We are happy to announce that we will be holding a ‘Migration Update’ Seminar on 21 September 2011. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about changes and updates to Australia’s migration system, visa categories and how it will impact you as an employer, sponsor or visa holder.

Dr Chris White MARN 9255749, Principal Migration Agent at Migration Plus with 25 years of experience and a Migration Law lecturer at ANU will answer your questions.

The seminar is on Wednesday 21 September at 6.00pm. Call us on 07 4041 2620 to register and obtain further details. You can also email us at visa@migrationplus.com.au or visit our website at www.migrationplus.com.au.


INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WELCOME

2011 International Student Welcome 28 August 2011

This Sunday 28 August the Cairns community is throwing a party to welcome international students. There will be free cultural entertainment, information stands and the chance to meet some Australian Wildlife up close! You can also meet the Cairns City Mayor, Val Schier. There are games to play and fantastic prizes to be won, including accommodation, tours and much more, valued up to $400.

Migration Plus will have its own information stand, with the chance to win a trip for two to the Great Barrier Reef!

Come down to Fogarty Park on The Esplanade from 2-5pm on Sunday 28 August 2011 to take part in the fun.

Students can also get a free afternoon tea by picking up a ticket from their school or college reception desk.  For more information contact Study Cairns on 4080 2902 or at info@studycairns.com.au.

NOTABLE NEWS

Sponsoring Family Member Visits for the December/January Holiday Period

 If you intend to lodge applications for your overseas family members to visit Australia during the December 2011-January 2012 holiday period, you should lodge the applications before Friday 4 November 2011.

DIAC has announced that where possible it will assess and finalise all applications lodged on or before this date to allow family members to travel to Australia before 25 December 2011.

Applications will be received after this date but they may not be finalised in time for travel during this period. In line with normal processing however, those family members with compelling or compassionate circumstances will be prioritised regardless of their application date.

Regional classification for Perth

As of 19 July 2011, Perth is now classified as a ‘regional’ area under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS). It has also been included as a ‘regional’ area for family sponsored applications under the regional General Skilled Migration (GSM) programs.

Electronic Tourist Visas for Chile and certain Turkish passport holders

From 20 September 2011, Chilean citizens will be able to apply for electronic Tourist visas (e676 Tourist visas), as will Turkish Special, Service and Diplomatic passport holders.

PLANNING TO TRAVEL?

Bridging Visa A Holders Travelling Overseas

A reminder that all Bridging Visa A holders intending to travel overseas should apply for a Bridging Visa B before travelling. Those BVA holders who travel overseas without obtaining a BVB will lose their BVA when they leave Australia. This means that when they return to Australia they will no longer hold a BVA and may risk being unlawfully in Australia, or not being permitted to return, which could affect future applications for Australian visas or citizenship. This also applies to those persons whose substantive visas are still in effect when they travel. Holding a BVB when you leave Australia will entitle you to maintain your BVA upon your return.

Example: Mr Singh holds a subclass 485 Skilled – Graduate temporary visa, which expires on 1 October 2011. Mr Singh lodges a subclass 857 RSMS visa on 1 September 2011 and is automatically granted a BVA that will come into effect on 2 October 2011.

Mr Singh travels to India on 10 September 2011 without first applying for a BVB. His BVA ceases to have effect when he leaves Australia. Mr Singh returns to Australia on 25 September 2011. He no longer holds a BVA. This means that when his student visa expires on 1 October 2011 he will be an unlawful resident.

Later on….Mr Singh applies for Australian citizenship and his application is declined because he was not lawfully resident in Australia for the last four years…  Always seek professional advice.

EXPORTS VS IMPORTS

DIAC Ruling Disqualifies Some Export Businesses From Business Skills Program

A DIAC Business Skills Centre recently made the decision NOT to accept the export of goods and services from Australia to a foreign company with which the applicant was associated as a ‘qualifying business’ for the purpose of an onshore business skills visa residence application.

DIAC deemed that the business did not provide goods or services “to the public”, which is a requirement for this visa. No concerns were raised regarding applicants importing goods or services to Australia from foreign companies with which they are associated.

CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS…CHINA & INDIA

Chinese Immigrants Top Britons

For the first time in 223 years, Australia has accepted more Chinese than British migrants.

In the last year Australia took in 29,547 migrants from China (17.5 per cent of the total migration program) compared with 23,931 migrants from the UK and 21,768 from India.

A Chinese embassy official said last month Australia needs to address its shortage of skilled labour and infrastructure bottlenecks to maximise China's investment in the country.

