The 24 November 2014, marked the commencement of the new
Work and Holiday visa arrangements for nationals of Spain and Australia.
The arrangement allows for 500 young adults who meet the visa
criteria to enjoy up to 12 months in Australia to study or undertake short term
wor...
Monday, 24 November 2014
Alternative English Language tests commence
Alternative English Language tests commenced on 23 November
2014, for the following visa programmes:
Temporary Graduate
Skilled
Former Resident
Work and Holiday
The Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of
English Academic (PTE Academic) have been added to the IELTS and OET tests for these visa
programmes.
The Cambridge English (Advanced (CAE) test will be also accepted
from 1 January 2015.
Student visa applicants can continue to provide scores...
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Functional English - legal definition updated for Australian migration purposes
The methods for demonstrating "functional" English for para 5(2)(b)
of the Migration Act 1958 have been updated.
The following tests and
scores for demonstrating functional English will now be accepted:
An average score of
at least 4.5 in an IELTS test.
A total band score
of at least 32 in a TOEFL iBT test
An overall band
score of 30 in a Pearsons (PTE) test ...
Monday, 17 November 2014
Contributory Parent Visas - Apply Sooner Rather Than Later
If you are contemplating applying for a Contributory Parent
Visa it would be wise to get an application lodged with the Department of
Immigration as soon as possible, as processing times for this category of visa
are already significant and likely to become longer with the demise of other
options.
Based on current planning levels, contributory parent
applicants can expect to wait 12 to 24 months for a visa grant to be made.
The Minister for Immigration has the power to ‘cap’ the
number of visas which can be granted each year in a particular...
China - Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) announcements
Australia and China have announced the conclusion of negotiations
for a China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).
The implementation of this agreement is subject to a number of
treaty-making processes which may take some time according to the implementation
timeline.
Fact
Sheet: Movement of Natural Persons
This fact sheet provides information on:
1. Access
to Australia for inter-corporate transferees, contractual service providers.
Installers and servicers and business visitors.
Australia will provide guaranteed access...
Additional English language tests accepted by the Department of Immigration & Border Protection - commencement dates
Two additional English language tests, the TOEFL and Pearson
tests, will be accepted from the 23
November 2014 and the Department's online lodgement systems
will also be updated at that date.
The Cambridge
English language test is expected to be accepted from 1 January 201...
Extra countries added to enable online Visitor visa system applications
The following countries can now access online Visitor visa applications for Australia:
Bhutan
Burma
Cambodia
Laos
Mongolia
Pakistan
Thailan...
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Spain & Portugal are to be added to the list of countries eligible for the Australian 'Work and Holiday' (subclass 462) visa
Spain
and Portugal are also added to the list of countries for Work and Holiday visa
arrangements.
This visa allows you to:
stay in Australia for up to 12 months
work in Australia for up to six months with each employer
study for up to four months
leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
You might be able to get this visa if you:
are at least 18 but have not turned 31 years of age at the time you lodge your application
will not be with a dependent child while you are in Australia
have enough money to support...
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) - extended for Vocational Education and Training Sector
The Migration Regulations have been amended to allow student visa
applicants enrolled in Advanced Diploma courses with an approved education
provider to access streamlined
visa processing and extend this SVP to the Vocational
Education and Training sector.&nbs...
Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay) - changes to legislation
The Migration Regulations have been amended in relation to the Subclass 400 Temporary Work
(Short Stay) which extends both the entry period and the stay from 3 months to 6 mont...
TOEFL to be accepted by professional accounting associations
The
Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Institute of Public Accountants and CPA
Australia have announced they will all accept TOEFL test scores to
demonstrate English language proficiency for skills assessments and
professional accreditation from 1 November 201...
Australian Government Reinstates 'Non-Contributory' Parent Visa & Carer Visa
The Australian Senate voted on Thursday, September 25th of this year, to overturn the Abbott Government’s attempts to repeal a number of important and affordable visas, specifically for overseas workers’ family members and potential carers.
According to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, the immigration spokesperson of the Greens, what the Senate has voted for is to make sure that families are given a chance to live together and be able to look after each other in Australia.
“The success of this disallowance motion means that thousands of Australian...
Thursday, 6 November 2014
DIBP Seeking Public Opinion for Migration Programme of 2015-2016
It has been announced by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) on the 14th of October of this year that the government of Australia is seeking the view of the public in preparation for the 2015 to 2016 Australian Migration Programme.
There are 2 components that can be found on Australia’s migration programme:
The Humanitarian Component – This one is for refugees and other individuals who are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The Migration Component – This consists of skill stream migrants, the family stream migrants,...
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