Guest SueRich Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Hi All, Just thought i'd let people know about the situation we are currently in - Not sure if anyone is aware of this, I haven't seen any posts on this site. Basically - My OH is a Tiler by trade with many years experience but no qualification. We have 55 points (with regional sponsorship) so in order to gain the extra 10 points it was a case of either doing the ILETS or AQF. My OH isn't very good at spelling or reading so we were considering going for the AQF. We then found out that DIAC are currently in a dispute with TRA because TRA are insisting on not recognising employment before gaining AQF. Apparently DIAC does not agree with this approach and other skills assessing bodies are not taking the same approach (Just our luck that it is the TRA who assess Tilers!). DIAC and TRA are currently in discussions to resolve this. We now have a dilemma - We wanted to apply for our visa before the changes in July 2012 and we definately need to apply before August 2012 as that is when my OH turns 34 and we lose age points. The question is do we wait until the TRA/DIAC make a decision therefore taking the risk that we might not get our application in before our deadline or do we go ahead with the AQF (which costs around £2000) which is a risk as TRA may still insist on not recognising pre-qual experience and we may just waste our money! What would you do? Is there anyone else in the same situation? Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
family of five Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Hi SueRich I think I heard this once before, can't remember where. Where have you got your infomation from? I am sure others have done the AQF have managed to get a visa, hopefully someone will be alone soon to tell us how to get through the maze. I have copied some information from the TRA, it does not actaully say it will NOT accept work before awarding AQF but you would have to prove a the work you have been doing it at the same level as required in Australia. If you are seeking recognition of employment undertaken prior to the issuance of an AQF qualification (as described in 2.9.3) your evidence must demonstrate that you were employed in directly related and relevant employment to the occupation for a period of not less than five years under the supervision of a fully qualified tradesperson. TRA generally considers that skilled employment is undertaken after the issuance of a qualification which is formally recognised as comparable to the Australian qualification required for the occupation in Australia. For some applicants this will involve an assessment of their qualification issued in their country of origin. Other applicants may have been issued with an AQF qualification recently through a recognition of prior learning (RPL) process. The AQF qualification may be their first comparable qualification. Skilled employment prior to the issuance of an AQF qualification may be recognised if the employment: a) is directly related to the nominated occupation b) commenced after the applicant’s 16th birthday c) includes a minimum of five years full-time (or equivalent) paid employment under the direct supervision of a tradesperson/employer (an informal training period) before employment will be considered to be undertaken at the required skill level. Skilled employment undertaken before and after the issuance of an AQF qualification will be considered in recommendation to DIAC for points advice. We will compare the statements provided by your employers and the written description of your work in your own words with the tasks specified in Australian agreed sources of the descriptions of occupations, such as the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). I think there is a way round but you might need to help of a skilled migration lawyer to ensure your application is a success. Tina, Family of Five Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SueRich Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Thanks for this Tina. I have been speaking with a couple on Perth Poms who were in the same situation as me and my partner - Lots of work experience but no qualification. Her OH did the AQF and they submitted the application to the TRA but the TRA would not recognise the qualification because it did not include 3 years post qual experience. She advised me to look into this further before spending money on the AQF as they are now £2000 lighter and no closer to getting a visa. We hadn't engaged an agent at this point but I emailed a few to query this. Alan and Sarah at Go Matilda have been really helpful. Sarah found out that there is a dispute at the moment between the TRA and DIAC therefore leaving us in this dilemma - Pay for the AQF or wait??? The information you have quoted is really hepful. Thanks Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
family of five Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Hi SueRich, How werid I have just logged on and you have just posted. I was going to contact Alan as well to see if he could help us, looks like can get an AQF but this would be after 25 years working in the job, hence not much good. However if evidence is provided to for fill all the requirements hopefully it might be ok, but think we would need to put in a strong case and therefore use an agent. Time is also running out for us we have only 6 months to get everything in so its all getting a bit stressful at the moment. If I get any more info I will pass it on to you, but I am still sure others have done it so there must be a way. Tina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SueRich Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Hi Tina, I have just been on the TRA website again and read the document that you have quoted from - I couldn't find the part that I had read about applicants needing 3 years post qual experience. I then looked at the first page and the date on it is September 2011 so this document has only just been updated. This suggests to me that DIAC and TRA have resolved their dispute! (Fingers crossed) I have emailed Go Matilda to clarify this and if this is the case then we will go ahead with the AQF and won't be facing any dilemma as it will be money well spent! I would definately recommend contacting Alan - Both him and Sarah have been really helpful to me. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
family of five Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Dear Sue/Rich Yes I think it looks like as long as you (the person who job applying under) fills the criteria it might be ok, here’s hoping? My friends used Alan and said he was great they had some issue along the way and they have been in Oz about a month now so will be giving him a call in the next couple of weeks. Let me know how you get on, I take it you are off to Perth, have a mate there in Butler they love it. Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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