Article 2 taken from Immigration News (Volume 177):

It seems that the new national body looking after the registration process for nurses in Australia called the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NWBA) is now going to request 7.0 on the Academic IELTS test in order to process the registrations.
 
Here is yet another example of professional bodies seemingly determined to crush international students dreams of becoming permanent residents with little warning.
 
Most nursing students may be aware that if they do not pass the registration process they cannot pass the skill assessment requirement for migration applications. It used to be that each state was responsible to look after the registration process but from the 1st July it is the responsibility of the NWBA.
 
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) is a different organisation. They are accredited for the skill assessment for migration purposes. We are aware that they do accept letters from the university supporting applicants English instead of the IELTS level but that will be no use if applicants cannot obtain national registration as a nurse in the first place.

Article 1 taken from Immigration News (Volume 177):

After a couple of months of silence and seemingly not answering their enquiry lines, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) may be about to throw a lifeline to all the depressed overseas IT students in Australia. The new ACS assessment guidelines were released covering the basic requirements for the skill assessment for migration purposes under DIAC new SOL ANZSCO lists.
 
It would seem the ACS has stepped back in time when the skill assessment process began back in 2001. On the new ANZCO SOL there are five computer professional occupations;
 
ICT business analyst
Systems Analyst
Developer Programmer
Analyst Programmer
Software engineer
 
International Students completing Australian qualifications
 
There are a number of ways to pass an ACS assessment. For recent ICT graduates, the ACS will now examine the content of your programs and see if it is relevant to the occupations you are nominating from the new SOL. It would seem they will then give you a classification (hopefully) in one of the six occupations above. You can read the complete guidelines using the following link: www.acs.org.au/index.cfm?action=show&conID=skillassessment

These new rules will of course raise concern about what exactly is meant by relevant but at least it is more flexible than DIAC’s “closely related” term.

Article 3 taken from Immigration News (Volume 176):

DIAC released the official Skilled Occupation Listswith their corresponding points values for each occupation and the skill assessment body authorised to carry out the assessments. There are also new lists for the Employer Nomination visas and for the new up and coming State Migration Program.

The point levels have remained constant, for example the new ANZSCO occupation, Accountant (general) is still worth 60 points. The link can be followed here which will provide all of them together from Schedule 1 to Schedule 4;
 
http://www.immi.gov.au/employers/_pdf/asco-anzsco-sol-correlations.pdf
 
DIAC’s own introduction and explanation of these lists can be viewed at;
 
http://www.immi.gov.au/employers/anzsco/transitional-arrangements.htm
 
The Skilled Occupation List  (SOL) – Schedule 1
 
This list is to be used for the determination of applications which have already been lodged and waiting to be processed. If you are going to lodge your application before the 1st July 2010 then this is the list you will use.
 
The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 2
 
This list is designed to accommodate the transitional arrangements released on the 8th February 2010. There are two distinct groups of international students and former international students who can use this list. Lets call them Group A and Group B
 
Group A
This list is to be used for applications made on or before 31st December 2012 for a 885, 886 or 487 visa by an applicant who held a 485 visa on the 8th of February 2010 or had applied for a 485 visa that was not finally determined on the 8th February 2010 and may nominate an occupation on the current SOL or the new SOL that commences from the 1st of July 2010.
 
Group B
This list also applies to applicants who held a student visa in Subclass 572, 573 and 574 on the 8th February 2010 and who apply for the 485 visa on or before the 31st December 2012. Note this means the 485 only, the 1.5 year TR visa, not the 885 (PR), 886 (PR) or 487 (3ry TR) visas.
 
These group of applicants listed above can nominate an occupation from either the current ASCO SOL or the new ANZSCO SOL. This list has authorised corresponding ANZSCO and ASCO occupations. This means even though you can nominate an ANZSCO occupation you can provide the approved old ASCO skill assessment which correlates to it.
  
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 3
 
This list applies to all GSM applicants from the 1sy July 2010 including those in Group A and Group B who qualify for the transitional arrangements.
 
All applicants who do not qualify for the above transitional arrangements must use this list. Applicants can only nominate an ANZSCO occupation from the 1st of July 2010. You are permitted to use an old, still valid, ASCO skill assessment result which correlates to the ANZSCO occupation if it is on this list.
 
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 4
 
This list applies to the Sate Migration Plans due to begin on the 1st July 2010. From this list each State or Territory may nominate any occupation they choose and set corresponding criteria for their regions. These individual lists will be issued by each region on their web sites after the 30th June 2010.
 
