[Mattress]

Hi all,

I'm currently going through the process of background checks and pre-employment medical for a full-time job in Queensland. The job is in the Oil and Gas industry and the position is on a FIFO basis - we're going to base ourselves in Brisbane.

So, there's me, the wife and our thirteen year old daughter.....all of which should have no issues at all with regards to me obtaining the 457 and them on it as my dependents. Then we have another issue entirely regarding our twenty year-old daughter. She is currently studying locally to be a dental nurse and was planning to go to university next year to do a BSc in Oral Health. Her dental nursing studies involve a significant amount of time working at a local practice.....which she gets paid for. Not a huge amount but she still gets paid - and also depends on me to put a roof over her head, feed her and pay most of her bills, etc. Today's twenty year old isn't what it was when I was that age!

We are hoping we can all go together as a family, otherwise we won't be going at all. Her wish is to study the BSc at Queensland University next year but I'm not sure if she would qualify as my dependant (and be named/sponsored on the 457) as she earns money....even though, as I said above, I pay her way! Documented proof would be impossible to produce.

So, I'm not sure where we stand with regards to her right of entry to Australia. The company who are looking to employ me will assign us an immigration specialist soon and I'm sure they will offer excellent advice but I was just hoping that in the meantime, someone could educate us a little and maybe even allay our fears prior to their appointment. Maybe she could gain entry on a student visa....maybe (hopefully) she can come with us on the 457?

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Hmmm the wage goes against her but she could still qualify as dependent if handled correctly as she is a student. However you realise in Australia she would be liable to pay full international fees upfront with no access to loans as a foreign student on a 457. There is also the issue of her still being dependent if and when you apply for PR.

How much does she earn? Is it full time & regular work?

 

[Mattress]

She works on an almost full time basis with some time off for study and she earns around £600 a month or thereabouts. There's no point in her resigning because the 'previous twelve months' qualifying period of not working but she could reduce her hours drastically, I suppose. Do they (immigration) as for pay slips or do they simply check with the UK tax office?

With respect to student fees, I am aware that I will be paying higher amounts and she will get no financial support. That's not a problem as I'll foot the bill entirely.

 

[Guest]

If she is working full time earning that amount she doesnt qualify as your dependent. She earns enough to support herself when coupled with any benefits and/or student support she could get.

Resigning would make no difference for the reasons you know, same goes for reducing hours, she needs to have been continually dependent and in education since 18 which she has not and you wouldnt be able to prove. Her living in your home alone does not make her dependent. They would want payslips and HMRC would share information with them. Dependence is no easy thing to prove, more so with adults from the UK due to the welfare state and NHS that is provided.

A student visa is an option but she would obviously need to be offered a place and any student visa would nit be granted until just before the course starts. That may not tie up with when your job has to start?

 

[Mattress]

The money she earns is gone on transport, study costs and other it's and pieces. She doesn't get any other form student support.

The company want me out there in January but she needs to be in the UK until February as she has her final examination. Either she can stay with an aunt and hopefully follow on later or we will stall the employer and all go out in February or March. I'll get her applying for courses at the University of Queensland as soon as possible and see if it all ties in at all.

If it doesn't work out, I'll be declining the job offer. Family must come first....which, ironically, was the main reason I went for the job!

 

[Guest]

Most courses in Australian unis would start jan/feb though not sure if some have mid year starts like they do in the UK. Best to check with the unis she is interested in and hope it would not be the folliwing year she could start. But would she need her grades from her current course to get into uni?

I know what you are saying about her wages but thats not how DIAC would look at it. If you were not there she would not be destitue because she is on a low wage as she would if you were from a developing country because we have a welfare state she could claim from to support her income.

 

[Mattress]

Thanks shel for the info so far. It's nice to get some advice from someone who knows the system.

Hopefully the immigration specialist may be able to shed some more light on the matter but what you've said is probably all we can do.

There's no problem with her coming out later as she can reside with her aunt until completion of her examinations.

As a twenty year-old dental nurse, would she be eligible to apply solely for a working visa, of any type, if she lived with us (probably has no consequence) and secured a job with a company sponsor?

I know I may be clutching straws now but we're looking at any/every option!

 

[Guest]

She could go on a student visa. That would allow her to get local qualifications and work experience which could lead to her own visa if thats what she wanted.

She could also use a working holiday visa. That lets her stay for a year and allows employment for up to 6 months with each employer but if she completes 3 months of regional work she could get a second working holiday visa so she would be there for 2 years. This would let her get local experience and show off her skills so an employer may sponsor her.

She could also use this before or after a student visa.

 

[Mattress]

Thanks shel,

The working holiday visa sounds great. I'm sure she could find work in Brisbane for the duration and possibly give her two years to decide exactly what to do.....unless she decides to go with a student visa, which would give her an even greater chance of securing sponsorship.

Will the fact that I will live and own a home there positively affect her application of a working holiday visa?

I'll chat with her in the morning and pass on your information. I'm sure it will lift her spirits! She's feeling a bit (very) down as I said that we're not going without her and although she protests, she feels as guilty as hell that I will stick to my word!

 

[Mattress]

Does regional mean 'out in the sticks'! If so, how far from Brisbane would classify as regional?

If she can't complete three months of regional work, she'd better impress the pants of her employer and pray they sponsor her.

