Hello this is my first post.
Any advice gratefully received. Our application has just been delivered to Adelaide. I knew about the 20 hour rule from DIMIA and therefore because I work 19 contracted hours weekly I started to do some agency work (I am a nurse). Because of the nature of shift work I worked sometimes two extra shifts one week and none the next (only the 19 contracted hours). I sent evidence of this work to DIMIA which states that I worked 440 hours from July 02 to August 03. However I have since seen that 20 hours must be worked each week. I have asked for help in various places with not much response except wait and see from Dimia and Go Matilda but its getting really painful and disturbing sleep big time.
Please help or give opinions. Thanks Muzzwoman :scared:

Hello Muzzwoman,

Panic not!
I am only contracted to work 15 hours per week so did the same as you and worked some bank shifts but sometimes only 1 per month, this was never questioned at all by DIMIA, we got our visas 14 weeks after submitting application.
Good luck,

Michaela

You beauty, what a star, I might get some sleep tonight, now I can start worrying about mmr booster jab that I didnt let daughter have due to controversy and effect if any on medicals. Thanks, Karen

hi Michaela,
phew!! thanks for that!!
I worked full time for the first month back at work, then dropped down to 18 hours from 1st October with the odd overtime/agency shift. I had only just noticed this recently, and was contemplating upping my hours to 24, but if Im ok staying as I am for the next 9 months Id rather do that!!!!
was it questioned on your anci assessment?
sue

Hello Sue,
It wasnt questioned at all, though I worked extra shifts just in case I didnt submit the evidence for these and just sent my statement of employment which clearly stated that I job share and a payslip which showed 15 hours per week. Neither ANC or DIMIA asked for anything else but I was awarded the extra points.
It means I did a year of horrible nights for nothing!

Have you submitted skills assessment yet Sue?

Michaela

p.s. just realised I've posted this under hubbys username, he never logs out! mcmercer

hi Michaela,
he he...no, not yet, Im just evidence gathering at the moment - its a VERY slow process! I worked full time agency for many years before taking 3 years out to have the boys, and prior to that another agency that has now closed down - 3 years of my nursing career down the pan!!
will probably get my finger out after the new year!

Sue

michaela have you changed your username!!?

Sue,
Havnt changed username, just added a p.s. on above post!

I was concerned about ANC assessment as I had a year off to have my daughter, then a years career break 2 years later which meant my 12 out of 18 months was a bit dicey, it turned out to be no problem though!
Collecting the stuff for that was the worst part of the whole process, make sure you get 2 copies of everything because DIMIA want a copy of everything you send to ANC as well as your original skills assessment!
ANC are very efficient though, I recently contacted them to ask them to send my file to Queensland nursing council for registration and I got an e-mail after 48 hours to say it had been received!
Good luck!

Michaela

now I can start worrying about mmr booster jab that I didnt let daughter have due to controversy and effect if any on medicals. Thanks, Karen [/QUOTE]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wont have any effect on your medicals, may be a problem when you get here with schools/kindy but you will be able to work it out.

My son had his booster on Monday, his arm has swelled up like Arnie's and he's going around saying "look at my muscles".

Di

Hi Muzzwoman.....I am with you all the way on this one as last year I was just gathering all my info for skills testing and thought I would be in Oz by now....however I stumbled accross the 20 hour rule and at the time Id dropped to 10 hours as my husband was living in at Hendon to train for the police (he had no choice but to live in) and I had no choice (due to child care commitments) to drop one of my 2 nights (I was lucky my mum looked after my son once a week)
However it ment theat I had to start my 12 months all over again (it will be 12 months at 20 hours in April) I was too scared to try my luck!! I could have cried, and Ive been stuck doing 2 nights a week ever since. Just out of interest can I apply for my skills to be tested even though Ive not done anything else or is there a set amount of time it is valid for? As I can not apply for visa until April.

Anyway I have my fingers crossed for you hun. Hugs x

Hi, I am a little unsure exactly what you mean when you say you haven't done anything else. I think you can apply to ANCI now to have skills assesed-I don't think they require you to have worked 20 hours for 12 months. The skills assessment is valid for 2 years. So you could apply for that now, it takes about 4-6 weeks and then it will be ready for you to send with your application in April, when you have 12 months.

I needn't have worried, we were asked to get police checks and medicals new years eve, we had sent them before crimbo, so now we are just waiting.

Good luck, where are you heading WM?

muzzwoman

Ok firstly sorry for asking the same question twice (see nursing thread)......just realised you answerd it here! Im glad that I can get on and apply for skills testing, I was unsure how long it was valid for so thanks for that. What I ment by not doing anything else is that I have not done anything with regards to visa application as I cant (can I)? until Ive got proof of 12 months at 20 hours which is in April. Ive got to refresh myself on what needs doing as I stashed everything away last year when I realised I was under the hours required to apply.

I was hoping to work in NSW......I know it best of all the places I went to and have a few friends there. Also visited a few of the hospitals and they seemed okay, have a friend working in Westmead Hospital nr Sydney.

Anyway best get on the case getting my references and so on together......thanks again. Hugs x