Mandyisere

Here i am in melbourne with 8 months down on a 2 yr employer sponsored visa, i love Australia but hate the job!!!
As a 40 yr old nurse will i be able to get permanency without help from an employer and how long would it take?
I know i'd have to leave the country to validate but i'll just go to the nearest place i can get.
Thanks for your help
Mandy

wmoore

Mandy, as nurses are in demand it should go through pretty quickly - well, compared to those for us mere mortals . I think they are <6 months for nurses but stand / sit to be corrected.

JAJ

You should have a good chance of getting permanency. Nothing is ever guaranteed, as there are health and other criteria, but you have as good a chance as anyone.

You should start reading the General Skilled migration information:
http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/skilled/index.htm

It's not on the DIMIA site yet, but points for the Migration Occupations in Demand List will increase by a further 5 in July.

Alternatively, you could consider employer nominated permanent residence, or an STNI nomination from Victoria. Depends on your circumstances. You could look at the Victoria migration website also:
http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au

General skilled visas do need to be granted offshore, but you can just go to Auckland for a week or so.

You should consult with a competent migration agent to make sure you get things right first time. You're lucky you have not turned 45, as then you would find things *much* harder.

And with respect, your story should serve as a cautionary tale - I am continually saying to people that coming to Australia on a temporary work visa should be a *last* resort. It is normally much better to get your PR visa first and then come to Australia, if this is at all possible.

Jeremy