martinw01908

Hi, I've finally been able to get the time off to visit Aus. I plan to visit Syndey, Melbourne and possibly Brisbane in Nov. Will be around for 3 weeks. The main purpose of the trip apart from a holiday is to fact find regarding how easy to find work, if there are good wages doing what I do (electronics engineer, fault finding circuits), and the keeness of companies to employ and sponsor me. I have chatted to a few agencies here. One said they would get back to me but they never did. I think this is because my work is specialist and I haven't got a degree, the other said I would have to get my skills/qualifications assessed to meet AUS requirements. He said even with this I am still 5 points short and would have to invest to get the remaining 5. I can afford this but its a big thing to do. If I pass 35 (18 months to go) I will lose five more points so seemingly will never get in. This is doing the skilled migration route. I see people who are older than 35 still moving out there, so it must be possible?

I think the basic problem is that I haven't got a degree so I lose a few points? Yet I am MOD trained, and have been to college and have 15 years in the trade.

So I am hoping my visit to Oz will bear more fruit by speaking to the right people. My question is, who do I chat to about this and where do I go? How do I go about this? Any help much appreciated.

Australia_bound?

Hi
First step would be what you where told get your skills assessed, find out assessing authority and bung in an application should only take a few months at most. If you get a positive skills assessment the rest is far less daunting. Oh and don't worry people getting in who've gone 45 so you haven't got too much to worry about. Oh and for job prospects wages look here LINK

Good luck and keep us all updated on any progress

martinw01908

Thanks for that. I had a look at that website - it says "These figures cannot be used in determining a particular wage rate or as an indication of what a person will earn in that job."

I'll look at getting a skill assessment. The problem is there are seperate job descriptions that cover part of what I do, but not all of it together.

ie: ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT TRADESPERSONS install, modify, maintain and repair electronic instruments and control systems. I modify, maintain and repair, but do not install. This only currently in telecoms.

and: ELECTRONIC AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT TRADESPERSONS maintain, adjust and repair video and audio equipment, typewriters, calculators, cash registers and other commercial and office machines. I do this sort of thing but not with video and audio equipment currently. I have done this with test equipment and even cash registers though.

In other words I have adaptable skills that aren't specific to this job descriptions but are related. How specific do these job descriptions need to be relation to what you actually do? The problem I am getting is nobody seems to do this work much anymore and nobody seems to know much about what I should do. The agents aren't technical and probably don't come across this very often. What my chances are based on this? I would just like to know this so I know which skills to be assessed for which occupation you see...

Is there anybody I can talk to in Australia about this and who should I speak to over there? I hoped that if I visited I would be clearer about what to do then speaking to agents who don't know what I do for a living.

martinw01908

I keep speaking to people who say electronics people like me should be snapped up in Aus, but I can't seem to find any jobs advertised.

I'd just like to know where to start when I arrive at Sydney in Nov (research trip)

Can anyone suggest anything please?

The problem I also have is points for Qualifications and i can't seem to find any agents who have a clue what I do!

The Bloke

The agencies always say that. The onus is on you to keep hounding them because of the vast number of people that have registered with them, it is impossible/impractical to keep in contact with everyone. I would assume that your skills aren't on the DIMA skills list because there possibly isn't a shortage in that area.

The Bloke

Have you tried posting your query on the Immigration Forum?

Jockstar

My advice!!!DO NOT USE AN AGENT!!!!! Its so easy to do on your own. If your job is in demand then contact TRA and get assessed. Then take it from there. Whats the points now adays? When i done it it was 110 and i had way over that. About 130 if i remember. 60 points trade(electrician) 30 points for my age as i was under 30 and a few other things which i cant remember about. Good luck anyway. Remember my 2nd sentence. It will cost you more! Its easy to do it on your own. What i did was when i was living NZ i had a first free interview with and agent. I then asked them all the things i needed to know and done my own homework. Its EASY! Trust me!

martinw01908

Thanks for the replies. Good advice about not using an agent. I am 33 so I've lost 5 points now. I'm told to make it up I will have to invest $100,000, in a government bound to get the 5 points I need to get to 130. Perhaps I ought to go to the immigration forum sorry for misposting.

JAJ

Pass mark for skilled independent is 120, not 130. If you decide not to use an agent you will need to be very precise in your approach to the requirements. If you don't meet the requirements for a visa your application will be refused by DIMA without any hesitation.

Jockstar

Its pretty easy to do on your own. IMHO. Some people dont have the time to do it on their own or are just plain lazy. But its so easy to do on your own. Just make sure you provide everything they ask for and a bit more. Using an agent, doesnt make it easier . You have a check list of what you need to include. So if you include all thats asked for then no worries. The agent will do the same thing by telling you need this and this etc and you pay them a fortune for not actually do much for you. IMHO