON, AFTER TRA WAS TRANSFERED TO AUSTRALIA.All we can say is MONEY WELL SPENT !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 Thankyou all for keeping this thread going & letting everyone know who you are using & how its going..:yes: Im signing off now, but anyone thats staying on, Please Try & keep this thread to the top/front page & lets see if we can get some overnight (Uk) replies, be great to hear from the people that have already got to Australia, on who they used. Kelly.:smile: (Chicken clicks are being given, but im only allowed to dish out so many a day, so it takes a little while, but I wont forget anyone!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Noodler Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi We have just signed up with Peter Chiam, Ptlabs as he is an IT specialist for the ACS test. Julie I signed up with him about 10 days ago and the level of service has been fantastic. Every email i have sent has been replied to within 12 hours even at the weekend and the advice is great. I have just got to get one more reference and my ACS app will be in the post :jiggy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted September 18, 2008 Author Share Posted September 18, 2008 Thankyou all for keeping this thread going & letting everyone know who you are using & how its going.. Im signing off now, but anyone thats staying on, Please Try & keep this thread to the top/front page & lets see if we can get some overnight (Uk) replies, be great to hear from the people that have already got to Australia, on who they used. Kelly. (Chicken clicks are being given, but im only allowed to dish out so many a day, so it takes a little while, but I wont forget anyone!) Ok, that didnt go to plan, so lets try & catch them this morning!!! :biglaugh: Kelly :0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hi, Ok....Im just about to choose my agent, did anyone else feel so nervous about this step?? :unsure: If anyone posted on this thread before & wants to add anything, please do. And if anyone that missed it the first time around would like to post a reply, I would be very gratefull & im still giving chicken clicks!! Kelly :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest martyn Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hi We looked at a few agents and narrowed it down to Concept and Go Matilda who have both got excellent reputations on here and other forums, we spoke to both and both seemed professional, so the final choice came down to the fact that Concept have an office in Manchester. Spoke to Martin Thompson on the phone last week and we are seeing him at his office tomorrow. Concepts fees are £1750 (inc VAT) for a 175 visa for electrician, but they are spread out over 5 payments which i thought was good. Will keep you posted on how it goes with them. Yes Cartertucker we are also feeling a bit nervous now, but in a good way, after all the talking about moving this is now the first real steps. It suddenly dawns on you that this may be the last Bonfire night, the last Christmas with familly over here. Very scarey but even more exciting that the first steps have now been taken. Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Collett Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Offices in the UK and in Australia can allow for the quicker submission of a visa application (which may or may not be an important factor for intending migrants). For example, the results of skills assessment applications are despatched by post by the assessing bodies in Australia. This means that an agent in Australia will be in a position to advise applicants of the outcome sooner than a firm that is only UK based. As an example, we have a client who is 45 in just over 2 weeks. We are expecting the assessment letter from TRA this week. The e-skilled visa application is prepared, save for details from the assessment letter (which we know to be positive - TRA has advised us of this, though the background to this is another story, for another thread at another time). This means we will be able to submit the e-visa application (which has been prepared by one of our UK consultants in liaison with our UK client) as soon as the assessment letter comes in - we will be scanning and emailing the TRA assessment letter to the client and our UK consultant upon receipt in our office in Victoria. This process will be important for some (most?), but not for others - and may be food for thought when considering which firm to engage. Best regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hi We are using Overseas Emigration, and so far they have been brilliant, ive never even had to wait for a call to be returned, because theres always someone to speak to when i call. As for nerves, tell me about it, the second we signed with them i decided that i didnt want to go after all! :unsure: but i think its just a silly phase that everyone goes through, once youve signed its REALLY Real, not just a dream any more! Cant wait now:spinny: Ali x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoeburrell Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 We are using John Mumford at Visa-Unit based in Hove but also has offices in Bristol and London. We are emigrating on a business owners visa and so far John, Eileen and Kerry have been really helpful and are always happy to help (even when the queries I have seem to be silly little questions!). Our visa application has passed the first stage (getting state sponsorship from NSW) and is currently on the CW desk All the best everyone Zoe xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gollywobbler Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 As an example, we have a client who is 45 in just over 2 weeks. We are expecting the assessment letter from TRA this week. The e-skilled visa application is prepared, save for details from the assessment letter (which we know to be positive - TRA has advised us of