Australian Skilled Migration Visa - Megathread

irishmover · 25-02-2014 2:58am

john.co wrote: »

There's lots of discussion about certified documents/scanned documents online - and from my personal experience (and reading lots of forums) - we uploaded colour scanned copies of all of our documents and there was no problem. As long as the documents were originals and scanned in colour (uploaded as pdf) then there was no need to get them certified. [The only exception to this was one of the documents - Garda cert I think - we got certified as it was in black and white).
For my university qualifications, I ordered a new set of transcripts and requested that the university stamp each page with their official stamp - then I just uploaded colour scans of each page. Uploaded my official degree parchment, in Latin, without translation and there was no problem with that.

Some of the regulations regarding visa applications are written for hardcopy applications, but for the online application on SkillSelect, colour scans are enough. Read through 'How to Apply' on the 'Visa Applicants' tab here: https://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/189.aspx and you'll see they accept scanned colour copies of original documents for most of the regular requirements.
Keeping track of all the documents can be a hassle so I'd recommend keeping everything organised, name all scanned copies clearly as this will help keep track of them and email them to yourself as well!

Didn't get any of our de facto stuff certified either - just uploaded scanned colour copies of everything (bank statements, lease, etc) and there was no problem.

I applied in March '13 for the 189 Visa and was granted visa in May '13.

Best of luck.

The immigration officer I had just before Christmas informed that all the certified documents I sent were required to be certified and that I had missed one so had to get that certified too.

I guess it depends on the case officer.

irishmover · 25-02-2014 6:47am

http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/index/checklists/189-applicant-checklist.pdf

You need certified identification anyway so while you're getting your passport certified and marriage certificate certified might aswell do everything else. If you didn't need anything else certified so what? If you do then it saves a second trip.

linola_c · 25-02-2014 9:52am

Right you are Irish Mover, I actually had them all certified anyway just to be safe.

I will leave the translation of the degree cert for now though.

Can I organise the medical without actually being requested to complete it? I'd like to get it all done. Medibank are looking for a HAPs number which I don't have?

linola_c · 25-02-2014 9:55am

Ignore re medical - I have the HAPs.

Thank you for your help guys!

irishmover · 25-02-2014 10:05am

linola_c wrote: »

Right you are Irish Mover, I actually had them all certified anyway just to be safe.

I will leave the translation of the degree cert for now though.

Can I organise the medical without actually being requested to complete it? I'd like to get it all done. Medibank are looking for a HAPs number which I don't have?

Good stuff. Best of luck with it. Keep us posted

linola_c · 27-02-2014 11:48am

Will do.

We are hoping to get it through ASAP. My other half is eagerly awaiting the green light to be able to quit his job - sponsored 457 and despises his employer!!

Fingers crossed!

Thanks for help :-)

irishmover · 27-02-2014 11:50am

linola_c wrote: »

Will do.

We are hoping to get it through ASAP. My other half is eagerly awaiting the green light to be able to quit his job - sponsored 457 and despises his employer!!

Fingers crossed!

Thanks for help :-)

Sounds all too familiar!

JR1210 · 03-03-2014 8:59pm

When the CO was assigned she advised that we need to get a IELTS for the misses, there is no availability in Ireland until May and we only have 28 days to get it back :eek:

Do you have to get the FORM 80 certified? Its an original document so not a copy?

irishmover · 03-03-2014 11:15pm

Don't need to get Form 80 certified no.

Bit ridiculous about IELTS. Explain the situation.

Theresalwaysone · 03-03-2014 11:35pm

Can anyone tell me or direct me to where I can find out what documents you need to apply for a 457 Visa?

Thanks

SyntonFenix · 04-03-2014 6:52am

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

Can anyone tell me or direct me to where I can find out what documents you need to apply for a 457 Visa?

Thanks

Click on the link below, click on "visa applicants" tab and then click on "Document checklist for visa applicants".