What is the financial outlay (if any) made by any potential, sponsoring employer?

 

[Guest]

There are specific postcide areas she would have to work and its not always as far as you think as once out of the city the towns are regional. Not always farm work or fruit picking either, there is a list of things she could do and some health care work would count. Best check on diac.com.au for the 417 working holiday visa for full conditions but having family wont help or not help to get the visa, if she qualifies she gets it ie under 31 & no dependents for the first one and same conditions plus having completed 3 months regional work, evidenced with pay slips etc for the second.

Will help her though having family as she will have somewhere to stay, wont be a backpacker and reliant on any old work for income etc.

Employers have to pay to become an eligible sponsor but if they've sponsored before thats done. Then they pay to nominate her. Some pay for the whole 457 application, relocation etc. But she/you could offer to meet some or all costs to encourage them. I've seen people do that successfully with smaller employers who are not keen on the costs before.

 

[Mattress]

Thanks shel,

Maybe finding a sponsor won't be impossible after all? There will be no relocation cost if they're within travelling distance from us and I would gladly pay the full costs endured by the potential sponsor.

As you said previously, maybe it will be the 417, initially. Then she needs to impress any potential employer and hope, with some financial coaxing, they sponsor her under the 457? I wonder how often this works in practice?!!

 

[Guest]

If you have the skills and qualifications it works all the time. Many people try it having very little of either, just a big dream of living in Australia and of course it doesnt work. Though those already qualified either with uni or apprenticeship etc then some work experience especially in Australia do it all the time.

Look on the csol for occupations she could be sponsored in and see if any fit her experience though keep in mind the csol can change. Health occupations are pretty steady being on the list though.

 

[Mattress]

Shel,

Dental Nurse isn't on there, so I think we're back on the university path again!

To be completely honest, it is getting clearer that she should continue her studies in the UK and join us later...if the wife would go for it......which I doubt!

 

[Guest]

Not that I know the difference but could she not go for hygienist? What about the sol for independent PR visas or employer sponsored PR?

Funnily if she was in full time uni doing irregular or part time or less work she would be your dependent until 25 so you could add her later to your 457 or sponsor her for a child visa if you got PR if it was before she graduated and got a job.

If she studied in the UK would she be studying away from home? If so if she could holiday with you summer & Christmas it may be easier for your wife.

 

[Mattress]

Not that I know the difference but could she not go for hygienist? What about the sol for independent PR visas or employer sponsored PR?

Funnily if she was in full time uni doing irregular or part time or less work she would be your dependent until 25 so you could add her later to your 457 or sponsor her for a child visa if you got PR if it was before she graduated and got a job.

If she studied in the UK would she be studying away from home? If so if she could holiday with you summer & Christmas it may be easier for your wife.

The hygienist is an additional two years in university.
In the UK, her qualifications would allow her direct access to the BSc she wanted to do whereas in Australia the dental nursing qualification is barely recognised, so it's just down to her A levels, of which she doesn't have one in a science-based subject.

Therefore, she will have to undertake a foundation degree (at ridiculous expense) in Queensland University prior to starting the BSc. or stay in the UK until next July and do a couple of A levels in sciences or some Level 3 Biology courses at the local college.

To be honest, I can't see the wife allowing her to stay here in the UK for much longer than that. Maybe she can apply for a study visa come next July and join us soon after. Yes, it may well be expensive but you can't put a price on (the wife's) happiness!!

 

[Guest]

Oh crikey complicated. Is the course needed not offered at TAFE, would usually be a cheaper option than a foundation degree in uni.

But yes, your wife has real concerns, couldnt imagine leaving my child behind. Personally i would stop her working and do full time study. Apply showing her study, dont mention her pay it was just part of her work based experience and either have her go with you or boost her quals in the UK to enter uni in AU to join you later. If she would be living with her aunt whilst preping to enter an Australian uni she wouldnt be being abandoned.

 

[Mattress]

Personally i would stop her working and do full time study. Apply showing her study, dont mention her pay it was just part of her work based experience and either have her go with you or boost her quals in the UK to enter uni in AU to join you later. If she would be living with her aunt whilst preping to enter an Australian uni she wouldnt be being abandoned.

Sounds like a plan. So, if she finishes her work and starts thenrelevant courses at the local college immediately, she could apply to come on my visa you think?

I know nothing about TAFE. Better start googling!

 

[Guest]

Yes, its her income thats the issue. No income & studying equals dependency. She could go on your visa and go with you or later if she wished.

Yes TAFE is like community college. If she was an Aussie its where she would go to either become qualified in most vocational careers or gain qualifications to go to uni if she didnt get them in high school. Way cheaper than uni.

 

[Mattress]

Thanks shel,

No pressure but our lives are in your hands.......only joking of course!!

Right, I think the new, improved, amended and upgraded plan of attack is for her to quit her job immediately (well, on confirmation of my references and checks coming back ok), starting in college on a full time basis doing a couple of courses that should ensure her admission to Queensland University. We will be going out in January, if all goes well, and she will follow us out in July, on completion of her studies.

I just hope that there is no list of 'approved courses' that she must be undertaking to claim dependence!!

Of course, as I said above, we will hold fire for a weeks or so until I get the checks all done and my medical out of the way. In the meantime she can enrol on the courses.