this, though the background to this is another story, for another thread at another time). Hi Alan I won't speculate about the background though I fear I may be able to guess. Just a query if I may: when you get a situation like this one, where the timing is critical, can an Agent get TRA, Vetassess or whoever to fax the results letter when they might not be willing to do that for a DIY applicant? I've been exchanging PMs with someone this morning, so this question is topical. Apparently he is in Oz on a 457 but will need to be assessed for AQFIII before he can apply to TRA. That shouldn't be a problem because he is a Roof Plumbe, so Silver Trowel in Perth (where the guy lives and works) may be able to do that at short notice and if not Silver Trowel it nevertheless can be done locally, I am told. However, his 45th birthday falls in December 2008 (I don't know which day.) Therefore Agents in Perth have told him that the timing is now too tight for a GSM application for the guy. They may be right but would it be worth asking him to give you a shout just in case? Apparently his employer is willing to sponsor him for an ENS 856 visa so all is not lost if a GSM application cannot be made. Then again, he might still hahve a chance of a choice if his AQF III can be obtained quickly and an efficient Agent has all the other documents ready for immediate despatch as soon as each missing document arrives? Many thanks Gill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Collett Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hello Gill. Although "the system" is intended to be neutral between the represented and unrepresented applicant the reality is that there are some agents who are more pro-active than others, and some agents who have conversations with senior people at the assessing bodies/DIAC more frequently than others. Our clients should know that I will "go into bat" for them if I perceive their application is being disadvantaged - I could cite many examples, but here is one. A chap contacted me on 23/10 (10 days ago). Applicant for a s/c 176 skilled sponsored visa. Medicals and police clearance certs lodged 01/2008. Medical for his wife appeared to have disappeared. Date of required initial entry based on dates of meds and penals approaching rapidly. He had tried to communicate with the ASPC - to no avail. We agreed a fee for me to represent him, recognising that we are at a late stage, but the costs of flights, or replacement meds/penals would not be insignificant. I contacted a known Manager at the ASPC. Matter referred to the Manager overseeing this application. Emails exchanged. Agreed that the application had fallen down the cracks. Telephone call this morning. Visas granted today. Date of required initial entry pushed back by 3 months. These are situations where having an agent on board who is prepared to push can make a significant difference. In respect of TRA/VETASSESS, we can try to expedite outcomes, but where an individual has simply left the application to a date that is too close to a critical date I am afraid there is not a lot of leverage we can apply. I would certainly ask though, and would be making telephone calls in an effort to do all that one reasonably can to achieve the desired outcome. I tend to look at these situations by asking what I would want if I were the client. Re the roof plumber: I have received this morning a TRA assessment for an application that was lodged on 21/10/2008, so that was a turnaround of less than 2 weeks. => If the AQF Cert III can be secured in the next 7 days there is a reasonable chance of the roof plumber lodging a valid application before he is 45 ... but he needs to move quickly, and recognise that if he engages a firm such as Go Matilda he would be looking at paying for the visa application stage when the outcome of the skills assessment (and the timeline for its issue) is relatively uncertain. I can be contacted via any of our offices in Australia: Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Contact and Feedback Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SMC Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hi all We're using Wessex Migration in Bournemouth been good to us so far. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest emmaanddean Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Hi Everyone We're using Visa-Go and so far so good. Very helpful and easy to contact, just waiting to hear if other half has passed he's AQF assessment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest matilda lou Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 hi, not sure whether to use an agent is it worth using one? im a staff nurse wanting to move perth. Has anyone made the move without using an agent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 hi, not sure whether to use an agent is it worth using one? im a staff nurse wanting to move perth. Has anyone made the move without using an agent? Hiya, if you do a search, by clicking at the top then type in 'migration agent' it will bring up lots of previous threads about people asking the same question..... Or you could start up your own thread. Hope this helps a little. Good Luck Kelly :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest slipshot Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Using Go Matilda. So far, excellent response time and advice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeM Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 We're with Australian Visas... great name, not. SEND IT TO THE NAME POLICE! :policeman::biglaugh: Sonja Rakus from Australian Visas is good though. Very quick response... she seems to be able to post things, send us an email to let us know something's on its way... and then we get it the next morning! Over my head >insert googly eyes here< - great! Just great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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