Originally Posted by Fugazi1000

I am getting quite stressed about this!


I am in the process of completing the new 175 online application and unless you can say yes to the IELTS test in the last two years then absolutely no points are credited. I.e. I need 15 points but get 0. The only way I have found to get these points up is to put ficticious information on the form.


Now, as everybody else is finding, the tests are booked up way ahead. I've been patiently waiting for the 1st Sept to ease the workload of copying/certifying/sending countless forms, but SHOULD have been organising the poxy IELTS exam. :curse:

So - can anybody let me know a way to get the basic 15 points enabled on the form?

Originally Posted by indalo

Hi , same problem, is this still just teething problems with the online points calculator, or do i really need to sit this test to get just 15 points ( which is all i want - don't need the 25) for being a native english speaking, uk born and bred nurse???!!!! :curse::curse:

Originally Posted by I_Will_Freckle

No - if you have a UK passport you will be awarded 15 points automatically.

Originally Posted by indalo

I've filled in the online 176 application and the points calculator at the end of the form gives me ZERO for english lang even though I have stated that I am the holder of a UK passport and was born in the UK and i am a british citizen!

I too presumed the 15 points would just be automatically awarded, but they're nowhere to be seen!

Originally Posted by Tintsexpert

Cant get booked on an IELTS exam till october!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by kurrikurri

We feel exactly the same. We were shocked, to say the least, yesterday when we found out. We were about to submit our application in September. My husband is in the building trade and works really hard. He has never been out of work. I myself have never been out of work, but dont have enough points to submit the application for us. He has already had his trade passed by the TRA recognition board. I would have rather done the test! He works with his hands, he was born and bred in the UK and can speak english without any problems, but the test is already stressing him out. It is really annoying, but what can we do. I only hope he passes the test because we cannot get into Oz if he fails. The pressure is on him and that is totally unfair.

Originally Posted by che1

hi i know just how you feel my hubby has to do the test asap. we were hoping to move to QLD with friends now this life changing decision lies in the hands of some test. just cant wait till its over!!
good look for the test

Originally Posted by charlie-k

This might be of interest to you.
I was chatting to a friend of mine yesterday about the test. Her husband who was sat next to her said that he was an Invigilator at a private school for the IELT test and that it was a piece of cake!!!
He also said that you need to be calm, not worry about it and do some preperation beforehand.
The test was originally intended for people who English was not their first language and that one of his students couldn't string a proper sentence together and he passed with no problems.
Hope it makes everyone feel better about taking the test.
(Although I am not happy about the cost!!!)

Originally Posted by che1

no I know what you mean but i suppose it will be worth it in the end. Thanks for the positive info starting to feel alot more relaxed about it.

Originally Posted by I_Will_Freckle

I was so in disbelief at this new policy that I wrote to the policy department and here is their reply:

As background information, applicants who hold a passport from the
United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America and
the Republic of Ireland are exempt from sitting an International English
Language Testing System (IELTS) test to demonstrate that they meet the
English language threshold (competent English). However, all applicants
seeking to demonstrate that they have the higher level of proficient
English must provide an IELTS result demonstrating their level of
English.

This rationale behind this requirement is the fact that not all citizens
of the above mentioned countries applying for skilled migration have
proficient English. Therefore proficient English is rewarded with extra
points.

As a former EFL teacher, I am totally bemused by this policy. The IELTS exams were never designed to test native speakers – they are designed to demonstrate how closely an applicant’s English is to that of a native speaker. So it’s a bit like comparing a fish with a fish…

The policy is also flawed. It is not a requirement of holding a British passport to have “competent” English. I know of people that can barely string a sentence together in English but they qualify for a UK passport. Doesn’t seem fair that they would get points automatically for their English “ability”.

Additionally, some native speakers may not do well in the exam and may not qualify for the full 25 points even though their communication skills are at least “proficient”. Possible reasons for this are any kind of literacy problem, or more likely “exam fright”. The latter is more common that you might think and can be a real problem for some people.

Saying all that, the exams should not present a problem for the majority of native speakers – they should be a breeze in fact. You can learn more about them here. I would just be pissed off at the additional costs and stress involved in having to prove that I was a native speaker.

Originally Posted by kurrikurri

My husband sat the test on Saturday. We had booked it 5 weeks earlier, that was the earliest date, but we had to travel 100 miles to the test centre.

We are hoping he has scored really well. He needs a 7 because he is over 40 and then you start to lose the points! Even though he is a Roofer and Oz are wanting skilled people!

He said the listening test was tricky, but thats because he finds different dialects a little harder and when people talk fast it is hard to take everything in. But thats just my husband. When he did the talking bit, the examiner couldnt believe why my husband had to sit the test and that he needed such a high mark for the emigration process. He was gob smacked to say the least. However, the examiner remarked that my husband had done really well in that test. His topic was 'Employment in Rural Areas'. Rather him than me thats all I can say on that subject.

Be prepared, get the sample test stuff, it helps. We also got a couple of things from ebay cheaply. The more stuff you have the better you will be prepared.

Out of the whole room of people taking the test, only 4 were british and they all were applying for Australia!