woody2709

Hi everyone, qualified sparky currently working through the process towards either 189, 190, 489 or spouse visa for Northern Territory. Got my skills assessment in the morning at the down under centre in London and IELTS on the weekend. I've been in Australia the last 2 years WHV and for the best part of 1 1/2 of them i was working for electrical companies in the NT doing the majority of the work and alongside A grade sparks. Question is because i wasn't qualified there, can i use it towards skillselect points as inside australia experience? Thanks

old.sparkles

Only skilled experience will count for points, and in Australia that generally would require you to hold a license. As a sparky, you will probably be okay at 60 points for an invite so hopefully you will be okay without taking the risk.

woody2709

That's what i thought, such a shame as well. Close on points hence why I'm sitting IELTS this weekend

old.sparkles

State sponsorship can add 5 points for 190 visa if that helps, but English is a good boost too if you can score high enough There are also alternative tests to IELTS which some find easier, but I think IELTS is straightforward providing there is no other barrier (dyslexia for example)

Pollyana

At least you are lucky enough to have options. A Spouse Visa would not be for the NT, you can live anywhere. Also it does not require a skills assessment or IELTS.

Richard_Gregan

When you are at the Down Under Centre, have a word with Wes about how to get your Oz licence. You can now undertake the theory here, although you still need to log your hours in Australia.

Regards,

Richard

woody2709

Hey guys, passed my skills assessment according to the examiner on site. Still need future skills to look at my papers before i get my cert. Yeah best option is 189 190 or 489 visas as the spouse visa takes around a year. Already been away from my fiance since january and all my assets are still in darwin with her. Needing to get back asap haha. Got a job ready and waiting with my previous comnpany. Just need that bloody visa invitation and acceptance to go as planned

Richard_Gregan

As stated earlier, talk to Wes at the DUC. You can now do the theory here, although you'll still need to log your hours on your provisional licence - the theory is still a big chunk of the work though so if you can get that done before you go, it will make things easier.

Regards,

Richard

MARA No: 9905168
<snip>

old.sparkles

Which states accept the theory part if undertaken with DUC? Is it recognised by all states? Who is the RTO for the theory training?

woody2709

The RTO is future skills so accepted in states

woody2709

all states*

old.sparkles

I wasn't asking about the skills assessment, it was a question on gap training since all states handle that differently. For example, Electrical rescue from live / CPR is an annual and compulsory requirement in SA, but I believe a 6 monthly requirement in QLD.

Also, if you do the theory in the UK, who will sign off the other requirements in Australia? VIC, for example, requires electricians to undertake LEP / LET I think before they can be issued a full license.

Richard_Gregan

I've just found out about this myself, so I don't have all the details. I'm in the process of finding out more. Wes at the DUC will have the full details.

Regards,

Richard

old.sparkles

Can I suggest you stop promoting them as a means of fulfilling the theory part of the gap training, and just comment that it may be possible. DUT as they used to be called, had a terrible reputation for not being able to deliver on promises so wouldn't want them to regain that reputation. There's a big difference between 'maybe' and 'can'.

For myself, I'm all good. Completed gap training here in SA, and paid for by SMS (skilled migrant services) here so saved a pretty penny Doing it here also means you get to meet other sparks in the same boat, and start making network connections, so was a win-win.

Richard_Gregan

No problem. This is hot off the press as it were. I'm reporting what people are telling us who are working with the DUC on their skills assessment, and this is what they are being told.

Perhaps I didn't caveat this enough as my experience with the DUC so far has been excellent. I concur that people need to speak directly with the DUC and get all the details before coming to any decision.

Regards,

Richard

MARN 9905168