This list applies to applicants for subclasses,176 (Skilled – Sponsored), 886 (Skilled – Sponsored), 475 (Skilled – Regional Sponsored) and 487 (Skilled – Regional Sponsored) visas who are nominated by a State or Territory government agency.
 
You will notice there are many more occupations on this list than the other SOL’s. it doesn’t mean the states will choose to sponsor everyone of these occupations, they can pick and choose as they see fit. Then they can also place extra criteria for the occupation they choose such as work experience or IELTS. Each ANZSCO code has a corresponding ASCO code DIAC will accept if applicants wish to use their old skill assessments.
 
Youwill see that the occupations removed from the new SOL’s such as Cook, Hairdresser, Welfare Worker etc are on this list. It will be important then to see from next week which states which choose to support the sponsorship for which occupations!

Article 2 taken from Immigration News (Volume 176):

DIAC Fees Increase on 1st July
From 1st of July onwards, the two main DIAC fees students will have to pay for their onshore GSM visa are set to increase;
 
PR $2575 (up $25)
TR $235   (up $5)
  
Lodging without Completion letters
 
Many students are finding it hard to obtain the  official transcripts and completion letters before the crucial 1st of July cut off.
 
You may lodge your applications if you have completed your two years of study even without the official completion letters. You must however demonstrate that your results have been issued. This means you know that you have completed all the subjects and there is nothing more to do academically to meet the requirements of the course.
 
Also just a reminder, unfortunately for the PR applications of 886 and 885 visa you must have the skill assessment result to be able to lodge a valid application.  This is very different to the 485 graduate visa which allows evidence of applying for skill assessment to be able to lodge.

Change of Sponsorship Rules coming 1st of July for the 886 visa
 
There are many legal changes coming the first of July that centre around the new SOL. There is one however which relates to the onshore sponsored 886 visa. The new law is going to stipulate that you must have the sponsor at the time of application.

Currently you can lodge the 886 visa without a sponsor and you have the chance to show that you have obtained a sponsor by the time you get a DIAC case officer (which can be years away). From next week this will not be allowed, you must declare that you have a sponsor at the time you apply.

Article 1 taken from Immigration News (Volume 176):

Recently, The Australian newspaper ran two stories relating to the negative affects of DIAC’s proposed changes. One of them is about the Kill Bill 2010.
 
At least students can feel that they are not alone in this battle.
 
Sector calls for govt to kill visa bill
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/sector-calls-for-government-to-kill-visa-bill/story-e6frgcjx-1225882950106
 
Overseas student market at risk
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/sector-calls-for-government-to-kill-visa-bill/story-e6frgcjx-1225882950106

Monash has countless opportunities for you to continue your learning:
    * Over 400 postgraduate research and coursework programs
    * On and off-campus options
    * Part-time and full-time study
    * Ten faculties
    * Six Australian and two international campuses

Like more information?

Contact us @ Study Counselling Services (www.mystudyoverseas.com/about-us):

1) +6012 636 0502 (for Malaysia), 

2) +614 3093 8188, email: studyoverseas.christine@gmail.com 

      (for Australia), and

 3) +65 8382 9722, email: studyoverseas.jade@gmail.com 

       (for Singapore).

Alternatively, I’m more than happy to give you a call to discuss your study options – just let me know the best time and number to call you on.

A new MBA at Monash University, commencing January 2011, will bring together the best aspects of top MBAs from around the world.

Features of the new MBA include:
* a 16 unit program offered over two years (full-time) or up to four years (part-time)
* the ability to complete in 12 months for full-time students with overall program time in18 months (subject to academic progress);
* flexible course delivery in block and semester mode
* a students integrated cohort experience with an emphasis on team/study work throughout the program
* ethics and sustainability, leadership, negotiation and strategic decision-making to provide an integrated learning focus
* all students undertake work-based corporate projects as part of the program

Like more information?

Contact us @ Study Counselling Services (www.mystudyoverseas.com/about-us):

1) +6012 636 0502 (for Malaysia), 

2) +614 3093 8188, email: studyoverseas.christine@gmail.com 

      (for Australia), and

 3) +65 8382 9722, email: studyoverseas.jade@gmail.com 

       (for Singapore).

Alternatively, I’m more than happy to give you a call to discuss your study options – just let me know the best time and number to call you on.

Culture shock is more than a feeling of homesickness or jetlag. It can lead to quite severe symptoms, such as feelings of nausea, frustration, extreme tiredness and confusion. It’s also a very typical experience for international students, so make sure you have all the advice you need with our Top 5 tips on Culture Shock.

