Migrating to Australia with Complex Situation...

[Nick2008]

Hello Folks,
I recently came across this forum during my search for information on Australian immigration. I have found quite a few helpful resources on the forum and I am very grateful for that.

I want to migrate to Australia, but I seem to be in a grayed out area when it comes to my eligibility. It's one of those cases where one is good at many skill sets but master of none.

Of course I am not expecting definitive immigration advice but I would be very grateful for even some input because I believe there may be a few people here who have successfully (or not) immigrated to Australia in a similar situation like me or otherwise known someone else who has.

I currently live in the USA under the status of 'withholding of removal', which is like a temporary refugee status that gives me no path to US citizenship. It is for this reason I am looking for a different country that may provide me with a better opportunity.

I began working as a seamstress in 2001, I worked mostly on window treatments, including draperies, panels, and pillows. In 2006-2009 I gained enough experience to become the production manager in a manufacturing environment where at one time I directed 15 workers. Today I am self-employed as a cross between interior designer and a manufacturer. I work with clients and other designers to plan and coordinate decorating for residential premises, including taking measurements and calculating the amount of fabric, materials, and labor needed for the job. I also manufacture the whole project myself.

I do not have a qualification directly tied to this job, but I do have a combined bachelor-master degree (5 years) as a civil engineer, and during my studies I undertook some interior design classes. I do not have any experience as a civil engineer. I heard that Australia gives some points to qualifications that are irrelevant to your current job?

So far, it seems to be like my career is a mixed bag of many professions, going from a basic seamstress to a production manager and then becoming self-employed as a manufacturer of window treatments and interior items and apparently also an interior decorator? So that is a manufacturer, production manager, and interior decorator possibly. I am capable of doing many things an interior designer does, but I do not have a direct qualification nor do I work with 3-D design, such as CAD. Interior decorator seems to be quite a good fit for me, but the reason I am here is because I am still not sure whether or not I have a chance.

The states of South Australia and ACT have interior decorator on their state sponsored migration list. ACT also has manufacturer and production manager (manufacturing) on their list. As a summary I have:
-4 years experience as a manufacturer or production manager
-6 years experience as an interior decorator (I conducted these duties at the same time as I was a production manager)

Can anyone provide input on my chances or how skill assessments work? I am shooting for a 'Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)' with state sponsorship...

Many thanks in advance!!!

You have figured out the basics pretty well, i.e., you have pointed out the states and the occupations. If you look closely at each state's SMP list, you will find they tell you against each occupation exactly which assessment body is authorized to assess you. Go to the website of the relevant body and find out their requirements for assessment and whether you are eligible or not. Similarly go to the 176 homepage on DIAC's website and find out against each eligibility criterion how many points you gain and whether you can get to 65 points or not. Here is the website: Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

Hope this helps!!!

[voddy]

Originally Posted by leptokurtic

You have figured out the basics pretty well, i.e., you have pointed out the states and the occupations. If you look closely at each state's SMP list, you will find they tell you against each occupation exactly which assessment body is authorized to assess you. Go to the website of the relevant body and find out their requirements for assessment and whether you are eligible or not. Similarly go to the 176 homepage on DIAC's website and find out against each eligibility criterion how many points you gain and whether you can get to 65 points or not. Here is the website: Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

Hope this helps!!!

very well said lepto. To add to this, I think having qualification related to your work experience is not always a must. If you have the experience (many many years that is) and can fully explain/elaborate that you have acquired all the theory(subject matter) related to your career, during the years, then you would probably get exempted from a formal qualification requirement. (check with the assessing body)

I know a friend who got the ACS assessment (ICT) without formal qualification. he only had 7 years of Exp and he submitted a RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning). check if something similar is available.

Good luck!

[Nick2008]

Thanks for the input leptokurtic and voddy.

I am still a bit baffled about migrating to Australia though, although this may have been answered before, I'm wondering if somebody could clarify these questions:

-The website for VETASSESS states you need to be a citizen of an eligible country AND have an eligible occupation. I am neither a citizen of any of these countries nor is my occupation listed. Does this mean I'm ineligible for a skill assessment, if so, how do these states receive migrants that don't get assessed?
-Would I receive any points for my civil engineering qualification, although it has nothing to do with interior decorator?
-I'm currently 39 years old, If I apply at 39, but my application is reviewed at 40, would I receive points as a 39 or 40 year old?

Big thanks if anybody clarifies this!

[Maz25]

I would suggest that aside from your research (you've obviously done a lot of reading) that you contact an immigration agent and set up a face to face appointment with them. Most of them offer a free, no-strings attached consultation, which will give you the opportunity to have your chances of getting a visa assessed, based on your experience, profession and qualifications.

At the end of a consultation, you should have an idea of which visas you are eligible for if any and the requirements for the visa that you opt for.

Good luck

[Nick2008]

I will consider looking into a migration agent, does anyone have any experience with them in the USA?

I've done a little bit more research and have figured out that I can apply for my skills to be assessed, interior decorator is designated as a Group C occupation according to VETASSESS. Hopefully somebody can provide insight on my previous questions:

-I'm currently 39 years old, If I apply at 39, but my application is reviewed at 40, would I receive points as a 39 or 40 year old?
-Would I receive any points for my civil engineering qualification, although it has nothing to do with interior decorator (it did encompass some interior design classes during my studies)?
New Questions:
*-What is a "Points Test Advisory Letter" from VETASSESS? Do I need this to migrate, what exactly does it do?
*-Is it better to apply for a skills assessment online or by courier?

Thanks in advance!! I apologize if I'm being a nuisance with these questions, I'm completely new to Australian immigration and was hoping some kind soul would be able to help me out. Of course, after all this, I will gain some knowledge which I could share with others in the future as well who may find themselves in a position like myself today.