mdmx33 Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Hi Guys I'm in the process of getting my TRA assessment done and will then apply for a 175 visa before I leave for OZ on my working holiday visa. I'm looking at getting these english tests done so I can claim maximum points. Has anyone done any in the West Midlands and any idea how much these cost and how long they are valid for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NeilEB Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 It's a flat rate I believe of £120 pounds. Valid for 12 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmx33 Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 thanks for the reply. do I need to take the acedemic test or is this as i presume and for someone applying for places at university and i need to take the general test? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NeilEB Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Depends on the State and your job - you'd need to give us more info, or look at the website for the state you want, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmx33 Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Ok sorry for being so vague. I will be applying for a TRA assessment as a Gas Fitter. I have yet to decide if I will go fo the state sponsored visa. At present I plan on applying for the 175. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Hi, I've applied for a 175. I was 5 points short so sat the IELTS in order to have sufficient points (If I remember correctly, IELTS at level 7 or above gives you 10 points). Sounds like you need to work out exactly how many points you'll have once your TRA assessment is processed before you know whether you'll need to sit IELTS or not. Also, although it wasn't relevant for me, I have a feeling some professions require you to have IELTS anyway but this varies according to which state you're going to work in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmx33 Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Hi there I get 115 points without the points from it ielts or state sponsorship. I was tempted to go for the state sponsorship but didnt fancy being tied down to one state, althought at present I only have intentions of living in WA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 well you need 120 points for the 175 (as you probabily know!) so it depends on whether you decide to go for state sponsorship (which i think is meant to be a quicker process) or the 175. hmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmx33 Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Yeah state sponsorship is an option but I will be going on a working holiday visa and will make sure i do 3 months specified work to get another 12 months as soon as i arrive so hopefully the visa may get approved before the 2 years are up. I may still get the state sponsorship if it helps with the processing times, as its still nice to get the residency quicker if it is granted. i've been on the ielts website and looked at a their example tests and they look pretty straightforward. i cant find any information on the tra website mentioning that i would need to take the academic tests or the general. this immigration malarky is all very confusing know i know why a friend of mine does visas fo the UK and does very well out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PositivePixie Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Its £115 currently (just paid for mine about 2 weeks ago) - several places to do it in W Midlands, Coventry, Rugby, Birmingham and so on - there is a finder function on the website, that allows you to see when the next Academic and/or General tests are at each centre... http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search/search_results.aspx?TestCentreSearchSubRegion=01502ae9-cf4b-46ba-8214-c5d4331a543d Just select from the drop down list the place nearest to you, if thats not that soon, pick somewhere else nearby etc. Generally you are ok with the general IELTs unless you want to study in Australia and need it for Uni entry - if you want to check can you not email your skills assessor and ask? (For eg, I am a teacher and got my skills done by the AITSL, so emailed them to ask - they replied general was ok, but I am doing the academic anyway (was already booked onto it and its pretty booked up now), as I got it into my head I needed it as a teacher, and thought I am covered either way then, especially if the rules change with the type you need when the rules change in July with the points change). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Yeah once you're out there try to stay out there if that's you're long term intention. I came back to the UK after going over on a working holiday visa, (I did have the option to stay as my employer suggested sponsoring me, but due to various issues I came back). Since I've been back I've decided to emigrate, and I think the whole process would have been much easier (and cheaper) if I'd just stayed in the country! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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