489 skilled regional/sponsered (provisional)

[Guest newmani]

Does anyone have any info on a 489 skilled regional/sponsered (provisional) visa? only info ive had is from an agent trying to make £2400 from me!! a nuetral point of view would be much appreciated, im a bricklayer with partner and 2 kids aged 4 and 2 looking to move sumwhere near padbury as we have friends there, any advice welcome

[taylors4]

Does anyone have any info on a 489 skilled regional/sponsered (provisional) visa? only info ive had is from an agent trying to make £2400 from me!! a nuetral point of view would be much appreciated, im a bricklayer with partner and 2 kids aged 4 and 2 looking to move sumwhere near padbury as we have friends there, any advice welcome

 

Hi, not sure what the charges the agent charges for his services, but we are similar to yourselves, bricklayer with 2 kids 2 adults. So what you are up for (apart from you agents fees) 1st stage of skills assessment £300 (paper based), when you pass this, you do the 2nd stage (practical) £1000. If you want/need to take IELTs £125 each try!!

 

State to sponsorship is £125, your relatives cannot sponsor you as Bricklayer is on the Sol 2. Then the visa cost is £2K, then medicals are about £300 for adults and about £90 for small kids, police checks are about £35 per adult. So it does mount up!! If you have a look on the DIAC website under the 489 visa it gives you most of the info you need, have a look at booklet 6, which in a link at the bottom of the page, this gives more in depth information.

 

The annoying thing is that you are very restricted to the areas you can work in, which to me is a huge draw back (only my opinion though) we are waiting for state sponsorship to come through then will decide if we are going to go through with this visa, but I think its a worry. If you want to live near your friends, I'd suggest checking out if its an area you can live in, as you may find you cannot reside there. We are in the same boat as we have family, but will not be able to live near them!

[Floorman]

With a 489 visa you have to pick an area of a list to live in for 2 years & live in for 1 year. You are not allowed to try & find work in any other areas even if you can't get work in the area you pick .If you have a family to look after this could be a massive

Gamble not to mention living in an area you don't like for 2 years . This visa is the only one we are eligible for at the moment unless I can score all 8s in the IELTS ,I have now sat it 3 times and scored 8s & above in all but essay writing so now I have had to hire a private tutor (£25 a pop !!) if I manage to get all 8s I can then apply for a 190 visa which has no restrictions . Can you not go down this route ?

[Floorman]

Sorry it's work there for 12 months & live there for 2 years

[taylors4]

Hi Floorman, we are in a similar situation, OH really doesn't want to do the IELTs again, so this visa is our only option, but we are seriously considering not applying, as its just too restrictive, and you are so right, its a huge gamble with a family in tow. Just wondering if anyone else is in Perth on this visa and wonder if they are struggling?

[Floorman]

Hi Taylors4 , I can definitely understand your OH not wanting to sit IELTS again ,in my opinion it is just another money spinner & I'm sure there must be a better way for people to gain the extra few points than having to do this pointless exam . We are of the same minds as yourselves as to not apply for this 489 visa as I have to many reservations regarding being able to find work & with 3 children to support it's a massive worry . The maddening part for ourselves is our agent didn't inform us of these restrictions,we were told it was a temporary 3year visa but that you could apply for pr after 18 months ,they made sure they had their 2k fees first !! We have since heard that employers are very reluctant to employ people on this visa ,which only adds to the stress . How many times as your OH sat IELTS ?

[taylors4]

Hi Taylors4 , I can definitely understand your OH not wanting to sit IELTS again ,in my opinion it is just another money spinner & I'm sure there must be a better way for people to gain the extra few points than having to do this pointless exam . We are of the same minds as yourselves as to not apply for this 489 visa as I have to many reservations regarding being able to find work & with 3 children to support it's a massive worry . The maddening part for ourselves is our agent didn't inform us of these restrictions,we were told it was a temporary 3year visa but that you could apply for pr after 18 months ,they made sure they had their 2k fees first !! We have since heard that employers are very reluctant to employ people on this visa ,which only adds to the stress . How many times as your OH sat IELTS ?

 

He sat twice now, but really isn't interested in doing it again, can't say I blame him either - its just not his thing! We have been considering this move now for 2 years, so this is no rash decision for us, I think its one thing to be skint and struggling to survive in the UK, but it seems its completely different to be in WA with no job and no source of income at all. I think its harsh reality that if you can't get work your basically on the plane back home after you've spent your life savings trying to make a go of it.

 

I think if your OH is interested in sitting IELTs again, its so worth it for a better visa. I think now we are going to leave it, if they offer us SS will probably decline. Who knows if they put our occupation back on to the SOL 1, in July I would apply for this visa then, as our family could then sponsor us and this would mean we could work anywhere in WA, a much better outcome! As it is I don't think we are going to risk all the money. Spent £3K so far it would mean spending another £3K on visa & medicals £3k + shipping and £3K on flights - that's just to land on their soil, with no job - its too much of a risk in my mind. There is a thread now on POI, ok, the blokes in IT living in Mandurah, but he cannot get anything and is in a pickle on this visa. Just makes you think .......... good luck with the test again!

[Floorman]

Hi Taylors4, sorry to hear you are thinking of throwing the towel in with your application,but understand how you feel as we have felt the same on 3 occasions now (after recieving 3 IELTS results!!!) how far away was your OH away from the band you need,if its not to far it might be worth getting some help of a tutor .I know its another expense & the last thing you want to be doing after a days work but it might be worth a try otherwise you might regret it for the rest of your lifes.Each time I have missed out I have just felt like throwing the application in the bin ,but a couple of weeks later picked myself up & remembered why I started the ball rolling in the first place ,to give my 3 children the oppurtunity of a better life as I am sure you are . dont make any hasty decisions ,enjoy christmas & have a rethink in the new year .good luck with whatever you decide to do

[Guest Mr.Alim]

Hi All,

I am an Electrical Engineer having 5 years work experience. I have something to ask you about Australia (WA) immigration. First I would like to give a short details about my points tests:

Age> 30 points

IELTS 6> 0 point

Education> 15

Experience> 10

So, total I got 55 points with IELTS 6 (R6, L6, W6.5, S6). In this situation for which visa I can apply 489 or 190? and how much possibility is there for me to get WA state sponsorship. Any suggestion welcome.

Thanks

Alim