A quick(ish) hello

[claudiodr]

Hi everyone

I just wanted to introduce myself, explain our story; and hopefully get your input on the dreaded process of applying for a visa!

My wife and I are jo'burgers living in the UK (30min outside London). We migrated straight after getting our qualifications back in 2007 but after 6 years of mud, mould and sun-less summers we've decided to take the plunge, pack up and start over in Aus.

It was a tough decision, my brothers are both in the UK and my folks returned to Portugal after 50 odd years in Africa to be closer to the kids...and now we're moving half way around the world again! Also, we'd built a life here; Diane has her own photography company, we have a 3 year old nephew to whom we’ll become strangers and we've made some good friends (although not as many or as close as we would've liked – the English can be a very different bunch to Saffas).

So, now that we decided to do it, we've gone in full steam ahead with research and getting everything needed for the application. We have discussed our options with an agent and since I have a degree in Marketing and 6 years experience we are eligible to submit an EOI for a Skilled 190 visa.

We were initially hoping to settle in Sydney but since I’m applying as a Marketing Specialist, and only ACT has this occupation on its SOL we are now finding out all we can about ACT and Canberra particularly. Marketing Specialists are only in Limited demand meaning MORE paperwork and hoop jumping but our agent is confident that we should get in.

When D and I first started looking at Canberra we were a little concerned about what Aussies thought of their capital…not many people had nice things to say about it! Then we were fortunate enough to find SAAustralia and saw, firstly that there were loads of Saffas living there (which is AWESOME!) and that the people who lived there loved it! I've put the negativity down to typical local rivalry because all the photos videos etc I’ve seen of the area look gorgeous! As for the cold winters…6 years on the soggy island has prep’d us for the worst, Canberra should be a breeze:-)

My only real concern is around employment, from what I've seen on job sites there are very little Marketing opportunities in ACT and as I can’t be employed by the government (please correct me if I'm wrong but I read that somewhere) this leaves very little else in the way of job availability! Can anyone living in ACT comment on this please?

In terms of where we are in the process, we've now collated all the documents required and I’ve booked in for the English language test on 17^th November. The only thing outstanding is the skills assessment (which I believe can take up to 4 months!) and then we’ll be ready to submit the EOI! We’re hoping to have the Visa in our hands around April 2014 which ties in nicely with some other bits and pieces like our fixed mortgage period coming to an end and then over for good we go!

Well, I hope that wasn't too long-winded! I really look forward to getting to know you all better of the coming months and of course joining CCC in June 2014;-)

Thanks

Claudio (and in spirit, Diane)

[HadEnoughofJuju]

Hey Claudio and Diane

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the rest of the journey. Don't let your agent talk you into only submitting an EOI just for a 190. If you have 70+ points you stand a good chance of getting an invite for a 189. Ask your agent what they think. Unfortunately I have grown to dislike agents because (and it's my opinion) they are simply just there to make money.

We briefly looked at Canberra and decided to give it a miss and try for the 189 (and got an invite with 75 points) simply because my child has seasonal coughing issues and Canberra is too cold for too greater part of the year.

[Sunnyskies]

Hi Claudio & Diane

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure that you will get a world of advice on which Visa you should apply for. Unfortunately as we came in on a 457 and subsequently got our PR through an ENS I can't really offer much advice on what Visa is best. Canberra is derided by many Aussies, but from our travels I don't think it is a bad place to start again. With regard to working for the governement on a PR visa, I found this on the Australian Public Service Commission website:

There is a general expectation that a person who is to be engaged as an APS employee will be an Australian citizen (section 22(8) of the PS Act). An agency head may, however, waive this requirement depending on the needs and circumstances of the agency (for example, a shortage of the skills or professional qualifications required to perform particular duties).

The key points to note are that an agency head can:

• 
  
  impose Australian citizenship as a condition of engagement in the APS
  
  
• 
  
  waive citizenship as a condition of engagement if they consider it appropriate to do so
  
  
• 
  
  conditionally engage a non-citizen who intends applying for citizenship
  
  
• 
  
  advertise/recruit overseas if they consider it appropriate to do so
  
  
• 
  
  delegate their employer power to waive citizenship (usually to SES employees in their agency but this power can be delegated below the SES level)
  
  
• 
  
  waive citizenship without requiring approval from the Public Service Commissioner
  
  
• 
  
  engage non-citizens with work entitlements if they consider it appropriate to do so.
  
  

Prospective employees must be advised of any conditions applying to their engagement before they are engaged, and that not meeting these conditions can provide a basis for termination of their employment.

The decision to impose a condition on a person’s engagement lies with the employing agency head. Decisions such as these, as well as the decision to waive citizenship as a condition of engagement, are commonly delegated to an appropriate person in the agency.

