An article which might be of interest:
http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=314

Best regards.

Thanks Alan that makes it much clearer for us all. Do you have any idea of how long the 137 visas are taking at the moment we applied after the 1st July changes.

Thanks again

Sasha :)

:thumbs up:
Great link Allan and has made things far more clear now. Really appreciate the info
Candice
:bouncing smiles:

I'm afraid it's too early to see a pattern in respect of 137-applications lodged after the 1st of July ...

Good luck!

If they're so desperate for people why does it take so long?

Still waiting for an acknowldgement from the TRA at this stage... :(

Feels like it's never going to happen!

Alan - I've just got my meds request after nearly 3 weeks of the application being submitted so that is very quick if it is like the normal visa route! (acknowledged on the 19th August)

You will get your TRA Bridie and don't doubt it! ;)

Sasha :)

Hi Alan!
Hope you don't mind but I have a question reference our application. Paul (hubby) is applying for a skilled persons visa (he's a senior manager in IT). We're currently going through the ACS part of the process. I'm a bit confused :blink: about the type of visa we're going for (there seem to be so many). We are being sponsored by Paul's cousin who lives in a 'designated area' within Queensland. Our agent tells us that this means that the Government waives the points system for people sponsored by those in a designated area. This I understand - but what confuses me is that apparently we can still live wherever we want to in Australia. I would have thought that if we are sponsored by somebody living in a designated area we would have to live in that area (or at least in that state). Can you explain 'cos it seems weird to me :sign09: .
Thanks very much.
Mandy

I know you're right, I'm just being impatient...

It's only been just over two weeks but feels like two months! :(

and I thought I was bad waiting for the TRA :lol: what are you like??

Sasha :)

Hello Mandy.

It sounds like you will be applying for a Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored visa, subclass number 139.

As you say this isn't a points tested visa, and requires you to have a sponsor who has lived for at least 12 months (and is still living) in a Designated Area (as defined). You also need an Assurer (need not be a relative, but often is) who can demonstrate he/she has the required level of income that is assessable in Australia - see here:
http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=214

Assurances of Support are now overseen by the Federal body called Centrelink - see here:
http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=310

I can also confirm that holders of 139-visas are at liberty to live and work wherever they choose in Australia, the rationale being that most 139-visaholders will settle close to where they have family (perhaps less true for Brits than for other nationalities?).

Best regards.