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10 Steps to getting your 189 Visa

The 189 Visa (Skilled Independent Visa) is for people who come to Australia to work without being sponsored by a businesses, state or person. The best part of this visa is that you can work and live anywhere permanently in Australia. With 43,990 visas planned in total by the Government on being approved in 2017-2018 for the 189 subclass, there are many applicants but not as many winners. So how do you go about getting this visa? Step 1 – Research and Requirements for Visa Subclass 189 Doing your research for this visa is essential to understanding what you need to successfully apply. For research, we recommend looking at the Australian Governments Department of Home Affairs for this visa subclass and follow their instructions religiously to ensure that everything submitted is to the Governments satisfaction. If you need help with your application for this visa, you can also contact us any time. We’re happy to help you. Are you eligible to apply for this visa?  To make sure that you fit the requirements, confirm that you: Have a skill that is on the eligible occupations list Ensure that you have at least 65 points (Calculate your points) That you are applying independently (do not need a sponsor or partner etc.) You are below the age of 45 years You have a genuine intent to work in Australia and live there permanently You have competent here You meet the Health requirements You have good Character You have no debts to the Australian Government You have no previous cancelled or refused visas while in Australia (in some instances) If you do, please contact us below for further information. Step 2 – Financial funds for Subclass 189 Visa All costs are estimated In Australian dollars (costs may vary per person/country/circumstances) English test (multiple tests accepted) = AUD $330 – $363 Health test (medical exam) = AUD $222.50 – $265.70 Character test (police check) = AUD $42.00 EOI application = free! Visa Application = AUD $3,670 Step 3 – Calculate your points score for the 189 Visa The point system is a way for the Australian government to assess your eligibility for the 189 visa, it’s also a way you can check if you are eligible as well before submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI). You will need to make up a minimum of 60 points, though sometimes the Government will require more depending on your circumstances. Step 4 – 189 Visa and the Skills Assessment After you have chosen your occupation from the list, you must make sure you are correctly qualified for the position you’ve chosen. When applying for a skilled position, the Government needs to know that your skills are up to the standard that Australia requires. In doing so, they will need to assess your skills to see if your skills are suitable for the occupation you are entering to work in. You must have the results of your skills test before submitting your EOI. See who can assess your skills by contacting the relevant assessing authority, In most cases, you will be required to have a form of qualification in your field of work that is of an Australian standard and usually a minimum amount of 2 years experience. If you do not have an Australian recognised qualification, you might want to consider recognition of prior learning to gain one. Step 5 – English Test Score for your 189 Visa Another necessary criteria to completing the requirements for the 189 visa is to provide proof that you have “competent English”. Below is a table that shows you how the government defines “competent English” by English Test and their respective scores. Step 6 – Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) When you have gathered all the necessary documents required by the Government (download our Ultimate Checklist for the 189 Visa here), then you can submit your EOI through SkillSelect. Creating an account on SkillSelect is free and will take you through a step by step process in submitting your request, you can update your EOI after you have submitted it which is useful when you are waiting on some documentation or your situation has changed (example: you got married, had a baby etc.). Make sure you have the key elements included in your EOI such as Skill assessment results Your points (at least 65 points) The results of your IELTS exam (at least a score of 6 overall) Step 7 – Wait for the reply of your EOI If you submit an EOI in Australia and your current visa is about to expire, you must apply for another visa to stay in Australia. You are not eligible for a bridging visa because the EOI is not a visa application. You are only eligible for a bridging visa after you are invited and apply for this visa. Invitation rounds The invitation process which invites applicants to apply for the visa is conducted in scheduled rounds and happens twice a month check and see when your invitation round will next be here. Step 8 – Apply for the visa So you have been sent an invitation now from the Government to apply for this visa? Great! Make sure that you apply within 60 days of receiving your invitation, as otherwise your invitation will be considered expired, and you will have to go through another process. You can lodge your visa application on the SkillSelect site using the link that is provided in your letter of invitation, make sure you have the required documents prepared by downloading our checklist here. Step 9 – Medical Examination A necessary requirement for the 189 visa application that you (and any dependants) will need to provide are current medical exam results from a clinic recognised or listed by the Australian immigration department, the medical centre will then send your results straight to the immigration department where they will assess them. Bupa Medical Visa Services – recommended if you are in Australia See panel of physicians –
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Parent Visa Australia – Good news for Migrants!

