Hi catanddave,

What I meant was that 'it is hard to score as little as 95 points'. After I wrote the post I realised that it could mean something different but left it unedited because I thought it was clear from the context and the balance of the information what I meant. Basically (without knowledge of specific circumstances) I thought you would score as the minimum:
Occupation 60
Age 15
English 15
Work exp 10

If you are a native English speaker or your English is good you could get extra 10points for English by sitting an IELTS test and scoring 7/4. If you are not native then you would probably qualify for extra 5 points for a community language. Also, you may get extra 5 points for partner skills.

You are doing the best thing by looking for an employer who would sponsor you. You include in your application all family members and you will all get the temporary 457 visa and stay, study and work for four years. Unfortunately, if you are not a permanent resident you will have to pay for the children's school and it might work out to be very expensive.

Once you are here on 457 you can apply for PR almost immediately (after assessment of qualifications) provided your employer wants to sponsor you for PR (which they usually do as they have sponsored you for 457). It is very important that you do not take a break from employment for longer than a usual annual leave. Many people come to Au for a long holiday to look around, find an employer, get their 457 visas but DISQUALIFY themselves from applying for an immiediate application for PR because of the break in employment (you need to have 3 years employment prior to applying). Then, they are stuck with the other option for PR, i.e. work in Au for two years, including one year for the sponsoring employer. This usually means that they are on a temp visa for at least 2.5 years and, if there are children, it is exhausting financially.

There is also a third option to qualify for an employer sponsored PR visa: being offered a highly paid executive position for min $165,000.00.

Re: agent's fees, usually if an employer sponsors you they pay agent's fees. Most of the agent's fees would be in relation to getting sponsorship and nomination approved (employer's fees). Not much work is involved in your application after sponsorship and nomination is approved.

Hope it helps and good luck
Dorota