However, on the Victoria Government website regarding citizenship requirements it says that the Victorian government will employ anyone with a valid work visa (which may even include a 457).

So unfortunately it is a bit hit and miss and will really depend on the department itself.

What I can say about Canberra is that it is close to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Australia, the Emerald Coast (2 hour drive). We have travelled a fair bit around the edges of Australia, and it is one of the coastlines that we keep on returning to, and everytime we go there we see lots of Canberra number plates.

Good luck with the venture, before you know it 2014 will be rolling around.

[deroche]

Welcome and good luck.

[Gl!tter~Sm!tter]

Welcome, Claudio, and good luck!

Canberra was on my list too merely for my line of work since it houses the High Court, it is legislative/government territory or the Pretoria of RSA if you will. But, not so much for my husband's trade so we'll have to go wherever he can find employment since he'll be the main applicant. Fortunately I can work from home if push comes to shove.

Canberra is lovely. You have the snowy mountains within driving distance

http://www.canberra....rra_skiing.html

As well as the South Coast beaches

http://www.visitcanb...outh-Coast.aspx

The wine region, Murrumbidgee Corridor, Poacher's Way....country feeling at its best

http://www.visitcanb...-surrounds.aspx

Keglin & Shazpas I know are very happy in Canberra and they have fantastic schools there too. Other links for info

http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au

http://www.liveincanberra.com.au/

About the visa: Look up SD_MOA on the forum (Stephen Dickson). After looking at my husband's resume, he gave us sound advice on the various visa options we could go for with step-by-step guidelines. I am sure he will do the same for you if you ask. He's really helpful and will answer any questions, being one of the best registered migration agents.

Take care...

Edited November 6, 2012 by Gl!tter~Sm!tter

[africancowgirl]

Hi & welcome, I am headed to Canberra and as mentioned before would suggest that you request the info pack that you will find on the "Contact Us" page of the Live in Canberra (www.liveincanberra.com.au) website. It is really insightful and helpful. There are also some great virtual tours on YouTube!

Good luck and keep visiting the forum

[africancowgirl]

Hi Gl!tter-Sm!tter, meant to say thanks earlier for those reference websites. I'm sure that they will be real useful. Thanks for sharing

[Gl!tter~Sm!tter]

Hi Gl!tter-Sm!tter, meant to say thanks earlier for those reference websites. I'm sure that they will be real useful. Thanks for sharing

Hey Cowgirl Checked out some of the virtuals on Youtube too, great idea!!

[claudiodr]

Hi again

Thanks for all the replies and sharing some really useful information - I'll pour over all the suggestions over the coming days.

@Hadenoughofjuju - Appreciate the feedback. I'm expecting 75-80 points however since my occupation is Marketing Specialist I only fall within schdule 2 for ACT and therefore I am only eligible for the 190 rather than the 189. Are you aware of a potential work-around that I've not seen?

@SunnySkies - Thanks for the excerpts, sounds to me like it is at the discretion of the department head which bodes well if Marketing Specialists are in demand. The Coastline looks pretty spectacular and the thought of having a ski slopes, Wine-lands and white-sand beach all 2 hours away is VERY tempting:-)

@deroche - Thanks!!

@Gl!tterSm!tter - Those are some great links, thanks a mil! I'll def get in touch with Stephen and get his thoughts on my options.

@Africancowgirl - I actually requested the info pack after seeing you recommend it on another thread, should be here any day now! I'll have a look at the YouTube vids, thanks.

Well, today we got ALLLLLLL our documents certified and we're just about ready to submit for the skills assessment. In everyone's experience, is 4 months the average lead time for the skills assessment to come through?

Thanks again!

C&D

[HadEnoughofJuju]

@Hadenoughofjuju - Appreciate the feedback. I'm expecting 75-80 points however since my occupation is Marketing Specialist I only fall within schdule 2 for ACT and therefore I am only eligible for the 190 rather than the 189. Are you aware of a potential work-around that I've not seen?

Sorry for the obvious question here but does your occupation not appear on the general skilled migration list? I was under the impression that each state had their own skills in demand lists (aka schedule 2 SOL) and that all those occupations appear on the schedule 1 General Skilled Occupations Lists.

I would still include a 189 and 190 in the EOI and see what happens, it can't hurt and the worst that can happen is you just don't get an invite.

Good luck with the process anyway and I hope that you get the state sponsorship if you are only eligible for a 190 for ACT.

[Pertheption]

Hi Claudiodr. I am actually in the same boat as you with the 190 & 189 thing. But like the previous gentleman said, apply for both anyway and see what comes. I will hopefully be submitting my EOI in December and plan to do just that. Apparently ACT usually only take 30 days to offer an invite so the chances of the 190 is massive. We will also be heading Canberra way too so keep in touch.