Exciting news for all families and relatives migrating to Australia! The minimum amount required for a couple in Australia to sponsor their parents migration to Australia using the Parent Visa is now back down to the affordable amount of $45,185 per annum and $45,000 for single sponsors, which is nearly half the amount it was raised to last month in March 2018. Income requirements reduced There were some drastic changes announced last month that struck a blow on a lot of migrating families. A change in March 2018 which was passed very quietly by the Federal Government required a couple to earn a much higher threshold of income if they wanted to bring their parents over to Australia. It was a program that the Federal Government believed would assist in keeping a majority of new migrants off welfare, and would therefore benefit the Governments financial budget in return. This increased amount for sponsors was set at $115,475 per annum for two people wanting to bring their parents over. If it was a single person sponsoring, then that person was required to earn a minimum amount of $86,606 per annum, which means more than double the amounts previously required. This in reality made things very difficult for low to mid-range earners who were trying to make their families whole again on the minimum wage… But after rising the amount for a Parent Visa to that ridiculous standard, the government in return received a significant backlash from a number of ethnic communities pointing out that this new high threshold was unfair and a wrongful doing to families in Australia. The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils in Australia openly stated that these changes would impact heavily on the relative reunions and financial status of the affected families. As the backlash continued to haunt the Australian Government, a collection of senators (being in majority Labour and Greens) quickly planned to have a disallowance motion which would undo the significant changes and bring the annual minimum down to the previous amount being $45,185 per annum. The government knowing they would be defeated in parliament by the Labour and Green senators agreed to reverse their position and bring the minimum threshold back down to the lower threshold amount. There has also been written assurance from Government that any Parent Visas that have been assessed in the higher threshold will be able to have their application reviewed under this new beneficial change. This has been in result a fantastic win for the multicultural society of Australia and will ensure more families can be reunited in their new home. With this good news out, contact us today for more information and see how this can assist your family being reunited!
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How to write a relationship statement for your Partner Visa

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Applying for a Partner Visa is a challenging process and the fact that the partner visa has the highest refusal rate (37%) of all Australian visas doesn’t make it less stressful. For the Partner Visa the applicant needs to collect what feels like hundreds of documents to upload to prove that he/she is in a genuine relationship with his/her Australian partner. One of those documents is very crucial: the relationship statement. Before being able to start uploading all your evidence (photos, bills, etc.), you will have to write your relationship statement for the partner visa – a process that clients often struggle with as they are never quite sure how to write a relationship statement to support their partner visa application. The relationship statement is needed for all visa types (subclass 820, subclass 801, subclass 309 and subclass 100) >  What needs to be included ? >  What language is used ? >  How long does it need to be ? > Can we have an example of a successful relationship statement ? These are some of the most frequently asked questions in our office when it comes to partner visa applications. In this blog, we will go through the most important points you need to have in your partner visa relationship statements and give you tips on what information you will have to include. Your relationship statement can be a simple word document explaining how your relationship developed. It will have to cover all 4 pillars, which are: shared financial responsibilities nature of the household social activities future commitment. Before you start writing! Partner Visa changes are coming in the next few months. Make sure you apply sooner rather than later! Before you start writing remember this : Dates are a crucial part of your statement. The Department wants to when you’ve first met, what date you considered your relationship to be official, when did you move in together, when did you get your relationship registered (if applicable), when did you get married (if applicable). Honesty, accuracy, structure and detail are the key factors to the perfect statement and though it sounds cliché reading those key points, it will ultimately decide on whether you will be able to live with your partner or not…..so no laughing matter, being genuine and honest is absolutely mandatory. When it comes to the length of your statement, there really is no set limit. You just need to make sure to have covered all important aspects of your relationship. The average is usually between 2-4 pages but can be shorter or longer in another cases. Again, the partner visa is a visa