₦airaland Forum

Jbelieve:
Hi please I have a few questions to ask about 476 visa.

Part of the requirements is that the institution the engineer graduated from must be under Washington accords institution. I want to ask if Nigerian universities fall within this category?

No any Nigerian uni under the Washington accord and just about 2 or 3 unis in the whole of Africa are under the Washington accord, one in south Africa and can't recall the country of others.

soopamom:
Guy, a lot of what you have said makes a lot of sense. I only voiced what I disagreed with which is the part where you said there is no racism in Australia. Racism makes it that much harder for people to succeed. Fact.

You are sounding as if Australia is the most racist country in the world, try eastern European countries like Poland and other Scandinavian countries and see the real meaning of rascism then you will find out that if there's rascism in Australia as you claim, is still a child's play compare to those countries. Have been here for over a year, can't say there is no rascism but have never experience any circumstance relating to rascism.

joesh:
My warm greetings good people.I just got ITA for SA 489 provincial nomination and Tasmania 489.I am an Agricultural scientist.I sincerely need inputs and suggestions to aid me in making an informed decision.Please,which among the two states will you rather recommend.I am aware this forum is for "living in Australia and experiences", the more reason why I posted this comment here as most people here have first hand experience about living in Australia.More importantly,suggestions about jobs will be highly recommended.Thank you all.

Chose SA, Tasmania is dry and boring, no functional train system, scanty population, lesser job opportunities, I will only advice you to go for Tasmania in the absence of no any other option.

AkinO100:
My thoughts on racism in Australia

I am a silent reader here. I appreciate the good things you guys are doing.

1. Racism in the 21st century has been redefined. Its no longer the KKK, monkey and banana type of racism anymore. Infact you will find more random people flashing you smiles on the streets of Australia than any other first world countries. However, what separates Australia from the rest of the first world countries is, while the rest of the world is doing more to curb racism and xenophobia, Australian govt seems reluctant to promote integration and inclusivity. In many developed countries there are existing laws that make it mandatory for composition of employees in most companies to reflect present demographics. Australia is far behind in this. Canadian parliament and the executive arm of the govt have many non-white immigrants. Recently, a Nigerian was elected into the Italian parliament. We now have africans playing for national teams of Belgium, Italy, Germany etc. Things are changing fast as it relates to race integration but not in Australia.

2. Hiring is still purely based on consideration of color and not on skill and qualification. How do you report a company to Fairwork for failing to hire you? These companies send beautifully worded emails informing you that your application is unsuccessful without giving the slighlest inklings to element of race in those polite emails? Of course they won't be that dumb. What happens is applications from Africans are tossed into shredders and covered up with lack of local experience blah blah blah. Many skilled migrants especially Africans are unwillingly "forced" into disability care and nursing professions. Do not get me wrong. Nursing is a noble profession, but why would an engineer or IT manager be "forced' to take up a profession he or she has little penchant for just to put food on the table? Why would he have to take up disability care when caucasians from europe and south africa who arrived same time and on same visa are working in their professions of choice? What other explanation would you give that? It is very acceptable if these migrants start at the lowest rung of their professional careers, but what is totally unacceptable is when they have to completely abandon what they studied for 5-6 years to do Disability Care.

3. A lot of attention seems to be on crimes committed by Africans. Often time, these crimes are blown out of proportion. Let me site an instance. Three media houses(7 News, ABC and one other one that I cant remember right now) ran a story about the so-called gang terrorizing Melbourne. To support their claim, they showed a video clip of four men who were embroiled in a fight. They were all dressed in black and shades of black, but what surprised me was the media houses or whoever sold the video to them had the faces of the fighting thugs blurred out.
The news ended that day with an interview granted to a couple of people who expressed their displeasure to the spate of crime committed by Africans.
However, the bubble burst a few days later when another media house ran a counter story. This time around, the video was zoomed and one could see the faces of the men fighting. They looked arab or caucasian but none of them was african!
the question is how on earth could three media houses have descended so low to the extent of engaging in a 'campaign" to paint a whole black race bad? When institutions that are supposed to be unbiased join in the campaign of calumny against Africans, then you know there are problems.

4. It hurts terribly bad when Africans say one should not expect to be given a red carpet welcome. Why do we still think like this?! Why are caucasians from Europe, America and even asians given a royal welcome in Australia but africans left to suffer despite migrating on permanent visa? Don't we give them VIP treatment in Africa? Why do we have to be on our best behaviour to be entiled to crumbs from white people?

