Alan Collett

Thanks James. I am onto it.

Best regards.

Pollyana

Thanks James, well spotted. I actually clicked on it when Alan first posted it and it was fine, looks like he's been the victim of something nasty since then

Alan - I've removed the post for now for the sake of your integrity! I know it was fine when you posted it

Alan Collett

Thanks Polly - I appreciate you doing that.

We're straight onto the problem - I have spoken with my web design man in the last 5 minutes and the offending page has now been taken down.

Steps will be taken to ensure it doesn't happen again ...

Best regards.

James.Mears

I am more than happy to have helped,
I have to say I love this site for information, So far just from reading the forum (most of the day) between checking out the links and stuff
I have had a few questions answered.
Unfortunatly These have led to more questions :0)
I am just writing down my questions so I can get them out in 1 shot.
Really looking forward to the answer's
Thanks again for the help so far

James.Mears

Hello Everyone,

I have been wanting to Migrate to Australia for many years and now is the right time I feel for me to start the Investigation & application process.

I have a few questions That I would appreciate some assitence with.

My proffesion is on the SOL Schedule 2 List : ICT Customer support Officer 313112

When a skills assesment is need, What is the process ? Will it be a test or will they go on information you provide like Certifications & work experience ?

Also would your current employer be taken into consideration ? The reason I ask is because my employer is Highly regarded through out the world and it is renowned to be hard to be offerd a position there ?

I am wondering what the factors are between the 2 Schedules ?

I have read that it is rare that State Sponsorship is offered unless Highly needed, Is this true ?

I am wondering because my proffesion is on the SOL list BUT only on the schedule 2 list ?

I have also read mixed thoughts on the new EOI,
Will it really be harder to aquire sponsorship when this comes into affect.

Also (correct me if im wrong) at present it is possible to be granted a visa and make the decision to either look for employment from "home" or move to Oz and search for a Job

BUT

When the EOI comes into affect you have to wait to be invited to apply for a visa, Which would make it more difficult plus would you have to have a job offer before you move to Oz or could you still look for one whilst there ?

I would Like to apply for both State Sponsorship & Skilled Migration to improve my chances but like many on here I do not have an endless amount of cash, I have heard that there are some state Governments that do not charge for applying.

Does anybody know which ones these would be ?
If there are such State Governments.

Also my last and final question ( for now)

Is there any such thing as a Migration agent that would specialise in the IT sector ?

I'm sure there are things I have forgotten but thats everything I have on my note pad for now.

Thank you so much for advice that may be given and I hope some of the answers help others.

Oh and I have my fingers crossed for everbody on this forum still waiting for a positive answer

James


EDIT:

Also I forgot to mention that I'm going back out there in December for a month and was wondering if anybody would know of any Job agencies that would give me an interview while there,

I am planning on touring the country because last time I lived there on a WHV I settled down in Sydney and Magnetic Island majority of the time, So where the agency is really wouldn't make too much of a diffrence.

Thank You

James.Mears

Hello,

1 More question:

If I go for state sponsorship, Does this mean I will have to be offered/have a job before I can move to Oz or be considered for a Visa ?

newjersey

State sponsorship do not require job offers except in very limited circumstances that do not seem to apply to you anyway. Schedule 2 job needs state sponsorship and schedule 1 does not, that's pretty much all the difference visa wise. The state sponsors you if they have places in their curren year quota, in addition to all the other criteria and commitments they have, you will need to study each state's program.

Also, please do not bump threads in a couple of hours, it is considered bad netiquette.

James.Mears

Hi Newjersy,

Thanks for the Info, That answers some more questions I had,

What do you mean by:

"Also, please do not bump threads in a couple of hours, it is considered bad netiquette."

What is Bumping threads, If you mean by "double posting" The reason I did that was because the Edit option was not available for my first post anymore. Maybe you only have 2 chances to edit a post ?

Regards,

James

Grayman

I posted recently about how I am at around 50 points for the 175 Visa (although I speak the Queens english so would that make me Superior in English? as that would get me to 60).

Basically I want an agent or agnecy that could either assist with obtaining the points required, or advise on going a different route, like getting a job offer.

Are there any agencies people could recommend from experience? I believe getting a job offer is my strongest chance, so if agents that specialise in that route would be ideal.

Cheers

newjersey

To get points for English you will need to pass the IELTS with scores of 8 and above in each section. If your occupation is on schedule 2 of the SOL you can get sponsored by the state and get extra points this way. If that does not work, you can try regional visas, they have a bit lower requirements, but the trade off is usually a restriction to live and work out of metro areas for a certain period, where you can struggle to find a job.

Employers do sponsor, the job has to be listed and there is a number of other requirements to be met, and it is done on a regular basis. First order of business would be to find an employer willing to sponsor.

Re. Agents - you are free to choose one off the Mara registry, or browse this site for regular posters, agents on here use their registration number 'MARN' to distinguish themselves from the crowd. Use the search facility, make a few calls, see if you like what you learn from them - everyone's situation is different and first thing you'd need to discuss is how realistic your endeavor in principle.

Re. An agent Helping with the job search - yet to see one of those, but willing to be proven wrong.

joojay

Can you please list, which points and how many points are you claiming. This way, it would be easier to suggest areas you can work on.

Bermudashorts

Agents can't / don't help with getting points or getting jobs. If you post up what points you currently we could comment to see what is missing.

newjersey

points would be missing

Grayman

Right, here goes:

Points Test Criteria Points
Age – Points - 15 (40 years young)
English Language Ability – Points 10 (Im confident I could pass as proficient, maybe)
Australian Study Requirement – Points - 0
Overseas Skilled Employment – Points - 15 (been in my current role over 10 years)
Qualifications – Points - 10 (I could get a Microsoft qualification which relates to my job)
Credentialled Community Language – Points - 0
Regional Australia Study – Points - 0
Partner Skills – Points - 0
Professional Year – Points - 0
TOTAL POINTS: 50

I might scrape 60 if I can get a Superior english pass, my partner is a full time mum to our 3 kids, but was a legal PA before this, but we're going back 4 years so wouldnt count.

I work as a senior messaging/exchange engineer for a large firm, and have been involved in IT for about 15 years total.

Let me know whether there are any areas I could improve on to try and get then 65 points, here's hoping.

joojay

First, have you gotten your skills assessed? Which ANZSCO occupation do you qualify for?

I think that you should study and practice real hard and try for 20 points in Ielts.

If eligible, you could apply for state sponsorship, giving u 5 points.
Or regional australia sponsorship for 10 points. Sponsorship by eligible family member who is living in designated area would also give you 10 points. BUT conditions apply, mainly being that you have to remain in the sponsoring region/state for a certain amount of time. 2 years i think.

I am not clear about your qualifications and how much points would they be worth. Do you not have a bachelors degree? If not, then I see that "Offshore recognised apprenticeship" would give you 10 marks. But frankly, i have no idea what that is and who qualifies.

I am not an agent or an expert in any way, just someone like you who is planning to apply(hubby is actually) and is equally confused about many matters. I am sure someone who is a qualified and experienced agent would be more clear on how to solve your issues.

Wishing you all the best. I hope you find a way to pursue your dream.