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/457.aspx

SyntonFenix · 04-03-2014 6:56am

Does anyone here know how long a 457 visa sponsorship nomination change from one employer to a new employment should take?

irishmover · 04-03-2014 7:08am

SyntonFenix wrote: »

Does anyone here know how long a 457 visa sponsorship nomination change from one employer to a new employment should take?

Between 4 days and three weeks has been my experience.

4 days if they're approved to sponsor before you 3 weeks if they need to apply to nominate is what it took for me.

SyntonFenix · 04-03-2014 7:41am

That's what I've heard. I've a mate that had his application submitted on a Thursday, he started with his new employer the next Tuesday.

My application is into Week 4 now. It's for a local government position.

irishmover · 04-03-2014 7:49am

SyntonFenix wrote: »

That's what I've heard. I've a mate that had his application submitted on a Thursday, he started with his new employer the next Tuesday.

My application is into Week 4 now. It's for a local government position.

It can vary a lot. There's no magic number unfortunately.. 4 weeks can happen but hitting the extreme. You've been in contact with them right? Guessing they haven't sponsored before?

linola_c · 07-03-2014 3:44am

Guys,

Does anyone know how long the medical takes and what it involves? As in what is involved in the medical examination?

Would it be a bad idea to have had a few drinks the night before?

Cheers

irishmover · 07-03-2014 3:53am

Permanent visa medical examinations include:

Medical Examination by a Medibank Health Solutions doctor.
Chest X-ray by Medibank Health Solutions' approved Radiologist.
HIV Blood Test - Blood taken by a Medibank Health Solutions nurse or by our approved pathology provider.
Nurse Screening - eye test, height, weight, urine test

https://www.medibankhealth.com.au/content.asp?id=35

I have no idea if Alcohol would affect that but probably not advised to take it.

I had an awful experience with Medibank, took 3 weeks longer than it should have as they seemed to have misplaced documents. Pretty sure mine was a very isolated incident. I believe most take, without any abnormalities 4 days or not very long at all.

linola_c · 07-03-2014 4:04am

Ok great I was contemplating booking mine in for Paddy's day but now not thinking that is such a great idea.

How long does the actual medical take? An hour or two?

irishmover · 07-03-2014 4:09am

linola_c wrote: »

Ok great I was contemplating booking mine in for Paddy's day but now not thinking that is such a great idea.

How long does the actual medical take? An hour or two?

Yeh it took me 2 hours from when I first went into waiting room to completely finished.

mandrake04 · 07-03-2014 4:11am

It takes about 20 mins for the medical and maybe 15mins for the X-Ray.

BUPA are going to be taking over the migration stuff from Medibank, although not sure if that's been made public yet.

irishmover · 07-03-2014 4:21am

mandrake04 wrote: »

It takes about 20 mins for the medical and maybe 15mins for the X-Ray.

BUPA are going to be taking over the migration stuff from Medibank, although not sure if that's been made public yet.

There was a lot of waiting in between for me, but I suppose it was a little busy at the time and it was the week between Christmas and New Years.

linola_c · 07-03-2014 4:25am

Great that probs means I could do it over an extended lunch break!

Cheers

mandrake04 · 07-03-2014 4:55am

irishmover wrote: »

There was a lot of waiting in between for me, but I suppose it was a little busy at the time and it was the week between Christmas and New Years.

Sorry I meant that the procedure takes about 20 + 15 mins at most, waiting around depends on appointments and other people running late I suppose.

The panel doctors physically check you out and usually ask about scars etc, check your reflexes and the Nurses takes blood. X-Rays are very quick.

Pugins · 12-03-2014 6:24am

Pugins wrote: »

Having a problem with skillselect website and hoped someone could help. Got invited to apply for 190 visa and started inputting info. However, every time I get to page 7/17 it just won't load and I get an error message that the system is unavailable and try again later.

Have tried and tried at different times of the day, on Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer. On two different PCs, on an IPad and phone. Tried clearing cookies etc. no joy. Searched online and it seems to be a common problem but can't find a way to fix it. Has this ever happened anyone else? And if so how did you get around it?

