Originally posted 2 years ago, some things are being reposted due to some reorganising, sorry.
This is the story of how we made the biggest move of our lives. Our Permanent Migration to Australia!
Step 1
So how does one go about moving to a different country? RESEARCH!!! First for obvious reasons make sure it's got what you want, don't assume just because it's a different place, that all of your problems will be automatically solved simply by changing your geography. As stated above we researched the economy, the government, the climates and geography, the culture, the job market, etc. Also planning a visit before finalizing such a major move would not be irrational.
I must say one thing I absolutely love about Australia... they won't let just anyone in! You have to be able to offer them something, like a job skill or business investment. Being that we aren't at all rich people, we looked into qualifying skills that either my husband or I possessed. Every year, usually in July, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (also known as DIAC) publishes a list of Skilled Occupations currently in demand. Click here for the 2011 Schedule, it does change from time to time as do the qualifications for even applying for a Visa. So make sure to stay up to date with any current changes, even though they are pretty good about announcing any major changes months prior.
As I have only worked a few years as a Dental Assistant and a short time as a Veterinarian Assistant my skills were not in high demand. Alan has been a carpenter since the age of 15, other than his 4 years in the US Navy Seabees as a Construction Mechanic. So we were rather pleased to see "Carpenter and Joiner" as a highly demanded skill shortage. Next to each occupation on the list is the Assessing Authority, basically this is who you submit your information to so they can tell you whether or not you are "qualified" for the corresponding occupation. Alan's was TRA which stands for Trades Recognition Australia as they oversee the assessment of all Trade Qualifications in Australia. Click here for TRA's current Assessment guidelines. There is also a code known as the ANZSCO code, which stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations codes next to each job title. This is the number you would use for all qualifying references once your skills are positively assessed.
We contacted all of my husband's previous and current employers asking them to write up a letter of reference for him that had to be signed and notarized on their company letterhead regarding his skills while under their employment, the tools he was capable of using, 5 specific duties performed at each job, along with his job title, rate of pay and how long employed with them. We submitted them along with his completed application and $300 AUD payment. After only 2 weeks we received our letter of a successful skills assessment.
Step 2
My family and I have all felt as though our lives have been on hold for the last several years with deciding on what direction we wanted to take our future in. There seemed to be many different options for us to go with next. Should we hire a migration expert? Do we have enough points (I'll explain this further down) to go as Skilled Migrants independently or should we seek sponsorship? The three best options we had were to go independent, employer sponsored or state sponsored. We wanted to compare each options waiting list and regulations if any.
When Alan turned 40 we lost 5 points, so qualifying for Skilled Independent Migration, could be a bit more difficult, plus the process could take upwards of 3 years to receive our visas. Employer sponsorship had its perks, a guaranteed job and the absolute fastest way to get there, usually anywhere from 4-6 months. State sponsorship gave a timeline of up to a year before receiving a visa and not as many regulations as the Employer sponsorship.
*** On a special note, as of July 1, 2011, DIAC has completely changed their Visa requirements. Age requirements have now gone from 45 to 50 years old, and the points system has changed drastically. All of the information I am providing is relevant to our experience and application prior to July 1, 2011. For complete and up to date information please visit www.immi.gov.au and click on the "Finding a Visa" to take the up to date Visa quiz to see what Visa you may qualify for. ***
So let's break each option down...
Skilled Independent Visas 175, must be under 45 yrs of age, have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, meet recent work experience requirements, meet the English Language Requirement. (That's right Australia won't let you in unless you have conversational level English) Must score 120 points on the Points Test. This is a Permanent Visa however this one takes the longest time to acquire but you're a free agent in Australia, meaning you can live and work anywhere you please.
Skilled Sponsored 176, same exact requirements as the 175 visa, however you must be sponsored by an Australian State or Territory. Each state/territory has their own list of skills in demand, if your skill is on their list, they may agree to sponsor you. Must score 100 points or higher on the Points test. This is a Permanent Visa. You must live in the nominating State or Territory for at least 2 years.
Employer Sponsored 121, the same requirements as the State Sponsored Visa, however you must be employed with the nominating employer for at least 2 years. If you are fired, or laid off your visa will then expire within 30 days, unless you find another employer willing to sponsor you. This is also a permanent visa and the fastest Visa to get but incredibly risky if you lose employment.
The Points test:
The points test is a mechanism used to help select skilled migrants who offer the best in terms of economic benefit to Australia. The points test creates a selection process that is transparent and objective, awarding points to the skills and attributes considered to be in need in Australia.
~ DIAC
At the time of our application, DIAC had a points test that every primary migrant must undergo. The applicant earned a certain number of points based on age, english language ability, nominated skill, available sponsorship, work experience, Australian study and work experience etc. The passmark ranged from 100 to 120 points depending on the Visa applied for.
DIAC still has a points test but they decided not to include points for the applicants nominated skill, even though your nominated skill must be on the Skilled Occupation List and must be positively assessed. The new passmark is now 65 points.
