hey guys new to the site, just a quick question with relation to the new SOL list, im currently studying hairdressing and 6months into the course and as you know its no longer on the list... gutted, however the tafes that i am able to get to on the sunshine coast dont offer any of the courses that ARE on the new list apart from bricklaying which i cant do for health reasons with my back and heavy lifting not possible.

does anyone know of any other institutions or ways in which i might be able to study without moving to another part of australia?

Hey guys

We are also in the same position. My OH has been at TAFE for 2 years doing bakery/hospitality management. He has about 6 weeks left. Our other problem is that our son turned 18 in October and, because he isn't at full-time school/TAFE/uni (as he graduated school in November) he may not be classed as a dependant!!!!

I applied for PR under my hairdressing skills last August (but had to apply off-shore because my skills are English) but am told that my visa won't even be looked at until the end of 2012!!! In either case, our son may have to get his own visa (which we can't afford!!!)

I also now own a hairdressing salon and the thought of selling up and leaving this beautiful place makes me feel sick and extremely sad!!

Hubby can hopefully get Graduate Visa and employers have said they will sponsor him (but he has to check about $45500 wage). Fingers crossed that we can get through the Graduate Visa first with son as dependant.

My heart goes out to everyone else in the same position. Hugs to you all xxx

We received a forwarded e-mail from our friends agent which outlines all the basic info that we all know. Interestingly though, the agent states that there are a number of changes still to come into play, hinting that the state sponsored visa lists will be much wider ranging so all MAY not be lost for anyone facing the possibility as it stands, to having to leave Australia after their studies.

Good luck everyone.

Cheers
Mandy

yeh that was something else that i was going to ask about... is the regional sponsorship still valid if your trade isnt on the new sol list? coz if im not mistaken with regional sponsorship you dont need an employer to sponsor you? and therefore dont need to be earning $45k a yr... is this right?

Yep, that is right, BUT your jobs will need to be on a list which is yet to be published for each state, of jobs that they consider they need people in. So we will see what is on those lists I suppose. I am assuming you are talking about state sponsorship there by the way.

yeh state sponsorship, any ideas on when the new job list will be released then? i wouldnt know where to look for that lol

I think they said in a couple of months. I assume just keep checking on here and someone is bound to comment when they find it.

Is there anywhere I can find this info in black & white?

Regards

On the immigration website under those types of visas. I havn't looked at the 457 visa one, as I wouldn't get paid enough, but I have seen something on the tra website about skills assessments for a 457 visa, so not sure about that one.

www.immi.gov.au would be the place for info like that

Copy and pasted an e-mail minus the personal bits:

The new SOL has no indication of points at present, though generally feeling is that all occupations on the new SOL might be 60 point occupations. So you have to wait and see to be sure. Note also that the points test is under review.

Employer sponsorship is a very good option if your husband can find a job and offer of sponsorship and the age requirement is less of a worry with these visas. The following is a brief guide:

There is a temporary sponsored visa, the business long stay (subclass 457), which would enable you to work in Australia for up to 4 years, and from which you can apply for permanent residency after living and working in Australia for 2 years. There is no formal skills assessment for this visa, rather you must demonstrate that you have the skills and experience to meet the requirements of the employer and the position nominated. There is no upper age limit with the 457 visa. You need to have an occupation on this list: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skill...ccupations.pdf

There are two permanent residency employer sponsored visas – the Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).

RSMS is available to employers in “regional” Australia (regional is defined by the Department of Immigration according to postcode), and to applicants with Diploma level qualifications (or above). Trade occupations where the applicant has at least Cert III level qualifications are deemed to be diploma level for this purpose.

ENS is available to Australian employers wherever situated and requires the applicant to nominate an occupation form the Employer Nomination Skilled Occupation List (ENSOL - see attached). The offshore applicant must usually have their skills assessed formally and to have 3 years post-qualification experience. The skills assessment through the TRA would be the "old style" application - that is, the Job Ready Program is not involved. An alternative route is for onshore applicants who may apply once they have worked in Australia on a 457 visa for 2 years, the last 12 months being for the sponsoring employer. Under this onshore, 457 route no formal skills assessment is required.

Both ENS and RSMS have an upper age limit of 45. However, unlike the skilled visas, the Department of Immigration will consider applicants who are between 45 and 60 if they can demonstrate "exceptional circumstances". For an applicant between 45 and 50, circumstances will be considered exceptional if the position is essential to the operation of the business and the employer can demonstrate that it is not possible to find a suitably qualified younger candidate. For a senior role this can be relatively easy to do.

For all three, the employer must apply to the Department of Immigration for approval. Under RSMS the employer must also obtain approval from regional Certifying Body. Once this is done, you, the prospective employee must make a separate visa application.

Many student visa holders are looking at Employer sponsorship as the best option and trying to find a job and sponsorship rather than go through the 485 and Job Ready Test route.

Thank you very much for this info and quick response!

I have had a look at the immi site and spent hours reading it & did not want to take for granted, that because it is not mentioned that you do not need a skills assessment for RSMS/457 does not mean you don't need it.

How long does it take for the Department of Immigration for approval of an employer?

Under RSMS the employer must also obtain approval from regional Certifying Body. Whats involved in this? Length of time?

Kind Regards

ok thats all well and good but do we still have to be recieving a wage of $45500 for the RSMS?

and there are jobs on that list that arent on the new SOL list... anyone else thinking that this might be changed as well?

It doesn't look like it. Hubbie went and asked at immigration, but they were as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Didn't know a thing about any visas at all!
And the lists could indeed change at any time. I take nothing for granted.