An update just in case someone else encounters this in the future.

After many phone calls and emails and a delay of nearly 3 weeks this has been resolved by DIAC. It appears it can happen when someone is given more than 1 log in ( don't know why I had more than one). Anyway once it was finally passed to the right department they merged the log ons and problem solved.

Randy Watson · 12-03-2014 10:53am

Nearly at the end of my tether here so I thought I would come on here and ask for some advice.

I am looking for a 2 year sponsor for a 457 visa. I've searched the relevant websites and put my profile up 3 weeks ago and nothing yet. I have the qualifications and experience but they don't seem to match up with the jobs advertised over there.

In the industry I am job hunting it's more like who you know. A few of the places I have been employed here [when jobs were plentiful] it has been through word of mouth and I am lead to believe it's the same over there. Do a good job for one employer and he'll recommend you to another etc. Which makes trying to secure a sponsor very difficult.

As I said it has been three weeks and nothing so far. I've been trying to obtain a visa, any visa, for a while now and it's as far away as when I first applied.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mellor · 13-03-2014 1:10am

Randy Watson wrote: »

Nearly at the end of my tether here so I thought I would come on here and ask for some advice.

I am looking for a 2 year sponsor for a 457 visa. I've searched the relevant websites and put my profile up 3 weeks ago and nothing yet.

The best advice I can think of, is to get your expectations back into reality. Sponorship isn't something that they employers are throwing at people. Being at the end of your tether after only 3 weeks is a bit ridiculous. That's not very long to be looking for a sponsor, esp when you are overseas. Its not even long to be looking for a job in a normal situation.

A lot of people will work for the employer for 3-6 months before the employer agrees to sponsor them. That opportunity to prove themselves is a huge advantage, and they still might not find a sponsor.

irishmover · 13-03-2014 1:38am

Mellor wrote: »

The best advice I can think of, is to get your expectations back into reality. Sponorship isn't something that they employers are throwing at people. Being at the end of your tether after only 3 weeks is a bit ridiculous. That's not very long to be looking for a sponsor, esp when you are overseas. Its not even long to be looking for a job in a normal situation.

A lot of people will work for the employer for 3-6 months before the employer agrees to sponsor them. That opportunity to prove themselves is a huge advantage, and they still might not find a sponsor.

Bit harsh but unfortunately have to agree.

I'm a PR. Came back out to Australia early February and have been searching for a job since. Have had one offer (crazy role won't get into it) one interview for a job in Perth and will have one interview for a job in Brisbane Tuesday. I have only applied to one job outside of Brisbane (which I had an interview for) and applied to about 55 roles around the Brisbane area.

Having PR would put me at a big advantage to someone seeking sponsorship yet I'm still finding it quite hard.

Construction/Engineering/Drafting sector. Have got about 2 years experience in Australia.

Don't like disclosing this information on an online board but perspective for people looking for employment needs to be given. I've been keeping an eye on Melbourne/Sydney/Perth along with FIFO roles and wouldn't be hugely confident I'd have been employed by now if I had applied to any role im suitable for.

However maybe I'm a little picky as time is on my side I dunno..

Good luck with your search. Hope it has a good outcome.

mandrake04 · 13-03-2014 3:01am

I agree with Mellor, 457 in general are down 37% over the last 6 months compared to the same period last year. The number of Irish people granted 457 is down over 41% over the same period compared with last year.

Randy Watson · 13-03-2014 10:05am

Mellor wrote: »

The best advice I can think of, is to get your expectations back into reality. Sponorship isn't something that they employers are throwing at people. Being at the end of your tether after only 3 weeks is a bit ridiculous. That's not very long to be looking for a sponsor, esp when you are overseas. Its not even long to be looking for a job in a normal situation.

A lot of people will work for the employer for 3-6 months before the employer agrees to sponsor them. That opportunity to prove themselves is a huge advantage, and they still might not find a sponsor.

