glittababe

4 weeks to go till we fly (me, hubby and 3 kids) to Brisbane....but has anyone ever heard of doing it this way????? I'm a nurse goin through an agency in Brisbane. They've advised me and kids to enter Oz on an ETA then when we get to Brisbane they will organise the sponsorship visa? As you can imagine we're slightly concerned as no one else I know has done it this way!

Anyway just to be on the safe side we've decided to rent out our house in the UK and we've obviously got return tickets! Kids are really excited but will they face a shock as we're escorted back on the plane after 3 months!!!!

Grayling

Sounds a bit dodgy to me.
You will still need medicals etc. No guarantee of visa.
If you are a nurse why not go the usual PR route and do it properly and safely.
You will be processed quickly.

Be very careful.You can not work on an ETA and DIMIA will take a dim view if you break any rules.

I would take some advice from an agent before you even get on the plane.

G

Grayling

PS
Are you even registered to work in Queensland? It will take a while to organise your documents.

G

HugoB

What kind of sponsorship are they offering - are they sponsoring you or another employer? When I last looked in to it there didn't seem to be many employers offering permanent residency sponsorship - only temp.
Sounds interesting. Have you posted this on the nursing forum too? Might get some more help there?

Hope it works out tho, let us know

HB x

glittababe

Yep I'm officially a Queensland State Registered Nurse with a badge and all. That was something I organised last year. Apparently the medical, bloods and CXR will be done in Brisbane when we arrive. My sponsorship is via Bowen Health District in Northern Qld and they have said I won't be able to work for the 3 mths. The agency organising this has a good reputation and a Labour Skills agreement with the DIMIA but the recruitment consultant said she'd been able to get visa's in 48 hrs!!! Sounds too good to be true?

I'm being very cautious, done lots of research and spoken to the HR manager from Bowen. He is also concerned as he would normally organise PR at least 6 mths prior to our arrival! OH God!!!!

glittababe

Didn't know there was a nursing forum! The sponsorship is PR via a health authority that I have been in contact with since I last visited Qld in 2002. However as I decided to use an agency Bowen Health has said its happy to go via them, but they are concerned (as am I) that my visa is not being organised until I land! Scary as I leave next month!:scared:

Grayling

Hi
I would still take advice from an agent. DIMIA may not be too happy if you enter on an ETA with a view to taking a job.

There are also problems working on a temporary sponsored visa as you are tied to your employer.
Nurse visas are processed very quickly. ANC recognition of skills for PR is very easy if you are already registered in a state. There is a modified assessment for such cases.
It may work but I would certainly not try to migrate on this basis.

Good luck

G

HugoB

I guess if you've looked in to it as much as you can and it all seems possible, it's just a question of taking the risk or doing it from here first. From what i gether, front loaded nursing skilled independent visas can take as little as 3 months anyway from here (then you're not tied to any contracts etc) - nursing forum is off the main britishexpats forum page and scroll down - you can askl for some time lines on there from others who are waiting (wish I could give you mine but I can't even apply 'til next April!!)

HB x

glittababe

Very wise. I was concerned before, even more so now! If only I drank alcohol - I could do with a whisky!!! Thanks ever so Grayling, will pass on my concerns (again) to the agency

glittababe

Just about to email the agency again to pass on my concerns. Everytime I do ask them they give lots of reassurance and tell me it'll all be sorted. If only I'd asked the forum 3 mths again I'd have organised it from here, that way I wouldn't be having sleepless nights! Thanks again and I'll let you know how it all goes (or doesn't go!) Night night Annie

Grayling

glittababe
I am sure this has cropped before. Not that long ago.
You could try a search but am not sure what keywords you would use.
The DIMIA website may help.

www.immi.gov.au

Good luck

G

JAJ

I wonder why people insist on doing things the complex way when you could apply for a general skilled visa and (assuming you meet the requirements) have PR in a few months, in most cases.

Nurses get priority so usually things go quickly unless there are some specific complications (eg health checks, police check from somewhere 'exotic', a child custody issue etc).

That way you could arrive in Australia and have full PR rights from Day one.

Are you *fully* aware of the risks and limitations of a temporary (457) visa?

Concerning arriving on an ETA, you are only supposed to use this to visit Australia as a tourist and DIMIA are within their rights to refuse entry on arrival. That's not to say this happens all the time but it can happen.

What's your plan to get PR? Do be aware that some people have posted here recently with a problem where the PR process has hit problems, eg due to a health issue.

Jeremy

glittababe

Well the agency are organising the visa, I was assured not to worry - but now I'm worried!!! I have phoned and emailed the agency almost daily as I had my reservations about entering on an ETA from day 1. I wasn't going to worry about PR so much as I really want to see how we settle first. If it doesn't work out then we can come home as I'm not giving up the house etc but yes the thought of being turned away at immigration isn't the nicest welcome I could envisage!!!