Originally Posted by SunnyMD (Post 7159368)

To be honest we didn't look at any employer sponsored visa as they said no, we just went straight to the 175 to "go solo", so I don't know about eligibility for ENS or any other perm category :blink:

OH is a Radiographer with Queensland Health

Originally Posted by Deutschmaster (Post 7159630)

I'm in a similar position, as an electrical engineer. My manager mentioned help with ENS PR before I came here, along with a couple of other sweeteners like air tickets to and from the UK as I had to go back for an exam. When I turned up suddenly he wouldn't fulfil them and blamed other people (like the accountant) for not letting him. And, as it was verbal not written there seemed little I could do.

The ENS PR is handled by the manager like a carrot dangled in front of employers in the hope they'll stay. However, when I spoke to a senior member of staff they said that they never pay the cost of ENS PR for an employer, no matter how long they have stayed - but they would try to provide paperwork to get it. It looks a little fishy because the organisation doesn't give out more that one year contracts and somebody else here had difficultly convincing DIAC to give them ENS PR since they did not have a permanent job.

I asked what happened when an employee reached the end of the fourth year on a 457. I was told that either they paid for PR themselves or left.

I applied for 175 PR last October. The way I saw it was that it costs the same as ENS PR, so as I would pay the fee anyway better get it done sooner than later.

Finding another job is taking a little longer than I first thought as most organisations are mentioning recruitment freezes and to try again later. :sneaky: Still, once I have the PR then I don't have the hassle of having to find another sponsor within 28 days if this place folds. I'd probably just go down the beach every day!

Electrical Engineer is also mentioned on the CSL list so it would be good if it got things moving quicker. Saying that though from looking at the beupdate website it seems as if it takes immigration 6 months to issue a 175. Hopefully for me that would mean PR being granted around April time. I was thinking of taking a break in Hong Kong. It looked interesting from the airport.

It's annoying when a cr*p job is better than no job :frown:

Originally Posted by looky (Post 7159638)

Employer sponsored visas are the faster ones. If Radiographer is on the current CSL list you will get the 175 quicker than others applying for a 175 but not on any priority list like me...might be a bit of a long wait.

Originally Posted by SunnyMD (Post 7159666)

We have gone back to QH and asked again for information about them sponsoring us permanently, but not holding out much hope at the moment, but in the meantime we have almost 3 years of a 4 year visa left, (surely our 175 will have come through in that time ??? :eek: ) so we're in a much better position than many on here and are grateful for that :wub:

Originally Posted by SunnyMD (Post 7159657)

[/B] Absolutely but, I would rather be here with the uncertainty than be back in the UK with the same uncertainty but without the view, weather and all the other awesome things we have to put up with ... like going to the beach :rofl:

Remember those days of sitting in the cold wondering whether or not we were going to get the 457 and how long will it take and will it never get here and and and ..... how much better is this wait than that one was ? :thumbsup:

I love my job, I love my job, I love my job - keep up the mantra and good luck

Originally Posted by Deutschmaster (Post 7159630)

I'm in a similar position, as an electrical engineer. My manager mentioned help with ENS PR before I came here, along with a couple of other sweeteners like air tickets to and from the UK as I had to go back for an exam. When I turned up suddenly he wouldn't fulfil them and blamed other people (like the accountant) for not letting him. And, as it was verbal not written there seemed little I could do.

The ENS PR is handled by the manager like a carrot dangled in front of employers in the hope they'll stay. However, when I spoke to a senior member of staff they said that they never pay the cost of ENS PR for an employer, no matter how long they have stayed - but they would try to provide paperwork to get it. It looks a little fishy because the organisation doesn't give out more that one year contracts and somebody else here had difficultly convincing DIAC to give them ENS PR since they did not have a permanent job.

I asked what happened when an employee reached the end of the fourth year on a 457. I was told that either they paid for PR themselves or left.

I applied for 175 PR last October. The way I saw it was that it costs the same as ENS PR, so as I would pay the fee anyway better get it done sooner than later.

Finding another job is taking a little longer than I first thought as most organisations are mentioning recruitment freezes and to try again later. :sneaky: Still, once I have the PR then I don't have the hassle of having to find another sponsor within 28 days if this place folds. I'd probably just go down the beach every day!

Electrical Engineer is also mentioned on the CSL list so it would be good if it got things moving quicker. Saying that though from looking at the beupdate website it seems as if it takes immigration 6 months to issue a 175. Hopefully for me that would mean PR being granted around April time. I was thinking of taking a break in Hong Kong. It looked interesting from the airport.

It's annoying when a cr*p job is better than no job :frown:

Originally Posted by man_called_Horse (Post 7159734)

If you are seeking ENS PR you are not fully in control of the application, the company should pay your application but they might whinge at the cost ($2105 compared to $500 for a 457) plus then they make you feel as if they done you a favour. We're paying our own and they still make us feel that way!

If you go indpendent you are in control/responsible for the paperwork, you are paying for it, and you feel as if have become a PR totally on your own merits. If you have the choice thats great!

Originally Posted by Safin (Post 7160114)

.

Originally Posted by abhibytes (Post 7160188)

Thanks a lot hitchcock for this - 457 to PR was a much needed thread .
Well..Me and my spouse came here on 457 in Nov 07. Waited for a year and had taken approval for ENS from my employer who were willing to sponsor after an year.
So hapen to start my process in Oct 08 for skill assessment from ACS under RPL (ENS has either of 3 conditions - 2 yrs on 457 and last 12 months with employer sponsoring ENS; Salary > 151K..; +ve Skill assessment and last 12 months with nominating employer) . so I am going with the third eligibility criteria.
1 Oct 08 - RPL application sent to ACS
27 Dec - Result +ve Skill asseseement
8th Dec -Employer submits Nomination for ENS (Waiting on DIAC for its approval)
Meantime getting Medicals and PCC done and planning to submit al together.
Heard it takes less than 2 months if submitting everything together.

Would keep you guys updated .
Thanks
Abhi

Originally Posted by man_called_Horse (Post 7160627)

Yeah thanks...... the point I was making is ENS is no easy or faster route as many people would now think due to the new rules.

There is advantages and disadvantages to ENS just as there are advantages and disadvantages to Independent.

Please don't think I was having a go at you or anyone Safin.... I was just stating the fact........and that you can never rely on HR dept in any company wether you have a good relationship with them or not.

Originally Posted by Sean101 (Post 7182549)

G'day all...

Just wanted to run this situation by those in the know.

We are 4 months into our 4 year 457, OH is main name on visa and has a good job, I have since landed a good job with a great employer. We intend to stay.

OH is pregnant, and will soon need to inform her employer. Research suggests that they will allow her a maximum of 3 months off - unpaid - and have the power to revoke the visa if there are any complications.

I'm thinking that the best route is to request 856 ENS from my employer (my job is on ENSOL). I think they will help. The hope is that PR will allow OH to return to her current job in a manner that suits our circumstances, allow us to buy a house without the messy Foreign Investments Review Board and stamp duty etc, and show commitment to my employer.

I intend to put this to my employer in 5 days time. I've spent a few hours searching the topic on BE, all seems well, but we would be grateful for any input from those with a view.

Any ideas how long a simple ENS is likely to take?

Great thread BTW... cheers!