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Not Skilled, No Migration Possibility?

Not Skilled, No Migration Possibility?

Sure, Australia is the ideal place for those who are looking for a country with diverse culture, great sceneries and high quality of life. But, it is also a great avenue for those who are thinking of migrating to Australia to look for great career opportunities.

If you’ve got a job offer, you may be able to obtain a visa grant under employer nomination scheme. However, for those who cannot get any employer sponsorship, the Australian visa application process tends to get even tougher. With thousands of migrants under skilled migration program heading to the shores of Australia, the thought of joining them can seem to be very challenging. For some, what makes it even more daunting is when their occupation is not in the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Misconception 2

Visa grant is impossible because your occupation is not in the SOL

SOL is being reviewed every year by the federal government to ensure that occupations on the list are appropriate to meet Australia’s labour needs. You may be eligible for a skilled visa if you are deemed a skilled migrant worker with the right skillset needed in Australia.

Don’t lose hope, however, if your occupation is not in the SOL. Just because your occupation is not in the SOL doesn’t mean you will not be eligible for an Australia visa. There’s another pathway you can take where you can be eligible for state and territory nomination or even employer sponsorship. Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) is a list of occupation as well where it requires state nomination in order to be eligible for a visa, in which it also entails to have the minimum required points.

Whether you decided on a state nomination visa, independent skilled migration visa, or even a working holiday visa, you don’t have to do anything but to let your eligibility be assessed by professional Australia migration agents.

As Singapore’s most established registered immigration specialists, NTRUST doesn’t promote immigration services, but keeps upfront to all our clients instead to maximise the chances of getting successful applications. Your occupation not being included in the SOL or CSOL doesn’t end your chances of migrating to Australia. We will provide you the best possible pathway you can take to still fulfill your Australian dream life.

If you are keen on applying for an Australian visa, call (65) 6299 0245 or fill out our free online assessment form.

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The Australian Visa Application Process – Common Misconceptions

The Australian Visa Application Process – Common Misconceptions

Lifestyle, children’s education and a great work-life balance are just some things that have made Migrating to Australia a dream for many.

We have represented countless applicants who, at first, thought themselves not qualified to succeed. Yet, we have met others who thought themselves highly qualified and skilled putting in a DIY Australian visa application only to be met with a visa refusal!

We suspect, due to a myriad of senseless assumptions, fear or confusion that many potential migrants have postpone their plans, aborted the idea of migrating completely or have simply put the visa application process into the “too hard” basket, for rightfully so, Australian immigration regulations are indeed one of the most complex and demanding set of all legal requirements Down Under.

As Singapore’s leading firm of registered immigration specialists, this series of 4 short weekly blogs aims to educate and debunk some common misconceptions in the hope that applicants may seeking a new life Down Under may professional help save some money, time and effort.

Misconception 1

A Do- it -Yourself (DIY) visa application is cheaper and it is not that difficult since thousands have done so successfully

Well, whilst it may be cheaper to DIY, you may not be doing the right thing and which may actually cost you more in the long run or worst, ruin your plans completely with a visa refusal. Yet where thousands may have succeeded, others may have failed!

Admittedly, an applicant may save several thousands in professional charges attempting an application on their own. However, one should always factor in the time, effort and energy spent to research the various application options and strategies.

How much more productive would you or your family member be if you were doing the things you enjoy or invested the same amount of energy into your business or career instead of trying to determine your eligibility and attempting the application’s paperwork by yourself?

The complexity of the law may mean that information contained even in governmental websites are sometimes fraught with ambiguities. Therefore, after reading and trying to understand all the requirements, you’re still none the better off than if you’d have sought professional help.
If the Department of Home Affairs in Australia exists to serve he needs of the economy by evaluating an applicant’s eligibility, how then can they be relied on for information or to help an applicant qualify?

Registered Immigration Agents and lawyers are however, required under the law to be upfront and help you out forward an application to maximise the chances of your success. We stand on the “same side of the fence” as our clients in ensuing that what needs to be done and omitting the irrelevant information because more is not always better.

If you’re keen on Australian immigration and wish for an obligation and “sales free” eligibility assessment, a professional consultation is a must!

Call (65) 6299 0245 for a schedule or complete our free online assessment form.

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The Many Benefits Of Becoming An Australian Permanent Resident

The Many Benefits Of Becoming An Australian Permanent Resident

With a great balanced lifestyle backed with a good economy and wonderful sceneries all over the country, Australia is continuously becoming the most preferred migration destination compared to other countries. Be it you’re already in Australia under a temporary visa or just contemplating about making the move, applying for an Australian Permanent Resident (PR) visa allows you to enjoy the many benefits Australian citizens are entitled to.

Here’s a summary of the privileges you will enjoy after obtaining the Australian PR:

1. Privilege to live in Australia Indefinitely – A permanent visa entitles you to go in and out of the country indefinitely given that your visa is still valid (normally 5 years). You can stay in the country even if it has expired, however, if you want to arrange a travel, you’ll need to apply a Resident Return Visa (RRV).

2. Social Security – New migrants should wait for at least two years before they become entitled to get social security benefits. Bear in mind that proper advice about your eligibility for these benefits should be acquired from the Department of Human Service. Benefits include family tax payment, health care card, sickness allowance, youth training allowance, and many more.

3. Medicare – Once you are already an Australian PR, you’ll also be entitled for Medicare. It provides you access to free medical treatment at public hospitals, cheaper health insurance and even subsidized medicine.

4. Opportunity to Pursue Higher Education – Aside from the great employment opportunities you can have in Australia, you can also have the freedom to pursue a higher education you prefer after obtaining your PR. Each state government manages its own education system, meaning school funds and regulation are set state by state.

