In part one of this two-part blog we met the Vosloo family who moved to Australia on a 482 Employer Sponsored Visa. The Vosloo’s adjusted well as immigrants in Australia and are enjoying putting their roots down.

In part one we shared the start of Eugene, his wife Louise and their 7 year-old son Laurens’ emigration from South African to Portland, a city 362km South of Melbourne in Australia.

“Our next step is likely to be that we will apply for Permanent Residency,” said Eugene who is employed as the General Manager of a seafood factory. Scientist Louise specializes in the process of cultivating, processing and marketing sustainable abalone – both framed and wild.  With a wealth of knowledge, gained as General Manager at an abalone farm in South Africa, Louise now shares her skills with other abalone farms on a consultancy basis.

The family was lucky to land a 482 Employer Sponsored Visa said Eugene who was at the top end of the visa requirements  age limit of 45 years old when their application process started.

Besides barely meeting the 45 year old age limit Eugene and Louise had to meet the following requirements too, before qualifying for the visa:

Skills

Applicants need to demonstrate that they have the necessary qualification (and work experience, if applicable) to perform the duties required for the nominated occupation.

Registration and Licensing

If the nominated occupation requires licensing or registration in Australia, the applicant needs to obtain the registration or license, or demonstrate that they meet the requirements for registration or licensing in Australia.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English language competency (often in the form international English Language standardized tests).

Health and Character

Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.  Speak to your Immigration Agent about more information in this regard.

Most Importantly!

The applicant needs to be nominated for a position that corresponds to an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation Lists. These are occupations selected on their importance in the future of the Australian economy and on the local availability of skilled workers in those occupations.

Now that the red-tape is taken care of, we wanted to know what life as Saffas Down Under is like on the social scene.

The family agrees that Aussies have been nothing but welcoming of the South-Africans (I imagine, as long as cricket isn’t discussed right now…).  Although they very much miss family and friends – with restriction on movement imposed by COVID-19 contributing to anxiety about when they might see each other again – they have made good friends in Portland.

The pandemic and restrictions on social gatherings have made it harder to be fully integrated in their local community but the Vosloo’s are very optimistic, “We were actually surprised to have met a few other South African families who also braai on wood not gas!” Having South Africans around who you can speak Afrikaans to is always comforting explained Eugene.

When asked what the family’s best tips for emigrating are, Eugene and Louise agreed on three important points:

• Do your research – about the process, about role players and make sure you stay ahead of the game by being organized;
• Take your household items with you – it is too unsettling, daunting and expensive to start from scratch;
• Don’t wait too long to start your immigration process – age really does matter, said Eugene who spoke from experience.