Australian Permanent Residency: The Leon’s journey

Know Leon’s success story, a Colombian who came to Australia to study English and decided to stay permanently, while applying for the Permanent Residency.

Back in his native Colombia, Leon had completed a Bachelor in Mechatronics, but he did not have sufficient work experience to migrate directly utilising that degree. Therefore, he consulted Questra Immigration and we were able to provide him with a individualised migration plan.

How we helped Leon?

The key was understanding his existing skills and matching them to jobs that are in demand in Australia. Following the plan provided, he studied Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Ashton College in Melbourne’s West. As such, he was able to build up his skills in an in-demand occupation which appears on MLTSSL – Diesel Motor Mechanic.

Related content: Study a Trade and reach the PR in Australia

Whilst undertaking the course, Leon was also fortunate enough to find paid work experience at a local automotive workshop. This allowed him to earn to support himself whilst he studied. Having said that, he was allowed to undertake 40 hours per fortnight of paid work and unlimited hours in school holidays.

Upon graduating, Questra assisted Leon to apply for the Temporary Graduate Work Visa (Subclass 485). This is an open work visa that allowed him to remain in Australia and live and work for 18 months with full-work rights.

Know your options to stay in Australia

Living, exploring and working in Regional Australia: A key way to get the PR

When on the Graduate Work Visa, Leon continued to work as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic. Upon following Questra’s advice, Leon also adjusted his situation and was able to land a job in Regional NSW.

Questra assisted him to register himself and his employer with Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) & the Job Ready Program. After 6 months working as a Heavy Diesel Mechanic (or approximately 873 hours), an assessor from TRA came to visit Leon at his workplace and assessed him as competent to work in the industry.

Find out how to get the PR through a Job Ready Program, here.

After approximately 1 year or 1725 hours working as a Diesel Motor Mechanic, Leon achieved his final skills assessment for migration purposes by the TRA. This allowed him to look at applying for different General Skilled Migration Visas.

The importance of an Expression of Interest (EOI), when applying for a Visa

The next step was to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), through Skill Select and apply for a General Skilled Migration Visa. Leon did not have sufficient points to apply for the Skilled Independent. However, as the occupation of Diesel Motor Mechanic was considered a critical occupation in Regional NSW, Leon was invited to apply for NSW State Nomination.

As a result, Questra lodged an Expression of Interest, also a RDA application requesting NSW State Nomination for the 491 visa. Leon was fortunate enough to receive the invite and apply for the Skilled Work Regional Visa – Subclass 491.

Leo’s transition to the PR

Upon receiving the invitation to apply, Questra lodged his Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) on the 7th May 2021. On the 2nd of August 2021 he was granted the 491 visa. This is an open 5 year work visa that allows Leon to transition to PR if he continues to live and work in a regional area for 3 years and earn above $53,900.

In the future, he hopes to remain living and working on the Regional NSW, and set up his own Diesel Mechanical workshop.

If your dream is to stay in Australia, we can make it happen!

Our website is jam packed with useful information about various visa options and common questions that answer most of our visitors’ doubts, but if you’re still not sure and would like a personalised migration plan with a step by step road map, then schedule a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agent.

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.