[sophia007]

Hi Everyone!

I am just wondering how many steps are there to this application process. Could someone please help me if I have the steps correct?

1. My ACS has been approved
2. IELTS scores received (eligible to apply)
3. Submit application online (applying for 189) - expression of interest (EOI)
4. by when shall I be expect an invitation to apply? (I meeting the minimum point requirements here)
5. if all is successful, submit medical examination and police clearance certificate (In US...how long can that take? Does anyone know?)
6. wait for final visa letter

Could you please confirm that step#3 onwards, I have my details right? I don't want to end up missing any steps.

At what point do you recommend that I open a bank account in Australia?
Also, does anyone from US have other recommendations on movers other than the 5 vendors that have been already provided on this site?

Lastly, I can't wait to move to Australia and then look for a job as that will leave a gap on my resume. Has anyone applied for a job through recruiters and started on a team/ project before landing?

I look forward to hearing from you soon!
have a fantabulous day!

 

[ozbound12]

Hi Everyone! I am just wondering how many steps are there to this application process. Could someone please help me if I have the steps correct? 1. My ACS has been approved 2. IELTS scores received (eligible to apply) 3. Submit application online (applying for 189) - expression of interest (EOI) 4. by when shall I be expect an invitation to apply? (I meeting the minimum point requirements here) 5. if all is successful, submit medical examination and police clearance certificate (In US...how long can that take? Does anyone know?) 6. wait for final visa letter Could you please confirm that step#3 onwards, I have my details right? I don't want to end up missing any steps. At what point do you recommend that I open a bank account in Australia? Also, does anyone from US have other recommendations on movers other than the 5 vendors that have been already provided on this site? Lastly, I can't wait to move to Australia and then look for a job as that will leave a gap on my resume. Has anyone applied for a job through recruiters and started on a team/ project before landing? I look forward to hearing from you soon! have a fantabulous day!

When you get an invite depends on your occupation and points.

You can organise your medicals as soon as you lodge the application. As for PCCs, FBI checks can take up to 8 weeks to process while the state checks take considerably less time. There is a thread on here regarding processing times for FBI checks.

You can open a bank account online before you arrive and transfer funds if you wish but you will need to attend the bank personally after you arrive to obtain your debit card etc.

 

[sophia007]

Thanks Ozbound12. So for 189 - does anyone know in 2015 how long it might be taking for the entire process? Average time/ months it may take?

 

[AnTop]

It depends on your nominated occupation. What is your ANZSCO code?

 

[sophia007]

it depends on your nominated occupation. What is your anzsco code?

2631111

 

[AnTop]

2631111

You will most likely receive an invitation on 22 May.
As you probably know, information about occupation ceiling and invitation rounds is available on skillselect page.

As for the whole process, I would expect something around 3 months, however this may vary.

 

[sophia007]

You will most likely receive an invitation on 22 May.
As you probably know, information about occupation ceiling and invitation rounds is available on skillselect page.

As for the whole process, I would expect something around 3 months, however this may vary.

I submitted my EOI yesterday i.e. 5/12. I also read yesterday on the Australian website that for the ANZO code I'm applying -- quota has been filled up for this year and the next round will start in July 2015. So, at this point, I'm not sure if I'll hear back by next week or after 2 months. I guess I'll just have to wait...layball:

I had couple of other questions-
How do I ship my items from US to Australia? If I've not moved into my new place in Australia and I don't yet have an address there - I'm not sure how to go about planning for shipping my things in this situation. Anyone been in this situation?

How is the amount of "bond" for a rental property/rental apartment calculated in australia. Let's say I'm looking for apartments that will be $550/week. How does it all add up and what amount am I expected to pay upfront and should have for the month? I think from budgeting prospective, I'm a bit confused and lost.

Has anyone of you moved recently or in the process of moving? I'm looking for people that I can keep in touch and connect.

 

[AnTop]

I submitted my EOI yesterday i.e. 5/12. I also read yesterday on the Australian website that for the ANZO code I'm applying -- quota has been filled up for this year and the next round will start in July 2015. So, at this point, I'm not sure if I'll hear back by next week or after 2 months. I guess I'll just have to wait...layball:

I had couple of other questions-
How do I ship my items from US to Australia? If I've not moved into my new place in Australia and I don't yet have an address there - I'm not sure how to go about planning for shipping my things in this situation. Anyone been in this situation?

How is the amount of "bond" for a rental property/rental apartment calculated in australia. Let's say I'm looking for apartments that will be $550/week. How does it all add up and what amount am I expected to pay upfront and should have for the month? I think from budgeting prospective, I'm a bit confused and lost.