that highly depends on your situation and circumstances. Writing your relationship statement If you follow our structure below and provide detailed answers to the questions and give relevant examples, you will be well on your way to writing a good relationship statement for your partner visa. Beware: All relationships and people are different and the case officers know that. If they feel you are using someone’s statement or are making up stories, they will investigate further. Be honest and state your stories and its facts. Try and provide as much evidence to support your story. (e.g. phone logs, screenshots, social media messages, etc.). Write in your own words. Your English does not need to be perfect. Case Officers know that not everyone speaks English as their first language. Just write the truth, give details and provide documents to support your statement. You want peace of mind? Having to prove to a stranger (in this case the visa officer) that you are in a genuine relationship, can be harder than it sounds. Our partner visa service includes proofreading your statement to make sure it fullfils the visa requirements and represents your genuine relationship in the best way possible.   [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”ORDER SAMPLE RELATIONSHIP STATEMENT GUIDE ” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fmigrationcentreofaustralia.com.au%2Fhow-to-write-a-relationship-statement-guide-for-your-partner-visa%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Student Visas Explained + 10 important questions answered

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Not everyone wants to study in the country they’ve grown up in. In fact, there are over 500.000 international students on student visas in Australia (as of April 2018)! Studying overseas allows you not only to gain valuable experience and a highly-regarded qualification but it also allows one to travel and see other parts of the world. But why isn’t combining travel and education as easy as it may sound? When it comes to getting your student visa, the application progress is becoming stricter as the influx of international students has increased greatly in Australia over the years (by 12% this year alone!). But in order to study in Australia you will need a visa. The case officers will either refuse or approve your student visa application based on how strong your student visa application on the following factors: Your financial status Your English proficiency (min. score of 5.5 in IELTS) Your Health status Your character status Student Visas – Proof of financial funds Financial status is quite important because the Department of Home Affairs wants to see that you (and any accompanying family members) will not be destitute for money while staying in Australia. (This also relieves a case officer’s mind with that you will not be forced to work more than is allowed in the work conditions to pay for schooling and amenities as you already have enough financial funds). You can prove your financial capacity by supplying the following Evidence of funds to cover travel to Australia and 12 months’ living, course and (for school aged dependants) schooling costs for the student and accompanying family members Evidence that you meet the annual income requirement (from $60.000) An Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form (secondary exchange students only) A letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Department of Defence Student Visas – Minimum English Test Score English Proficiency is an absolute must with all student visa holders being required to pass the minimum score. The current minimum score is 5.5 in IELTS, 527 in TOEFL (paper based), 46 for TOEFL (internet based), 162 for CAE, 42 for PTE and an A/B on the OET. (If you’re not sure if you should take the PTE or IELTS for student visas, have a look here.) [maxbutton id=”4″ url=”http://migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au/english-language-requirement/” text=”Scores for all tests” ] What Health Insurance do you need? Health Status Government needs to know that you are covered by a health insurance while you are in Australia. You can show this by obtaining an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Evidence that you are of good character Character Status is to ensure that no people are coming here that could potentially harm or commit illegal acts in Australia. They are looking for people of good character. Proving that requires police reports and character references from employers, friends and family. Student Visas – FAQs 1) “How old do I have to be?” You need to be at least 6 years of age to obtain this visa (though any student under the age of 18 will need welfare arrangements as set out by the government). 2) “Is this visa expensive to get?” Well, the fee cost is from AUD $560 but I would recommend assuming that it will always cost more when you look into police checks, health checks, testing your English etc. 3) “Can I come here first and then find somewhere to study?” No, you absolutely must have a recognised education institution in Australia that has accepted you to study with them before you can apply for a student visa. 4) “Can I study anywhere I want?” Almost! The institute you apply at must be a recognised education institution. To check if your educational institute is on the list check the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Course for Overseas Student (CRICOS). 