Thought this is a good write. be·gin·ners guide to VISA 489. I want to shate to all hopefuls. This was written by Zeekay from expatforum. Enjoy it is long but very informative and helpful.
Steps in applying for SRS - State Sponored 489 Visa;
Take IELTS General Test with no band less than 6.0 in all the modules. NO GOING AHEAD WITHOUT IELTS.
Gather all your educational and experience documents and apply for relevant skills assessing authority. For example, if you are an Engineer, you need to send out all the mentioned documents to 'Engineers Australia' and get approved as an Engineer.
The third step involves submission of Expression of Interest (EOI). Though it can be applied for after been approved for sponsorship by an Australian state but its favorable to apply at earliest. It will eliminate the chances of errors in EOI.
Apply for State Sponsorship. Australian states participate with Australian Immigration in sponsoring overseas skilled personnel who are in demand in a specific state. Be advised that each state may have different selection criteria and it is recommended to fully understand the pre-requisites of the state before going ahead. That way you won't waste your money and time.
After the receipt of the State Sponsorship Approval, you will be invited in your SkillSelect account to lodge your visa. There will be a link with the words 'Apply Visa', just click on it and proceed. It will direct you to 'ImmiAccount' where you will need to register yourself before going ahead for the lodgment. A credit or debit card is required because SkillSelect visas can only be lodged online. To register for ImmiAccount,
After the payment is approved, you will receive a visa application copy, and acknowledgment letter and visa summary in your immiaccount and at nominated email address. Keep these docs for future correspondence with the DIBP. Following the payment approval, you will be directed to the main screen in your ImmiAccount where the progress can be checked. You will also see a checklist of the documents required with links 'Attach Document' in the front of every document requested.
Here starts the most annoying period, The Case Officer Allocation. For 489, the standard time for allocation varies from 3 to 7 weeks. Be patient and pray at all times. Be advised to save your personal email address in the 'Alert Preferences' section of your ImmiAccount. You will automatically receive a notification from ImmiAccount for any activity may take place. e.g CO Allocation, emails from CO etc. Also, regularly check the progress of your application by logging in to ImmiAccount.
Answers to the questions people mostly ask;
- Submission of Expression of Interest without IELTS and Skills Assessment.
Ans; Not Possible.
- Check on changing details frequently in EOI.
Ans; NO. You can change your details as many times you want. New submissions are not checked against the old ones in the EOI. For example, if somebody entered their work experience totalling 5 years on 15/03/2014 and updated it to 10 years on 16/08/2014, that is not something to be worried about. Though all the claims made on EOI should be supported with verifiable documentation at the time of visa lodgment. Failing to provide supporting materials may result in visa refusal. So be aware.
- Work Experience Verification by DIBP.
Ans; Most of the people say that work experience gained from giant companies have less chances of being verified by the DIBP as compared to the trade fields like cooks, plumbers, electricians. I must say they are wrong. Its equal for people from any profession. Though the chances for work experience verification is less than 10 percent if a mountain of verifiable supporting documentation is uploaded.
- Fees associated with SRS State Sponsored 489 visa.
Ans; IELTS; Varies for each Country
Skills Assessment; Varies for each Authority.
State Sponsorship Fee; Varies for each state. In my case, for NSW-Southern Inland was 700 Dollars.
Visa Application Fee; 3520 Dollars at this time.
Police Clearances
Health Exams; Varies
- Supporting Documentation for 489 visa.
Ans; Both Attested and True scans of the documents are acceptable. Though attested documents are recommended.
Documents required; Passport Bio-Data Page, Birth Certificate, IELTS Certificate, Educational Documents, Skills Assessment, Experience Letters with payslips-contract letter-Duty Statements-Tax Return Docs, Police Clearance Certificates for all the countries you have lived in for 12 months or more, Health Exams, Family Tree, CV/Resume', Form-80.
- Work experience Points.
Ans; Work experience points are awarded only for post qualification full-time and occupation relevant work. For example, if you have experience in cookery for 10 years and gained qualification when you were in the fifth year of job, you will be awarded points only for the experience gained after the date of courses completion. Defining relevant work; if you have a Diploma in Cookery and have experience in cookery, thats relevant and if you have the Cookery Diploma and have experience in gardening, thats irrelevant and you won't be awarded points for that.
Be advised that there is a question in EOI and Visa Application 'Is the work relevant to your nominated occupation', you should only tick yes if you think the duties undertaken are relevant to your nominated profession otherwise do not expect any points.
About Health Examination.
Ans; There are two points where health exams can be undertaken. Before Visa lodgment or otherwise after receiving advise from your Case officer to do so. If you take your health exams after you have lodged your visa, it will slow down your visa processing (Outlined on DIBP website)
- Procedure for undertaking Health exams.
Ans; Log into your ImmiAccount and go to the documents uploading page. you will see a link 'organise your health examination' somewhere in the middle of the page. Click on it and you will see a page opens into a new windoes. It will show your basic information with a link 'print refferal letter' down the page. Click on it and print your refferal letter. Make an appointment with DIBP panel physician and take the following documents on the appointment day; passport, printed refferal letter, Form-26 (to be signed in front of the physician), Form-160 (to be signed in front of the physician), Any medical history you may have.
- Providing incorrect answers.
Ans; Deliberately providing false information is a serious offense. If you have mistakenly provided false information, just fill out Form-1023 and upload it.
- Minumum IELTS Band.
Ans; Required 6.0 in each module to be eligible for SkillSelect visas.
- TRA Assessment Expiry.
Ans; TRA Assessment never expires. In other words its valid for life time.
- Australian Values Statement.
Ans; To be printed and signed by each applicant aged 18 years and over.
- Biometrics for 489 visas.
Ans; SRS 489 is not included in the biometrics program. Though its on the case officer discretion.
- Skilled Regional Sponsored 489 visa conditions.
Ans; Must live in the sponsoring state/region for two years. Must work for 1 year out of the two in the sponsoring state/region.
- Pathway to Permanent Residnecy.
Ans; Can apply for Permanent Residence Skilled-Regional visa (subclass 887) providing the condition outlined at question 14 has been met.