As I said further on down the post I have been trying to get various visas for a while now, I don't want to say how long but I didn't think it would take this long. I must be going be for some kind of record :eek:

I realise that if I just applied for a 457 and didn't get one after three weeks I would sound impatient but I've tried a few routes and this is the latest. The longer it goes on the less likely it looks as if I'll get one

irishmover · 13-03-2014 10:10am

Randy Watson wrote: »

As I said further on down the post I have been trying to get various visas for a while now, I don't want to say how long but I didn't think it would take this long. I must be going be for some kind of record :eek:

I realise that if I just applied for a 457 and didn't get one after three weeks I would sound impatient but I've tried a few routes and this is the latest. The longer it goes on the less likely it looks as if I'll get one

What visas did you look at?

Randy Watson · 13-03-2014 10:40am

irishmover wrote: »

What visas did you look at?

A skilled independent visa and a skilled nominated visa

irishmover · 13-03-2014 10:42am

Randy Watson wrote: »

A skilled independent visa and a skilled nominated visa

And you didn't meet the points?

Did you consider a WHV? I got a 457 from Ireland 2.5 years ago but I was very very lucky. The majority of people come out on a WHV in hope of sponsorship. As Mandrake said though the chances of getting a 457 now are not too good.

Randy Watson · 13-03-2014 11:04am

irishmover wrote: »

And you didn't meet the points?

Did you consider a WHV? I got a 457 from Ireland 2.5 years ago but I was very very lucky. The majority of people come out on a WHV in hope of sponsorship. As Mandrake said though the chances of getting a 457 now are not too good.

I thought I would make the points but fell just short

I'm overage for a WHV

irishmover · 13-03-2014 11:07am

Randy Watson wrote: »

I thought I would make the points but fell just short

I'm overage for a WHV

Keep searching on seek.com.au apply speculatively to companies over here and maybe you might get lucky.

Don't think there's anything else you can do.

Randy Watson · 13-03-2014 11:16am

irishmover wrote: »

Keep searching on seek.com.au apply speculatively to companies over here and maybe you might get lucky.

Don't think there's anything else you can do.

That's one of the websites that I have been trying

Cheers and thanks

astonaidan · 14-03-2014 6:55pm

Anybody know what the chances are off getting a 189 visa straight out off Uni for teaching?

Pugins · 15-03-2014 4:48am

astonaidan wrote: »

Anybody know what the chances are off getting a 189 visa straight out off Uni for teaching?

Not good I would have thought. To get an invitation to apply you must reach 60 points minimum in the points test (assuming teaching is on the occupation list). Straight out of uni you will get zero points for experience. Check out skillselect for your points etc.

Plus even if you do it all yourself it's an expensive process- application fees, skills assessment, medicals.

BrianDug · 15-03-2014 9:44pm

Hey a bit of a random question, but maybe someone here might know.

I have qualified as an electrician, have a Level 7/ Diploma in an Electrical Engineering area and I also have a Level 8 BEng Honors in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

My query is when adding up the points can I include my previous qualifications or can I only choose one of them? I would have 65 points in only choosing one of them but would still be interested in knowing the answer.

Thanks

BD

astonaidan · 15-03-2014 10:03pm

Pugins wrote: »

Not good I would have thought. To get an invitation to apply you must reach 60 points minimum in the points test (assuming teaching is on the occupation list). Straight out of uni you will get zero points for experience. Check out skillselect for your points etc.

Plus even if you do it all yourself it's an expensive process- application fees, skills assessment, medicals.

Hmm maybe go to NZ get experience there is the way for me to go, If I had a job offer would it be easier to go through on a different visa

irishmover · 16-03-2014 6:06am

BrianDug wrote: »

Hey a bit of a random question, but maybe someone here might know.

I have qualified as an electrician, have a Level 7/ Diploma in an Electrical Engineering area and I also have a Level 8 BEng Honors in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

My query is when adding up the points can I include my previous qualifications or can I only choose one of them? I would have 65 points in only choosing one of them but would still be interested in knowing the answer.