Has anyone of you moved recently or in the process of moving? I'm looking for people that I can keep in touch and connect.

According to the skillselect website, the quota for 2631 is 1788 places, while only 1274 are occupied on 24 April 2015, so plenty of spaces available. What website did you check?

 

[sophia007]

According to the skillselect website, the quota for 2631 is 1788 places, while only 1274 are occupied on 24 April 2015, so plenty of spaces available. What website did you check?

My bad - ANZO code 261111 (skillset website that I used to submit EOI). There were total 1620 seats for this financial year. This occupation quota got filled in April itself (cap sealing). Invitation for this position will be open in the next financial year i.e. July once this quota is introduced.

 

[ozbound12]

I submitted my EOI yesterday i.e. 5/12. I also read yesterday on the Australian website that for the ANZO code I'm applying -- quota has been filled up for this year and the next round will start in July 2015. So, at this point, I'm not sure if I'll hear back by next week or after 2 months. I guess I'll just have to wait...layball:

I had couple of other questions-
How do I ship my items from US to Australia? If I've not moved into my new place in Australia and I don't yet have an address there - I'm not sure how to go about planning for shipping my things in this situation. Anyone been in this situation?

How is the amount of "bond" for a rental property/rental apartment calculated in australia. Let's say I'm looking for apartments that will be $550/week. How does it all add up and what amount am I expected to pay upfront and should have for the month? I think from budgeting prospective, I'm a bit confused and lost.

Has anyone of you moved recently or in the process of moving? I'm looking for people that I can keep in touch and connect.

You can ship your things by boat. It takes several weeks and isn't cheap. You can pay extra for the shipping company to store your things for you. Seven Seas is a company that expats seem to like using but you can use Google to find other companies to get better quotes. Seven Seas Worldwide Shipping United States - International Shipping Specialists

Don't bother bringing appliances etc as they will not work here without a transformer since Australia uses a different voltage to the US. Transformers are bulky and can be a fire hazard if made improperly (a lot of the ones sold on eBay are very dodgy). You would also need to buy one transformer for each appliance.

Unless you have really nice furniture and you know you want to stay in Australia for a long time, I would not bother shipping that sort of thing either. IKEA is slightly more expensive here than in the States but is still very cheap for basic stuff. There are other low price furniture options as well. In many cases it can cost more to ship the items than to just sell everything back home and buy new things here.

Bond is a security deposit. It's usually equivalent to 4-6 week's rent. You also need to pay the first month's rent upon move in.

 

[sophia007]

Thanks ozbound12.
I'll definitely call up the preferred shipping company that you provided, that really helps save me some time.

So, by appliances you mean my vitamix or bose speakers will not work? What if I purchase proper convertors that they sell at container store? (ebay isnt my preference at all). I've used converters on my trip to Europe. The thing is that some of my appliances are expensive and it would be cheaper to get converter rather than sell this off any buy these expensive things over there. I guess - I'll have to take some risk - but its good to know what you've mentioned.

So, here is a quick update on my application thanks to all who have been wonderfully helpful!

1. My ACS has been approved
2. IELTS scores - received (eligible to apply)
3. EOI submitted online (for 189) - ANZO code 261111 )
4. Find a local police station to get my fingerprints on the form and then mail/post this form to FBI.
5. wait for EOI response/ lodge visa after response/ pay the fee
6. submit my medical
and that's it or am I missing any step here?

 

[ozbound12]

Thanks ozbound12. I'll definitely call up the preferred shipping company that you provided, that really helps save me some time. So, by appliances you mean my vitamix or bose speakers will not work? What if I purchase proper convertors that they sell at container store? (ebay isnt my preference at all). I've used converters on my trip to Europe. The thing is that some of my appliances are expensive and it would be cheaper to get converter rather than sell this off any buy these expensive things over there. I guess - I'll have to take some risk - but its good to know what you've mentioned. So, here is a quick update on my application thanks to all who have been wonderfully helpful! 1. My ACS has been approved 2. IELTS scores - received (eligible to apply) 3. EOI submitted online (for 189) - ANZO code 261111 ) 4. Find a local police station to get my fingerprints on the form and then mail/post this form to FBI. 5. wait for EOI response/ lodge visa after response/ pay the fee 6. submit my medical and that's it or am I missing any step here?

What is a vitamix? If it's a kitchen appliance you will need a transformer. What you are talking about is a plug adapter. That does not change the current, that only changes the plug so it will fit the wall socket. This is fine for most electronics like phones and computers. But not other appliances like blenders for example.

 

[Ben-HH]

When you get an invite depends on your occupation and points.

You can organise your medicals as soon as you lodge the application. As for PCCs, FBI checks can take up to 8 weeks to process while the state checks take considerably less time. There is a thread on here regarding processing times for FBI checks.