1. It’s only temporary

Settling into a new country, learning how to live in a new town, speak the language, make friends, shop and cook… this is not simple. So it’s no surprise really that you may start to feel anxious, depressed, or stressed. But these feelings will pass. As you become more confident in your language ability, as you make those friends, and as you get to know your way around, you will start to enjoy all the differences of this new culture. And that, after all, is one reason why you wanted to travel in the first place.

2. Things will be different. But that doesn’t mean they are wrong.

You may be surprised by how different the culture really is. People may wear more casual clothes, behave differently with the opposite sex, be very strict about punctuality, or drink and smoke in public. This doesn’t mean that you also have to do all these things, but you do have to accept that they are part of this culture. Instead of being overly critical, ask questions to work out what is considered ‘normal’.

3. You are suddenly on your own

This may be the first time you’ve lived away from home. So it helps to learn some important skills before you leave. Learn how to cook a few of your favourite meals, make sure you can wash your own clothes and do regular chores such as cleaning. You will probably be living with people you don’t know, such as a family homestay or with other students. Think about how you can be considerate of their needs, and how you can communicate with them if they don’t speak your language.

4. Culture shock is a series of phases

When your going though culture shock, it helps to recognise which phase you are in. Be patient!

• Honeymoon phase: Everything is exciting when you first arrive, especially the differences
• Crisis phase: Suddenly, these differences are hard to deal with. You don’t like the food, you can’t understand the accent, or you may get lost trying to find the supermarket or bus stop. You didn’t think it would be like this, and you find it difficult to focus on your studies.
• Adjustment phase: As you become more confident speaking the language and with your daily routine, things get a little easier. You make new friends, join in community activities, and learn how to deal with any problems.
• Bi-cultural phase: now, you feel comfortable living in two cultures at the same time. You feel like you belong.

5. It’s up to you

How you cope with culture shock is entirely up to you. And there are things you can do to make it easier.

Remember, overcoming culture shock is vital if you want to get the most from your international studies. And it’s also the best way to boost your confidence and get the skills you need to work and travel around the world.

Article taken from Immigration News (Volume 173):

A new bill is about to be passed through the Senate at parliament house in Canberra this month will give the power to the Minister of Immigration, Senator Evans, to cap and cease any GSM applications currently in the pipeline of processing and any future lodgements. The new powers should be called “slash and burn” because that is exactly the effect it may have on students who may have been on bridging visas for years following their onshore GSM applications.

These powers will give the Minister the power to approve a certain number of places for a particular nominated occupation. For example if in the next financial year the Minister sets the quota for the nominated occupation of Cook at 5000, then once these 5000 places have been allocated the rest in the pipeline will be “ceased”. This means the applications will be rejected with no right of appeal to the MRT or courts (as the application will be deemed as to have never been made) and the applicants Bridging visa will cease within 28 days of the notification. Application fees will be returned if this occurs. Of course those tens of thousands of former international students who have been waiting in Australia for years whilst DIAC’s currently suspended their processing are now very anxious indeed.

Taking their money during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC)
During a seminar to migration agents last year in Sydney, Peter Spindlewinde, Head of the Skilled Migration Policy Section of DIAC, let it slip that DIAC was aware of the systems problems in GSM applications but they were hesitant to act whilst the GFC was ongoing.

So during the GFC the Australian government was happy about the money pouring into this country by international students, both in course fees and spending for their living expenses. They let them in to spend this money even though they had planned these changes in advance. However now that Australia has deemed itself clear of the worst of the GFC, the government has a new attitude, “thank you for the money students but hey most of you, it’s time to go home”.

Recently in seminars held around Australia to both students and migration agents, DIAC claims overseas students should only come to Australia to enhance their education, not to expect residency.

Article taken from Immigration News (Volume 172):

The new list excludes, ICT Recent Graduates, Cooks, Hairdressers, Welfare Workers, and practically all general business related occupations. Accountant is still there but with the new introduction of 7.0 on each of the 4 components of a single IELTS test (Academic), this will be out of reach for 90% of international students.

You can view the  list and all the related information released by DIAC by using the following link; http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.htm#o

It is hard to imagine how a government can be so unconcerned about swinging a wrecking ball through the Vocational Education Industry in Australia. These changes will spell the premature doom to many privated education institutions in Australia and will only further damage a reputation once advertised to the world of its achievements.

Even the bigger national universities who have a heavy exposure of IT and accounting post graduate courses may find they will have to close their satelite campuses running in Sydney. The bigger universities will just suffer the losses and move on because they have the assest’s behind as support. I find it hard to imaging in the future that any international student will want to spend money in Australia to study IT. Even those students from the two largest markets, China and India will give any accounting courses a wide birth due to the increased English language requirements.

Please read the information on DIAC’s web site about who is effected by this new SOL.