5) “How long can I stay if it’s all approved?” You can stay for a period of up to five years depending on how long your course of study is. 6) “Can I bring my Family?” Yes, you and your family can either make a combined application or they can apply to join you later provided that they are declared in student visas applications beforehand or they become a member after your visa was granted (such as a newborn baby). 7) “Do I have to apply while I’m in Australia?” You can apply while you are in Australia or outside Australia. 8) “Can I work while studying?” You are allowed to work in Australia but only when your course officially commences, and then only 40 hours per fortnight as set out in the Work Conditions for student visa holders. Beware that this means that you can also work for example 30 hours in the week 1 and then only 10 hours in week 2. It’s important that you never work more than 40 hours per fortnight. In the first month row, you are working 40 hours per fortnight and no fortnight crosses 40 hours. In the second month, you are working 40 hours per fortnight in week 1 and week 2 but between week 2 and week 3 you are working in fact 50 hours per fortnight. This would be a breach of your visa condition! 9) “My student visa said I need to leave by a certain date but I want to stay longer!” Your student visa is only valid until the date that it expires (check your Visa Grant Letter for that) but if you apply before the expiry date of your current visa, you can sometimes be allowed to stay further for Further study Graduation A Holiday Work Migration If not approved for further stay then sadly you will have to leave before the expiry date of your current visa. 10) “I don’t feel confident applying for this on my own!” We completely understand, this can take a long period to be approved and the paperwork that can be required is exasperating to say the least. That is why people often choose to go with a
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Moving to Australia – The Ultimate Checklist

Sandy beaches, sunshine filled days and amazing animals, all when you come to live here in Australia! Australia is a beautiful and unique place but moving to a new country can be a strange and unknown challenge to the best of us, so what do we need you need to know before making the big move to Australia? Deciding where you are going to live in Australia is a hard choice, often people coming on a visa will let the job they will be working at or the university they will be studying at decide where they will live as you want to be close to work and/or study. But if you have a bit more freedom to choose where in Australia you want to live, you should know a little bit about the Australian states: Queensland (Brisbane) – the tropical and beachy state of Australia where they have a holidaying and relaxed atmosphere, exciting landmarks such as the Gold Coast, Great Barrier Reef, and Dreamworld of course. Buying and renting up there is also quite affordable. New South Wales (Sydney) – The most popular choice by people from outside Australia, this state is very central and also boasts some of the best universities and great job potentials in Australia. It is also home to the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Renting and buying in this state is probably the most expensive. Renting or buying in this state is still quite pricey. Victoria (Melbourne) – The second most popular choice by people outside of Australia, Victoria has some brilliant universities and a fantastic city life as well as beautiful rural views. When it comes to weather, Melbourne tends to fluctuate with it being widely known as the city that has ‘four seasons in a day’. Northern Territory (Darwin) – This state is home to the famous landmark Ayers Rock (Uluru) and is a tropical location to be, known for some absolutely stunning scenery. This state enjoys warm weather nearly all year round though it is also known for quite a few storms during the wetter seasons. Renting and buying in this state is surprisingly expensive and other items can cost more as this city is in a more remote location. South Australia (Adelaide) – This state is known for it’s Mediterranean climate which is quite appealing to some. With affordable living and a relaxed lifestyle South Australia is a solid all-rounder, this state is also the home to the River Murray (Pink Lake) in Australia.  Renting and buying is very affordable out there. Western Australia (Perth) – With a relaxed beachy style, this city is often described by the locals as the ‘cleanest’ city, consistently warm and the temperatures never drop too low, Perth is trying to expand its population and has a lot to offer an incoming resident. Renting and buying in Perth itself is very affordable but other items can cost more as this city is more remote location. ACT (Canberra) – The capital city of Australia, this smaller state is the home of the Australian parliament and has quite a dry climate with freezing to warm temperatures. Renting and buying in this state is one of the most affordable. Tasmania (Hobart) – With a stunning relaxed country atmosphere, Tasmania’s capital city has a lot to offer a new resident, with a more relaxed outlook than the other cities, Tasmania is a culturally rich state with indulgence in wine and dining. This state is also one of the coldest with days reaching below 4 degrees during the colder months. The living cost in this state is reasonable to low in comparison to other states. Transport – Are you