Hi all,

This may not be directly related to working in Australia but would like to seek opinions from those who are already there.

Me & my wifey is planning to migrate to OZ in the next 12-18 months and is planning to go over via the PR route aka subclass 187. I am a banker myself (occupation not on SOL) while wifey is a chartered accountant and her job is on the SOL.

Basically, both of us went over to Rayford last week for consultation and it seems that our chances are bright. Both of us scored over 65 points under the mock test points system. Agent advised us to lodge application through wifey and once she gotten her PR, she in turn will sponsor me as a spouse. Total costs involved is about AUD10k for both of us, which includes all fees from skills assessment (6 months), EOI (2-6 months), invitation to apply (4-6 months) and sponsorship of spouse. Our first step now is to sit for IELTS exam and study hard enough that both of us score a band 7-8.

Now, my question is:

1) Given our qualifications above, how likely is that my wife will be selected/invited to apply? Agent seemed very optimistic and claimed that with decent points + occupation in SOL, very high chance. Planning to seek second opinion through another migration agent (probably Global Migrations or Migration Avenue) but asking based on those who went through the same route, what is the likelihood of being selected?

The reason why I'm asking is that both of us do not want to waste our time/hard-earned money should the chances are just 50-50 or even lower. Knowing that it is very competitive out there, probably tons of applicants with same points and qualifications trying to apply as well.

Our secondary choice is Singapore, which PR application is much more straight-forward (cost less as well) and easier to score jobs for both of us.

Hi hihihehe,

Thanks for the swift reply. Correction on my earlier post (after double-checking my points sheet). Wife scored 65, while I scored 55 (below minimum requirement of 60pts). Below are points scored individually:

Qualification - Bachelor's Degree = 15pts (Same for both)
English ability - IELTS (assuming B7 minimum) = 10pts (Same for both)
Age - 25-32 yrs old = 30pts (Same for both)
Work experience outside Australia - 5yrs = 10pts (Wife only. 0 for me as job not listed under SOL.)
Australian work experience - Nil = 0pts (Same for both)
Australian qualification - Nil = 0pts (Same for both)

Hence the reason why we were advised to apply under my wife, unless I am able to score a B8 for IELTS which will boost up my score to 65pts. But still, with my current occupation not listed under SOL, we were informed that my chances are slim.

Back to my first question in my earlier post, what are the chances of being selected to apply for a PR, assuming one's points is well above the minimum requirement of 60pts (assuming 65-75pts)?

Noted and thanks. That's what I was told by the agent as well. Planning to submit docs for assessment by end of the month. IELTS scheduled for early March.

Hi ryant3. Thanks for sharing. MYR13k is less than half of what I gonna have to pay. Prolly go for the DIY route if I can find the time. Significant savings there. Care to share the process on how did you get your skills assessed?

Just registered for IELTS. Exam in March. Gonna get skills assessed by CPA once got the results. Fee is only AUD450 and they have a office in Midvalley to do certification for certified true copies and migration assessment. Glad didn't went the agent route which will costs around the region of AUD3k. Thanks ryant3 on the idea of DIY

This post has been edited by teikwing: Jan 22 2014, 04:11 PM

Just to share my experience to those who are applying for subclass 189 with accounting & finance experience. Submitted for skills assessment today. Assessing authority is CPA Australia and fee is AUD445. The process is going to take about 3 weeks and assessment will be done in Australia.

CPA Australia has an office in The Gardens which made things much easier whereby the certification of documents can be done for free and they will submit for you to Australia for free as well.

What you need to do is just prepare the relevant documents ie. IELTS Test Report, testimonials, various certifications, academic transcripts & membership of professional body (if any) and submit to them.

Fingers-crossed there will be no hiccups and I will be able to submit the EOI by early May if possible.

Hi guys!

Just came back from a 2 weeks vacation in SYD and MEL as well. Drove about 2k km in both states visiting the CBD and various suburbs and vacation spots. Lovin' the weather! Despite it can get lil chilly and windy sometimes. The art scene, people and food are just amazing.

