Newbie
 

Hi Folks,

I'm brand new to this forum! Hope there are some nice people out there can help me with some advice.

My Wife and I and our three young kids are looking very seriously at the possibility of a move from UK to OZ. I have been told the process can take up to 2 years and can be costly. I guess that's the first question - how long did it take you and what was your total outlay.

I'm a professional project manager having experience in both aerospace and the IT arena. My wife has done some nursing work but has no formal qualification. She also has an Uncle living in Brisbane who would be willing to sponsor us. I have done one of the on line soring tests and got 125.

What is the best was to approach this - skilled independant or family sponsored (or both)? I guess the ideal scenario would be to have a job to go to but I have no idea what is available. Are the agencies a rip off or a must to wade through the paperwork?

Any advice from someone who has been though this from end to end would be most appreciated.....

Re: Newbie
 

Can't really advise as I'm doing de facto spouse, but others will help! I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the forum...you'll wonder how you ever coped without it!
:D

welcome plug
 

hi plug

we are applying for our visa as skilled designated area sponsered.
My husband is a ceramic wall and floor tiler and my uncle lives in queensland. We went through an agent called concept australia and they pretty much handle everything for us. We have had to get references from Johns employers and all the places he buys his materials from and we started this in March 2003, we have only just submitted the info that the TRA want. We were told this will take about 3-4 months to pass and then the visa application will be 9months to a year from then. a long process but I'm sure it will be worth it. We are all going out to oz on december 8th for a month to have a look around.

good luck with it all and welcome.
Sally

Hello plug

I've just sent off all of our documentation today (yikes!!) so can share with you what we've been through so far....

Originally we were going to aim for my work to take me out there but when we thought about it, why wait for something that may not happen?!

So we got in touch with migration agents Parris & Shah www.australianmigrationspecialists.com.au 3 months ago after they sucessfully secured visas for one of my colleagues and his wife.

Parris has been an absolute star and advised us of best course of action to take. I'm going as skilled sponsored, I'm a Sales Operations Manager for a 'large software organisation' :) & my uncle & aunt are doing the sponsorship bit. Hubby's going on spouse visa as I had most points.

The one thing that did go against us is that neither of us have a degree but the roles we hold would normally require one.

As a result of that the part that's taken the longest was for me to get all my references in order - they really do want every last fleck of proof in regards to your employment. I also had to tell my current employers of my intentions as I needed them to write some of them!

So now apart from a medical at some point we just sit and wait, given the sponsorship we're very hopeful that it will be a quick answer for us!

Welcome to expats Plug.
Can't really help you with all your questions. Have the removals in today, and just keep flicking in and out of expats.
Good luck with your application and move if you decide to go ahead.

Whisky

Hi everyone also fairly new but we applied beginning of July we have had our house on the market for 12 weeks now sorted out the rubbish and just waiting for something to happen good luck

Sally

Re: Newbie
 

Hiya,

If i was you I'd give Alan Collet a call at Go Matilda. He'll listen to your situation and advise you on the best route.
He gave my husband and I some good advice and no pressure to use them as an agency.
Personally we are using his agency as the amount of paper work looks to overwhelming to go it alone. Yes, it is pricey but i think its worth it, cuts out the agro involved. Do a search on agencies on the forum and see what others have said. Good Luck.
Tazzy

Re: Newbie
 

Hi

Welcome to the otherside !!

Have applied skilled independent so we will be no use. Someone on here however will bound to be of help.

Good luck with it all.

footie chick

Re: Newbie
 

Hello, the first thing you need to do is to get your job recognised, my husband had to have his recognised by TRA ( Trade Recognition Australia ) once they decided that he had the 60 points needed he then could go ahead and get all the other information he needed, i.e. Birth Certificates etc, so the first thing you must do is sort out your job skills the rest is easier, we are using Concept Australia based in Kent, charging £1000 plus the DIMIA fees and medicals, visa costs on top!!!! Good Luck.

I too would recommend Allan Collett of Go Matilda.
If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have had any idea on how to get around our difficulties.

Whisky

Hi,

We applied skilled independant and didn't bother using an agent. The forms aren't too complicated and you still have to gather the info. together to send to an agent, so why not send it direct and save the money.

Hardest part of the process for us was the skills assessment. Jim is in IT and the ACS wanted details of the marks he got for individual modules of his degree course from 15 years ago! All references had to be on company headed paper and in great detail. It was plain sailing from then on. Took 3 months for the skills assessment and then 6 months after that before visa granted.

Jane

Allan Collett again- He is reliable and has got so many people their visas on this site that you can't go wrong!

Once you have your skills assessment back expect to wait around 12 months for the visa. It could come quicker- ours took 7 months and others have had their in 3! If you apply at the beginning of the year they seem to get processed quicker.

Hi All,

Thanks for all the messages, I'm just starting to read through them now, nice to know we are not alone!

Hi

I would guess that like us maybe skilled - australian sponsored would be a good idea. You should perhaps get an agent to advise you . You get points for qualifications and also for relatives.

Good Luck - it has taken us 2 years & we have just heard that our application has been successful - I hope yours is too.

Best wishes::)

Just wanted to add that we also are using Alan Collet as our agent...very helpful.

Hi Jane,

Many thanks for the information. I was interested in your responce as I would like to avoid the cost of an agent. Where did you start with forms, are they available online? Does this have to be done by post?

We are going to visit my wife's Uncle early next year in Brisbane as an eye opener for my wife and kids as I used to live in NZ and visited Oz a number of times.

Thanks for your help.

Hi Mark,

Seems like I'm the only one not recommending an agent!

If you go to the website www.immi.gov.au, all the info you need is there. You can download the forms from the website. You have to pay a fee though, but its not much.

The hardest part for us was getting the skills assessment. You need references from all your employers, and as Jim is self-employed in IT, he has worked for a lot of different companies.

Apart from the skills assessment, the other stuff you need is fairly basic, birth and marriage certificates etc. You need to send certified copies but the website explains everything.

Hope this helps,
Jane

Hi Jane,

Just checked out the website you recommended - looks great - many thanks for your help in getting us started!