491 Visa
 

Hello,

Please don’t turn this into a “we’ve got loads of unemployed local pilots debate”

A few months back I saw that pilot was on the list of skilled occupations for the 491 visa - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa so I recently paid one of the visa consultancy companies to asses me and it came back that I potentially would be eligible.

I’m a UK citizen with 2000hrs on turbo props.

My question is am I likely to be approved ? From what I’ve always known pilots have been ineligible for work visas for a very long time. So it came as a surprise when the consultancy company came back with “Potentially Qualified”

I don’t want to pay them and Home Affairs a ton of money for it just to get rejected.

Does anyone know anyone who is going through this process as a pilot and / or whether applicants have been successful?

Thanks in advance

I believe airlines such as Air North have used this Visa successfully. They have recently struggled to get E120 pilots and there may be some opportunities.

Its possible... but be prepared for a long wait and expensive process. You haven't said what licence you hold whether cpl or atpl (UK licence or EASA licence?) as process is slightly different for licence conversion.
Check out Converting an overseas flight crew licence | Civil Aviation Safety Authority (casa.gov.au) if you haven't already. You will need to fly to Australia to do the relevant exams and IR if required, all of which takes some time. You will also need to get the study material to prepare, particularly for the IREX if required. And all of this is required before you actually apply for that visa.
If you are seriously interested then first step is to put in an EOI... make sure you have at least 65 points, you do not need a migration agent to do this and at that stage it wont cost you anything... and then wait to be invited to apply (which may or may not ever happen) - If you haven't checked the process is here Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Main applicant (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Is the “shortage” solely qualified/endorsed E120 pilots?
If so, that appears to be a pretty niche reason to turn down otherwise perfectly suitable and sufficiently skilled pilots here in Australia currently looking for work.

I have no idea, but their new Chief Pilot is on a visa.

The only reason AN can't get suitable pilots is due to pay/conditions.

We have got loads of unemployed local pilots, but thanks for your consideration.