After all things considered we decided to go with the State/Territory Sponsorship Visa. This gave us time to apply and save up money, as well as some of the freedoms of the Independent Visa as far as work. Fortunately the state we chose, South Australia to apply for sponsorship from, is actually where we wanted to go to begin with. They have a wonderful migration scheme of their own and Alan's job skills are in high demand there...
Step 3
We made the decision to go ahead without a migration agent. My husband has given me the opportunity to be a stay at home mom throughout the years, so I had the time to read up on everything possible regarding the process. It's rather expensive to hire one and we truly felt we could go it alone as others had before.
Applying for South Australia's State Sponsorship was a relatively simple process. Everything was online through South Australia's Migration Site. We had to send in proof of who we are, Alan's TRA letter, job references, etc. Six weeks later we had it! Once we had our sponsorship we had 30 days to file our main Visa application. Once again sending in proof of identity (birth certificates & passports), marriage certificate, recent passport photos, even more current job experience letters and our custody order (which without our oldest two, Sherri and Wesley would not be allowed to move with us... NOT AN OPTION!)
Once we filed for our Visa's we waited to be assigned our case worker...amazingly it only took 3 weeks. Which was rather surprising since we know others through an Expat forum who have waited for months, so we were feeling rather fortunate. When our case worker had approved everything we had submitted at that time he then requested we go ahead and proceed with the Police and Medical checks.
Alan, Sherri and I all had to be fingerprinted and have letters from both the State of Alaska and the FBI stating that we had no criminal record. The FBI check took the longest so we proceeded with the Medicals. All 8 of us had to go to Anchorage and see the ONLY approved doctor for the entire state. DIAC has a list of approved panel doctors that have been allowed to complete the Australian Immigration Medicals on people, thankfully the doctor wasn't in Juneau. The youngest 3 boys had to be seen for eye exams, medical exams, and urinalysis. Our youngest daughter Alanna, had to have the eye exam, medical exam, urinalysis, and chest x-ray. Then Alan, Sherri, Wesley and I all had to have the eye exam, urinalysis, chest x-ray and blood test. Everything is pretty self explanatory but the chest x-ray is to make sure none of us have Tuberculosis and the blood draw was to test for HIV, Hepatitis and some STD's.
The reason for such invasive test is because Australia has a rather nice public health care system compared to most countries. When DIAC is deciding whether or not to grant any Residency Visas, one of those major deciding factors is the health of the individual or family. They want to ensure we are not going to place an undue burden on the health care system. Another policy of "one fail, all fail" is very true. If one person fails the test, we all do, especially with communicable diseases like HIV and TB.
So now that all of our test and checks have come back good, we wait.
Honestly this might be the hardest part...
GRANTED!!!
The big day finally came this week as we were notified by DIAC that our application for Permanent Residency was granted. I must say it was much faster than we ever anticipated. We were told a year or less from the date we filed our application, but 5 months was a wonderful surprise! We couldn't be happier about it. Our son Ben was ready to pack and our daughter Alanna was already asking about Aussie citizenship...to say they were happy is a bit of an understatement.
Now the pressure really begins! There is so much that still has to be done in what will seem like very little time. We need to find a reliable international shipping company to send what belongings we are taking on a 6 week cruise across the vast Pacific Ocean. We have almost finished the dogs paperwork and testing to get them ready for their 30 days of Quarantine in Melbourne. Of course let's not forget to mention getting ready to have the biggest moving sale of our lives, continue downsizing the farm and save as much money as we possibly can!
According to our Visa we have to be in Australia within a year or we lose it. However once we arrive we will have it indefinitely. Our goal is to there by Christmas and hope that leaving winter in Alaska for summer in South Australia won't be too cruel on our unacclimated bodies! But considering the reversal of the seasons I'm not sure there really is a perfect time to go...although leaving our Fall to arrive in their Spring does seem pretty perfect...hummmm?
> Average daily winter (June-August) temperatures, Adelaide - Max 15.9°C, Min 8°C (60.6°F - 46.4°F)
> Average daily spring (September-November) temperatures, Adelaide - Max 21.7°C, Min 11.6°C (71°F - 52.8°F)
> Average daily summer (December-February) temperatures, Adelaide - Max 28.3°C, Min 16.5°C (82.9°F - 61.7°F)
> Average daily autumn (March-May) temperatures, Adelaide - Max 22.4°C, Min 12.5°C (72.3°F - 54.5°F)
~Taken from www.southaustralia.com
Our oldest, Sherri, is now letting the collage she's been in communication with TAFE SA know about the Visa being granted so that she won't be considered an international student. I'm currently looking at schools for the younger kids in the areas we are considering living in, and Alan can now seriously start contacting possible employers about work as they like to hear we actually have the visa now.
I have found a great group of people in OZ on a backyard chicken forum, they have been incredibly supportive and helpful. I find the best way to get the most honest information about the areas you want to know about, is by talking with the people who live there or are familiar with it. They've truly been great in offering up loads of helpful advice! Everything from the weather, information on schools, housing and even the different towns and villages. I look forward to meeting some of them after we get settled in. It's really wonderful getting to know like-minded people.
It's also the one thing I will miss the most about leaving here.
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