CDM

I just got an e-mail response from my Victoria state sponsorship application. They've rejected my application stating the following:

We consult with industry to determine which occupations are currently "in demand" in Victoria, and seek advice to determine whether individual applicants would be "employable" or not for the current Victorian labour market. We do this because we need to ensure our sponsored migrants have the skills and specialisations on our "Skilled – Sponsored Eligibility List" which are in shortage in the current market, and to ensure that skilled migrants have a realistic chance of employment when they arrive in Victoria.

The thing is, I have 20+ years of experience in UNIX & Solaris (and also around 4 years of Linux) which are listed on their Skilled - Sponsored Eligibility List:

2231–79 Computing Professional Must have specialisations in at least one of the following:
(NEC) • CISSP • Oracle • SAP
• C++/C#/C • PeopleSoft • Java
• J2EE • SIEBEL • Solaris
• Data warehousing • Linux • Unix
• Network security/firewall internet security • .Net technologies


With 20 years of experience, I had thought it was a no-brainer getting the sponsorship so I'm really confused about this. I've replied back asking for clarification and will probably call on Monday to see what the problem is.

I'm not overly concerned about not getting the state sponsorship, as this was a means to an end (getting priority processing). However, what worries me is that if the State of Victoria can take this view about my skills and experience, what is the likelihood that my 175 visa application may be denied for similar reasons? After all, a 175 rejection cannot be appealed against.

Should I be concerned? I got my ACS assessment without any problems for MODL status using these same skills so they seem to think I have the skills required. It' all a bit confusing to say the least.

- CDM

juliemtaylor

Hi CDM,

we too were rejected today on exactly the same grounds... we are converting ours to a 175 today as we have enought points and are on CSL still - just!!!

As we have already had our ACS assessment passed under MODL the DIAC will not be assessing your skills as that is why they get us to have the assessment done before applying... I think DIAC may check references and payslips, P60s to see if they are genuine.

Praying CSL doesn't change before we get a visa then... Hopefulyy case officers soon then as they are getting to Dec/Jan time now. Do the DIAC know you are on CSL as they said in another thread they missed a batch of CSL and I see you are Aug 08...

Julie x

CDM

I did inform the DIAC that I was on the CSL and they did acknowledge that but I'm still planning on calling them Monday morning to verify that I've not gotton lost in the system, as happened to another poster just recently.

I'm still bemused as to why my application was rejected. If someone with 20+ years of experience with skills that are on their list can be rejected, what does this say for the whole process of assessing suitable applicants? Something smells not quite right here.

- CDM

Malikkhi

Being a Aug 2008 CSL applicant , u should have the CO by now.......as now late Nov 2009 CSL applicants getting CO like me......

Gud luck for ur application.....

aman_sharma2k1

Its strange...I got my VIC SS today it self. In the mail they wrote like this:

It is our assessment that there is currently a demand for your experience and qualifications in Victoria, Australia and that you have assessed yourself as meeting the requirements of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Skilled - Sponsored visa scheme.

Victorian Government Sponsorship is subject to the conditions outlined in this email, and that you and your dependants fulfil all Australian Government immigration requirements.


don't worry you guys are in CSL..you will definetly get CO in 1-2 months time..I am accepting the VIC SS on monday!!

CDM

I guess what I don't understand is how the ACS can assess me as having the skill necessary for the MODL points but that the sate of Victoria seem to think that I don't have those same skills.

Hopefully, I'll be able to call them in a hour or so and find out what the score is.

- CDM

CDM

I just phoned the number for the Victoria State sponsorship program and spoke with a rather unhelpful young lady who could provide me with no information other than I should send an e-mail. No information on when my query will be addressed and no explanation for the rejection of the sponsorship.

They certainly aren't going out of their way to make people feel welcome.

- CDM

mpgrewal

This is what happens when a state gets huge supply of applicants, attention and respect towards one decreases. Victoria is under huge pressure, even if they have rejected you by misunderstanding, investingating the issue may take effort as officers may be busy there.. But don't lose hope and track it down to the root.

EdnaAverage

I smell a rat here and issues like this will seriously undermine applicants faith in the process!