[Jacques Voogt]

Hi and welcome.

Firstly, you should do as much reading as possible. You will soon find out that it is possible to do it yourself. If however you do feel it is too complicated, feel free to consult with an agent. ASA has a BAD reputation. SD_MOA (Stephen Dickson Migration), Fiona Carre (Carre Migration), Kane Downs/Myer Lipschitz (Immagine Imigration) and Migrate2Oz has GOOD reputations.

Start off with the points test and skills lists.

SOL (otherwise known as skilled independent 189 skills list) can be found here: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf

CSOL (otherwise known as skilled nominated 190 skills list) can be found here: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1-2.pdf

Marketing does not seem to be on the SOL. If your marketing is closely related to another occupation you may be able to pass a skills assessment in that occupation, but I do not see anything that seem to relate to it.

Marketing is on CSOL (Marketing Specialist 225113 VETASSESS)

in addition

Photographer is on CSOL too (Photographer 211311 VETASSESS)

Now you need to find out which states sponsor those occupations.

The VISA on this page is no longer available but it does give links to each of the state websites so you can look up their sponsorship lists.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/176/nom-state-terr.htm

IMHO, if photographer is also sponsored, it may be worth your while to do 2 EOI's (A 190 for each of you)

In addition, if multiple states have your occupations on their lists, you may very well apply for state nomination from all of them.

The good news is that with state nomination, your application has higher priority processing. Translating to less waiting time.

Good luck and happy reading.

[claudiodr]

Hi & welcome, I am headed to Canberra and as mentioned before would suggest that you request the info pack that you will find on the "Contact Us" page of the Live in Canberra (www.liveincanberra.com.au) website. It is really insightful and helpful. There are also some great virtual tours on YouTube!

Good luck and keep visiting the forum

Hi AfricanCowGirl, I have just received the info pack from the LiveInCanberra site; wow, loads of great info! I'll check out the YouTube vidds, thanks!

[claudiodr]

Hi Claudiodr. I am actually in the same boat as you with the 190 & 189 thing. But like the previous gentleman said, apply for both anyway and see what comes. I will hopefully be submitting my EOI in December and plan to do just that. Apparently ACT usually only take 30 days to offer an invite so the chances of the 190 is massive. We will also be heading Canberra way too so keep in touch.

Hi ACTuality, I had a quick read of your bio...we have freakishly similar stories Can you tell me how long your skills assessment took please? I just submitted so once that comes through it'll be time to get the EOI in! 30 days, that's quicker than I was expecting!

Good luck with your submission, def keep in touch and look forward to having a cuppa with you in the future!

C&D

[claudiodr]

Marketing is on CSOL (Marketing Specialist 225113 VETASSESS)

in addition

Photographer is on CSOL too (Photographer 211311 VETASSESS)

Now you need to find out which states sponsor those occupations.

The VISA on this page is no longer available but it does give links to each of the state websites so you can look up their sponsorship lists.

http://www.immi.gov....-state-terr.htm

IMHO, if photographer is also sponsored, it may be worth your while to do 2 EOI's (A 190 for each of you)

Hi Jacques, thanks for the response. Regarding Diane's Photography experience, although D's been a photographer for almost 10 years and has owned companies in SA and UK, we were told that because her degree is in Marketing and not Photography she wouldn't qualify for a Skilled Visa. Very frustrating! That being said, maybe it is worth us submitting anyway and seeing what happens

Thanks

C

[Jacques Voogt]

Ah, yes I have similar issues.

A diploma in Electronic engineering specializing in Digital Technology from Technikon Pretoria.

BUT, to qualify as Engineer on SOL I need minimum a Degree. Unless I get sponsorship as technician on CSOL

Then I have 9 years experience in IT but no qualification. There is a possibility for recognition of prior learning for IT but it is very complicated and would reduce a few years counted as experience as they would then count towards the qualification and there is no guarantee that the recognition will be successful.

Fortunately for us, my wife has a degree and experience in her line of study, so we can do 189.

I'd still do 2 EOIs and apply for sponsorship at same departments. You never know when your skill set is preferred over someone else's, and visa versa.

Good luck

[AlBrough]

Hi Jacques, thanks for the response. Regarding Diane's Photography experience, although D's been a photographer for almost 10 years and has owned companies in SA and UK, we were told that because her degree is in Marketing and not Photography she wouldn't qualify for a Skilled Visa. Very frustrating! That being said, maybe it is worth us submitting anyway and seeing what happens

Thanks

C

I am in a similar situation, where I have numerous years IT experience but my degree is Marketing and HR

Fortunately I have a wife that is a teacher. Good luck with trying!

[africancowgirl]

Hey Claudiodr, glad that you got the pack - takes some reading but is definitely worth it! Good luck and keep us posted