176 or hold out for a 457??

[piccolo]

We are very confused at the moment. My OH has applied to over 14 companies for a 457 offered position in CNC Machining/Fitting. He has had no joy so far. We have held off on applying for a state sponsored visa as he would have to pay to sit the IELTS exam and also for a TRA skills assessment so we thought we might save money by trying to go down the 457 route first. But nothing is happening and he is starting to become disheartened.

So should he just go ahead and get his skills assessed and apply for the exam anyway? And then apply for state sponsored? I haven't read enough on this to know, once a state sponsored is granted, you can then go and apply for a 176 is that right?

thanks for any help you can offer

[verystormy]

First thing to remember is that companies do not just happily go down the 457 route unless they have to. It costs them a fair stack of $$$. They also have to show that the reason they are doing it is because they are unable to fill the job locally.
Now, bear in mind that even in sectors where the 457 is a common thing such as my own (geologist) you my have to apply to a lot more than 14 companies. Now factor in that although some trades people do get them, they are fairly rare. The vast majority of 457's awarded are for things such as proffessionals such as teachers, engineers, geologists. The other major area is in medical areas such as nurses and doctors. So, while there is no harm in trying to get company sponsorship, i would not hold out a huge amount of hope for it

[piccolo]

Thanks verystormy...helpful as always from the wilds of the Congo! Ya, I think we'll start by sending off his TRA assessment as I've heard they can take ages. We want to get out to Oz as soon as possible to have as much set up cash as possible. I guess a 176 is the way to go so. Thanks for that.

[verystormy]

Very welcome

[New Life Down Under]

Dont forget that a 457 is a temporary visa anyhow. You may be wise to look at the visas that offer you permanency, so you may be wise to start the process in the mean time! My advise is for anyone considering a 457 visa is to speak to their prospective employer and ask them to consider a RSMS visa as this will offer a route to permanency.

[verystormy]

Dont forget that a 457 is a temporary visa anyhow. You may be wise to look at the visas that offer you permanency, so you may be wise to start the process in the mean time! My advise is for anyone considering a 457 visa is to speak to their prospective employer and ask them to consider a RSMS visa as this will offer a route to permanency.

From my experience as someone who has been down the 457 route twice and is now and employer of sponsored staff, we would not go staight down that route. The costs are too great and the processing times too long. The normal process we, and i know many other companies follow is to use 457 and then providing the staff member worked out offer to sponsor perm residence.

[New Life Down Under]

From my experience as someone who has been down the 457 route twice and is now and employer of sponsored staff, we would not go staight down that route. The costs are too great and the processing times too long. The normal process we, and i know many other companies follow is to use 457 and then providing the staff member worked out offer to sponsor perm residence.

Hello verystormy, since the introduction of Perth as a Regional Area for the purpose of RSMS visas, many employers are now seeing the benefit of employing staff on a RSMS. This offers the employer the opportunity to secure continuity of staff as the visa is for a minimum of 2 years, whereas with a 457, staff in high demand roles ie engineering, health specialists, are switching sponsors, therefore the employer loses staff to competitors paying higher $$$. Also as a RSMS offers permanency many employers feel that they are getting loyalty from their staff as they are offering the migrant permanent residency and subsequently some security. With regards to the cost the VAC is more at around $3000 (plus if the secondary applicant is not English speaking some additional fees) , however with regards to processing times, DIAC are currently processing DEcision Ready Applications from Migration Agents that were submitted at the end of November. RSMS is Priority 1 for processing. Therefore the turnaround from appointment of CO is very quick. I would advise anyone, if offered the opportunity to grasp a RSMS visa with both hands. The current amount of visas to be granted is 16000 until the end of June 2012. This may/could change next year. Also who knows how long Perth CBD will stay on the current Legislative Instrument for RSMS??? This visa is currently a fantastic opportunity for prospective migrants with an employer. Yes, it is complex and there is a huge amount of paperwork and documentation involved, but it is one of the best opportunities for migrants headed to Perth. I believe the benefits certainly outweigh the costs.
I am happy to discuss this visa further with any employers thinking of recruiting overseas staff.

[piccolo]

What is an RSMS visa and how does it differ from a 457?

[sophiesindall]

Hi there, we was in exactly the same position as you and was holding on for a 457.... My other half is an Electrician an couldn't find anyone interested in sponsering us. After 6mths we got fed up of waiting and have just submitted out 176 state sponsorship application. I personally would go ahead with the Ielts and skill assessment and go the permanent visa route. It may be more expensive but we feel better in the long run and current lead times are between 4-6mths (so I've been told). If anyone knows any different or has recently had any experience with this visa then I'd love to hear.
Hope that helps Sophie

[New Life Down Under]

What is an RSMS visa and how does it differ from a 457?

RSMS stands for Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa and it is a permanent visa allowing Australian employers to recruit workers to fill f/t skilled vacancies. The offshore visa is subclass 119 and the onshore is subclass 857. It is a complex visa with a three part application process , the employer has the nomication certified by the Regional Certifying Body, the employer then applies to DIAC to have the nominated position approved as an "approved appointment" and then the nominated employee makes an application for the visa! That is the briefest way I can explain it!
Obviously the employer and employee have to meet the criteria of the .Migration Regulations 1994 before they can apply. However with Perth becoming Regional this ahs opened up an opportunity that previously did not exist.
Have a look at subclass 119/857 on the immi website for more details.

A subclass 457 is a temporary business (long stay) visa and again is a 3 part process. Firstly the employer is approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) then they apply to DIAC to have the position approved and gthen the selected employee applies for a subclass 457 visa.

Both visas are subject to skills/occupation/age etc. Speak to your Registered Migration Agent or contact DIAC for further info.
Hope this helps!!! Sorry both are fairly difficult to explain, I ahve tried to make it as simple as possible.
Regards
Camilla