IEAUST say yes....but now I'm REALLY confused. Sender: Mark Webster

Hi Techno Freak,

I'd recommend trying to get the occupational buttessment changed if possible. In this way, you can give yourself the best possible chance of getting the full 10 points for work experience. If they won't give you civil engineering technologist, try the "nec" category 2128-79 (more generic, so easier to claim that the work experience is "closely related"). We've managed to get a couple of clients' skills buttessments changed for them in the past - Engineers Australia don't like doing it, but if you make a good argument, it's certainly possible.

You will have to nominate the occupation you have a positive skills buttessment in - otherwise your application might well be refused or considered invalid.

Even if you can't get the occupation changed, I can't seen any reason why you would not claim both the 10 points for work experience and 5 bonus points for designated investment. In order to get 10 points, you need to either have worked in the nominated occupation or "closely related occupation". I would say you have a fair claim to say that civil and mechanical engineering technologists are closely related - they are right next to each other in ASCO! The DIMIA Procedures Advice Manual says that closely related occupations are ones which require similar entry qualifications or are in the same industry.

In terms of the bonus points for designated investment, DIMIA will only ask you to make the investment if you need the points to meet the pbutt mark. So there's little to lose in claiming the points.

Beter to claim bonus points in the initial application. If your application is pooled, there's not much chance of getting additional points short of Federal Court action.

Another option - you could look at STNI for SA with a positive skills buttessment as an engineering technologist (but not with an buttessment as a civil engineering technologist)...

Hope this helps.

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