Seeking Advice on Migration Pathway for My Partner (Early Childhood Educator) and Myself (Soft Eng.)

pengalreadyexists

Hi everyone,

I recently joined this forum and would love to hear insights from experienced members regarding the best pathway for my partner and me to migrate to Australia.

Our Background:
Partner (Early Childhood Educator)

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Philippine Normal University
• PRC Licensed Teacher
• Completed a teaching practicum in an online setting with 7-9-year-olds (Grade 3)
• Concern: ACECQA requires 10 days of practicum with 0-35-month-olds, 25 days with 3-5-year-olds, and at least 5 days with 5-year-olds and above.
• 2 years of teaching experience:
• 1 year teaching 2-5-year-olds (Pre-Nursery - Kindergarten)
• 1 year teaching 6-8-year-olds (Grade 1-2)
• 3 years as a private tutor (Started tutoring a child at age 2, now 5—not sure if this counts.)
• Confident in achieving at least a proficient to superior score in IELTS. (I'm biased 😂)

Myself (Software Engineer)

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• 2 years of work experience as a Software Engineer (Web Development)
• Also confident in achieving at least a proficient to superior score in IELTS.

We believe the most cost-effective and strategic way to move is for my partner to secure a visa sponsorship (Subclass 482) as an Early Childhood Educator. This would help fund our eventual transition to a permanent residency visa (Subclass 189) if possible, considering its relatively fast processing time (45 days to 3 months) as I want to be with her right away.

So, we're thinking of taking these steps:

• Take IELTS
• Undergo ACECQA Qualification Assessment (Concern: We’re unsure if ACECQA will strictly require the 10-day practicum with 0-35-month-olds. Would voluntary work with a certificate be accepted? Or will my 2 year professional experience as a teacher be considered? For the remaining 35 days, her work experience and practicum should cover it.)
• Find an employer willing to sponsor a Subclass 482 visa (ideally with relocation allowance, we've seen some job postings that have this)
• ... (Unsure what comes next)

After 4th bullet, 'di ko na alam. We're just stuck on dwelling kung strict ba si ACECQA kasi ang mahal pa rin nung fee na 4,000 for qualification assessment and by looking at the 0-35 months old 10 day requirement, I don't know if that can be appealed.

For myself, the plan is:

• Take IELTS
• Get an ACS skills assessment
• Submit EOI (Expression of Interest) for Subclass 189
• Apply for Visa

Additional Information:

• We are not married and not living together due to our families’ conservative backgrounds.
• We don’t have shared bills except for gadgets we purchased together. We both contribute financially to our respective families.

We’d really appreciate any advice, particularly regarding:

ACECQA’s qualification assessment – How strict are they about the 10-day practicum for 0-35-month-olds? Can voluntary work count?
Our overall plan – Are we on the right track, or is there a better approach?
Thanks in advance to anyone who comes across this post and shares their insights! 😊