5. Finally, don't let us not make the mistake of comparing racism and tribalism. Both are social ills but while one says you are less than a human being, the other says I only associate with people who speak my language. One discriminates against you untill you prove them wrong, the other does not even give you the opportunity to prove them wrong as you are treated based on HOW you look.

In conclusion, racism is alive and kicking in Australia. Its not on your face type of racism but it might stifle your professional growth if you don't push harder to make it in life.

The solution lies in the hands of two people: Government and you! but not in the hands of the racist. You can either choose to ignore them and move on or play an active role in eradicating it. But one thing I tell people is if you are overly sensitive, you may not like australia, if you are the type that shrugs things off and move on, you will like it here.

I concur with the points you raised but have different opinion on job hiring and crimes committed, with my little experience here if you have the required skills an organization or an employee is looking for, they won't hesitate to employ you in respective of your skin color or where you are from, have met Nigerians and other Africans in top positions both in local and multinational organizations here. On the issue of crime the east Africans especially the south Sudanese and the Kenyans ain't helping matters and most of them are on humanitarian visa, take a trip to Footscray/Sunshine or Dandenong in Melbourne you will be surprise how they are messing up and to an average Aussie all blacks are the same since most of them haven't travel out of their country since birth, for instance a black guy was caught on camera running away after snatching AUD1000 from a woman while withdrawing from an ATM in Dandenong also a group of South Sudanese guys robbing a supermarket all aired on 9news sometimes ago, these and many more are denting the little black communities's image. One more thing, you can't compare Australia with western Europe and America because they have being dealing with blacks for a very long time unlike here where the blacks are countable and increasing in number of recent due to the unrest in east African.

CeeCJay:
Thanks.

I'm currently running my MSc in the UK, in Engineering. I would like to know the possibility of getting a PR through 476.

The visa doesn't have a pathway to PR but just allows you to live and work for unlimited hours in Australia for 18months, another advantage is you won't have to assess your cert with EA since you have a degree with institution under the Washington accord and if you are fortunate to get a job related to your degree for one year that is 5points then you will have to gather your points and follow same process like others for your PR.

CeeCJay:
Hello everyone

I learnt a lot of guys in this forum have successfully travelled and obtained PR through Subclass 476. Kindly enlighten us on the requirements and route to PR. Preferably, please open a topic on it.

Thank you

It's an eighteen months visa and if you are under 31, have a degree in engineering in the last two years from institutions under the Washington accord and some few selected institutions worldwide then you can apply otherwise look for an alternative to migrate.

DaddyTheFather:
Accounting and IT are not at risk, far as I know. All I am saying here are facts, not conjecture. I am a chemical engineer. I can ONLY apply for 189 visas now, cos chemical engineering is of the 190 list. And chemical and mechanical engineering have been under review for years now. Every year, they are at risk of getting removed. I am not saying these to argue or scare anyone. Just to inform and get people to act.

@IamPhilVitalis, I'm not sure what other occupations are at risk. That's only cos I don't follow other occupations, only mine and general immigration trends. My suggestion is check all the new skills lists and Google immigration news. See if you can find anything on your own occupation. But more importantly, apply before 30 June.

Risk of getting remove doesn't mean it will be remove, did you know that Victoria is still sponsoring mechanical engineering with at least IELTS of 7 in each band & minimum of three years working experience? The reason why i mentioned Accounting and IT are presently both occupations required a very high point than those you mentioned for ITA and reach occupational ceiling every year yet they aren’t remove.

DaddyTheFather:

Also...

For those interested, the issue I noticed in my job search with the 476 visa is that recruiters and employers don't seem to know the visa. All they know mostly is PR and 457. Take it upon yourself to educate them during an interview if your visa status comes up. On your CV, just make it clear that you have unlimited working rights. This is what worked for me, and if it works for someone else, than thank God for that.

For those going through PR route, especially engineers that need EA assessment, note that the processing times have now gotten ridiculously long. The visa processing time as well with the DIBP has gotten long as well. And the Australian govt is starting to show some anti immigrant sentiment in order to pander to the far right (I am sure I am not the only one here that feels disgust every time I see Peter Dutton's face). The skills list is going to get reviewed again by the end of this financial year. Do all you possibly can to lodge your application before 30 June, or selse, your job may even be taken off this list (chemical and mechanical engineering seem to be at risk of this happening)....move fast.

