state sponsored migration application

[tamara1973]

Has anyone done an application for a state sponsored migration (for the skilled sponsored visa 176) BY THEMSELVES?
I'd like to apply myself before paying a migration agent to do my VISA application because i don't want to pay 3000$ to appoint them before being sure that the state will sponsor me.
But the migration agent I'm in contact with, is saying that i shouldn't do it by myself and that i should let them do it for me to ensure success.
Is it that hard?

[comet555]

No it's not necessary and if you're comfortable with researching and forms there's no reason you can't do it yourself.

I would only recommend an agent to someone if they really can't put any time or effort into it or if they have complicated circumstances (child custody, criminal record, medical issues, age deadlines, etc).

We did our permanent visa application ourself. It was the 136 PR when we did it but now it's called the 175 visa. I believe the sponsored 176 is pretty much identical except your first step is to get state sponsorship, which should be too hard to do.

I would read through the link I gave you on the IELTS question, then read through Booklet 6 for more information:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/1119.pdf

After that check out this link and scroll down to the bottom where it has the associated forms:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/books6.htm
Have a look through them and see how easy/difficult it is.

I managed to do our application all by myself with lots of reading and questions on the British Expats site:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32

On a further note using an agent will not "ensure success". If you don't meet the criteria the application will fail whether you have an agent or not. In the same way if you meet all the criteria then having an agent will make no difference. The only thing the agents do is give knowledgeable advice and check over your application. You're pretty much still the one to fill in all the forms and do the legwork. However, a good agent should be able to tell you whether you meet the criteria or not and most reputable agents only go that last step with the ones who are going to get a visa (i.e. if you are going to fail they will tell you upfront).

I did a search on the British Expats site about agents, here are some of the results:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/search.p ... id=1043263

Not all of them are relevant but if you read the titles you should be able to pick out the ones that deal with using an agent or doing it yourself.

[CharR]

I did my application for state sponsorship myself. I was denied the first time around, and was approved the 2nd time. Of course, I never even ended up using it as my company got impatient and just sponsored me themselves.

The state sponsorship application bit is pretty easy, but you REALLY have to talk yourself up in order to be approved. I had to resend my CV 3 times, each time with more and more detail about the positions I had held.

The first time it was denied, was because they said they were not convinced that my job was in demand in the state, and that I would be able to secure employment. The 2nd time I applied, I already WAS employed so that helped my case in that area. If you can speak with people in your field in the state you're applying, and get indications from them that they would hire you, if you were here, that might help. Emails and correspondance or whatever.

Personally don't think it's worth paying an agent, but, maybe worth consulting with one at the start of the process.

[tamara1973]

Thanks for your advice. I'm desperatly trying to get in touch with other people in my field in Australia but haven't had any success. It seems like there's no lab techs there or they are just too busy to post on forums.

[CharR]

The company I work for has a lab, although it's pretty low tech here, and I doubt that they would sponsor someone to come over to work in our lab. But they might be able/willing to write a testomonial that they WOULD hire you if you were here with a valid visa already. I can't put you in touch with anyone directly as I don't work in the lab at all and don't really know anyone in there but I can PM you the company website. What exactly have you been doing in labs? I might be able to recommend some other companies that would be worth contacting, although I don't know any contacts personally.