Zachary

thanks to everyone here and good luck to all those waiting for their grant. Just a small tip - do check your spam folders or Immi account. Goodbye! Signing off Zachary

Call up the number on the website

Funny story - I received my grant on 26th June 2020 but for some reason the email went to spam folder and I had not bothered to check until this morning when I called up the skilled support and they mentioned that my case was finalized last month and I have been sent an email too. They asked me to check the spam folder and call back if the email was not found. But surprise surprise, the grant email was sitting on the 2nd page of the spam folder - I know, I need to empty the spam folder regularly and check before I empty it. Feeling stupid but mostly funny. And then I told my mother the whole story and we were both laughing. I hung up and a few minutes later she calls and asks "so you got PR?" Hahaha. Guess it runs in the family. Thanks everyone! Application dat 2nd October 2019 Granted 26th June 2020 Realized 23rd July 2020

If you've already taken the test and are awaiting results, send in your payment receipt along with a letter explaining the delay.

Congratulations! I did send an email today to skilled.support@homeaffairs.gov.au and gsm.allocated@homeaffairs.gov.au got system generated replies from both. Hopefully I get my grant next week.

Thanks

Hey, is it @homeaffairs.com or @homeaffairs.com.au? Same for the skilled.support? Thanks

I highly doubt that. Only because, should the processing times be officially changed to 7-9 months it would imply all cases be finalized within the processing times and given the fact that there are applicants from May 2019 waiting for grants the department would not want to find themselves in a pickle.

Dear Mr New South Wales - Go with the name shown on your passport. Refer to your previously held visa,and the application of the same, for the name used.

Hey @Meee you could do the following; 1. Send an email to the college (if there is any email provided on the college website) requesting a medium of instruction letter and attach that email as your attempt to obtain the letter. 2. Write a letter to HA explaining the closure of college due to the lockdown. If there is any message on the site showing college closure attach a screenshot of that. 3. Making a statutory declaration of medium of instruction would help too. 4. If any of your friends or family could go to the college personally and find out if there is admin staff working would help as you could request them to issue the medium of instruction letter or a letter stating college will be unable to process any requests at this point in time. 5. Attach your mark sheets and passing certificates as they sometimes show the medium of answer ( especially mark sheets) Good luck!

Please consult a qualified MARA agent who can advice you appropriately. If your file has been opened already and a CO has requested for documents it is not advisable to withdraw your application as this may raise concerns about the authenticity and integrity of your case. From what I remember the other person who was in a similar situation wasn't contacted by a CO therefore, th withdrawal of his application cannot be used as a frame of reference for your case. Good luck and seek expert advice.

Once again we're back to the days of zero grants a day!

Hey, You could go on the website of the passport office and if there is a message that says that the office is closed due to the pandemic then take a screenshot of that or, go to the passport office and take a picture of the closed sign, along with any other messages, and write a letter to the department explaining why you are unable to submit the pcc. Make sure you have evidence (screenshots, pictures...) to your claims of the passport office closure.

DHA will never contact you by phone or email to secure your personal details. All requests are made through immi account and any requested details have to be uploaded to your immi account ONLY. Should any individual contact you claiming to be a representative of the DHA disconnect the call and report the call/email to the DHA. DO NOT fall into the trap of scammers. Just today the Prime minister announced about the major cyber attack on Australian institutions and companies.

Is statutory declaration an acceptable document to stand as a proof of medium of instruction in the absence of an official letter by the high school? Since I'm unable to obtain the medium of instruction letter from my high school as all educational institutions are closed until September in India would a statutory declaration help instead?

I was contacted by a case officer today for a medium if instruction letter, specifically from the high school. I had attached my mark sheets and passing certificates that mention the medium of instruction is English but apparently they need it on the high school's letterhead. If I have completed a degree and master's course in English then why would I have to prove any preceding academic medium of instruction?! I'll probably do IELTS when I can and provide them the English proof. Nuggets!

I have submitted letters from all the 3 employers stating my employment duration. I hope that will assure the department of my English language proficiency as all the employers are well known aussie businesses. If they still ask for English proof I'll have to wait until my college or university reopens. Thank you, I really mean it, for your prompt replies and genuine help!

Thanks @TAS887 I have emailed the Adeliade vfs office now. Will wait and see what they have to say. I have been calling up my college and the university back home continuously to no avail. My friend back home went to the college but was greeted with a big sign " CLOSED UNTI FIRTHER NOTICE"

Hey @nmit07 thank you kindly! I will email the adelaide vfs office and see what they have to say. I read the mode of payment via post was credit card only on the form. My only apprehension is if I send in my debit card details or postal order, by ignoring the website information, they may reject my application, which I will learn about only when they mail my documents back by courier, which will be after 4-6 weeks, then I'll have to re-do the whole application and wait another 4-6 weeks and the DHI will wait probably for 4-6 months to reopen my file after I submit my pcc. I honestly appreciate your, and everyone's, guidance on here! Hope you get your grant soon.

1) Thanks for your reply @TAS887. Unfortunately I don't have a credit card and I'm a single applicant so can't use anybody else's as the credit card has to be aussie issued. I can't subutex my application in person in adelaide as I live 5 hours drive away from Adeliade and I can only send my application through post. VFS helplines are closed too! 2)I have lived at 2 different addresses in the past year. On the form it says "submit separate personal particulars from for each address..." 3) hopefully all works out. 4) yeh, it is all for English coz the department suddenly realised there is a new way to make money by asking the primary applicant for Functional English proof. Although it can be argued that at the time I applied there was no such requirement for a primary applicant and hence I shouldn't be asked to produce a proof of a condition that is recently introduced. All the colleges and Universities in India are shut. How do I get my medium of Instruction letter during these times.

Thanks for your reply but I will be applying through post as I live 5 hours drive away from Adelaide and can't make it to the city during the week. In the "application process it clearly mentions that debit cards are not accepted for applications sent via post. Hence, the predicament.

Hi, I was trying to apply for the Indian pcc and the only option to pay if I'm sending my application through post is by credit card. Is there any alternative if I don't have a credit card? Also, in the address section 8b it asks for a residential address, would that be my Australian address? I have changed residences twice within the last year so would I have to submit 2 separate forms for both the addresses in Australia? How long would it take to get the pcc given India is in total shut down? I have uploaded my mark sheets and passing certificates for university degrees but can't get transcripts due to COVID-19 lockdown. Thank you for your guidance! Sorry, but I just realised that grants are fast tracked so the panic and anxiety has left me with series of questions and dilemmas.