Thanks

BD

Seeing as you can only select one option in the Education list. So one of trade, diploma (is that Australian diploma only so Irish wouldn't count anyway?), degree or master and PhD. I'd be inclined to think that only your highest one would count.

Otherwise you could do like what you done and meet the 60 points with one of each qualification and be aged between 40-44 with nothing else needed.

BrianDug · 16-03-2014 9:03am

Cheers irishmover that's a good point, I'd have 65 points regardless so would not have much too much to worry about. Thanks for the response

irishmover · 16-03-2014 9:07am

BrianDug wrote: »

Cheers irishmover that's a good point, I'd have 65 points regardless so would not have much too much to worry about. Thanks for the response

Well I haven't given you a definitive answer but it looks the most likely answer anyway. Good luck with the application!

Theresalwaysone · 31-03-2014 10:30am

Hey guys,

Does anyone have any experience of the 457 from the employers side?

I've been in talks with an employer about a job just west of Geelong. Its a finance/consultancy position, and I don't think the visa's parameters will be an issue for either of us.

Does anyone have any experience with the timeline from his business applying to be an eligible sponsor, nominating a position and then me applying for my side?

NiallSORo · 01-04-2014 2:29am

Theresalwaysone,

Based upon applications I have lodged recently, times to be picked up by a case officer are (all from lodgment date):

1. SBS approval: 2-3 weeks
2. Nomination: 2-3 weeks
3. Visa: 2-3 weeks

2 & 3 can be done concurrently.

Regards

Niall
MARN1277929

Theresalwaysone · 07-04-2014 1:14pm

Hi All

My prospective employer has asked for my previous visa details. At what stage of the application would these be requested?

What would the next stage be so I can preempt any further info needed?

Cheers

NiallSORo · 08-04-2014 4:55am

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/457.aspx

'Visa Applicants' tab -> 'Document Checklist for Visa Applicants' gives a general picture of what you need.

Advice:If your occupation is subject to Labour Market Testing make sure your employer submits evidence of this at the time of nomination lodgement as DIBP are outright refusing nominations lodged without i.e. not giving a chance to provide it later.

Your previous visa grant # is required for the 457 application form, so needed prior to lodgement of that.

Niall
MARN 1277929

Theresalwaysone · 08-04-2014 9:47am

NiallSORo wrote: »

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/457.aspx

'Visa Applicants' tab -> 'Document Checklist for Visa Applicants' gives a general picture of what you need.

Advice:If your occupation is subject to Labour Market Testing make sure your employer submits evidence of this at the time of nomination lodgement as DIBP are outright refusing nominations lodged without i.e. not giving a chance to provide it later.

Your previous visa grant # is required for the 457 application form, so needed prior to lodgement of that.

Niall
MARN 1277929

Niall, you're a top man.

Many Thanks for that. My occupation requires a bachelors degree so as far as I am aware its exempt from LMO.

NiallSORo · 09-04-2014 2:05am

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

My occupation requires a bachelors degree so as far as I am aware its exempt from LMO.

Not strictly true - some Engineering and Nursing jobs do require LMT.
As you mentioned, yours is a Finance job so all good on that front.

Niall O'Rourke
MARN 1277929

linola_c · 14-04-2014 12:33am

Guys, we were requested to fill in the Form 80s for both myself and my other half. I have only just realised that I have filled in my other half's employment history incorrect on the visa application and now the Form 80 will have different information.

This was just purely an administrative error on my part. I was taking it off his CV which we completed ages ago for his sponsorship visa and i missed a period on the dates and then filled in the incorrect employer for a certain time frame. I was concentrating on my information as I am in the main applicant!

Has anyone any experience in changing this? I am really worried about putting the Form 80s in and his information not adding up.

NiallSORo · 14-04-2014 1:32am

linola_c

If you've entered incorrect info on the visa application, simply fill in Form 1023 and upload it to your application on ImmiAccount (if applicable) or else send it along with your Form 80
https://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1023.pdf

Niall O'Rourke
MARN 1277929

Australian Skilled Migration Visa - Megathread

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