If professional accounting and IT ain't taken of the skills list, i see no reason why mechanical engr and chemical engr will be taken of the list, the only thing that can happen is having a very high point before getting an ITA.

olamitunposi:
I’ve just been refused... I’m really sad, after making me wait for this long... She could only refused me cause of my home ties, that I’m 28 and not married that my siblings are all married and they aren’t strong enough reason for me to come back.

That I’ve not rectify the reasons I was denied Canadian study permit twice and a UK visitors Visa, even after showing I was later granted the visa and went to the UK and back. Note; I supplied her my refusals details.
And economic situation of applicant home country
I studied Agricultural Economics and Extension (2014).
Going for Msc Project Management.
She just ruined my day and her name is Bianca. Please how many weeks does it take to refund tuition deposit back?

Sorry for the rejection but on the contrary Project Management is more or less like wasting of time and resources because the course can't get you PR, it may be a blessing in disguise, on the other hand you can get a PR with your agric related Bsc.
If you can get a positive assessment from your Bsc and competent test of English, I can assure you that state like Victoria and Darwin will be willing to sponsor you, anything related to agriculture is massive in Australia.

SantaClause:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/content/dam/rmit/documents/about/policy/enrolment-processes-refund-of-fees.pdf

please read page 8-20 and tell me if your friends gets his full refund.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/information-for/international-students/transferring-to-another-education-provider

tell me if he qualifies to transfer the moment he gets to australia.

regarding the school grant.....yes anybody can be given offer letter don't forget they are countries out there that you don't need to pay before you get issued you pay based on arrival. If DIBP denies visa which draw back to my first statement which i said DIBP only do some internal security check so if they are not happy with your security check what happens...but if the school did not confirm you to DIBP you cannot apply for visa so therefore the school confirms you and DIBP checks

Let me explain certain things you don't understand, our resumption is next week monday and for new students, haven paid AUD7,000 initial semester fees, they are expected to pay the rest by March 31 and after this date, RMIT will still extend it to April 27 and if you ain't able to pay your fees by that time, your COE will be cancelled and the sch will give you two options take your initial deposit or will you like to continue in the coming semester? Most will take their money and opt for another sch thereby starting again, know couple of ppl that have been in this scenario and can call some NL to testify. RMIT is my sch and third semester with them, I know everything about that sch, so you don't have to quote that link for me.
Whether the sch confirm you or not, my point still stands only DIBP has the right to grant visas and there decision is not solely base on confirmation from schools.

SantaClause:
Did you asked him wither he was release just like that or he loosed some money... Why is your offer letter not enough to apply for a student visa? why do you need CoE and who issued CoE and what does CoE really means go look it up. *End of Discussion*

Don't change what raised the discussion, your initial statement was schs issue grant which i counter, there is huge different between offer letter and COE, anybody can be given an offer but you have to pay to get a COE which is one of the most important documents to apply for visa. You can be given a COE by your sch yet DIBP will still deny you visa, so tell me who issue visas between schs and DIBP?
He stated it here clearly that he got his initial deposit back.

SantaClause:
Did they change the school the moment they arrive here or they have to do 6months of principal course? and why? because your visa was attached to your school not immigration

Stanleyeleyi is a NLer, he got to Australia through RMIT and changed sch upon arriving, you can search his post here.

SantaClause:
here is the link bro maybe i don't know what i saw
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/ems/s1123_ems_6c933692-aec2-4925-a2c3-93c5d8675065/upload_pdf/18019em.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf

and please read carefully, i did not say there are no PR route to Australia from Nigeria or anywhere and for school issuing visa are you in Australia? have you tried transferring to another uni? if you not in Australia and you havent tried any of this then i dont have any discussion with you based on that unless you tried any of this and they tell you the requirement.

You are quoting a bill yet to be pass in which more than half of the law makers don't subscribe to it, yes i am Aussie and still insist schools don't issue visa. If you are talking about changing sch, more than half of Nigerians that we arrived RMIT almost the same time have switched sch and those that i meet here that require their visas to be extended just get a notification letter from their unis and apply for extension with DIBP, so don't know what you are driving at.
Also know someone from Brazil studying Msc in Electrical Electronics with just a semester to go, he has already got his PR staying for less than two years in Australia, so where are you getting your information from?

SantaClause:
You know funny enough DIBP does not grant visas your school do......The decided issued visas to DIBP DIBP only check their security aspect. When i did my application my school was the one who verify my bank statment not DIBP but when i was submitting my application i still included but the school already verify. Maybe its just the queue that isgrant are not coming in plus they are reducing immigrant badly when i tel you badly i mean meant badly....Citizen wait is no longer 5years anymore but 10years.. for PR i think if you have to stay in Australia for 3-4years now before you are eligible for PR.

