Australia Reviews

A discussion paper on how to further improve standards in the migration advice sector was released today by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Teresa Gambaro MP.

‘Migration agents are now used by over 70 per cent of applicants in some visa classes,’ Ms Gambaro said.

‘The migration advice profession has the potential for further growth and I am committed to seeing the performance and reputation of migration agents improve along with their expanding client base.’

Ms Gambaro released the wide ranging discussion paper for public comment. Issues examined include:

* the continuing adequacy of the regulatory framework for the profession, including whether the profession is ready for a move to self-regulation and dual regulation of lawyer agents

* complaints handling procedures and the effectiveness of the Migration Agents’ Registration Authority

* how, in certain circumstances, priority processing might work for visa applications lodged through migration agents

* the adequacy of the Migration Agents’ Code of Conduct.

‘Migration advice has matured significantly in recent times from a profession that was largely unregulated in Australia before the early 1990s,’ Ms Gambaro said.

‘The Government believes that consumers have a right to expect that they will be provided with advice from migration agents which is accurate, timely, and lawful, and which demonstrates high standards of professional conduct.’

Submissions to the review should be made by October 26, 2007. Copies of the paper are available electronically.

Wednesday, September 12 2007

See: www.immi.gov.au

Currently, Australia is in need of skilled tradesmen and as a result there are opportunities galore. Perhaps you’ve acquired the skills but you don’t have the necessary official qualification papers to qualify for Australian Immigration ?

No worries, there is a solution – are you willing to do what it takes?

Currently, tradespersons earn much more than graduates. This is due to the high demand for trade skills.

The opportunity to study a trade in Australia ensures an opportunity to migrate  to Australia successfully. Over 30 percent of TAFE (Technical and Further Education) students in Australia already hold bachelor degrees but are training for trade skills to gain lucrative jobs.

How can you benefit?

The bottom line is – Australia’s economy is booming. Fortunately for you, the growth is restricted due to shortages of skilled people across many of the trade industries. In fact, there are huge infrastructure developments that are on hold because of this great shortage of skills.

Currently, tradespersons are earning much more than graduates. This is due to the high demand for trade skills.

Study in Australia? The  study options avaliable are open to international students. This will allow these students to gain skills to qualify in a number of occupations that are in demand. If you already hold a degree you’re able to gain admission to two year post graduate courses to gain recognition as accountants, teachers, nurses and IT Specialists. If you’ve attained a HND (Higher National Diploma) you’re able to gain credit into a Bachelor degree. You can then qualify in a wide range of occupations. You’ll also enhance your chances of gaining skilled migration.

If you don’t have qualifications

You can train as a cook, hairdresser, bricklayer, automotive mechanic, cabinet maker or backer (there are more trades that you can train for). Of course, those in the above mentioned categories can also train for these trades.

How to go about it…

Generally, Australia aim to attract young people that have proficient English skills and are qualified in skilled occupations. Preferably, these applicants want to settle in regional areas. An Eligibility test will determine the above factors. The eligibility points allocate points to applicants based on age, skill, English language ability, work experience and a few other factors.

For skilled Migration you’ll need 120 points.

How are points gained?

If you study specific programmes in Australia for at least 2 years will allow you to gain points for;

Skilled Occupations – amounts to 40, 50 or 60 points

If you study in Australia for two years you can gain 5 points

If you studied in a regional area in Australia you are given a bonus of 5 points

If you graduate with qualifications included on the Migration Occupation In Demand List (MODL), you may attract an additional 15 points.

The Age Requirement

Persons under 30 years of age with good English skills and qualified in a 60 point occupation (through 2 years of study in a regional area in Australia) will gain 120 points which is the current target.

Various occupations are shown on the Skilled Occuptations List (SOL)

Sought-after Trades Skills

Which skills are in demand?Nurses, Accountants, Cooks, Hairdressers, Bricklayers are on the MDOL.

The MODL is reviewed at least every 6 months. This is done in line with the current workforce demands at the time. For example, If you proceed to do cookery courses , ensure that when by the time you’re expected to complete the course, your newly attained skill will still feature on the MODL. Remember, not all courses will qualify you for a migration outcome. In order to be granted points, you’ll need to meet the criteria that are set down by the relevant assessing body. Particularly for the occupation you’re studying for as shown on the SOL.

