@247 - Makes two of us. Im sitting here waiting for the next international ad.
So far, all my research has yielded a blank. No news when next there will be an international posting.

Fingers crossed they need some experienced Tower controllers!

No.

It's possible most of the time to swap shifts with colleagues if you're willing and flexible; at least in the groups I've worked in. Morning shifts followed by overnight (doggo) shifts have been removed from most groups rosters.
I would never go back to working the same shift every day.

Best Way to ASA Melbourne
 

Hello,

I am a new migrant and living in Melbourne - I am starting at Airservices Melbourne on Monday but since I do not have a license yet I will be commuting. If I am coming from terminal 4, is the best way to go to ASA tower really is taking a cab? Thanks!

Unless you know someone who can give you a lift, a taxi is the only way.

A few people ride bikes to work - you can have a shower if you get a sweat up!

I've experienced problems getting taxis to take me from the terminal to the tower. They want to pick up a higher fare, say to Dandenong/Frankston. I've had some success going upstairs to the taxi drop-off at Departures and asking if they'll take me around to the tower. Since they are heading that way anyway, to the taxi rank, they'll often say ok.

Hello !
rumour has it that AsA is currently changing its mind regarding foreign experienced controllers... Is there anything official ?

Maybe someone has realised that the 457 Visas are for 4 years and at the end of that time you need to start the process all over again!!

I'm sorry I don't get your point...
If I understand correctly, PR is possible after 4 years and most applicants stay, so no need to start it all over again, I mean it's not like the guys are leaving after 4 years, are they ?

Hi, JackD!

The 'problem' could be the age. If you're under 50 when you complete your first 2 years of your 4-year contract, you can apply for the permanent residence visa, so you can be offered a permanent contract by ASA at the end of the initial 4 year contract. If you're over 50, you would have to depend on ASA's sponsorship at the end of the 4 year period to apply for the permanent visa, which they can not guarantee ...

OK thanks for that answer...
So you're still understaffed, they just decided to limit or stop hiring internationals ?

AsA certainly has changed its mind regarding foreign experienced controllers. I received an email this morning stating that the Skills shortage list has changed and my planned employment will no longer proceed.

wow that's bad... so you were planned and they cancelled everything ? (can't PM you :( ).
Is it cancelled, or postponed ?

That is absolutely shocking if they've literally offered you a job and then rescinded the offer just like that...

ATC seems still to be on the CSOL (Consolidated skilled occupancy list)... and apparently staff numbers aren't so good, especially if you look a couple of years ahead, so why would they remove it ?

Political scoring. Forign workers have been a key issue umong public.

Skilled occupations lists
List of removed occupations

Occupations entirely removed from the list of eligible skilled occupation on 19 April 2017 are listed below.

Occupation ANZSCO Code
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker 411511
Actor 211111
Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers NEC 211199
Aeroplane Pilot 231111
Air Traffic Controller 231112
etc etc

Here's the link....Pity, hope it doesn't bite down the road...
Were quite of few of us here at DXB waiting for this year's applications to open

Wow, that came close for me!

I declined their offer a year ago, main reason was not having many chances to get a PR visa necessary to apply for a permanent contract with AsA (+50 years when the offer was made).

With this change, I think my chances would have been nil at the end of the 4 year contract. Having teen age children, and jobless over 50, and having to relocate once more, bad combination ...

Good luck to those that made it there, all the best!

Lssar

Not the only change:

"On 18 April 2017, the Government announced that the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) will be abolished and replaced with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in March 2018."

Link.

I recommend a deep research based on personal circumstances before applying.

Lssar

Yes, just saw that.
Something was smelling very bad... there we go.
there'll be a couple of tricky situations I guess...