[Mark]

Hi Jo and welcome to Oz Visa Forum ☺️

To answer your question, yes, you should include all employment history in your Expression of Interest (EOI), even if some roles are unrelated to your nominated occupation.

However, when adding those jobs, you can select “No” for the question “Is this employment related to the nominated occupation?”

This ensures that only relevant experience is considered for points while still maintaining full disclosure.

There is no requirement to list every single job if they were short-term or casual roles, but it’s generally good practice to include anything significant to avoid gaps in your employment timeline.

If any of your previous jobs contributed to the minimum work experience requirement for your Australian Computer Society (ACS) skills assessment, they should be included as related work experience (which in your case seems to be only the Software Engineer role).

Let me know if you need further clarification!

All the best

Mark

[Mark]

Hello Rosemarie and welcome to our community ☺️

Getting employer sponsorship while outside Australia can be challenging, but it is possible, especially if your occupation is in high demand.

Employers prefer candidates who already have work rights in Australia, but many are open to sponsoring skilled workers if they struggle to find local talent.

To increase your chances:

1. Target high-demand occupations – Check if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation Lists.

2. Apply through verified job boards – Start with https://482jobs.com, our website where all listed jobs offer visa sponsorship. Also try:

Seek: https://seek.com.au

Indeed: https://indeed.com.au

3. Use LinkedIn – Connect with recruiters and Australian employers in your field.

4. Consider DAMA agreements – Some regional areas offer relaxed sponsorship conditions under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

If your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), you have better chances of getting a long-term employer-sponsored visa, such as the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa or the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

All the best

Mark

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Immigration and citizenship Website

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

[Mark]

Hi Lee. Welcome to Oz Visa Forum! 🤗

Great question! Since you are on a 482 Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa (Skills in Demand) and will have three years of experience with your employer by June, you have two possible pathways for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa:

1. Direct Entry (DE) Stream:

You can apply through this stream if your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and you have a skills assessment for your occupation.

Your employer must submit a new nomination under the Direct Entry stream.

This is an option if you want to move to PR (permanent residency) without completing two full years on the 482 visa.

2. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream:

You will be eligible to apply under this stream after two years of full-time work on your 482 visa with your sponsoring employer.

This pathway does not require a new skills assessment but does require employer nomination under the TRT stream.

This is generally the faster and more straightforward pathway if you already meet the requirements.

Which option is faster?

If you already have a skills assessment, the Direct Entry Stream might allow you to apply sooner, but processing times can vary.

If you do not have a skills assessment, it might be quicker to wait until June and apply through the TRT Stream, as it bypasses that requirement.

If your main goal is speed, I’d recommend checking if your employer is willing to nominate you now for Direct Entry and whether you already hold a valid skills assessment.

Otherwise, waiting for the TRT stream in June might be the more efficient route.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you need any clarification.

All the best

Mark

[Mark]

Great to hear! Thanks for the update. Technology really is great…. When it works 😬

[Mark]

No worries. Hopefully you get sorted. Best of luck!

Regards

Mark

[Mark]

Hi Jaqui, welcome to the forum! 😀

It sounds like you have a solid collection of evidence for your partner visa application, but there are a few things to consider when deciding whether to apply on your own or use a migration agent.

Key Evidence Considerations:

1. Financial Aspects:

It’s good that you handle most of the finances, but ideally, joint financial responsibility is stronger evidence.

If possible, providing joint bank statements or evidence of shared financial commitments (even if informal) would help.

Your partner contributing to groceries is helpful, but a more structured financial arrangement (e.g. joint savings, utility bills in both names) would strengthen your case.

2. Social Aspects:

The combination of Australian citizens and temporary residents providing statements is great.

Ensure the Form 888 statutory declarations (from Australian citizens or permanent residents) are detailed and properly witnessed.

Photos from your engagement and traditional wedding ceremony will be beneficial.

3. Household Evidence:

A supporting statement from the leaseholder confirming you live together is useful, but since you’re not on the lease, try to provide additional supporting documents (e.g. shared mail, official letters addressed to both of you at the same address).

4. Commitment Aspect:

Your engagement and traditional wedding ceremony will be strong indicators of a committed relationship.

If you have future plans together (e.g. joint travel bookings, long-term living plans), include evidence of these.

Should You Use an Australian Migration Agent?

Apply on Your Own?

If you are confident with paperwork, can follow the application guidelines carefully, and believe you have strong evidence, you could apply independently.

The Department of Home Affairs provides detailed instructions: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and we can help provide clarity on any gaps if you get stuck.

Consider a Migration Agent?

If you’re uncertain about any part of the application, an agent can help ensure you present your case effectively and avoid delays.

This is particularly useful if there are any complexities (e.g. living in a shared house, not being on the lease). We can refer you to one of the qualified MARA agents we work with if you would like a recommendation.

Final Thoughts:

You seem to have a good case, but strengthening the financial and household aspects where possible will help.

