stevemich

Posted this on immigration forum last week, but not much help, so thought I would try here!
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Hi

I am based in Sydney and am currently on a 457 visa that runs out very early June 07.
Since I arrived (with the exception of about 10 weeks in all) my sponsoring employer has been seconding me out to a government department, who have now indicated that they would like to offer me a position permanently themselves.

So my questions are:

• Is it difficult to transfer sponsoring companies and are there any restrictions?
• Would it be a quick process?
• I would like assistance with a PR application to be part of my new contract conditions, will this be affected by my defection between sponsors?
• I seem to remember reading something about working for the same employer for 2 years (maybe this is for citizenship? – I would like this at some point too if possible). Technically I have been working for the company that will (hopefully) be sponsoring me for PR for 18 months, but would this count toward my 2 years as they have not been my formal salary paying employer? Or will I have to start this 2 year thing from scratch.

Sorry if this sounds a bit vague/confused, but I am just starting out on trying to sort out my options.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Steve