Hi ,

OK, so I have just started my skilled visa application. I am an electrician in the UK. The cost of this is quite a lot (£6500 ish) and it seems there are a lot of hoops to jump through before we can go! We have just had some bad news about my wife's job in the UK. It is now going to be a struggle to pay for this visa process.

I have a step auntie that lives in Paradise Island QLD, and from what I have read and the zip code she is in, she will be able to sponsor me. I think this visa is for 4 years.

Does any one know if the cost of this visa is less than the Skilled visa route?

If I get this visa, can I apply for a full or skilled visa once I'm living in Australia?

Can I work in Australia with this visa?

Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers

Jay

Which visa are you looking at - what number visa class?

Even if you can get points for having a relative here (and I doubt a step-aunt will count), you will still need to get your skills assessed and pay the fees for the visa, and if you come on a temporary visa and go for PR later you'll end up paying more in the long run. Its also a long process to get your license once you are here so that you can work as an electrician. I;m not trying to put you off, but if you can't afford the visa process, are you sure you can survive until you are licensed and earning here?

But let us know what visa you are looking at and then someone can give you more detailed advice.

(its not zip code here, by the way, tht the USA, most Aussie won't know that - here its a postcode )

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I cant remember the actual visa number, I am using a company to sort it out. From what I have read, a step auntie is OK to be a sponsor.

I see what you are saying about the money but hopefully, both myself and my wife would be working in Australia, therefore we should be able to afford to have my skills assessed whilst we are already down there.

I've also heard that even when I get my skilled visa, it's not worth the paper it's written on. I would be unlikely to be given a job as a TA electrician any way. So I would probably end up doing a different job. This is why I wanted to know if I could work on this visa. So I could pay for the skills assessment whilst I am in Australia.

I don't know??? I'm just trying to see what other options are available to us?!

Sorry about the zip code thing.......I know it is annoying to be compared to Amercians!!lol

Jay

Just don't want you to fall foul of Aussies who aren't familiar with the term!

If you are using a registered agent, you need to find out from them what visa number they are looking at if you want good feedback from here

I'm better on Spouse Visas than Skilled, which is why I'm not sure if a step-aunt can sponsor, but I'm sure people online in the morning will be able to help more.

I do know that as an electrician you would have to jump through a few hoops here to get licensed, so you may well have to work in another field for a time at least.
Depending on what visa the agent is putting you up for though, you may have to work in a certain area, or possibly even be sponsored by an emloyer and tied to that job for a while - thats why the visa number is important, so we can look at all the clauses and make you aware of the pitfalls Its highly likely though that you would need a skills assessment before coming, even with family sponsorship.

Old.sparkles is good on skills visas and electrical licensing stuff, so I'm sure she'll have a chat with you - might be a few hours to wait though as she has family visiting at present.

Its probably a 489 the agent is thinking of, so have a look at Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) for now

Hi,

I believe it is a "Skilled Independent Visa" 189. Does that make sense? I will do a skills assessment here, an English test and a medical and police check. This visa will allow me to gain a provisional licence to work as a TA electrician. I would then need to study and work as a TA for around 6/12 months until I can get my A grade licence.

But I have read on some forums that Australian sparky's don't think much of this "provisional licence", so it is hard to find employment. And without employment, I can't get my A grade licence. Catch twenty2 comes to mind.lol

Jay

OK, 189 info is here - Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and there is a fee calculator on one of the tabs.
Have a read of some of the threads in our electricians forum too as that will give you an idea of what is needed to get licensed over here.

Electricians - British Expats

old'sparkles is the expert on that stuff for sure!

The visa won't help you get licensed but the OTSR issued with your skills assessment will. To get a full license you will need to do some gap training - wiring rules, OH&S, Elec rescue from Live, etc - and complete a log book, e-profiling, or similar.

When it comes to finding work, you don't have to take TA work. If you are a good electrician and working with a larger company you can work as a spark as long as there are others around to 'supervise'. Best advice I was given was to apply to company's hiring directly rather than through a recruiter as they look more at your CV rather than having the full license.

Where you move to will affect your route though as all states seem to be doing things differently. Are you headed to QLD?

hi,

thanks for the reply. Yes we are hoping to move to the Gold Coast QLD. That's where my step aunt lives, so we will have some one to talk to and help us out.

cheers

Jay

Maybe have a look here then - http://britishexpats.com/forum/elect.../#post11487204

Thanks OS.

Looking at the link, it looks like its harder to get a job as a TA in QLD?? It seems you cant get a job until you have a full A licence and you cant get your A licence without a job??
Are the other states like this? we have been looking at NSW as well.

I also have a JIB (Joint Industry Board) gold card. Is this recognized in Australia?

Jay

I have to ask, what's a 'step aunt'?

My mums husbands, sister. On the Aus gov website, it says these are acceptable but it seems that route might be a waste of time. I wish the uk made it this hard for migrants.lol

Jay

They do, apart from people from the EU, but that's a two way traffic anyway.

you may be able to get work in NSW without a license - check out threads in the electricians section.