any advice welcome

[Guest Rich&Sal]

we have just recieved receipt of our tra asessment we decided not to use an agent waiting for the result is very worrying wondering if we took the right decision going it on our own is the trdes asessment the hardest part of the application?

[Guest hayls]

Hi Rich and sal,

We used an agent as we really didnt have a clue and we found it hard work with an agent the detail they wanted on all the references was unbelievable in fact we had to have about 20 of camerons redone[he is a joiner of 24 years self employed for the last 9 years which does make it harder] every tool, power and hand and every single machine in the work shop that he could use had to be listed on the references the list was endless so with out an agent we really would have come unstuck, but thats just us we are the worlds worst at getting things done and form filling so being pushed by an agent was what we needed and by god they worked for their money with us!!!!! What trade are you in?

Loads of people manage with out an agent.If you need any help i can ask cameron as he did most of the trade bit, we are going in on a 136 visa.

all the best Hayls

[Guest Rich&Sal]

hi cam and hayls. We are also trying for a 136, i am abaker of 15 years 7 years self employed but ive only had the one employer being part of a family buisness. If we havn't gone into enough detail in the trades asessment we might have to bite the bullet and pay for an agent. I know this might be abit premature but have you any idea where you would be looking to live? does,nt adelaide look great i think it will suit us down to the ground

[Guest hayls]

Hi Rich and Sal,

We have no idea, one minute i find some where and think yes thats it then i find out the schools are not too good or its in the hills near snakes.We have applied for the on arrival accommodation with the greet and meet service [immigration.sa@state.sa.gov.au] if you want to have a look its basically cheep housing you are allowed it for 12 weeks,we have friends that went over in sept and they paid quite alot in rent for the first few weeks so we want to avoid that but the oaa can be pretty horrid but its not permanent so i think i will cope!!!! but saying that some people have had nice places and rent includes all utility bills.I have a suburb map and i am always looking up places.Cam has been in contact with an english guy in gawler who has been out there for over 20 years and he has been really helpfull, even sent an e-mail saying he would offer cam full time work so we could send it to our agency ,all cameron did was get a list of joinery firms in adelaide of the internet and sat and rang them one night ,all were really nice and said we had to look them up when we get there as i gather its not what you know in adelaide its who you know so hopefully this will help.Do you have any children, mine are not to happy about going two girls aged 12 and 13.well let me know how you get on, any thing i can help with, i will try my best.

bye for now Hayls

[Guest dglamoore]

Hi Rich & Sal

 

Good Luck for your TRA. We definitely found this the hardest part and even though we had an agent to help it was still complicated and the waiting was a killer.

 

We have applied for an SIR on 4th Oct and just waiting for case officer. With any luck we will land in Adelaide 28th April 2007

 

We have also applied for OAA for the first few weeks but a lot of people don't seem to be getting it at the moment. Apparently they only have about 50 rentals for all migrants :shock: So also sorting a plan B!!

 

At the moment we are drawn to the area around Flagstaff hill. Houses look nice and good size for the money. Although I keep pulling out my map and checking google earth too

 

Lisa

[Guest donna T]

Hi Rich and Sal

 

We found the TRA references the hardest part. The amount of detail was incredible. Russ felt that it got a bit embarrasing and that any prospective empoyer loking at those refs would have laughed - he even had to state that he could use a glue gun! But that seemed to be what they wanted. Good luck and let us know if we cn help.

 

We are planning to go in mid Feb, just sorting out flights at the moment- now it is getting very scary! no idea where to live - keep checking out different suburbs but keep changing our minds - Happy Valley, Hallet Cove and Henley Beach all appeal - depends on money though.

[Guest Rich&Sal]

thank you

 

thanks for all your advice should get a reply from tra next week, fingers crossed i hope i have got some new queries for you all

[Angela]

Hi Rich & Sal

 

We used an agency from Edinburgh & we are from the Midlands!

 

My OH is a painter & decorator, he's been self employed for the past 4 years but previously worked for 4 employers since leaving school. Our TRA was purely vocational & was relatively easy. We were lucky all 4 employers wrote super references (with my help on the wording!) & put them on headed paper. Listing tools were more difficult for Ash as this trade is not like a joiner / sparky etc - there were only the obvious you could list.

 

Self Employment history was ok to, the accountant did a letterhead & then some commercial & private references were sent along with the evidence.

 

I don't think I could have compiled it all like an agency so I am glad I have one!

 

I am awaiting sponsorship now its been about 2 weeks tomorrow since they received it. Hoping to have this pre-Xmas then the visa can go!

 

Good Luck

Angela