If you’re comfortable handling the paperwork, you can apply independently, but if you want extra reassurance, consulting a registered migration agent could be worthwhile.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

All the best

Mark

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Immigration and citizenship Website

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

[Mark]

Hi there and welcome ☺️

For the Chemistry Technician (ANZSCO 311411) skill assessment with VETASSESS, the key requirements include:

Qualifications:

VETASSESS typically requires at least an AQF Diploma (or equivalent) in chemistry or a closely related field.

Since your degree is in Civil Engineering, it may not be considered highly relevant. However, if your coursework included substantial chemistry-related subjects, you could request a qualification assessment to determine its comparability.

Work Experience:

You need at least one year of post-qualification work experience in a role that closely matches the Chemistry Technician job description.

Your work in a coal mining laboratory testing fuel (coal) does seem relevant, but VETASSESS will evaluate whether your duties align closely enough with the ANZSCO-defined tasks for a Chemistry Technician.

Since your qualification is not directly related to chemistry, VETASSESS might assess your work experience more critically.

You may need to demonstrate that your duties are highly relevant to the occupation, possibly by providing detailed employment references, job descriptions, and evidence of tasks performed.

I recommend checking directly with VETASSESS ( https://vetassess.com.au ) for a preliminary qualification assessment or reaching out to a migration agent for tailored advice.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have further questions.

All the best

Mark

vetassess.com.au

VETASSESS

VETASSESS is Australia's leading vocational education and training (VET) skills assessment provider for both migration and national skills recognition.

[Mark]

Hey there and welcome ☺️

It sounds like your test submission may not have been processed correctly. Since your exam date is still showing under “upcoming tests,” Pearson may not have received your completed test properly.

Given the technical issues you faced—especially the recording error and passport scanning problem—it’s possible that your test is under review or flagged for manual processing.

I recommend doing the following immediately:

1. Contact Pearson Support – Reach out to PTE customer service via their official contact page: https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center. Explain your issue and request an update.
2. Check Your Email (Including Spam/Junk Folders) – Sometimes, Pearson may send a notification if they need to verify your test submission.
3. Log Into Your PTE Account on a Different Device or Browser – Just in case it’s a display issue, try refreshing your profile on another device.

If Pearson confirms an issue, ask them if you need to rebook or if they can manually process your test.

Since you need your results urgently for your visa, make sure to highlight this when speaking with support.

Let us know how it goes! Hopefully, it’s just a minor delay.

All the best

Mark

pearsonpte.com

Help Center | Pearson PTE

Get help and advice for your questions about PTE Academic, PTE Core, and PTE Home English Language tests. Contact us by email, phone, or live chat.

[Mark]

Hey there bestkunde and thanks for your question.

Firstly, for the benefit of some of our other members reading this, an S56 request (under Section 56 of the Migration Act 1958) is a request for further information from the Department of Home Affairs while processing a visa application. 👍🏻

Now for your question. The specific questions posed in an S56 request vary depending on the application type and any concerns the case officer has.

In your case, since your visa is linked to a skilled employment category, the department may ask for:

1. Updated employment evidence – Payslips, tax documents, or employer confirmation letters.
2. Continued employment verification – If your visa pathway relies on ongoing employment, they may check if you are still working in your nominated occupation.
3. Genuine intention proof – If state nomination is involved, they might ask for evidence of your commitment to working in Tasmania.

If your visa does not require ongoing employment, resigning may not affect your application.

However, if your state nomination conditions require you to remain employed, resigning before visa grant could create risks.

Would you like help confirming whether continued employment is a requirement for your specific visa? If so, let me know your visa subclass!

All the best

Mark

[Mark]

Hey there and welcome to OVF 🙂

It’s understandable to feel anxious, especially with the high fee and long wait.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) processing times can sometimes extend beyond the stated guidelines, particularly during peak periods.

Since it has been over a month, you may want to contact ACS directly through their online enquiry form or call them to check on your application status.

Based on my research, some applicants have reported delays even when no additional information is required. 🤷🏻

If you haven’t received a request for further documents, it’s likely still in the queue for assessment.

If you’re in urgent need of the result (for visa deadlines or job applications), you could also mention this in your follow-up with ACS.

Hopefully, if others in the forum are experiencing similar delays they will reach out to you via this post.

Hope it moves forward soon!

Regards

Mark

[Mark]

Hi Rachna, welcome to Oz Visa Forum and thank you for your question 🙂

It sounds like you have strong experience in both Indian and Australian accounting practices, which is great for finding opportunities in Australia although accounting in general is highly competitive when it comes to Australian Visas.

Since you mentioned working for an Australian-based accounting firm in India, I recommend checking if your current company has internal opportunities for relocation to their Australian offices. Many firms prefer to transfer experienced employees rather than hire externally, which could be an easier pathway for you.

Also, could you clarify what your master’s degree is in? You mentioned a “Master of Professional” degree from Edith Cowan University—was it in accounting, finance, or a related field? This will help in determining which visa pathways and job opportunities might be most relevant.

