This post is a continuation of my previous write ups about our family applications for the Australian Permanent Visa. I have mentioned writing about how I have prepared for the skills assessments. I will be sharing based on my experience and how did I handle some of the challenges while preparing for the documents. As the requirements for the skills assessment is almost standardized, e.g. work history, diploma, etc., you may learned something from this post for your preparations for your skills assessment

My situations is somewhat complex in some ways depending on how you will comprehend it but just a quick information, to date I have worked on seven companies in which my earlier career is focus on teaching in University/College technical courses. I was a University instructor/professor for more than six years and I’ve been on the IT industry for more than 9 years. When I have decided to proceed with the applications, I have some fears that when Australian Computer Society (ACS) will make the assessment, I may not be able to obtained the required years of experience. One factor that affects the skills assessment is experience versus age. The younger you are, the higher the points , e.g. age 25-32 years old applicants will get a maximum score of 30 points.  In general, the assessment to obtained the required points to qualify for visa applications in my preferred visa requires a 60 points minimum.  The higher the points, the better the chances of getting the invitations to apply for the visa. Anyway, the rest is just a history and I really thank the Lord for allowing me to have my Skills assessment approved. I have prepared from January until March last year (2015) to get all the required Certificate of Employment letters from my previous employers and submitted to Australian Computer Society in April 9, 2015. After 5 working days, I received the letter from the Australian Computer Society that my skills were assessed and suitable for migrations under (Computer network and System Engineer) of the ANZSCO Code.

To start with, below are the required steps which I have followed and what I have prepared for the skills assessment:

Step 1: Did a lot of readings on Australian Computer Society Website ( https://www.acs.org.au). Again, it depends on which assessing body you are applying for, you must read a lot and understand every requirements. Check the Application Checklist on this link for complete details of what you needs to prepare.

 Step 2: Prepared all the required documents. In my applications, I have prepared the following list of documents:
    a. Resume using the Australian format
   b. Birth Certificate
   c. Degree/Diploma
   d. Transcript of Records
   e. Certificate of Employments from my current and previous company with company letter heads. 
   f. Photocopy of Passport biographical page
   g. All my IT certificates, Work related certificates, all my training certificates.

Note: All the above documents were Certified True Copies (CTC) except for my resume.

Step 3. Started contacting all my previous employers HR or previous managers requesting for latest employment certificates. I used to keep copies of my employment certificates to date, but I have decided to reach out to all my previous employers to have a latest dates. I think lessons here is always keep the contacts open from former colleagues or previous managers. As I have several employers in Philippines, I have to call the HR individually and writing them emails to explaining the purpose of the Employment letter. I have to travel back to Philippines to get the copies and asked former colleagues to approach my managers or HR to get the copies, etc.

Below is the complete guide which I have followed on my request to the HR personnel for my employment certifications requirements. I even send them the guidelines from Australian Computer Society so they are aware of what I’m expecting from them to write on the employment letter.

I have two employers that is hesitant to provide a copy of Employment Letter with Job Description and company letter heads. In this case, I have politely asked my former line manager to prepare the job scope and request him signed. The letter is called Statutory Declarations.  If you need a template of the documents, you can post to this blog with your email and will send you a templates. It all depends on how you prepare for it but in my cased when HR cannot provide a Employment Certifications with the required information as I have outline above, you can always talk to your former managers.

At the time of this writing, we have already completed all our requirements for the applications for permanent visa including the medical test and we’re just praying that a case officer will soon be looking into our applications. The journey on my preparations for the required documents is sometimes frustrating especially when HR are just following their own formats and they don’t want to provide based on the templates  required by Australia Computer Society but do not lose that patience. May your journey as well be come into reality.

On my next post, I will share more about how I prepared for my PTE Academic test.