Stop misinforming people, heaps of people are being granted PR without setting foot in Aussie and also schools doesn't issue visas.

ugsams:
Please I'll like to know the available options for sending money to Nigeria and which one offers the best rate?

Cashremit a little bit better than worldremit.

[quote author=georgesegun87 post=65192387][/quote]Contact the school of your choice directly, they will refer you to their nominated agent if the need be.

koleefem05:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/work/skil/invitation-round-7-february-2018

It is safe to say 70points is the new 60, no show for even 65pointers.

aamstih:
Hi Fam,

Pls, I want to get this straight.

1. After one's MS, is it the master's program that would be accessed in view of PR or it is our Nigerian first degree?

2. Heard it is easier to land PR when you're already in Aussie as compared to if you were in Naija (all things being equal. How true?

3. Does the MS course studied Aussie influence the PR process?

Thanks guys

Solitin
Albion50

Et al

Msc alone can be access without Bsc that is why some are doing Msc that is not related to their Bsc, just make sure the course you putting for is on the skills select list. Nothing easier about it because you will still follow same process like offshore applicants but you get additional points if your school is located in a regional area for instance those schooling in Deakin geelong campus are entitle to 5extra points due to location of the sch and also extra 5points for Australian degree.

shyboy187:
Please can I claim 3 yearselectrical engineering working experience using my frnds fathers registered oil haulage company.

What are your job roles as an electrical engineer in an oil haulage company?

ebere272:
Hello everyone,pls my student visa grant just came out.I need a female i can squat with before getting mine ,heading to melbourne Rmit...pls help needed...pls pls

Honestly most shared accommodation come with the clause of no squatting unless you are fortunate to see a family that wanna take you in, your best bet is to try a backpacker for a week or two and search rigorously for an accommodation within that period.

samakinbo:
Someone said the schoos have representatives at the embassy? Please how true is this. If so, the embassy is supposed to answer student visa faster. Schools should put pressure on them to give their As most people for February intake are still expecting visa grant. Resumption is at the corner. Most can't meet up with orientation week. NA only Assessment in Progress person they see. Hopefully plenty visa grants we fall in this coming week. May you/I be counted among those IJN (Amen)

Wrong info but they are bind by law to share all your informations and status with DIBP.

mikeufuoma2016:
Hi everybody,
Need asistance on the documents required for dependent student visa (marraige).

Evidence of relationship (Marriage Cert).
Your spouse letter of enrollment.
Your OSHC.
SOA of about AUD7,100
You may need pictures taken together before and after marriage as well as marriage pictures. etc

MeinKampf:
Please I need the fastest way to send a driver's licence to Sydney at an affordable price before 16th February

The fastest way is through DHL which is within 3days and cost about AUD100 or #25,000.

zeemo2007:
You Cannot get a good car for 1500.

We are student and it is important you minimise all expenses and cost. Trust me you don't want to buy a car and start repairing all the time with all your weekly wage. You will cry tears won't come out, unless you have back up from naija sha.

Cars that comes with road worthy that will give you peace of mind are more expensive.

Budget like 2500 to be safe

I got my car for AUD1,300 with 4months registration left and had to pay around AUD400+ for the roadworthy, no single issue whatsoever since i have been using it, Ford fairmont 2001, the reason why the owner sold it was she acquired a brand new SUV and i have a friend that was lucky to get camry big daddy with 8months registration and roadworthy cert for AUD1800, the reason is the owner was moving overseas. If you are familiar with Gumtree and facebook market, you will see ppl selling cars for rediculous amount, some due to upgrade while some moving to overseas and wanna give there car out in exchange for token amount.

Teehomies:
Wow.. Thanks! But what's the implication of that over there?

If you are caught driving a car without registration, the fine is AUD700+ likewise the cost of registration is within that range, the cost of roadworthy certificate depends on the condition of the car, you get the certificate from any certified mechanical just to make sure that your car is fit for the road.

Teehomies:
Bro, you've been very supportive on this thread. God bless you mahn. Please i would like to ask, can one get a ride for aud1500?

Sure, even lesser but it may not come with roadworthy certificate and registration.

joephemzyz:
bro, my Nigerian drivers license will expire next month, whats the best course of action in your opinion?

Honestly don't know.

Teegal42:
What if I don't have a Nigeria licence?