Is there anything else that could have led to the two applications being rejected? My understanding of the process is that the ACS assessment confirms that you have worked at a professional level for a defined period of time and lets you apply for a visa and also for SS. During the SS process, then they consider whether you would be able to secure employment with those skills in Victoria.

If there are no other complications on the CV, my gut feel is that there may be a bit of age discrimination going on as to have 20 years experience, you may well be 40 plus. I really hope I'm wrong.

Also, how come they took so long to reject them but both sets of skills are clearly on the list? I would pursue this vigorously with the state as it's just not stacking up.

Finally, I think they're also giving preference to people already established in the state or with job offers here as we had our sponorship within a month and our case was not straightforward.

Good luck with pursuing this, I'd be very interested to know how you get on. If they're overwhelmed with applications, they should amend the list rather than perhaps apply other unpublished criteria to determine sponorship.

Edna

George Lombard

Unlike every other state, the Victorian program is entirely discretionary. Having an occupation on their list gives a guarantee of nothing, except that they'll look at your application and decide for themselves if you're suitable. Being refused just means that they had better applicants. Historically they have only approved about 30% of IT applicants.

However the really good thing about Victorian SS is that you don't need a skills assessment before initiating it.

Cheers,

George Lombard

Altavista

What skill have you applied for.

aman_sharma2k1

Hey CDM,

Please give me phone no where u called them..I ma trying to call the no. they mentioned in their email..but it does not work..

please help me..

Jen1977ni

Which phone number did you use? The one from the website always seems to be a machine, can you PM me it please? Thanks

mutya

At the time you applied for state sponsorship, did you include ACS assessment? I'm interested why you got refused here; maybe lack of proof regarding the job you nominated? Please keep us updated, thanks and good luck!

CDM

OK, so I sent the e-mail inquiry asking why someone with 20 years of experience was flat denied and, despite my beleagered expectations following the unsuccessful phone call, I did receive a reply from them by the time I woke up this morning. Bonus! Here's the important extract from their response:

In response to your question, we send applicants’ CVs to our Industry Panel. The Panel assess the skills indicated in applicant's CVs, and then tell us if the skilled migrant is "employable" or not for the current Victorian labour market. We use an Industry Panel because the industry is so competitive in Victoria, and has such specific requirements, that we need to ensure our sponsored migrants have the skills and specialisations on our "Eligibility List” which are in shortage in the current market.
The main aim of the Skilled – Sponsored visa is to help Victorian employers to fill their skills shortages, and the Industry Panel give us an assessment of what these shortages are in relation to individual applicants and their skill set.

Again, they seem to be implying that my skills aren't on the Eligibility List when they quite clearly are. I still have a hard time understanding why a 20 year verteran does not pass the grade (and I have 3 of the disciplines listed on their in demand list - UNIX, Solaris & Linux). My CV is a very strong one.

When I submitted my application, I only submitted those documents requested (primarily my CV and their own forms). I did NOT include, for example, proof of certification in my skill. Also, up till recently, the DIAC had the wrong ASCO code listed for me. I only just discovered this recently and have now had it corrected. The ASCO code they had for me was for Systems Manager when it should have been UNIX Specialist. DIAC have thankfully corrected this now but if the SS took this into consideration, this may have been a factor in their decision - after all, with such a high volume of applicants, it wouldn't take much to knock you off the perch.

I've now replied back to them and have included my proof of certification as well as proof of the correction to the ASCO code. I've aksed them to please re-consider my assessment in light of the additional information I've provided. I don't know if they will or won't.

The unfortunate thing is that there appears not to be the option of actually speaking with someone in person on the phone. I would think we could get to the bottom of the problem in a couple of minutes on the phone as oposed to repeated backing and forth via e-mail. It's so very frustrating. I realise they are at liberty to make their own decision but it would be nice to know it was a level playing field.

Ultimately, the number I reached them on was the one that is listed on their web-site and at the bottom of their e-mails (+61 3 9938 0556). It just took until around 09:30am'ish their time before I got someone to pick up the phone before it went to automated message.

If there is age discrimination at play here (I'm now 42), I doubt there's any way of revealing that. It's also contrary to what I've previously heard about experience counting heavily in the Oz job market so I'm not sure what to make of that argument.

- CDM