busing, training or driving? When moving to Australia, you will most likely also be using  public transport. So you want to make sure you know what card/ticket to get before you move to Australia so you’re all set up when you arrive here. Sydney: For Sydney that means getting yourself set up up with the respective card for each state. In NSW, you can get a free public transport card, the so-called opal card. To use the opal card you will have to top it up with the amount you want (min. $10) and the amount for the trip you are taking will be deducted from your card when you tap off/on at the bus or train station. Melbourne: For Melbourne commuters, it’s not the Opal card that counts but the myki card. As opposed to the opal card, you will have to pay for the myki ($6). However, Melbourne has also a free tram zone where visitors and residents alike can use the tram for free. In Tasmania you should look into getting the Greencard, in Hobard it’s the go card, in Canberra it’s the myway, in Perth it’s the Smartrider,  in Adelaide it’s the Metrocard and in the Northern Territory it’s the Tap and Go. If you hold an foreign driver’s license than you will need to obtain an license within 3 months of arriving in your state to ensure you can continue driving here (you may have to sit a test depending on what your you current license is from). An Australian driver’s license is incredibly useful anyway as it is used as primary form of identification in Australia. If you need to buy a car before moving to Australia, have a look at Gumtree and Carsales for deals and make sure to ask the right questions when choosing your car to ensure you are getting a fair deal. Banking – Get your money sorted before moving to Australia You will need a bank account so you can have wages deposited in your account and pay bills ect. Some banks to look at ANZ Commonwealth Bank Westpac ING Banking NAB Try and open a bank account within 6 weeks after your arrival as then you will only need your passport as identification, opening a bank account after 6 weeks creates more hassle as you will then
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Did you know there is a computer-delivered IELTS?

Having been a paper-based English test for almost three decades, we can finally welcome the computer-based IELTS to the digital world. While the PTE (one of IELTS biggest competitors) has always been a computer-based test, IELTS has started offering its computer-based version a few months ago as well. Even though it’s already been a few months, it still seems as if not many people have heard of this option to take the IELTS. That might also have to do with the fact that so far, you can take the computer-based IELTS only in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney (Perth is “coming soon”). Computer-based IELTS – What has changed? #Speaking – Nothing has changed here. This part of the test is still the same, whether that’s good or bad news. You will still be sitting in a room with an examiner, who will judge your English skills. While IELTS lists some of the benefits of this speaking test component as being “we hear your accent” or “we won’t time out on you”, I am not sure how great of a benefit that is as there is obviously always a time limit on the speaking component. It’s also interesting how “we hear your accent” is listed as a benefit considering that many test takers fear their accent might be an issue. #Writing  – Papers vs Computer It goes without saying that the writing part will now be done by typing rather than the old-fashioned paper and pen. Sure, there’s a handful of people that still feel more comfortable with using paper and pen over typing on a computer. However, the majority of us isn’t even used to that type of writing anymore and prefers being able to quickly type down our ideas and thoughts onto paper and even better deleting that very same idea by pressing a key.  Typing is also a great benefit for those of us who worry about whether or not the examiner will be able to decipher our handwriting. Marking: The Writing as well as the Speaking part will still be marked by an IELTS examiner. Again, this is something people will have different opinions about. While I understand that IELTS believe a human examiner will bring a higher level of accuracy and fairness to the test, I personally believe that as humans we will always have our own opinions and understandings of what is fair and accurate no matter how professional we are. #Reading – Marked by computer The content itself remains the same but this part will be marked 100% by a computer. It will still involve the well-known components such as, multiple choice, matching information, matching features, summary completion etc. #Listening – Headphones You will hear the listening through your headphones as compared to via loudspeakers. This is not only useful in that you won’t depend on everyone being quiet and the volume being loud enough for you to hear, but it’s also good to have your headphones as you can use them during your reading or writing part too in case you need it perfectly quiet. #Test Formats: General and Academic Both test formats can be taken sitting the computer-based IELTS. #Test Results for Migration The Test Results will be delivered in 5-7 days. If you’re not sure what English test results you need for the visa you are applying for, then have a look here. Related Topics What happens when a migration agent takes the IELTS test for Australian Immigration?
