JamesFoster1

Hi,
There's a lot of information to take in with the different visa routes and was hoping someone can assist.

I am 34, electronics/telecommunication engineer with 5-8 years experience with a BSc physics, MSc telecoms (not research based masters so no extra 5 points) and all degrees were obtained in UK. I also have UK chartered engineer status (chartered I read doesn't help). My partner has no relevant skills but is British too.

I would like to move permanently because we love it out there and we are now thinking of getting the process started but...

• Do you guys take an English exam to boost your chances and points?
• Do you first apply for a job and then ask them to help with visa application?
• The 189 and 190 visa show quite high scores, below 90 is not successful. Which I think requires me to get a PhD to be successful applicant. It's not worth applying if below 90?
• Do your financial savings assist your application?

It's quite tricky deciding what visa to think about choosing.

I thought my skillset would be easy to get me into Australia because I'm in a highly paid job in UK with skills in demand but Australia seems another level ...
Thanks
James

carcajou

90 points as the draw mark, historically is very high but that's where it's been for a while now. It is worth sending in the EoI, I think it stays in the pool for two years, and the points mark can ebb and flow and maybe it will get down to something like 80 again. Yes virtually everyone takes the English exam and the extra points. Getting a PhD for migration purposes is not a good move. I have a PhD and it will be a miserable and probably unsuccessful experience for you unless your motivation is career-related and you have a deep interest and specialisation. It will consume your whole life for 3 years or so and isn't something to do lightly or something that can be done at half-speed. Plus nobody knows what the migration situation will be by the time you are accepted, start study and defend. Just today someone on the hard left of the Labor Party called for big migration cuts. Only Nixon can go to China as they say.

So, from a near-time perspective no it doesn't sound good for a 189 or 190 for you but maybe there's a work visa option and if you keep the window open maybe in a few years the situation will change.

GarryP

• Doing the english test to get extra points is a well worn path, and if you are a native speaker and at your education level, not that difficult.
• I'd say, with your experience, etc. what I'd do is look to get a job with a UK company with an Australian arm, and then look to get posted to Oz. Getting australian companies to go through the hassle to directly recruit you from outside the country is rarely successful unless there's just nobody local they can get.
• Visa points scores went stupid a number of years ago. Look to what score you get with the english points.
• You generally need to show you can sustain yourself for X years in an independent application, so yes. And its not cheap because Oz sees it as a money earner.

Amazulu

Nonsense. Just come as a skilled independent on your own stream and get a job when you arrive - meaning that you can change jobs easily and as often as you like. Your way is a non-starter for the vast majority of migrants - especially today. Engineers rarely have problems finding work

JamesFoster1

Well I've got 75 points. The skilled independent is 189 and the australia gov websige shows no success for anyone under 85 points in last 3 months. What visa are you referring too? Also my job actually stretches across a few engineering types listed on their skillset occupancies. Can you click more than one?

GarryP

Nope, you have to select one (pick the best bet for you).

And is it 75 points with the language ones? I assume yes.

The reason I mention getting a job with a UK company, and then a posting is it allows you to gain both some exposure to Australia from a work perspective, and some points. I've known some people on this route and whilst not as good as skilled independent, it is a least possible (which is more than the skilled route seems to be today). It also allows you to have 'inside' experience, and australians are very parochial about australian vs international experience.