[sahaji]

Dear all,

I want to ask few doubts regarding my immigration options after completion of my PhD in Australia in February 2019 (1 year from now). My current student visa (574) is valid until March 2020.

1.) Can I put an EOI for 189/190 after I graduate (that is after thesis evaluation) while still being on a student visa, so that I don't have to apply for 485 (to save on its application fees)?

2.) Given that my current visa states:
(a) 'The Visa Holder has limited Work Entitlements' and
(b) ' Students studying a Masters by research, or doctorate (PhD) can
work unlimited hours once the student has started their course'
Does this mean that if 1.) is Yes, then I can also work full-time after graduation until either my student visa expires or I get an invitation for 189/190?

3.) Once graduated with a PhD, is it still required that I get my Bachelor's degree (from overseas) assessed?

4.) Can you please confirm that a PhD from a School of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering will fetch me a total of 30 points due to:
(a) Qualifications = 20
(b) Australian study requirement = 5
(c) Specialist education qualification = 5 ?

I will really appreciate any help on these doubts.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Cheers!

 

[Jeremy Hooper]

If you are an Engineer applying for a 189/190 you will need to have a skills assessment. You will be assessed on your Bachelor Degree. If you Bachelor Degree is recognised under the Washington Accord your will not have to do your skills assessment by CDR. Otherwise, you will, whether you have a PhD or not. No harm in applying for a 485. It will be an insurance policy if you don't immediately get an invitation to apply for a 189/190.

 

[sahaji]

If you are an Engineer applying for a 189/190 you will need to have a skills assessment. You will be assessed on your Bachelor Degree. If you Bachelor Degree is recognised under the Washington Accord your will not have to do your skills assessment by CDR. Otherwise, you will, whether you have a PhD or not. No harm in applying for a 485. It will be an insurance policy if you don't immediately get an invitation to apply for a 189/190.

Thanks for your response Jeremy. After I complete PhD, wouldn't just my PhD qualification assessment as an Australian degree be sufficient (as this being my highest qualification) and hopefully I wouldn't have to get my Bachelors assessed?

I understand that 485 will be the right pathway, I was just wondering about the non-485 options as I mentioned above. Can you comment on that part if you are aware of any possibilities to skip 485 and stay on student visa until I get an invitation?

Thanks!