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The Essential Guide to the Partner Visa + 6 mistakes to avoid

What can often be the most frustrating part of your move to join a loved one in Australia, the Partner Visa has been portrayed as a lengthy and complicated task, but that is why we have created an essential guide below to ensure you will have the greatest chance to beside your loved one. I’ll probably get my visa approved by the weekend ‘Well … It’s going to be a very long week then’ The Partner Visa in Australia has an average processing time between 16 to 22. This can also depend on your documentation and information provided. So when applying for this visa, do so in the knowledge that you will be waiting for long periods possibly without hearing anything from the Department of Home Affairs. Offshore or Onshore – Does it really matter? ‘YES!’ The application process for applying offshore and onshore are relatively similar. ONSHORE: is where you are currently on a visa in Australia and that is when you will apply for your onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820 and subclass 801). You will be required to remain onshore until there is an outcome on your visa. If your application has already been lodged, you can qualify for a Bridging visa to stay in the country once your current visa expires until the application has been processed accordingly. OFFSHORE: is when you are outside Australia when the Partner visa application is made and therefore you will be required to remain offshore until the outcome of the offshore Partner Visa (subclass 309 and subclass 300). Offshore applications can possibly make the Partner Visa a lengthier process as it can make it harder to prove a committed relationship, especially if there has been no previous cohabitation or joint account services shared previously. How much do they want for this? ‘Well…more than the average grocery shop’ The payment for a partner visa application is from AUD $7,000 (unless you already hold a prospective marriage visa in which case your fee will be from AUD $1,170) A good tip is to always assume you will pay more than the fee on the website as police checks, documentation and medical check-ups will amount to a lot more money by the end. Who or what is a sponsor, anyway? ‘Basically, the love of your life’ This is probably the easiest part as your significant other is the one sponsoring you. The sponsor is basically another person of good background and is a valid permanent resident or citizen of Australia (or eligible New Zealand citizen) that will vouch for your behaviour and will state their assistance in providing you accommodation and financial assistance. The sponsorship will end after two years after the partner visa has been approved. There is an upcoming proposal to add a 2 step process: This would require becoming an approved sponsor first. This means that your partner would have to fulfil stricter criteria (such as character and police checks) in order to prove that he/she can sponsor you to come to/ stay in Australia. This will complicate matters for onshore applicants if the overseas visa is running out in the meantime and they will need this sponsorship approved before they can obtain a bridging visa on the Partner Visa application). This step will draw out the waiting process further, so we recommend trying to submit your application before these changes. The changes are expected to come into effect in 2018. Love has no boundaries … except it does If you are already married or in a de facto relationship, you and your partner must be 18 or older to apply (this is because the legal age of marriage in Australia is the age of 18). An apple a day, let’s you stay The health requirement must be met (which is in general just a health check from a penal physician – a physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs . These health checks are valid for one year, so if your visa takes any longer to process you may be required to take a second health check. Minor ailments such as minor back pain or asthma are unlikely to be an issue, but case officers would be ideally looking for people who will not require constant care and check-ups. This does not mean your application will be refused if you have any ailments, but it will complicate and add to their decision. I’m a good person, right? This is a process and an absolute unmissable one. This is to ensure that the applicant for the visa is not of doubtable character. This is proven by a police report from all countries you have lived in, any other supporting documentation such as a character reference from a previous employer or/and from a volunteering agency if you have done any volunteering at all for charities. These are all quite reputable ways in showing you are a person of solid background who can contribute in a positive way to the community. The more references from people and businesses the better! Don’t worry if your slate isn’t completely clean, there are still avenues for appeal if you fail this test. We love each other – isn’t that enough? Not really, no. Proving you are in a genuine long-term relationship, is a highly crucial step in gaining a partner visa and it can be quite difficult and frustrating to convince a stranger processing you application that you are a couple truly in love. The best ways to prove a genuine relationship are photos, joint bank accounts, statements from friends and family, and any cohabitation or travelling records that show that commitment to each other. The best way to make your application stand out from the crowd is to make them carry more weight, for example instead of just sending them a selfie of you and your partner, make it a picture with his/her family at Christmas or a family event. So instead of your family and friends just writing how good you are both
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  • April 17, 2018

Study vs Training – What type are you?

