davenanne

I specialised in mobile engine tuning from 1985-2002(17 years). I was self employed and never took any exams or served an apprenticeship. In the early days I went out with someone experienced until I had learnt the ropes. has anybody else been in this situation and how did you fare? How would I stand regarding the point's system?

As my children have got older (now 8 & 11 years) I have changed direction in my career and now run my own metal fabrication and moulding business again with no formal qualifications and have successfully traded since 2002.
I have NO mortgage. NO debts, my wife, children and myself are all in good health.....I think!!! and would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation and to hear all your comments, negative or positive.

jacknat

welcome, i'm not sure of the answer but i know you don't have to have an apprenticeship and experience does count.

someone on here will be able to help more, also look in the oz immigration forum

good luck with it all

soonbethere

I know if you can get someone who can varify that you have had the experience (apprenticeship in effect) you should be ok , not all people have a written qualification, Oz immigration is good because they look at experience, not just qualifications (as NZ does), I looked into this myself and managed to get through the TRA, as long as you have evidence and it is written in a way that will satisfy the powers that be. I think it would be best to go throu an agent (like I'm doing) they have all the knowledge to get you through.

Jempower

good day!!! well you sound like your a man of means!!! If you don't go for skilled there's always starting a company route, you sound like you would cut the cloth.

robert cowan

[QUOTE=davenanne]I specialised in mobile engine tuning from 1985-2002(17 years). I was self employed and never took any exams or served an apprenticeship. In the early days I went out with someone experienced until I had learnt the ropes. has anybody else been in this situation and how did you fare? How would I stand regarding the point's system?

As my children have got older (now 8 & 11 years) I have changed direction in my career and now run my own metal fabrication and moulding business again with no formal qualifications and have successfully traded since 2002.
I have NO mortgage. NO debts, my wife, children and myself are all in good health.....I think!!! and would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation and to hear all your comments, negative or positive.

you need to see an agent oe visas are good. i have no formal qualifications in plasterering and i got a visa.

Alan Collett

- There are two work experience/qualification issues to consider if you are looking at a skilled visa: the requirements of the skills assessing body (likely to be Trades Recognition Australia for your occupation), and the requirements of the Department of Immigration.

- You can secure a skills assessment classification based on your work experience and qualifications from several years ago, so long as it is capable of being suitably evidenced. Note that you don't need qualifications to secure a positive assessment from TRA.

- The DIMIA will require you to meet a recent skilled work experience requirement as a basic condition of lodging your visa application.

- You may also need to consider your skilled work experience in the last 4 years if you want to claim points for Specific Work Experience.

- As others have said, as you have your own business you may have a business skills visa strategy available to you. However, most of the business skills visas are provisional at the outset (ie they are a two step process to permanent residency), and therefore given a choice I would be looking at the skilled visa pathway first.

- Information about business skills visas is here:
http://www.gomatilda.com/visas/busin..._migration.cfm
http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/business/index.htm

- In case of need:
http://www.gomatilda.com/contact.cfm#appraisal

Best regards.