For job searching, you can check:

482 Jobs – https://482jobs.com – This is one of our websites, and all jobs listed here offer visa sponsorship.

Seek – https://seek.com.au – Australia’s largest job board.

Indeed – https://indeed.com.au – Another good platform for finding accounting roles.

LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com – Networking is crucial, so connect with recruiters and Australian accounting professionals.

Since you have experience with Australian accounting software and tax requirements, you may be well-suited for roles under the ANZSCO code 221111 (Accountant – General), which is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

If you are looking for visa sponsorship, you may want to explore employer-sponsored options like the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa or Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa.

Finally, I would recommend reading some of our other posts from accountants. This link will also show you some of our other members who are accountants. You might want to follow or connect so you can share your journey.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have further questions.

Regards

Mark

482jobs.com

482 Jobs - Jobs In Australia Offering 482 Visa Sponsorship - 482 Jobs Australia

482 Jobs - Jobs In Australia Offering 482 Visa Sponsorship - 482 Jobs Australia

[Mark]

No problems Simon. The wait will be worth it 🙂. Please reach out if you have any further questions down the track. 👍🏻

[Mark]

Cheers Aaron. If you go down one of the points based routes (eg. Subclass 189 visa) time will be of the essence.

At 39 years old, you get 25 points for your age.

Once you turn 40, your age points drop to 15 points. 😕

This can significantly impact your total points for skilled migration visas like the Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas.

If you are planning to apply, it’s best to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect before turning 40 to lock in the higher points.

Cheers

Mark

[Mark]

Hi Aaron, and welcome mate. 🙂

With your occupation, you have several visa options to return to Australia for work.

Diesel mechanics (ANZSCO 321212) are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which means you have access to both temporary and permanent skilled migration pathways.

Here are your main options visa wise:

1. Employer-Sponsored Visa

Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa): If you find an employer willing to sponsor you, this visa allows you to work in Australia for up to four years. Check https://482jobs.com for sponsored job listings.

Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme – ENS Visa): If an employer sponsors you on a permanent basis, you can apply for PR (Permanent Residency).

2. Skilled Independent or State-Sponsored Visa

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): A points-based visa that does not require employer sponsorship.

You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and receive an invitation.

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): Requires state nomination. Some states may have diesel mechanics on their occupation lists.

Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa): If you’re open to living in regional Australia, this could be an option with a pathway to PR.

Since you obtained a Certificate III in Australia, you may also be eligible for recognition of prior work experience, making skills assessment easier.

You’ll need a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) before applying for a skilled visa. Check https://www.tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au for assessment details.

Your best pathway depends on whether you have a job offer, your age, English proficiency, and overall points score for skilled migration.

If you need help finding sponsorship, check 482jobs.com, Seek.com.au, and Indeed.com.au for opportunities.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need further details.

Cheers

Mark

482jobs.com

482 Jobs - Jobs In Australia Offering 482 Visa Sponsorship - 482 Jobs Australia

482 Jobs - Jobs In Australia Offering 482 Visa Sponsorship - 482 Jobs Australia

[Mark]

Hi there

This is a tough one. Finding immediate travel insurance for a non-Australian resident can be challenging, especially with a departure in just 48 hours.

Many insurers impose waiting periods before coverage becomes effective. However, here are some options you might consider which I found doing a little googling.

1. Cover-More Inbound Plan

Cover-More offers an Inbound Plan specifically designed for non-Australian residents traveling to Australia. This plan provides coverage from the moment you leave your home country, throughout your stay in Australia, and until you return home. It includes benefits such as medical and dental expenses, lost luggage, and travel documents.

Website: https://www.covermore.com.au/travel-insurance/inbound-travel-insurance

2. InsureandGo Non-Permanent Resident Travel Insurance

This insurer offers policies for non-permanent residents who have a valid Medicare card, private health insurance, or overseas student travel insurance in Australia. Your current Australian visa must remain valid beyond the period of your journey, and your trip must start in Australia.

Website: https://www.insureandgo.com.au/travel-insurance/non-permanent-resident-travel-insurance/

3. Go Insurance Non-Resident Travel Insurance

Go Insurance provides coverage for non-residents working, studying, or holidaying in Australia. Eligibility criteria include being aged 75 years or less at the time of travel, holding a valid visa granting the right of entry to Australia, having been living in Australia for at least 3 months, and planning to return to Australia at the end of the policy period.

Website: https://goinsurance.com.au/non-resident-travel-insurance/

Given the urgency of your situation, I recommend:

• Contacting these insurers directly to confirm if they can activate coverage immediately.
• Checking eligibility based on the traveler’s visa status and travel plans.Reviewing coverage details to ensure it meets your specific needs.

If these options don’t work, consider checking with airlines, credit card providers, or international insurers for last-minute travel insurance options.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

All the best, and good luck!

Mark

covermore.com.au

Inbound Travel Insurance for Visitors to Australia | Cover-More Australia

Travelling to Australia? Cover-More offers travel insurance for non-Australian residents and travel insurance for visitors to Australia. Learn more here.