bpf

Hello, I am after a bit of guidance with regards to applying for a visa.
I am an electrician, been working in the trade for 17 years now so would be able to get through the skilled visa route. I am just looking at the way to start things off, I am a little confused as to what I have to do first, the skills assessment, English test or do I need to do an Expression of Interest. If someone could help please. I am looking at the 189 Visa??

old.sparkles

You need to check you can pass the skills assessment. If you are a UK sparky, this will be done by Vetassess, Future Skills or Victoria University. Out of these, probably Vetassess are the most established - check out their website, but you will need a tradeset self evaluation, followed by submission of this, qualifications, references, etc for evaluation. If successful with the paper check, then there is a practical assessment held in the UK.

If you believe you can pass this, check that you can meet the points requirement for a visa before you actually apply for the assessment. Points are awarded for age, skilled experience, qualification, etc - you should be able to find a breakdown online easy enough. If you can meet the points requirement then go ahead with the skills assessment.

Hope that helps

verystormy

Will just add, when checking points, if you need points for English, then book the test while waiting for the skills assessment. You will need to revise and practise. Do not assume it is easy - many fail first time.

Once you have a positive skilled assessment, your English test at a sufficient pass to give the required points and are certain of your points, then lodge an eoi

Be aware that once you eventually arrive, you would need to retrain.

bpf

Thanks for the info,
With regard to the points, is there somewhere that will give me a idea of how many points I'll get.
The qualifications I have are 2360 pt 1 & 2, NVQ Level 3, 2391 Testing and Inspection, 17th Edition Regs and a few other smaller courses. Not sure if these will add to any points that I'll get

Richard_Gregan

I would recommend Future Skills. You can do the practical assessment at the Down Under Centre in London, and the guys there are straight up. Plus, they can help with gap training once you get to Australia. Vetassess's guidance in this regard is minimal.

However, before even considering a skills assessment, make sure you check out *all* the eligibility requirements for the visa - sadly many people fork out lots of money on skills assessments, which they pass, only to find they are ineligible to begin with.

The skills assessment authority will not know if you are eligible visa-wise, as they only deal with the skills verification part of the visa application.

Regards,

Richard

bpf

Thank you

Can you tell me where I can see all the other requirements for a Visa, as we are in the very early stages of this process it's a bit of a mine field of information.

Cheers

verystormy

border.gov.au


However, I always recommend using a good registered migration agent. You pay for it, but worth every penny in my opinion.

bpf

Thanks, I'll have a look