navman

I am a Freelance IT Telecommunications Engineer, there is a shortage of my skill set in Australia and I have been in preliminary talks with a company in Australia who have offered me permanent work with full sponsorship.

I would prefer to stay as a Freelance Consultant and therefore would like to research the option to emigrate to Australia independently without any company sponsorship.

What I need to know is the basics as in the Visa types available, the costs, the timescales, and also if your spouse is eligible to work in Australia as part of your Visa approval.

I know all abut the US process as I have worked there before and recently turned down a role but have no idea about the Visa process in Australia.

All help will be greatly appreciated

Dorothy

www.immi.gov.au

navman

Quite confusing information on website.

Can an Independent Professional apply for a work Visa in Australia?

A lot of Independent Skilled Visa types have been cancelled since July 2012

Pollyana

http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/ has the new visa types.

Rhubarb65

Hi Navman,

from the information you have provided, your skill (Telecommunications Engineer ANZSCO code 263311) is listed on the Skilled Occupation list schedule 1. This means that you may be eligible to apply for a sub-class 189 Skilled -Independent permanent residence visa. This visa would allow a spouse included in the application to work in Australia.

This points-based visa is subject to a subject to a successful skills assessment by Engineers Australia as well as other requirements listed in the following link:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skills.../subclass-189/

Under the new SkillSelect process, you need to meet all of the requirements of the visa, lodge an expression of interest (EOI) and then be invited to apply for the visa,


regards

Rhubarb65

navman

Thanks for the Information

How long are typically these types of Visa valid for?

Can they be extended?

Finally what are the timescales and fees involved?

mrsgreenstar76

The 189 is a permanent residence visa & it costs AUD $3060. As for timescales, it's not really possible to say as it's only just been introduced.

Rhubarb65

This visa is valid for multiple entry and re-entry to Australia for a period of 5 years after date of visa grant for the primary applicant and family members included in the application. At the end of the 5 year period, you will require either a resident return visa (RRV) or AU citizenship to be able to leave and subsequently re-enter Australia.

Visa cost is AUD 3060 for you and all dependent family members included in the application....then you will have the costs of medicals (about GBP 190 per adult and GBP 80 per child from memory), ACPO police certificates (approx GBP 50 per Adult, skills assessment cost (varies by assessing authority, look-up yours at Engineers Australia) - as a guide, mine was about AUD 400.

No idea how long the process will take; the Skillselect procedure only started on 1st August

cheers

Rhubarb65

navman

Hi there,

Many thanks for the information.

Just one more question, is this Visa cancelled or revoked if you spend a certain amount of days outside of Australia?

Malikkhi

@ navman ,
Have a look @ seek.com.auhttp://www.seek.com.au
You can apply for the jobs from there. If your skill really in demand here then u must calls from employers and recruiters.
Usually all its matter how demanding is your skillset.
I got job while i was in overseas.Afterward three my friends also came here on 457 ..

iubatvut

I also had same question... thanks for giving information . i am also working as offshore basis with Australian software company

mrsgreenstar76

If you are granted a permanent visa, once it's validated, you will have five years to make the move to Australia. If you let the visa expire, you would need to apply for an RRV. What length of RRV you would get depends on what ties you have to Australia - i.e. if you have a job or home there, etc.

navman

I am filling out the EOI.

I have over the required points.

Once i complete the form do I need to arrange a skills assessment?

Is this not needed? Also is there an additional charge for this.

After reveiwing all the information, its quite a confusing and complicated process.

Bermudashorts

You need to do your skills assessment first, before lodging the EOI. Yes there will be a charge, some are quite expensive others less so.

navman

Ok I understand. So now I need to fill out a skills assessment.

My occupation falls under two categories therefore I guess I can choose between ACS ($450) or Engineers Australia. Im still trying to work out what there fees are as it lists many differrent fees for differrent checks.

I dont have a PHD so this check is not needed, can anybody advise the costs for a skills assessment from Engineers Australia, i believe its either $600 or $400 based on conflicting information on their website and PDF document.

Naturally I want to go with the cheaper option. All help appreciated.