First thing I did today after touching down today was submitted the EOI today under 189 and 190. 60 and 65pts respectively. Fingers-crossed for an invitation for the next 1-2 months if possible. 221213 occupational ceiling is 1k for the 2013/2014 programme year and 353 been invited so far as of recent. Job still listed under NSW (closed for the year), QLD, ACT and TAS.

Thanks mate, Just got a reply from QLD that they are willing to sponsor under 190 should we are able to fulfil the requirements (basically commitment to live/work in QLD, financial declaration on sufficient funds for settlement etc). That's a reply within 24hrs of EOI submission, so efficient! Now just wondering should proceed under 190 or wait for 189, which is more straight-forward. Next invitation round should be next week based on the monthly cycles.

Yes I am highly aware of that. But then again, in a lot of a cases, if a visa/PR holder is unable to obtain a job within few months of settling down, he/she is able to obtain an exception from the state government to move to another state.

One gripe I have about the 189 is the longer waiting period (12-18 months vs 4-6 months) and the competition if one only have 60 points. And one will be subjected to the occupational ceiling. But then again, 190 has its disadvantages as well. Gonna proceed with the 190 for now. Thanks for the input.

Varies according to assessment bodies. Best is to check directly with them.

Just lodged my 190 visa application today. AUD5,280 in total for 2 person (inclusive of spouse). Looking forward to the good news within the next few months.

Thanks guys. The average waiting time after lodgement ranges from 3 to 6 months. All my documents were front-loaded (inclusive of medical), hoping for a direct grant.

I have applied under 221213 External Auditor with sponsorship from Queensland.

Great. Shall drop you a PM once I got there. Thanks for the offer.


What kinda complication in your online application you're referring to? Are both systems linked? When I lodge my application, I am still required to key in my HAP ID manually.

Would you be able to proceed if the HAP ID field been left blank? Could be a bug though.

Not all the states have updated yet. Checked against QLD's list, it seems that certain jobs under 190 can only be applied onshore now, if I understand correctly.

ACT - http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/news/...0-visa-program/
QLD - http://migration.qld.gov.au/wp-content/upl...df/190-QSOL.pdf
NSW (to be released in mid July) - http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-wo...sored-migration
SA - https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/SNOL_data
VIC - https://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/overs...ts#.U7LUqF75-hO

Hi guys, just got my 190 (sponsored by QLD) granted this week. For those who would like to know, my timeline as below:

221213 Ext. Auditor (60 points + 5 points via SS by QLD)
IELTS: 08/03 (exam), 14/03 (passed)
Skills Assessment: 28/03 (submitted), 10/04 (positive)
EOI: 01/05
QLD SS (acknowledgement): 02/05
QLD SS (docs submitted): 08/05
QLD SS (approved): 25/05
Invite: 25/05
PCC: 12/05 (approved)
Medicals: 02/06 (done)
Visa Lodged: 29/06 (All docs front-loaded, inclusive of Form 80 and 1221)
CO Allocation: N/A
Direct Grant: 18/08

Initial entry date is May next year, will have to make a trip to validate the visa. Planning to move permanently sometime in 2016.

Went through everything by myself without engaging an agent. Spent about MYR21k all-in (inclusive of a partner and all related costs ie. IELTS, medicals etc.).

For those who are who like to understand more about the process, feel free to PM or post up here.

This post has been edited by teikwing: Aug 21 2014, 10:42 PM

Chances? Definitely yes. The timeline is highly subjective, depending on your placing in the "queue". The higher points, the higher chance you will be granted earlier. But generally, you are looking at about 60-90 days post visa lodgement for the grant.

Congrats to you too! Same here mate. I did everything in advance as well hence the IED. It's exactly a year from the date of my PCC.

Thanks bro nemesis! Been following-up on your new adventure over there. How are things?

Job hunting yes definitely. Definitely need to upskill and learn more about the country before heading over.

Hi cybermaster98, here are some basic information on the few common PR visas available:

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1119.pdf

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/189.aspx

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/190.aspx

Planning to make my visa validation trip April next year. Mind to share how do I go about setting up accounts & Medicare? Do not have kids atm so that can be exempted for the time being.