Hello All,
I am a Uk qualified indentured Electrician (12 yrs exp), I came to Australia thinking I could just sit a 'VETASSES' exam, get my qualifications swapped over and start working and apply for a skilled migrant visa in country (foolishly) . As it goes you cant sit the exam in Australia strangely.....

So, I am currently on a 417 Working Holiday Visa.
I have a white card and I'm working for CAT, via a sub contractor in Brisbane, QLD. Not as an electrician..

I would like to live/stay in Australia, I have an Aunty and Uncle in Cairns who may be able to sponsor me but I havent asked them (I dont really want to - even though I would pay all the fees etc)

I am willing to relocate to any part of Australia if needs be. I am currently a little bit lost.. I dont know if I should try and seek employment and ask a potential employer if they are willing to sponsor me, ask my family if they would sponsor me, or try to 'make it for myself' so to speak..

The whole immigration website seems to make sense - apply for a visa eg. 176 or 4** etc but then it gets confusing as to where to apply from, if you can apply in country etc..

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated!

I dont know the ins and outs of the Vetasses. But is it possible to do it in Nz? Or could you not start the ball rolling for your skilled migrant visa? First get trade recognised and away you go. When i got my visa i done it on my own. Thats was 2002 i applied and had it by 2003. Not sure what its like now. Good luck in whatever you do.

If you can find someone to sponsor you on a 457, 475 or 495 visa, you can apply to the TRA from within Aus instead of Vetasses outside Aus?.

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Progr...ages/home.aspx

Don't really know what each one is, so here's links them:

457 - http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/

475 - http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...migration/475/

495 - http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...ptions-495.htm

Thanks for the help so far!

I've been reading a bit more, is there a way where I can apply for artc at the TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) as a 'Electrical mechanic' and then sit some exams to get the full electrican grade and eventually licenced??

Is that a viable path or have I misread or intpreted something wrong (probably! )

Thanks, Jim

You need to have one of the visa's I mentioned above. Unfortunately a WHV is not classed as an eligible temporary visa.

I have my TRA on a WHV... I applied on the 1st of September 2010 and it was granted on 17th of September 2010

Cool

Maybe you could share how you went about it with the OP.

It doesn't tell you how to do it on a WHV on the TRA site that I could see, so I'm sure he'd appreciate the help

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Progr...AppForm1-8.pdf

download this form, fill it in. where it asks your visa type select. 417 Working Holiday Visa.

gather your evidence then pay the fee and send it off.

That is pretty smart then. What sort of 'electrician' did you put down on the form and what sort of evidence did you supply to support your application. I have in mind what I need to provide but i'm not totally sure. Any help would be cool. (I am reading through previous post at the moment)