IrishStew

Hi Troon Teacher. Like you my wife is a teacher and would not dream of telling until necessary. Adelaide Bounds experience demonstrates this very clearly. We did not send such data until the VISA application. I would send what you have and then explain that you do not want to compromise your position with your current employer and therefore are not in position supply such a letter. If you can send your recent payslips that should do the trick. Hopefully Adelaide Bound will jump in on this post as I think they did not give a reference even at VISA app stage. Can I ask is this an agent telling you this or direct from SA. Sometimes agents can do strange things!!!! IrishStew (OH)

Hi All, You have a moral obligation to stay in SA, but according to the legal experts it is not enforceable by law. I believe that those of us who have been sponsored by SA should stay for the two years, but it is not the law. The 2 years SS issue is not really relevant to when you arrive or leave Australia. As once you are in on a 176 you can stay as long as you like, its the coming and going from Australia that makes the issue slightly more complex - see previous post. Regards IrishStew (OH)

You will need to validate usually 12months from your police clearance. You have 5 years from the VISA grant to make the move and then stay in OZ for the rest of your life. However, the sting in the tail is this - If you have not been resident (in OZ not a particular state) for 2 years you cannot get a return visa. This means that if you arrived in OZ just before the 5 year date you would not be able to leave OZ and then return (say for a family illness etc). see http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/residents/155/eligibility.htm Therefore from a practical point of view you want to be in OZ within the three year period. The SS commitment does not come into it. IrishSTew (OH)

HI Guys You really need to do some reading on the IMMI site. Download the Booklets. 1. See if you have the points. 2. If yes then you will need to have your skills assessed. [h=2]"Skill level[/h]This occupation has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience in Australia of AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. If you require further information on this occupation, please refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics website. See: Unit Group 3121 - Motor Mechanics Information on the skill level of each occupation is consistent with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and may differ from the requirements set by the assessing authorities for obtaining a skills assessment. Please contact the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation to check on their requirements" If I were you I would look at a RSMS visa, if you are on the ground in SA find an employer with the full time hours and willing to sponsor you, an RSMS should be a lot quicker and simple and as far as I know costs the employer nothing/very little. Regards IrishSTew (OH)

Helchops - you do know whta they say - never volunteer!!! No worries will help when I can. IrishStew (OH)

Hi All, Mark Bishop posted a good spreadsheet on budhets see http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/money-finance/25074-budget-spreadsheet.html IrishStew (OH)

HI Ali, don't stress, some COs dont even look for it, see - http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/adelaide-migration-issues/26118-form-80-so.html Regards IrishSTew (OH)

I tried AVG for a few months but found it slowed my PC a little more than a AVAST bt still very good. IrishStew (OH)

I've used AVAST for 5 years now and no probs. Stopped a couple of security events for me so, it working well. IrishStew (OH)

Hi Andy, It really depends on your situation. If you have the points and no major complications then in my humble opinion there is no point in using an agent. You will find that everyone on here is very helpful and loads of brainy people who know loads more than most agents – don’t be afraid to ask. Attend a few expos and gather up general information. Down load the IMMI booklets do a little reading and save ££££s Then start with getting you qualifications assessed. By the time you have done this you will have the confidence for the next action, and so bit by bit you will get there. It’s not that hard really!!! Regards IrishStew (OH)

Congratulations Saroar, enjoy the moment !!! IrishSTew (OH)

congratulations - pressure is now on? IrishSTew(OH)

Come on own up, who messed up the tracker again Helchops we in N.Ireland have lots of experience with base ball bats!!!!!! Looks like someone tried to sort it by date, it didn't work, did it, at least you could sneek back and fix it! The Doc is live, changes are saved. Just add only. If you want to play with the data, don't . If you want to copy it, then press Ctrl and A, then Ctrl and C, then open a spreadsheet on your PC and Ctrl V. Now you have it on you own PC and will not break poor Helchops heart. IrishStew (OH)

Hi ya, you are not the first to be impatient, we were, although a lot worse on the SS than 176. We (and I know alot of other members) did not certify anything, just sent colour scans. It was not a problem. So maybe you will be OK. IrishStew (OH)

Hi Joseph You will find most of the answers you need on this thread - http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/adelaide-migration-issues/25627-state-sponsorship-tracker-again.html although the thread started talking about SS, it also covers alot about a 176 visa and the process in general However to answer the question, it normally means that a CO has your file, you should get a CO allocated soon. Ours took 22 days from lodging to getting a CO and also 22 days from CO to Visa and over all about 6 weeks. Regards IrishStew (OH)

Hi Ovel Congratulations - at last it's all yours, so pleased for you. irishStew (OH)

It was 30 days, but recently they have given a extension to 60days and state the below . Immigration SA’s records show that you were granted South Australian state sponsorship after 1 July 11 but as yet, have not provided DIAC visa lodgement details to Immigration SA for a state sponsored GSM visa application with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Immigration SA is allowing applicants approved during this period an additional 30 days to lodge their visa application with DIAC. The TRN / BCC number and DIAC lodgement date for the applicant must be emailed to gsm.sa@sa.gov.au by Wednesday the 15th of February 2012 (please note: you will not be able to enter the TRN /BCC number into the Client Tracking system on this occasion). Please note: This decision is final. Immigration SA will not enter into any communication regarding this decision as it is deemed to be "in the interest of natural justice with fairness to all applicants". There will be no further extensions beyond this 30 day period. New state sponsorship applications approved from the 17th of January 2012 will be given 60 days to lodge their visa application with DIAC and enter their TRN / BCC number into the Client Tracking System There is a thread on this called SA Sponsership Validity Period you will find helpful IrishSTew (OH)

Hi Helcohps etc Just a quick suggestion, to make life easier for newbies to this thread could we add the link to the tracker to our posts. I have added it to my signature. It might be an idea for AB to add it to the original post as well. IrishStew (OH)

Lifeisgood : Congratulations Its a great feeling, have fun with the 176! Helchops : ​Great job and idea moving the spreadsheet to google docs. . IrishStew (OH)

Hi Guys, I am the proud owner of a Newfie, and we are all sorry that he is to old to bring - we have never used him for breeding in spite of several approaches. I agree with much of what has been said, but I do have concerns that some breeders are more interested in protecting their business than actual breed itself. I am very thankful that my Newfie "Spud" has no problems with heart or hips, but many do because of "careful" breeding. However to get to my question - I have promised my kids a couple of house dogs when we get to SA (DV). They would love a Westie, but I am not sure what breed of house dogs are best in SA - you guys any thoughts??? IrishStew (OH)

Sorry VDM can't help, but thought I would bump you onto the front page in the hope that someone can.

Hi Rachael There are various software packages that allow your PC to look like it is in the UK and therefore watch BBC News 24. You will however have a problem with the line that asks "Do you have a TV licence" !!!!! If you search the posts on this site you will find what is best as the subject has come up before, but I can't remember which one was most recommended. IrishStew (OH)

Hi Oidara Congratulations, happy days, get the Aussie hat packed your going to Oz. IrishStew (OH)

Hi Jenny, Your right it is terrible but you are safer on the cruise! 269 people were killed on Queensland roads lats year! IrishStew (OH)

Did a quick cal from the tracker (as mentioned by AB) http://www.examfinancial.com/images/176wait.png the average is 40 days and 73 was the maximum. We got ours in 45days. IrishStew (OH)