Then you can't drive and if caught while driving without a license heavy fine and you may face a magistrate court.

Teegal42:
What if u apply for it before lectures start.

There is no two ways about it, you apply for license and will be put through some test both driving and computer base, if you scale through a learners permit will be issue to you for a year with 12points, if you don't exhaust your points through penalties for the first years, your license will be upgraded for the second year and you get your full license in the third year.

Teegal42:
How soon can I get an Australian driver's license after entry.

It will take you 2 to 3years to get full Australian driver's license as a beginner and at least a year if you want to get it with your original Nigerian license after verification and some other process however you can be driving with your Nigerian license, that is what i have been using for more than 6months but certain jobs require Australian driving license.

nobleudeme:
Thanks for your input but the course was chosen so it can relate with my work experience as my first degree and my current place of work have no correlation. If I apply for masters of my BSc. with no work experience, there will be about 4years gap in accounted for. I might be wrong, pls advice.

The aim is to get in then change course.

The four years gap shouldn't be an issue, that is why statement of purpose is there to explain your situation. Changing of course upon arriving is very hard, so there is high tendency of forfeiting your first semester fee if you wish to change course which is different from your initial course in the subsequent semester because by so doing you won't be able to apply for credit transfer and you may have to apply for visa extension later in the future.

mjlbabajide:
Good to hear heaps of people are getting their grants. I was quite active around this time last year. I remember our grant arrived on the 17 of january last year and arrive Oz 14th Fed.

However, that is not why i am writing. I read some posts about using panadol, and men crying due to how hard they work here.

So quickly want to advice on managing your expectations.

You have 2 options upon arrival, namely; working hard or working smart.

Working hard is when you have no tickets nor certification and you want to work. You will most likely get hard work. Bearing in mind that every employment will request your visa b4 offering you any job, secondly, because of studies you might be unable to work normal hours, so that leaves you with shift jobs to survive. 6am - 2pm shift, 4pm - midnight, 10pm to sunrise and so on.

However, it becomes easier to get good paying jobs, bordering around $30 to 40 an hour if you obtain a forklift license(cost 400AUD) or HR or MR truck lincence( 1000plus AUD), Australia is a logistics country, anything logistics and warehouse sells. We import almost everything, so they have to be stored, moved and distributed. Anywhere along that supply chain has good money and constant work.

Disability certificate(1200AUD duration one month), try and obtain a disability certificate as soon as you arrive, being a welfare based country, millions of people living with disability has to be catered for by law.
You can earn btw 27 to 30 on weekdays, double that on weekends and maybe night shifts. It is the easiest job, so far you can stand the sight of cerebral palsy girl, or a boy with fown sydrome. Ofcourse, the job will include some manual handling.
Catch is that you most likely will need an Australian drivers license to get into the door. In some cases the license alone gets you in, even without the cert course.

Or get and RIW ticket, work railway and get paid 50/hr.

Now, your question is, what do i do in the interim, well, go get a job at nandos, macca's or any fastfood while you work on obtaining any of those. If you are going to sydney, apply to UNrefugees as face2face fundraisers, they always look for new comers, cos old timers will do the job. Atleast you will fetch upkeep and rent till you are able to sort yourself.

What am trying to pass across is simple, no relocation is easy, even if it is from Lagos to Kano, or from dopemu to shagamu it is always tedious in the begining.

Plan ahead, research, stay positive, avoid fines

Bros, all what you stated are true but you just listed all what intending students want to hear without the otherside that is why most are left frustrated and struggling upon arriving because all their thoughts will be hitting it up upon landing.
You mentioned about forklift license in which the training is two days and you are left to your faith to find a place where you will master forklift operating, if your are not working in a warehouse or anyplace where you can familiarize more with forklift that is error because no serious employee will wanna paywell for a learner.
Disability that you are talking about, though it is a well paying job but after getting the certification how many hours are given to those on student visa weekly? That is why most are working for more than one agency. Me and you are in Aussie, how many students are making AUD1000 on a weekly basis consistently after tax? tell them how long it will take them to save AUD15k+ or more semester fees for those coming for Msc and planning to work and raise school fees without assistance from home, tell them why most are switching from AL1 schools due to higher fees to lesser paying school, i am not antagonizing you but tell those that are coming both sides so they can brace themselves. Australia is a very good country but nothing good come easy.

[quote author=Ayolachris post=64708265][/quote]Did your partner changes status through which the student visa is granted, i mean change of sch or course besides did you applied by yourself or with the aid of an agent?