The Requirements

Ensure that you’re in possession of the necessary requirements. You’ll need one of the following;

Degree or Postgraduate qualification that is on the assessing body’s accredited list. Examples; accountants or IT Specialists.

Certificate III in a specific subject and 900 hours that are recognised as relevant work experience is needed. Examples; bricklayers, hairdressers’ or Automotive Mechanics.

Recognised qualification that incorporates a minimum amount of days done under supervised work experience.

High English Score – For example, teacher and nurses require 7.0 on the international English Language Testing System Test or;

Diploma or Degree that features on the accredited list

Applicants must ensure that the course that they’re studying for will meet the criteria of the relevant assessing body.

These requirements may change. Throughout the past five years to qualify as a cook and attain 60 points, the TRA assessing body required students to have the following;

What’s worth Knowing?

Once you’ve applied for your student visa, it can take up to 3 months to be granted, before courses commence. You’re obligated to attend at least 80 per cent of your classes. You’re also expected to meet your course requirements. Moreover, immediate dependent family members are generally included on the student visa. Child Dependants of school going age must be enrolled in a school before your visa is granted. It’s greatly advised that you consult a clued up consultant that is proficient in dealing with such cases.

It’s also important to remember that you’ll not be allowed to work until you’ve started the course and applied for work rights.

Once you’ve applied for work rights, you’ll be permitted to work for 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays. Your partner or spouse will be allowed to work 20 hours a week during the entire student visa period, once he/she has been granted work rights. Note that spouses of students studying towards a Masters or research Masters or PHD are permitted to work full-time. Although work that is registered as part of your course will not be included in the limited 20 hours.

Migration can become a very real possibility once you’ve completed your studies. So, hang in there and give it all you’ve got!

Want more information from one of our trained professionals? Fill out our FREE ASSESSMENT form or call us on 0845 2 606030 on a no obligation basis.

Disclaimer: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the information within this article at the time of publication is correct, I.U cannot accept responsibility for the content for any inaccuracies that occurs as a result of changes in immigration regulations, policy or other variables affecting the eligibility of individual applicants. Immigration laws, skill shortage determinations etc are subject to change by appropriate authorities and thus are outside of our control. Please contact us for further advice before taking steps towards immigrating. This article is published in good faith.

The Australian Government provides assistance to asylum seekers or people who apply to the government of a country for recognition as a refugee. These are people who, according the 1951 United Nations Convention and 1967 Protocol:

Australia provides assistance for some asylum seekers during the period in which their application for protection are processed. These assistance includes financial assistance for basic living essentials, assistance in preparing their protection application, access to work rights, and access to Medicare.

How do I apply for a Protection Visa?
If you wish to seek asylum in Australia, you have to submit several forms that will determine whether your application will be granted with a Permanent Protection Visa (PPV) or just a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV).
The initial form that must be passed is the Application for a Protection (Class XA) visa which can be obtained through any department or if you are currently in immigration detention, through any departmental office. The assessment for protection visas has been designed to avoid any need for an applicant to make use of migration experts. However, if you wish to be advised on the matter, you have to be sure that the professionals whom you are dealing with are registered in the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
One such migration expert is National Visas (www.nationalvisas.com.au) who have keen agents waiting to help and assist people who are in dire need to get their visas, may that be for protection, for tourists and whatnots.

Assessment of the Visa
The visa application will be assessed by departmental case managers trained in the law, policy and procedures concerning the Refugees Convention and Protection visas. The case manager assesses the applicant’s claims to Australia’s protection against the Refugees Convention definition of a refugee, Australia’s domestic laws, and all information about the conditions in the asylum seeker’s country of citizenship or usual residence. Applicants are expected to put their claims in writing. An interview is not essential, but a case manager may ask an applicant to attend an interview if further information is required.
Applicants who are refused a Protection visa will receive a written decision setting out the reasons for that decision. Applicants may, within 28 days of notification of the decision, apply to the appropriate tribunal for a full merits review of their case.

If the Refugee Review Tribunal affirms a decision to refuse a Protection visa, the Minister has a personal non-compellable power to substitute a more favourable decision (example: grant a visa) if the Minister considers that it is in the public interest to do so.

This enables the Minister to grant a visa to a person who has been found not to be owed Australia’s protection obligations but where other compelling circumstances exists.

In application for a Protection visa, we must always remember that decisions are made on the individual circumstances of each applicant’s claims. There is no blanket approval or refusal of applications based on broad assumptions, for example about the safety of particular countries.