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Working Holiday->Student->485

3K views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  captal 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I came to Australia in 2007 and did a 1.5 year MBA program (I passed out of 1 semester) on the Gold Coast- at that time I didn't really consider staying in Australia long term, so the 1.5 years didn't set off any alarms.

Now a couple years later I'm back in Australia on a working holiday visa that expires in February and would like to stay in Australia long term if I can figure it out. My background is in IT Project Management and having my MBA, it seems like the ICT Business Analyst on the new SOL would fit my qualifications and background well. I don't have enough points to apply independently (since my experience is over 3 years old) so it seems the 485 visa is my best bet.

The rules for the 485 visa are that you have to have graduated within the last six months and have two years of study. However, it appears that the two years can be split up over more than one program. I believe that means that I would be able to do a six month program (as long as it's CRICOS certified) and then apply for the 485 immediately. Can anyone confirm this?

I would have to find a program that is related to the ICT Business Analyst SOL entry- and I'm thinking a 6 month course (grad cert/diploma) in Project Management would be great as it would show employers that I've kept my skills up to date.

Does that seem like a feasible plan?
 
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#2 ·
From the study side as long as both lots of study comply with the meeting the 92 weeks rating you should not have a problem but the other issues you would need to address are what are the ACS assessment requirements going to be as I do not know that an MBA and three years background in IT Project manangement coupled with a six months Project Management diploma course will be sufficient.
The next hurdle you may face is having the MBA and Project management courses considered by Immi as being closely associated with the IT classification.
The only real way of getting a result on those sort of issues is to apply and I am no assessor but if I was I would expect from the Immi side to see at least some IT content in the study and from the ACS side they do have on their web site indication of the numbers of years experience they may accept in lieu of appropriate study and I think you may find it is going to be of the order of at least six years.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply Wanderer. Additionally I have a Bachelors in Computer Engineering and a couple years experience as an intern in Software Development and Project Management while I was doing my Bachelors. I'm not sure if that will help or not.

Does anyone know where I can find specific requirements from ACS?

I figured the MBA would be applicable to the role as it is a business analyst position so having an understanding of business would be essential.

From abs.gov.au I found the following info:

UNIT GROUP 2611 ICT BUSINESS AND SYSTEMS ANALYSTS

ICT BUSINESS AND SYSTEMS ANALYSTS work with users to formulate system requirements, develop system plans and documentation, review and evaluate existing systems, and design and modify systems to meet users' business needs.
Non-ICT Business Analysts (for example, Management Consultants) are excluded from this unit group. Non-ICT Business Analysts are included in Unit Group 2247 Management and Organisation Analysts.

Indicative Skill Level:
In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks Include:
working with users to formulate and document business requirements
identifying, investigating, and analysing business processes, procedures and work practices
identifying and evaluating inefficiencies and recommending optimal business practices, and system functionality and behaviour
using project management methodologies, principles and techniques to develop project plans and to cost, resource and manage projects
taking responsibility for deploying functional solutions, such as creating, adopting and implementing system test plans, which ensure acceptable quality and integrity of the system
creating user and training documentation, and conducting formal training classes
developing functional specifications for use by system developers
using data and process modelling techniques to create clear system specifications for the design and development of system software
acting as a central reference and information source, providing guidance and assistance in the system project decision making process

Occupations:
261111 ICT Business Analyst
261112 Systems Analyst

261111 ICT BUSINESS ANALYST

Alternative Titles:
BA (ICT)
Business Consultant (ICT)

Identifies and communicates with users to formulate and produce a requirements specification to create system and software solutions.
Skill Level: 1

Specialisation:

Business Systems Analyst
(bolding mine)

Would that mean my Computer Engineering degree would be sufficient?
 
#4 ·
Additionally I have a Bachelors in Computer Engineering and a couple years experience as an intern in Software Development and Project Management while I was doing my Bachelors. I'm not sure if that will help or not.
Wouldn't you just love to be doing some analysis when a client gives about one third of data and the other two thirds a whole heap more relevant!
Do they not teach relevance in MBA courses!
The intern experience will not be relevant as they look at post grad experience.
Your degree may be acceptable to the ACS and have a read of their site for they have a heap of FAQ.
You may still have a relevance question re Immi and the MBA and whatever will not be leading to the degree that is considered for your assessment.
 
#5 ·
Oh I'm used to it with all the Project Management I did- stakeholders not giving complete requirements, etc. Sorry about that Wanderer, I didn't realize the relevance of that information until I found that abs.gov.au link - I figured the two years study was what was important for the 485 visa.

Just to be clear- my Bachelors is from the US, and my MBA is from Australia, and I'm looking to do an additional 6 months so that I qualify for the 485. Then I'll apply for the 885 (the reason I can't apply yet is because I don't have 12 months recent experience because, duh, I was doing my MBA in Australia :D

I guess my next step is to A. find a suitable 6 month program and B. find a migration agent- is there a thread or useful tips on finding a good migration agent? It seems that there are so many around, but it sounds like they're really critical as they can pull an application that is going to be declined before it is declined so that changes can be made, etc.
 
#7 ·
This might be a hiccup- from the ACS site:

ADDENDUM TO THE ACS PASA GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS (JULY 2010)
Relevance to the nominated occupation: criteria for assessment
Group A
For Group A assessments, for an ICT major in a degree to be considered to be in a relevant
field to an applicant's nominated occupation, at least 65% of the minimum requirement for
the major must be in the same ICT disciplinary area as that occupation.
(group B & C are the same 65% minimum)

Does that mean my MBA would have to have 65% relevant courses to the ICT Business Analyst role on the SOL? Or would my US Computer Eng. degree qualify me?

How does one determine if 65% of my content is relavent? An MBA could be said to be relevant to just about anything business related, but I'm not sure if that'll pass the ACS test.
 
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