msi geek

Starting a thread for successful PR applicants to share the format/content of Work Experience/Employer Reference letters accepted by DIAC

Are all the given details MANDATORY?

You must provide evidence of your specific work experience. This could include employment references and duty statements covering the required period. Please note that employment references must:

be written on the official letterhead of the company or government department providing the reference
indicate clearly on the letterhead, the full address of the company, any telephone and fax numbers, and email and website addresses
have the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference typed or stamped below that person's signature. A reference with an illegible signature will not be accepted
include the direct contact number of the person writing the reference
indicate the exact period of employment, including:
whether permanent or temporary
full or part time
the main five duties undertaken
the salary earned
include a payslip from your current employment; this is especially important for applicants working in government departments.
position/s held
Note: Positions should not be described by generic titles (for example, research officer) but according to the nature of the duties undertaken (for example, research chemist)

sfreq

It's as simple as this... the more information you provide, the easier it will be for your case officer to assess your case.

msi geek

Often, certificate of service/experience/reference letters only mention

1. Date of joining
2. Date of Leaving
3. Official Designation

Most employers do not like to mention Project Details, Duties Undertaken, Roles etc.

GinaUK

That's correct. But then a reference letter is usually given when you apply for another job.

Explain to your employer that the letter is for your visa application (not for a job) and it *must* contain all the details requested by DIAC (as listed in your first post - yes, these details *are* mandatory).

You could also explain to your employer that the letter isn't a "reference"; it's an employment letter: meant to confirm all the employment details that DIAC want to know about.

Write the letter yourself and ask your employer to sign it. (As the letter has to be so detailed you can't expect your employer to write it for you.)

Good luck.

Gina

msi geek

I am an IT Specialist - had 7 jobs in last 4 years - very difficult to convince all 7 employers to issue a letter in the given format.

Some of the jobs were Contracting type through agencies.

One of my previous employer (amongst top 5 American Banks) refused to give a letter containing project details and duties undertaken due to strict company policies.

Their concern:

The same letter, as needed by DIAC, can be used for other purposes too.

Surely, other PR applicants may be experiencing similar issues.

seat151

If you are in the situation, where you do not want your employer to know what you are planning to do (Which I was), I got a friend and collegue who did know to write me a reference. It was on official headed paper and just detailed everything I did in the current role and what I have done in the past.

msi geek

Who signed the given reference letter - authorised signatory or your friend ???

I do not care about my employer knowing or not knowing - work experience/reference letters are only issued in a certain format as per company policy.

I want to hear success stories from successful PR applicants.

maroonedNZ

I formatted my reference letter to include ALL information listed on the DIAC website (as per first post on this forum) PLUS all criteria required to meet the ASCO definition of the occupation for which I was claiming relevant work experience for. Worked a charm, didn't even have to produce payslips, P60 etc.

maroonedNZ

You can easily write a reference letter detailing duties undertaken which is relevant but generic and therefore is in no way a breach of company policies. I was a project manager for a number of blue chips and was able to do this.

NowInOz

As I said in my previous post: don't ask them to write a letter in the given format. Of course they are going to refuse!

You write each of the letters. Then ask them very politely to print it on their letterheaded paper and explain why you need it (show them the DIAC requirements).

The person who does the reference needs to be senior to you. But it doesn't have to be the top boss or the HR department. Didn't you make any friends in these companies who'd be willing to help?

But the key is for you to write the letter yourself!

Gina

zidane2

For the current employer I have produced the offer letter, Confirmation letter, Payslips, Tax computation.

For the past employments -- I have reference letters.. stating the details about the employment time periods, position held, and one liners stating what I did in the job .

Payslips of past employers are not expected. Neither was I taxable in prior employment periods.

Hoping that this works....

Mr Peace

Dear All,

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I would like to enquire about proving to the relevant authoritiies regarding work expereince. Is it a requirement to provide a "Detailed Report" for work experience to prove that the applicant meets the ASCO "tasks lists" as listed in the relevant category?

For example for a Civil and Structural Engineer the "tasks list" under 2124-11 -Civil Engineer is "too brief". Would it be sufficient to provide a detailed reference letter from the present Employer (same employer for 6 years) or will it be required to produce a detailed report.

Would Any Civil and Structural Engineer who got his/her PR with just a reference letter from the employer as a proof of work expereince.....please share your expereince with us.

Regards

Peace

flair002

there is another issue
if someone is working for the same organization and somehow got the role changed..... are there any chances that CO will ask for a new reference letter.... i believe once u v those 60 points in the bag then CO should have no issues regarding this

maroonedNZ

If you mean the 60 points for the nominated occupation - that's a separate matter, and does not involve reference letters - it involves a positive assessment from the relevant authority.

With regards to recent work experience - your application is assessed on your status at time of application, so it doesn't matter if you change your job. I, for example, quit mine and took off round the world as soon as my application went in

Chris N Lora

With the Work Reference my employer is going to do one for us not a problem, do we have to get it certified as it is going to be uploaded for an online application