Hi Guys
Thanks a lot for creating this forum as it has helped me to apply for my residency [SMC for Software Tester]
Please find my details below:
EOI Submitted: 20 Jan'16
ITA Received: 10 Feb'16
ITA Docs. Submitted: 23 March'16
CO Assigned: 20 May'16
Points claimed: 220
Education: Level 7 Grad. Diploma in Computing: July'14 - July'15
Contracting for Accredited employer ABC through recruitment agency XYZ.
First contract: 1 Dec'14 - 30 Nov'15
First Extension: 1 Dec'15 - 27 May 16
Second Extension: 27 May'16 - 2 Dec'16
Open Work Visa Expiry: 5 Aug'16
The CO called me today afternoon and discussed about my contract work with ABC. before sending out the following in email.
He discussed about SM7.15b 'Employment must be ongoing and sustainable. Ongoing and sustainable employment is':
1. an offer of employment or current employment, with a single employer, that is permanent or indefinite, and of which the employer is in a position to meet the terms specified; or
2. an offer of employment or current employment with a single employer, for a stated term of at least 12 months; or
3. employment on a contract basis where the applicant:
a. has a consistent history of contract work, and
b. has a current contract for services, and
c. INZ is satisfied that such contract work is likely to be sustained.
He mentioned the following based upon the above:
"While it appears that you meet the last two requirements, the fact that you have only ever undertaken contract work with
ABC seems so suggest that you are unlikely to possess a consistent history of contract work."
He has asked me to provide the following:
"Given the above, you will need to do one of the following:
1. Provide evidence that you do have a consistent history of contract work
2. Provide evidence of a new employment (which is skilled) that is either permanent/indefinite OR
for a stated term of at least 12 months (with genuine reasons based on reasonable grounds for specifying that the
employment is fixed for the duration that is specified)"
While on the phone I told him that I am working on a Govt. project and it is very big, and being a key team member I am getting an extension, that is why I never looked for other contracts because the work here is really good. He then said, "You can mention this in the email which I will be sending out"
But he insisted on the point 3.a. above (has a consistent history of contract work) and asked me to one of the 2 things mentioned above, out of which the first thing regarding providing evidence of a consistent history of contract work is ruled out, which he knows but still he sent this out.
Before he asked me this, I asked him what if I find one more contract work, then he said it won't still be a history because you will have only one previous contract! Isn't the first contract a history then?!
Then I told him that I have also worked in the same occupation in my home country (India) for 2 years, to which he said "But that was not a contract job!"
I said this because I wanted to let him know that I have good experience in my occupation to obtain a further contract/permanent employment.
I figured out that Immigration is now being strict on people having only one contract work as their record.
Though I am still motivated to find an opportunity within next 30 days, any kind of help/comments are highly appreciated
Thanks for your time.
Cheers
Vikram