Hi
here's my story

did not use agent and applied on paper for 175 modl and acknowledged nov 07, did meds and police checks by march 08, arrived in melbourne june 08 on husband's 457 visa.

I was told last year to apply on paper by phoning a very expensive premium rate number to london's australia house and told it would be quicker as there were problems with online applications not recognising uk passport points - I had tried 8 times to apply online.

I phoned immigration in adelaide last month to make a complaint about this false informaton and was advised to email the department head and complain, which I did.

Two days later I receive a case officer and a pre grant email advising us to go off shore by April 09 - trip to New Zealand booked for December - result

if this applies to anyone else its got to be worth a complaint

Wow thanks for that story, great information - especially to see that you can influence things! We're all using the bog-standard form on the website which is disappearing off into the black hole of Adelaide. Could you please share the email address you used?

You need to phone and speak to them first outlining your case - then if they decide your complaint has merit, you will be given the email of the head of department to state your complaint. Sorry but if I give out the email then the head of department's inbox will probably crash and that won't benefit anyone.

Telephone:
1300 364 613 (in Australia) for the cost of a local call.
+61 1300 364 613 (outside Australia)

If outside Australia I would advise using a 0844 service to get cheap calls to australia as you can be on hold for a while.

I am officially having a heart attack. I never thought the time would actually come when it would be my turn to ask this question but - DO I HAVE A CO?!?!

I filled in the complaint form 2 days ago, this afternoon I have an email entitled: "victoria judge pre-grant letter" which says:

"I am writing to you in regard to the above Skilled Migration application to Australia. Please find attached documents requiring further action in order for this application to proceed. The attached 'Request letter' explains the required action."

BUT she's attached a document addressed to someone else!!

Does this mean I have a CO who has attached the wrong document, or has she just emailed the wrong person altogether? My client ref is in the subject header.

I'm dying here.... Can't get through to DIAC.

If its your client ref then it looks really promising - I had that too - even if its wrong I think you would fantastic grounds for a complaint - have you emailed them back?

I've got my visa! All the letter says is tell us when you are going to be out of the country so they can grant it!!

5 and a half months for a paperbased, can't believe it.

Get filling in that form folks, it can't be a coincidence.

Congratulations Marooned. Good luck with everythig!!!!!

Hey well done you!!!!!!

Thank you! Am in state of shock! All I can focus on is what to do with the cat while I leave the country

Well done Marooned - really pleased for you but a bit upset that the canoe and parachute idea will never be used now!

I've not been posting anything lately because I've been so down about the lack of visa and progress but seeing your news I had to respond!!

We've just sent our complaint form off (probably along with lots of others!) - hope it has the same effect as yours but knowing our luck I doubt it!!!

Wishing you lots of luck in the future

Alex

(PS Anybody want to buy a parachute and canoe? Never been used!)

Oh wow BIG CONGRATS Marooned!!!!!
What did i say the other day when you was feeling down, that it would happed soon. I think I must have those psychic powers after all, lol
Hope you still post on here, wont be the same without you!
Stef x

Many Many congrats to you Marooned. Good luck in your new home.
Hope this is the sign that things are moving for all of us

Thanks everyone for your lovely posts and I really, really hope that this is a sign that they are paying attention to complaints and/or that they are pushing hard to clear the backlog.

I do believe, from what I read on this website, that there has been some sort of c*ck up with applications between June 07 and around March this year - everything since March seems to be flowing and everything before is all over the place. Keep the pressure on and they'll sort it out I'm sure but definitely don't give up. Taking action might alleviate feeling so helpless all the time. Don't let your agents take you for a ride and don't let DIAC renege on its Client Charter without a fight. Go Britishexpats!!

You need to update your footer line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God I'm still so jealous - been telling everyone I know about your success.

I need to update my posting name! Left NZ 6 weeks ago

Look, I thought The Secret was a load of cr*p but about 4 months ago I made a commitment to myself not to let life, bureaucracy or other people get the better of me and have been all about affirmative action ever since, and I think this is an extension of that. I think this is a combination of luck and making myself heard. I am still filled with righteous indiganation on the part of people waiting for the same kind of visa I just got granted since 2007 and really hope that this complaint form action marks the start of DIAC starting to act like the client service they claim to be. Everyone needs to get stuck into their lazy-ass Agents and keep DIAC on their toes. Go britishexpats