When it comes to learning styles, we can broadly distinguish three different ones: Visual learners who prefer images, films, videos etc. Auditory learners who are best at learning through listening and talking Kinesthetic learners who prefer learning by doing You might be wondering why a migration company is writing about the different learning styles and how this has anything to do with migration to Australia. Fair enough. Let me explain how learning, studying and training are connected to migration: Your learning type can help you decide whether a student visa or a training visa  is better suited for you. A student visa is typically for those who wish to study something “from scratch” and study either at a college, university or other higher education institutions. A training visa is for those who prefer learning by doing. It gives you the opportunity to enhance the skills you already have (so not from scratch!). For example, let’s say you are a good Copywriter but there’s certain skills you would like to improve, such as Search Engine Optimisation or Photoshop. What a Training Visa allows you to do is to gain hands-on experience with an Australian company to enhance those skills. Your skills and skill gaps are assessed first and then you and the company will follow a so called “Training Plan” to ensure that you are strengthening the skills you need for your occupation. There are over currently over 500 occupations eligible for the Training Visa (you can choose an occupation from all 3 occupation lists: MLTSSL, STSOL and the Regional List) , which means that you can choose from over 500 occupations and pick the one that is best suited to your needs. (Please refer to the Training Visa page for a detailed explanation of how this works).  Apart from this obvious difference between the student visa and the training visa, there is a number of differences you should be aware of when deciding on which one might be better for you. We’ve summarised the biggest differences for you: As you can tell from the graphic, there are big differences in costs too. Costs in this case refers to the costs you will have to either pay (if you decide to study in Australia) or the costs the employers will have to pay if they wish to sponsor you and pay you as a full-time trainee on a Training Visa. If you have any questions regarding any of the visa types, or any other migration related questions, you can always contact us at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au or simply give us a call at (02) 4626 1002.
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  • April 10, 2018

No Work Rights for International Students – A joke or reality?

No Work Rights for International Students – A joke or reality? One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson believes that international students shouldn’t have any work rights. They should simply come to Australia to study. They definitely should not work in low-paid jobs taking away fantastic employment opportunities for Australians. What she has seemingly forgotten to mention is that all these Australian-employment-taking-international-students are paying by far more in tuition fees than domestic students in Australia for the very same study discipline. They don’t get any extra resources, they don’t get any extra help by their professors or tutors. No, they must pay thousands of dollars more to get the very same education as their Australian counterparts. International Student Fees – Fact Check One quick look at the website of Deakin University for example shows that for a credit point in the undergraduate study discipline of “Law”, domestic students would have to pay $3,464 per credit point. In comparison international student fees equal $4050 per credit point. The difference between domestic student tuition fees and international student tuition fees is even more prominent when comparing postgraduate studies. For a Graduate Certificate of Accounting and Law you would be paying $3475 as a domestic student. As an international student (same course, same teachers, same education) you will have to pay $4450 per credit point. These fees can vary between colleges and other universities but there’s always a distinction between domestic student tuition fees and international student tuition fees. Work “rights” This difference of $975 in tuition fees is equivalent to around a 53-hour working week to an international student which is typically more than an average Australian working week. This is because this figure is based on an average international student being paid at least the minimum national award rate of currently at $18.29 per hour. However, it’s no secret that a lot of the time international students can only dream of being paid that “much” money, and while they are encouraged to report when being exploited, can you blame them for not doing so if they fear that reporting those employers may mean they might risk losing their visas? Almost 25% of litigations filed by the FWO involve an international student visa holder, because employers regularly alter payslips and underpaid hourly rates to disguise the number of hours the student has worked. So coming back to Hanson’s claim that those students are taking away potential employment from Australian workers, this begs the question; Are they really? Would an Australian really accept to work for less than the minimum wage for a 60 hour work week, just to be able to stay in Australia and finish their studies? Or is it more likely that they would turn their backs on those employers immediately and find a job that pays them in accordance with the Australian work rights? “Support