I don't quite reach the magical 120 mark for a 136 class visa, so am looking at a STNI visa, which only seem to be in operation in VIC, SA and WA (just started). My skill is in demand in SA, but which States are the hot bed of Engineering, especially the Power Industry (Power Stations, PetroChem etc.).

DickChap

Hi dickchap,
What trade have you got mate ??
I have got STNI with Vic gov bn 137 as a skilled fitter.

I'm an electrical design engineer in the power/rail industry. I have found that WA has a massive demand for my skills. I've also had interest from SA, Qld is good too.Are you a tradesman/technician or a professional?.

My Occupation on the SOL list is Mechanical Engineering Technologist. I've worked for the same company for 15 years since I left school and have worked my way up into a vital role with my company. By profession I am a 2D, 3D Senior CAD operator. My company design Boilers for Power Stations, which includes PIPING, STRUCTURAL STEEL, MATERIALS HANDLING, FLUES AND DUCTS and even helping out doing P&ID's. You could call me a 'jack of all trades'. I regard myself as a person who picks things up fast.

What happens when you decide to go with a STNI visa? Do you get entered on the skills matching database or is it completely different process?

DickChap

Surely you can get 120 points with your skills?.

My skill gets me 60 points, I'm 31 nearly 32, Excellent English, No criminal record etc, etc, this all adds up to 115 points. At first I thought my wife would qualify for the 5 points I needed as she is a Residential Care Worker, but after consulting my agent, it seems that the assessing body VETASSES would require my wife to have a Diploma, which she does not have, as she only works part-time, but has been doing the job since we started our family as the shifts fit around school etc.

I'm just having my skills pre-assessed before I have them assessed by IEAust. Once this has been done, I will find out which type of visa I will be applying for, but it looks like the STNI.

How are you getting on?

DickChap

We got 115 points (when that was the passmark), but could have used the $100k bond route if needed for the extra 5 points. We're heading to Perth in September. I've had loads of interest in my CV.

Can't really do the BOND thing as all our money is tied up in the house as we bought it just before the housing boom hit, so we are lucky in that respect, as the house has tripled in value.

Maybe I might have a long lost cousin or something? Not

DickChAP

Hi, new to the forum. I am similiar position just starting to consider options and possibilities of moving to Australia. qualified as Toolmaker with Ford Motor Co aprenticeship and HNC engineering, but not been in engineering for 15 years. Also qualified Financial adviser with FPC 3 and CMAP mortgage sales qualifications. But still only 115 points.
60 = toolmaker
15 = on demand list
15 = age 44
5= $100,000 bond
20= good english

115 total points

do you think Financial adviser 40 points could also be added ?

45 in June so need to apply now, overwise too late.

any ideas

You could borrow the $100000 against your house (most people do) to get the 5 points. Saves all the STNI hassle.

The problem you have is your recent work experience must be in your trade or closley related to it. You can't claim for 2 occupations.

I managed to get 120 points, when the pass mark was 115. This was by having some work experience in Oz gained on a 457 visa. I think you only need 6 months for this. Could you get over there on a sponsored 457 visa to accumulate the extra 5 bonus points and then apply for the PR?

That's what I did, but it was never my intention - I went to OZ for a sponsored job and never really thought about stopping there until I got into the life.

Oh: I'm an engineer too (computer aided engineering, stress & fatigue analysis) - there's quite a bit of work round Melbourne. (I was working at Holden in Port Melbourne)

Roy

A 457 visa requires an employer keen to sponsor - not easy to find.

And if you do find such an employer, why not get them to sponsor for a permanent visa through ENS or RSMS (instead of a 457) and then you can forget about the points test.

Jeremy