darrens1

I have recently registered and this is our first post. My name is Darren and my wife is called Joanne The reason for the post is to get as much advise as possible to ensure we move forward in migrating to Australia. It is my view that the best way forward is to ask people who have been through the process or are in a similar position.
I am 41 years young, married with 3 kids.(15, 10, 5)
I have been working as a UK Business Dev Manager / Sales Manager for the past 17 years (Danish companies, specialist products) Prior to that worked abroad for 8 years as Fully qualified Chef (C&G 706/1 706/2 707/1 707/2 Numeracy). I Would like to continue my current profession if at all possible. I am aware of an Australian company in the same line of business who have a number of offices throughout Australia and New Zealand. I am confident that if I made them aware that I was seeking employment they would sponsor me. The only issue with this option is one of restriction. I have recently contacting an agent (Ian Harrop) who has based my application on my chef skills (60 points) and has established that overall I can achieve 120 points. If my application was based on my catering qualifications would I need to go back in the catering business? If so, for how long? If any body can assist or give advise on areas within the website it would be much appreciated.
Many Thanks

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Jockstar

If you apply as an independent skilled migrant based on your chefs experience. Then you dont have to work in that industry when you arrive.

darrens1

Thanks for that. So to clarify I can continue with my visa,based on my chef qualifications and once the visa is granted I can work in my chosen profession. Our ultimate goal is to get permanent residency, once the visa is granted do you have to rent for 6 months prior to buying a house?

thebears

3 points

1 with the visa I think you need to have recent experience in that field ie the last 12 months - just check up on that point.

2 Perhaps making contact with these Australian companies could allow for them to sponsor you?

3 You don't need PR to buy a house, if you dont have it you go through FIRB approval which can take about 2 or 3 weeks - unfortunately that is along time when battling with other buyers. The renting is worth doing as part of the buying process if you get my drift (sussing out the location that is right for you).

curly

Agreed, but he couldn't apply at the moment for a visa based on his chef's experience as have to have worked in that field for 12 out of the last 18 months.

darrens1

I have not worked as a chef for the past 17 years but will always be fully qualified with all the relevant C&G qualifications. Based on your'e feedback (which is appreciated) are you saying that I would not be entitled to the 60 points (Skilled Independent assessment) to be part of my overall score on my visa assessment application.

curly

Hi Darren, if I were you I'd give an agent a ring , they will clarify matters on the phone, for free

shiels

I have to agree with curly on this one as my OH was in a similar situation when we first started the process, he's a baker by trade but has'nt done it for 15+ years.

But having said that we used Ian Harrop and he really knows his stuff. So if he thinks he can get you a visa then i would certainly listen to his point of view!! C x

darrens1

Thanks for the reply will speak to an agent first thing Monday Morning. Can you advise of any good agents? Initially I will probably end up getting as much info as possible and completing the poaperwork myself, simply to try and save the money.

darrens1

Hi there. As your OH was in a similar situation to mine, how have you gone about the process? No doubt I am going through what you have already experienced. Did you use Ian Harrop? What stage are you at?

curly

yes, we used Go Matilda, they have offices in Southampton, aswell as in Melbourne. Tel: 02380 488777 (Sothampton) or you can email Alan Collett, who owns the company at [email protected] they also have a good website, with lots of links www.gomatilda.com

darrens1

Thanks, Ive heard of them I was advised Ian Harrop were also good. I suppose the first stage is to get a good experienced Agent who's prices are reasonable. A little cautious as friends of ours paid a lot o money to a company that ended up being bogus. What stage of the process are you at? Have you used your OH experience and Baking qualifications (Pressume he's got) to generate points?

shiels

I'd love to help but although we may have started off in the same position our circumstances changed when we talked to Ian Harrop!!
We spoke to lots of agents before Ian and they all had the same facts, about the Baking and the fact that OH mom was Australian born, but had lived in UK from the age of 18 and also deceased for the past 16 years. We were unable to use the baking because OH had no recent experience. One agent even suggested we tried for a student visa!!!
It was Ian who told us that OH could be entitled to 'Citizenship by Descent'.
This was around 8-10 months ago, OH is now an Australian Citizen and has an Australian passport and myself and my 2 children have visa's too (spouse). Looks like we will be in Aus by the end of May and we are just wondering when this rollercoaster ride is going to stop!!!!

This is why I could'nt recommend Ian enough.

Within this time we've also been to Aus for a reccie trip!! C x

darrens1

It looks like Ian Harrop is probably a good agent to be using based on recommendations from this site. Thanks for all your help.