Immigration Forum / Australia and NZ / October 2005

Probably another stupid question from me !!
We have recently been granted our 457 visa, and intend to go to
Australia perhaps April/May time next year, if house sells.
We have since decided to apply for ENS, as this is obviously a permanent
visa and much better than the 457.
If we get turned down for the ENS, then at least we can go out on the
457.

We are just waiting for final confirmation from our employers as to
their sponsorship but just wanted to ask a few questions.

1.  I understand we are to complete all forms and send our application
   off.  This we are doing through our agents.
2.  Are we to wait for the medical requests and police checks before
   having them done.  I have read a bit about frontloading, which I
   seem to think, is having them done before being requested, but you
   must have your case number.
3.  How long will it be for the application to hopefully be approved?

What I am trying to say is that I would prefer to have the medicals
etc., done in the UK, then as far as I can see we will have done
everything possible from this end regarding our application.  We can
then get off to Australia on our 457 and just wait the decision
about the ENS.

Do the ENS visas take absolutely ages to come through, ie within 6
months or so, or are they taking longer.
If we had the ENS to go out on, as opposed to using the 457 this would
be so much better.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Jill