“Chinese enterprises have experienced difficulties during their investment and operation in Australia,” Ouyang Cheng, second secretary for economic and commercial affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, said in a speech in Adelaide.

(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)

India Student Swap

The Government is currently working on a scheme whereby Australian students will be able to complete part of their degrees at Indian universities, and Indian students will be able to do the same in Australia.

A recent federal government report showed that International student visa applications from India dropped almost 63 per cent in the last financial year.

The Australia-India Education Council will be a credit-sharing arrangement between universities in Australia and India. Similar arrangements have already established with countries such as China and Malaysia.

The Immigration Minister has stated that recognising overseas qualifications will benefit the labour markets of both countries. With rising standards of living and a burgeoning middle class, India's tertiary education sector is set to boom over the next decade, and the Indian government has indicated that it will need 1000 new universities over the next decade to meet demand.

(Source: The Age)

MALAYSIA ASYLUM SWAP….OUTCOME AWAITED

High Court finishes hearing on Malaysia asylum swap

 On 23 August 2011 the High Court finished hearing a two-day appeal by 41 asylum seekers against their forced transfer to Kuala Lumpur from Christmas Island.

Two weeks ago an injunction was granted preventing the removal of the asylum seekers, who have argued that the deal is not lawful because Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN refugee convention and therefore does not provide enough protection.

Immigration has responded that Malaysia only needs to guarantee that it will not send refugees back to their country of origin. The lawyer acting for the asylum seekers argued that the Immigration Minister has not taken into account what will happen to the plaintiffs if they are sent to Malaysia, adding that there is no evidence of any intention to take the asylum seekers to another country.

The High Court is reserving its decision on the case until August 31 2011.

(Source: The Australian)

SPECIAL BENEFITS

Provisional Partner Visa Holders – Entitlement to Special Benefit

Holders of Provisional Partner Visas – (temporary Partner Visa subclasses 309, 310, 820 or 826) could previously receive a Special Benefit immediately upon their arrival in Australia.

However, holders of these visas are now required to serve a two-year Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period before they can be eligible for income support, unless they experience a substantial change in circumstances (e.g. domestic violence or the death of their partner) after entering Australia.

This means that an Assurance of Support will no longer be required for some Provisional Partner Visa applicants, meaning those in genuine hardship should be able to access payments.

EDUCATION NEWS & OFFERS!!

New English Language Assessment

Migration Plus has recently made a new arrangement with the TAFE and UIL for English assessments. Under this arrangement, applicants will be able to go to TAFE and get a free assessment to work out their approximate English level, and what program they need to get to. If necessary applicants will be able to do flexible training at UIL or TAFE, with courses structured to suit their needs.

Applicants can then be tested at TAFE for their English ability. This is not the IELTS test, but an English test that is related to the applicant’s occupation, and is accepted by DIAC for RSMS, 457 etc.  The testing environment is friendly and the test can be done one on one or in small groups. 

This is a flexible approach that can be adapted to suit the person, depending on when they are ready and how much coaching they need. UIL can also provide assistance for applicants who need a higher level of English language.

PIER Diploma of International Education Services

The Diploma of International Education Services is accredited national training, and offers an excellent opportunity for professional staff to enhance their professional services to international students and to their institutions. The Diploma has been delivered online since 2006. If you would like information about the Diploma and upcoming semesters visit the PIER Diploma website or contact Kristen Rooney on krooney@pieronline.org.

STAND OUT STATS

Man, Woman….

Statistics for the year 2009-2010 show that 140,610 people arrived and settled in Australia, with women settlers (74,943) outnumbering the men (65,667).

The biggest numbers were in the 25-34 age bracket, with 21,383 settlers between 25 and 29 years old, and 19,556 settlers between 30 and 34 years old. However, there were also 13,807 settlers aged 0 to 4 years old!!

QUOTES

With International Student Welcome in mind….thoughts on Education

An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't.
Anatole France

The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
Albert Einstein

Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.
Robert Frost

Helping YOU, Helping OTHERS

Migration Plus adds value to the community in which it works.  At least 5% of our profit goes towards our charitable fund Step Up and Reach Out which assists selected young people from around the world who choose to improve their position in life through education and learning.  Particular emphasis is given to those at potential risk and those who will assist other young people in a variety of ways eg: teaching and mentoring, and thereby improve their lives and that of others.  Assistance is given to young people who choose to step up and reach out in return for a commitment that they will help others in some way in the future.  This accords with our philosophy of putting a little back to the global community in an outreach of commitment.  Our partners and clients are of course invited to contribute to this gift deductible fund.

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