Overview

Where to Start

If you are right at the start of this process, you may want to visit their site and read the Migrating to Australia section to understand the process and which migration streams you may qualify for.

If you're considering a skilled migration application, also take a look at DIMA's "Booklet 6 - General Skilled Migration" (a PDF doc).

Where to Get Help

Who Can Give Advice

While we encourage our readers to share their own experiences of the migration process, we ask that you do not offer advice unless you are a migration agent registered in Australia.

Please read our disclaimer statement.

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Newsletter - April 2008

OPTIONS FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE PATHWAY D DILEMMA

We are working in conjunction with an Australian-based trade training company who can offer particular tradesmen the opportunity to be formally assessed here in the UK. Currently providing quality education and training in the building and construction industry within Australia, they have realised the need for recognised assessment of qualified tradesmen worldwide. Due to the demand for this service, Australian Training Officers are now based in the UK, offering workplace assessments for particular tradesmen.

Both Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) Assessments will be undertaken. Following the successful completion of an initial written assessment involving the supply of evidence including references, photos, etc, an on-site assessment will be arranged. This involves a qualified assessor travelling to the client’s place of work and making an assessment based on various duties and tasks performed. Providing all competencies are adequately met, the Assessor will award the necessary Australian Qualification Certificate Level 3, allowing the client to continue with a successful application for assessment through the Trades Recognition of Australia (TRA) under Pathway E.

Those trades currently included for assessment include:

• Solid Plastering
• Roof Tiling
• Wall & Floor Tiling
• Wall & Ceiling Fixing (Fibrous Plastering)
• Painting & Decorating

The total cost of the assessment is £2000, this being £200 for the written package and £1800 for the assessment. The on-site assessment will take place approximately one month from the receipt of the written submission, at a time to suit both the client and his employer. Whilst this may seem an expensive solution, when compared to the alternative Student Visa costs and requirements, it is actually a cost-effective and time efficient alternative. It is also a more viable proposition for the majority of prospective migrants who have family to consider.

If you would like to discuss this option in greater detail, or should you have any specific questions regarding the assessment process, please contact Darren by phone at the Visa-Go Edinburgh office on +44 (0)131 228 4450 or by email to info@visa-go.com.

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Migration Agent Services

The process of migration for most people is an adventure of unknown quantities. Whilst many will be able to find their way, just as many will not. Basically, no two applications will be the same, and there are many factors that will determine the outcome of each one.

Many qualified applicants will get through the application process themselves without any problems or delays. Others will have determining factors that may be overlooked or not deemed to be a consideration.

If you are not confident that your application is strong, or concerned that it may be incomplete, then you could ask a Registered Migration Agent to look over it for you, and even lodge it on your behalf. You should be aware that not all agents will give this service, but it is worth asking and determining a fee.

You may well save a considerable amount of money in preparing the application yourself. Your best investment however, may be in having it perused and endorsed by a professional before having it lodged.

More Information?
For more information contact Darren Chatt of Visa-Go Emigration on +44 (0)131 228 4450.

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The Application Process

The first, and most important hurdle for an application for skilled migration, is the assessment of skills. The governing bodies in Australia that perform these assessments are regulated in regards to the requirements of each and every application. From the qualifications certificates to the content and format of each reference and statutory declaration, the assessing body will determine whether or not an applicant is adequately qualified for Australian requirements, and sometimes may impose a deeming date in regards to that qualification. Many people fall short of the requirements, consequently failing the assessment, or receive an inadequate deeming date, simply because they did not include enough of the right information to support their qualification.

Where an assessment of a trade qualification (TRA) is positive, the deeming date may be inadequate to support the application for migration under the skilled category. Various professions require different levels of experience for eligibility to migrate. If the deeming date falls short of the expectation, then the application cannot proceed until such time as the level of experience has been reached. In saying that however, there are other factors that can come into play at this point. If, for example, the applicant has an eligible sponsor, then the level of experience can be waived, rendering the deeming date unimportant and the application can proceed, but under a different visa category.

This is just the beginning. There are many other factors within each application that can create problems and delays. Many people fail simply because they have been ill-advised or because they did not qualify their options and status before they began the process for migration. This is where a Registered Migration Agent can advise you. Conditions and legislation that determine legal migration to Australia are changing all the time. New State opportunities are presenting themselves, allowing those who may have fallen just short of eligibility the opportunity to migrate under another scheme.

More Information?
For more information contact Darren Chatt of Visa-Go Emigration on +44 (0)131 228 4450.

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Migration Agents (our sponsors)

Visa-Go Emigration has become one of the most highly respected migration agencies in the United Kingdom. With a first class success rate of nearly 100%, Darren Chatt is renowned for his professional, hands-on approach and clients can be confident that their application is being prepared and supported at every stage by a professional Registered Migration Agent. At Visa-Go Emigration we provide a total service to our clients. We undertake the certification, preparation and completion of all documentation at every stage of the application. Our 'Fee Guarantee' means you can be confident that the advice you are getting is both professional and correct. For a confidential FREE ASSESSMENT phone 0131 228 4450 or complete our online free assessment at www.visa-go.com

Migration Agents Registration number 0211214 Migration Institute of Australia Reg no. 1481 Visa-Go Emigration Ltd www.visa-go.com info@visa-go.com 19 Dewar Place Lane, Edinburgh EH3 8EF 0131 228 4450 Hanover House, 85 Hanover St, Liverpool L1 3DZ 0151 285 3940

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Other Migration Links

Australian Immigration Department
Primary resource for immigration information. Also has migration statistics.

