cammym

I have watched this forum for the last 12 months and got to know some characters and learned a great deal about what migration is about - good and bad.

I am however very confused at the moment and would welcome any advice you can give.

My wife and I together with our three children (5, 3, 6 months) were about to apply for a skilled visa last Christmas when my father took ill. He subsequently passed away in April and after we managed to get our lives back in some form of order we decided to apply, only to find out the pass mark had gone up!

We have both had positive skills assessments, (although my wife cannot count for any points as she has been a housewife since my daughter arived 5 years ago) but have 115 points with bonus'.

I am busy applying for jobs where my friends live -Sydney and Brisbane in the hope of sponsorship and although I have a couple of firms interested it is a long shot.

I am not sure what the new visa's mean, and whether they are worth applying for. I would really appreiate your advice as we are about to forget our dream and move on with our lives.

Thanks

JAJ

There's only one new visa - the SIR visa.

South Australia is promoting this the hardest. Basically you go there as a temporary resident, and you eventually need to get sponsored for PR (after 2-3 years) by the state government or a regional employer.

Pass mark is 110. SA is not operating any particular occupation shortage list for SIR. Tasmania has a similar policy for SIR.

IF you have a job on a state skill shortage list for Victoria, SA or Tasmania, they may sponsor for PR through STNI at the outset.

NSW and QLD don't offer STNI, but an employer there could sponsor you for Employer Nominated migration.

Jeremy