Sould I use an Agent

[karmakaos]

Hi all. I'm a total newbie to this but really want to emmigrate to Australia as a skilled worker - I'm a Mechanical engineer with over 5 years work experience. There are lots of Agents about so is there any benefit of using one compared to doing it all myself? If so, can anyone recomend a decent agent?

Thanks,
Kris

[DannyCoyles]

Kris

What I done was use an agency for the skills assessment part of the application only.

Basically what the agency done was ask me to provide details of my work experience and worked out what category I should apply for, helped me/my employer write my reference, asked me for the relevant certified documentation, helped me write my CV and filled out the paper work for the assesing body.

Once i got the letter confirming i had the relevent experience i completed the rest of the application myself. I used the new online application method and found the form easy to follow.

Getting your skills assessed is the most important part of the application and getting it wrong first time round will cost money and time, i wouldnt take any chances with it.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[DannyCoyles]

The agency i used was: http://www.australianvisaspecialists.com/

I found them very quick and professional.

[thinker]

Hi Kris,

Before you put your hard earned money in someone else's (Agent's) pocket, you should analyse what its worth. Just because others did it through an agent doesn't mean you should follow them.

If you answer YES to all the questions that follows, Do your visa yourself, else go ahead and pick an agent:
1. Are you below 30 years of Age?
2. Do you plan to live permanently in Australia?
3. Do you have at least 120 or more in your points test?
4. Are you an organised person?
5. Do you have the time up your sleeves to do the base work (such as applying for skill assessment, IELTS test and completing visa application)?

You should also read this quote from the Australia Immigration website:

“You do not need to use a migration agent to lodge any kind of visa application or asylum claim. Your application will not be decided any sooner if you use a migration agent and they cannot influence the outcome of your application.â€

[DannyCoyles]

The reason I went for an agent was that my job in IT could fit into one of many categories on the SOL and it was nearly impossible to know which one to select. Also the assessing body that i had to go through (Australian Computer Society) are very fussy with the employer reference given, if things arent worded in a way they recognise a positive outcome would not be acheived. I would find out more about your assessing body and what information they require, if you are sure you can get a positive outcome from them, then go for it yourself. I paid a total of £750 to the agency and felt that it was well worth it.