themselves” Depending on many factors such as country of residence or  the course undertaken, international students need to also show “evidence of financial capacity” when they apply for a student visa. This means if they are granted a visa, they have successfully proven that they are able to “support themselves” in Australia, as they have provided evidence of annual income of at least $60,000 (AUD). So not only do they fulfil the requirement of supporting themselves when receiving their visa grant, but they are genuinely trying to work hard in Australia because they want to gain the ever so valuable “Australian work experience” that is highly regarded when being recruited for a suitable position in their field of study in Australia and in their home countries. Joke or Reality? If this proposal was to actually be implemented, then not only would the $27 billion international education industry suffer but so would the tourism industry and the hospitality industry. The Australian tourism industry relies on parents visiting their children in Australia and leaving big amounts of money here. The hospitality industry also relies heavily on international students, as they are often working in the hospitality industry because of the 20-hours a week work restriction – there’s not too many employers in other industries that are willing to hire someone who has those kind of work restrictions attached. At this moment in time, we can only hope that Hanson’s proposal remains nothing more than that – yet another interesting proposal to “improve” the Australian immigration system. There are most certainly bigger issues to be discussed than taking away the already minimal working rights of those who are significantly contributing to the Australian economy. Read also: International students should have now work rights – SBS  
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  • March 26, 2018

TSS Visa – March 2018

On March 18th 2018 the new TSS visa replaced the old 457 visa. We have summarised the information most important for visa applicants and visa holders to know about this new TSS visa. 1.What if I am still waiting for a decision on my 457 visa? Applications that have been submitted before the 18th of March 2018 will continue to be processed under the “old” rules. We have also summarised the transition regulations for current 457 visa holders and 457 visa applicants. You can find all possible scenarios here . 2. What streams fall under the TSS visa? The TSS Visa has 3 streams. For the Short-term stream Your occupation must be on the STSOL You need to have relevant work experience of at least 2 years You genuinely intend to stay as a short term visa holder You will work directly for the sponsor unless exempt from this For the Medium-term stream Your occupation must be on the MLTSSL You need to have relevant work experience of at least 2 years You will work directly for the sponsor unless exempt from this Labour agreement stream This stream is for people who have negotiated a labour agreement with the Department. 3. How many years of work experience do I need to have? You have to have at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation. This can be waived if you are sponsored under a Labour Agreement. 4. What is the English requirement for the TSS visa? For the Short-term stream you need to have an average of 5 in IELTS, with no scores under 4.5. Find all scores and alternative tests here . For the Long-term stream you need to have at least 5 in each band and it is not enough to have an average of 5. 5. What is the Health requirement for the TSS visa? This visa is subject to criterion 4007, which means that if the applicant has a health problem, they can still be granted a visa if the cost to the community is “not undue”. 6. What occupation lists should I look at? You can find an updated combined list of all occupations here. 7. Is there a work restriction on the TSS visa? The work restriction is similar to the previous 457 visa in that the person can only work for the sponsor in the occupation they have been sponsored under. Once granted, you must start work within 90 days of grant or arrival in Australia. The visa risks being cancelled if the visa holder stops working for more than 60 days. 8. How much does the TSS visa cost? Short Term Stream: $1,150 Medium Term Stream: $2,400 Labour Agreement Stream: $2,400 9. Is a 457 sponsorship approval also valid for the TSS Program? Yes, an existing sponsorship approval can be used for the TSS visa as well. A new TSS Sponsorship Approval is valid for 5 years. 10. What are the Labour Market Testing Requirements for the TSS visa? LMT means that employers who wish to sponsor someone on a TSS visa must first prove that they have first tried to fill the position with an employee in Australia. This usually involved showing that the position has been advertised but there were no suitable candidates available. 11. How will the Market Salary be assessed? It is expected that the minimum salary will be specified for some occupations (see also caveats ). The general Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold remains at a minimum of $53,000. The salary must be at least the Annual Market Salary for that position. 12. Are there any changes to nomination requirements? Yes, there are a few minor changes in the nomination requirements for the TSS visa. The TSS visa will only be for full time positions. The period of nomination must be exactly specified sating whether the nomination is for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. The nomination costs must be paid by the sponsor.
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