Australia High Commission - UK

Migration Institute of Australia
Very easy-to-use site, listing all registered migration agents in Australia, with links to email and websites where available.

Migration Agents Registration Authority
The professional body representing all registered migration agents in Australia.

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Visa Application FAQs

Q	I am currently 33 years old and have had Diabetes for the last 10 years. I take insulin intravenously twice a day and would like to apply for Skilled Migration to Australia. Will my Diabetes be a problem?
A	We always submit a Specialists report with the main application, giving details on when diagnosed was made, current treatment regime and future prognosis. If you are in good health and have always maintained your condition, then you will be fine to lodge your application. Always be up front in regard to any medical conditions and include detailed reports where possible.
Q	About 10 years ago, when I was 19 years of age, I was arrested and fined £100 for Breach of the Peace. Will this could jeopardise my application for migration to Australia?
A	Whether or not you expect that any offence of this nature will appear on the Police Clearance which will be submitted to the Australia authorities, you should detail the circumstances of the offence in your application. A full statement from you detailing the incident and the circumstances surrounding the offence should be included, together with character references. It should not harm your application.
Q	I have a child from a previous relationship and am looking at migrating to Australia, will this be a problem?
A	The Department of Immigration will seek to ensure that allowing a child to migrate is not in contravention of Australia’s international obligations in relation to the prevention of child abduction. If your application includes a child under the age of 18 years, and the child’s other parent is not migrating with you, or there is any other person who has legal right to determine where the child can live, you will need to provide a Statutory Declaration from each of them giving permission for the child to migrate. Alternatively, you can provide a certified copy of a valid court order showing that you/your spouse have the legal right to remove the child from the country.
Q	How do I go about certifying documents for my application? Who can do them for me and how much will it cost?
A	In most circumstances you are required to supply certified copies of documents authorised or stamped as being “certified a true copy of the original”, by a person or agency recognised by the law of the person’s home country. In Australia, this means a copy which is authorised as a true copy by a person before whom a Statutory Declaration may be made. Such authorised persons include: Magistrates Justice of the Peace Commissioner for Declarations Commissioner for Affidavits Solicitor Registered Medical Practitioner Bank Manager Postal Manager Australian Public Service Officer with 5 years or more service. In the United Kingdom authorised persons include: Notary Publics Justice of the Peace Solicitors Commissioner for Declarations. If you are considering enlisting the services of a Registered Migration Agent, please determine beforehand if the certification of documents is included in their professional fee. The cost of certifying documents can be as much as £100, so this is a valuable service if included.

Any Other Questions?
Darren Chatt of Visa-Go Emigration has offered to answer Aussiemovers' questions with no charge and no obligation to use his services. Send Darren your question via email to info@visa-go.com.

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Migration Planning Levels: 2006-2007

1. Includes spouse, fiancé and interdependent. Net outcome as places taken by provisional visa holders who do not subsequently obtain permanent visas are returned to the Migration Programme in the year that the temporary visas expire.
2. An increase of 3,000 partner places for 2005-06 agreed by Government in March 2006.
3. Includes child-adoption, child dependent and orphan minor.
4. Includes aged dependent, carer, orphan unmarried and remaining relatives.
5. Includes Designated, Contributory and non-contributory Parents.
6. Includes Employer Nomination Scheme, Labour Agreement, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
7. Includes State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme and Skilled Independent Regional.
8. Includes brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, non-dependent children, working age parents, grandchildren and first cousins who have been skill tested.
9. Net outcome as cancelled visas are returned to the Migration Programme in that year.

Please note that numbers have been rounded and totals may not be the exact sum of components. Migration Programme numbers do not include New Zealand citizens or holders of Secondary Movement Offshore Entry (Temporary), Secondary Movement Relocation (Temporary) and Temporary Protection Visas and are detailed at the top of planning range.

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Disclaimer

Information on this website is intended to give the reader an overview of many aspects of life in Australia, such as healthcare, real estate, tax, superannuation etc.

While we at Aussiemove.com have performed a large amount of research on each subject area, we do not claim to be experts in those fields and we recommend that migrants discuss their requirements with companies specialising in those fields before making purchases, investments or other decisions concerning their move.

The content of this website is general in nature - no specific advice is intended.

Occasionally we may publish features or news stories provided by third parties, such as migration agents. While we take reasonable care not to publish false or misleading information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of such features and the reader should consider this before making any decisions regarding visa applications or similar.

We provide links to other companies as a service to our readers. We have taken reasonable care to ensure that each linked website does not contain offensive or inappropriate material. However, we are not responsible for the accuracy of any of the material in any linked website, or the advice that may be contained therein.

The fact that we provide a link should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by us for that company's services.

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