You can open a bank account online before you arrive and transfer funds if you wish but you will need to attend the bank personally after you arrive to obtain your debit card etc.

This is actually not 100% correct. You can do your medicals BEFORE you lodge your application.
Check this out:
My Health Declarations

However, whether it makes sense or not is up to you. The thing is that a condition of your visa a will be to initially enter the country 1 year after your PCC or Medicals have been issued (whichever is sooner).

I arranged medicals before because I knew that I would move to AUS asap after visa grant.

Cheers

 

[ozbound12]

This is actually not 100% correct. You can do your medicals BEFORE you lodge your application. Check this out: My Health Declarations However, whether it makes sense or not is up to you. The thing is that a condition of your visa a will be to initially enter the country 1 year after your PCC or Medicals have been issued (whichever is sooner). I arranged medicals before because I knew that I would move to AUS asap after visa grant. Cheers

I never said you couldn't do medicals before lodgement. Re-read my post.

 

[Ben-HH]

I never said you couldn't do medicals before lodgement. Re-read my post.

Well, you said "You can organise your medicals as soon as you lodge the application. " And this is not correct. You can do it before. Anyway... not really a big deal...

 

[ozbound12]

Well, you said "You can organise your medicals as soon as you lodge the application. " And this is not correct. You can do it before. Anyway... not really a big deal...

Yes it is correct. The statement you quoted suggested that it is indeed possible to organise said medicals as soon as you lodge the application. That statement did not say that you cannot organise the medicals until after you lodge. You just interpreted it that way.

 

[evangelist]

What is a vitamix? If it's a kitchen appliance you will need a transformer. What you are talking about is a plug adapter. That does not change the current, that only changes the plug so it will fit the wall socket. This is fine for most electronics like phones and computers. But not other appliances like blenders for example.

Agree. Two factors to consider:
1. the socket/plug pin that fits into an Australian power point. These are pretty much available at Kmarts and Walmarts in US/Australia. These are often referred to as power adapters, but they dont actually do any voltage transformation.

2. The supply voltage in US is 110 Volts at 60 Hz, vs in Australia 230 Volts at 50 Hz.
Some appliances support a input power range of 100-240 Volts, and can be used without additional voltage adapter. (e.g. Laptop power supply, many mobile phones).
If the appliances Sophie intends to use do not support the 100-240 Volts range, she will need to buy voltage adapter.

Sophie - Each elec.appliance has a input power specification printed on it. You can find out if your appliance/s are compatible with the power supply in Australia.

Since most of Europe also operates on 230 V, (where you've already used some of your appliances ), they should be good for Australia.

 

[evangelist]

Thanks ozbound12.
I'll definitely call up the preferred shipping company that you provided, that really helps save me some time.

So, by appliances you mean my vitamix or bose speakers will not work?

found that vitamix provides a range of mixer/grinder/blender.
sample specifications show:

Vitamix® 5200
Motor:
≈ 2 peak output horsepower motor
Electrical:
120 V, 50/60 Hz, 11.5 A
Uses a U.S.A. three–prong grounded cord.

Which means you cannot use it in Australia without a voltage adapter.

Not sure about Bose - you have to find out

 

[sophia007]

Thank you - I looked into this and seems like I'll need voltage adapter (transformer) for Vitamix. Bose does not need it.

found that vitamix provides a range of mixer/grinder/blender.
sample specifications show:

Vitamix® 5200
Motor:
≈ 2 peak output horsepower motor
Electrical:
120 V, 50/60 Hz, 11.5 A
Uses a U.S.A. three–prong grounded cord.

Which means you cannot use it in Australia without a voltage adapter.

Not sure about Bose - you have to find out

 

[sophia007]

You are correct. I'll be making a list of all appliances to see what sort of adapters/transformers I'll need prior to my move.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Agree. Two factors to consider:
1. the socket/plug pin that fits into an Australian power point. These are pretty much available at Kmarts and Walmarts in US/Australia. These are often referred to as power adapters, but they dont actually do any voltage transformation.

2. The supply voltage in US is 110 Volts at 60 Hz, vs in Australia 230 Volts at 50 Hz.
Some appliances support a input power range of 100-240 Volts, and can be used without additional voltage adapter. (e.g. Laptop power supply, many mobile phones).
If the appliances Sophie intends to use do not support the 100-240 Volts range, she will need to buy voltage adapter.

Sophie - Each elec.appliance has a input power specification printed on it. You can find out if your appliance/s are compatible with the power supply in Australia.

Since most of Europe also operates on 230 V, (where you've already used some of your appliances ), they should be good for Australia.