Dilemma re. education and work experience

[moe]

My wife and I would like to apply through the Skilled - Sponsored Visa program (she has an aunt in Sydney), and I've just taken the "Points test". I have a score of 100 - I hope.

I have a Master's degree in Economics, which I assume qualifies me as an economist, and is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). But my work experience over the past 5 years has been in marketing - which would qualify me as a "marketing specialist" (also on the SOL).

So my question is: can my "nominated skilled occupation" be in one field, and "specific work experience" be in another?

If anyone has a definitive answer to this I'd love to hear it!

Thanks very much,

Moe

[CharR]

No, you need to have worked at least 12 of the last 24 months in your nominated field. But you should qualify as a "marketing specialist" by your work experience, and I'm assuming that occupation will require as your education, just that you have a university degree, not specifically in any field, so you should be fine with that.

Are you going for family sponsorship or state sponsorship? State sponsorship can only be obtained if your nominated occupation is in demand in the area you wish to move to. In that case you might run into some difficulty as the marketing field has really slowed down here, due to the global financial crisis. You may find it difficult to qualify. I would suggest going through an immigration agent if you can afford it because they can advise you better, and help you get through those particular hurdles.

[moe]

Thanks very much for the information, CharR. I'll (hopefully) be going the family sponsorship route, because I don't reach the 120-point mark on my own. My wife has an aunt in Sydney, and from what I understand aunts can sponsor.

I will definitely look into using an immigration agent.