Cooldude: Greetings - Please help, Newbie has some questions

[Cooldude]

Greetings everyone (Or should that be G'Day Mate?)

I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and finally decided it's time to get involved. So let me get the introductions out of the way:

The family consists of me, my wife and 2 boys (9 and 6), living in Johannesburg. We're very pleased to meet you all.

We started talking about emmigrating at the beginning of the year, been for an initial consultation with an agent and since then have done a lot of research. The forums on this site have been a great eye-opener and a huge help.

I have to say how absolutely amazed I was at how open and helpful the members of this forum are. There seems to be such a sense of community. If only SA as a nation could be the same.

I am going to be cheeky now rely on some of that goodwill and ask you guys for a little advice:

1. I'm in IT, I've had good jobs with large international companies on the systems/network admin side, about 10 years experience in all. I am currenty in line to be promoted to the IT Managers position in my current company. This will happen in about Feb next year. My question is, for my ACS assesment and job hunting, will being an IT Manager make a significant difference (My current title is Deputy IT Manager)?

2. Because of my age (38) I only get 115 points. So I am looking at a regional visa. Adelaide, SA was recommended to me and it seems that there are possibilities there but I am also keen on WA, although when I looked at WA's skills in demand for regional visa's I didn't find anything that suit's me. Anyone have any experience with this? What's the situation with IT in WA?

3. Emmigration agent or not? We definitely want to move to Australia, so I will spend the money if need be but what do you guy's think?

I have about a 1000 other questions but I don't want to be a pain in the butt. I would realy appreciate some advice on the above.

Thanks so much everyone.

[Guest natalie3]

Hello and welcome welcome!..let me be the first to congratulate you on a very difficult but exciting decision.

My hubby is also in It (systems developer) and we and a couple we are friends with (he's also a developer) went to an agent together. The men are 32 so the managed the extra points.

My advice would be to use an agent as they will help u make up the points you need (perhaps through your wife's skills..afrikaans ability or something) so that you can go as a skilled migrant....this is if you have your heart set on being able to go anywhere in oz from the start...

There are however PLENTY of members that have done the application alone and saved themselves some bucks...

[Kerry-Lea]

Hi Cooldude

Welcome to the forum!

Before going to an agent I would look at where you can get extra points - either through your wife's qualifications, a regional visa, or Afrikaans. agents are very expensive, and if you do got that route make sure you get someone repeutable!

Some agents also just charge for consulting - a lot cheaper - and you can do the rest yourself (ie lodge the app).

Another option for you is maybe getting a job offer - I think you extra points for this, and you could go over on a 457 work visa which is a lot quicker. You apply for the PR visa in the meantime and wait for it in Aus instead of here.

Keep reading - and good luck

[Leigh MC]

Hi Dude

Welcome to the forum. An excellent choice of forums, I might add -

Anyhoo - my bf is also in IT (also systems developer) - and now a Project manager. He doesn't have a formal degree, just some certs he's picked up along the way, along with one of those Microsoft Certified jobbies... But he has 19 years experience - bless him!

If you stick it out and become an IT manager, you'll still need to get the experience as that title before applying - and I don't know how much difs it would make in terms of your points... if any. So you'd be prolonging your application - and then would lose points for your age if you turn 40 before applying.

I'm confused as to why you only get 115 points? You should get 120 with your skills - and you're under 40.

If you do the IELT you'll get more points for English too.

Might be worth contacting an agent for an initial consultation - but it sounds to me like you could do it on your own (and save the money, honey!).

What does your wife do? Could you get extra points for her skills?

Also - if you're worried about the points, why don't you apply for a 457, job sponsored visa first, then apply for your PR once you're in Aus?

Good luck with it all!

Leigh

[Ready2go]

Welcome Cooldude and family,

Loads of interesting things on this forum and trust me, you will learn sooooo much here. And beware, its addictive.

We used an agent and felt he was worth every cent, some folk go it alone and do just fine.

A personal choice.

Now the fun begins.

[Cooldude]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have read through the forums here but there is a lot to take in and I'm a little confused. Could someone please confirm my thinking on the following:

Assuming that I only qualify for 115 points, my options then are a 475 employee sponsored visa or a regional sponsored visa. Is this correct? Unfortunately I do not have any family in Oz to sponsor me, so I think these are my only options?

[Guest natalie3]

Im not sure exactly..have you tried www.immi.gov.au

they have evrything and are a good starting point to decide which visa is best for you... most of us have read that site..otherwise u can try the "applications" sub-forum for clarity on the specific visa..

[Leigh MC]

Yep - both of those are good options. But I agree with Nats - go check out www.immi.gov.au... it is a very detailed site, and you'll be able to find out loads there.

I'm still sure you'd get 120 points!

Leigh

[Cooldude]

Okay, thanks again. Looks like I need to do some more reading