5. Higher Education Loans Program (HELP) – If you are looking for financial assistance for tertiary education, you don’t have to worry too much, as HELP is a loan facility covering tuition fees, books and related materials, special equipment and many more depending on your eligibility.

6. Migration Sponsorship – After obtaining your permanent residency and have met certain residence and support assurance pre-requisites, you also have the privilege to sponsor your partner or relatives.

These are only a few of the many benefits you can enjoy after obtaining your Australia Permanent Resident visa. Don’t know if you’re eligible for a permanent visa? Let NTRUST assist you in your migration plans. We specialize in Australia permanent residency application and other visa services. Call (65)6299 0245 to book a consultation appointment or fill out our free online assessment to receive an initial assessment of your eligibility.

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Australia Immigration Changes Summary For 2016-17

Australia Immigration Changes Summary For 2016-17

The 2016-17 fiscal year has just begun and a number of changes on the Australian Visa application process have been implemented already. This new program year might be tough, particularly if you are planning to migrate to Australia under the skilled migration program.

Below is the summary of the changes that may or may not impact your eligibility should you lodge in an application in the following months:

Updated Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

Prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year, the Immigration department released the updated 2016-17 SOL. Reviewed by the Department of Education and Training, two occupations were added on the SOL and nine were transferred to the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). Some occupations were flagged for possible removal due to an excess in supply in the labour market.

2016-17 Occupational Ceilings

New occupational ceilings were set to limit the invitations issued through SkillSelect this program year and to balance the employment opportunities for Australian citizens as well. To summarize the 2016-17 Occupational ceilings, Accountants is set to have 2,500 places – a bit lower than last year’s 2,525 and Auditors’ occupational ceiling has increased to 1,431 from 1,000. It may be tough for Computer Network Professionals and ICT Business and System Analysts as the ceilings have been reduced to 28% and 4% respectively.

English Tests for Nursing Skills Assessment

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMAC) is now accepting Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT. For PTE Academic, applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 65 – minimum of 65 points in each skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. For TOEFL iBT, applicants must obtain a minimum overall score of 94 with the following minimum score for each skills: 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking.

Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF)

The SSVF aims to simplify the process of visa application for genuine students. Expect that the criteria will be more straightforward. The student visa subclasses from the previous years are eliminated and are replaced by a new Subclass 500 Student visa. Simplified English and financial requirements for this visa type are also implemented.

We specialized in Australian Permanent Residency Application and other visa services. To further evaluate your eligibility, call (65) 6299 0245 to book an appointment or complete our free online assessment form at https://www.ntrust.com.sg/free-assessment.

Source:

https://www.education.gov.au/skilled-occupations-list-sol

https://www.border.gov.au/StudyinginAustralia/Pages/student-individuals.aspx

https://www.border.gov.au/about/reports-publications/reviews-inquiries/student-visa-programme

http://www.anmac.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/Communique_ELP_requirements_1_July_2016.pdf

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Skilled Migration: 2016-17 Occupational Ceilings Released

Skilled Migration: 2016-17 Occupational Ceilings Released

Australia welcomes thousands of skilled migrants from all over the world every year. However, in an effort to protect the employment opportunities of the Australian citizen, occupation ceilings are being set. It is meant to limit the number of invitations to be issued through SkillSelect per year for certain occupations.

Occupational ceilings are relevant to applications under Skilled Independent visas, Skilled Regional Sponsored visas, and Skilled or Business State or territory sponsored visas. Please take note that you won’t receive an invitation through SkillSelect if your occupation has reached the maximum quota.

Read on for a summary of the changes for the 2016-17 program year.

For Accountants and Auditors

The quota is set to 2,500 in the new program year for accountants — a bit the same of last year’s 2525 so expect almost the same waiting times and minimum point scores for accountant. On the other hand, the quota for auditors has increased from 1,000 to 1,431.

For IT Professionals

Due to a high level of demand for IT professionals, ICT Business and Systems Analysts and Software and Applications Programmers has been subjected to pro rata this year. For the next program year, it might be going to be tough for IT professionals as some occupations have reduced their quota. Computer Network Professionals’ ceiling is reduced by 28%, from 1,986 of last year to a quota of 1,426 of this new program year. ICT Business and Systems Analysts’ ceiling is also reduced from 1,536 last year to 1,482 this year. On a lighter note, Software and Applications Programmers quota has gone up by 4% — last year’s 5,364 to 5,662 quota this year.

For Engineers

Some of the occupations under this group have increased its quota. One of these is the Engineering Manager occupation, which they have increased to 1,407 from 1014 of last year. Also, Electrical Engineer occupation’s ceiling was also increased by 2% – from 1,230 to 1,254 for this year. The following however have reduced their quota for this new program year:

  • Civil Engineering Professionals – from 2,970 last year to 2,174 this year (reduced by 27%)
  • Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers – from 1,788 last year to 1,539 (reduced by 14%)

While Mining Engineers has been removed to the 2016-17 Skilled Occupation List (SOL), Electronics Engineers, Telecommunications Engineering Professionals and Other Engineering Professionals have no changes on their quota with 1,000 apiece.

Below is a comparison table of the set quota for the other occupations for 2016-17:

The new occupational ceilings will take effect on the 1st July 2016 in line with the new fiscal year. If you are planning to migrate to Australia under skilled migration program and are uncertain of your chances, let NTRUST assist you and provide you professional advice on how you can take your migration plans forward. Fill out our online free assessment form or call (65) 6299 0245 to book an appointment with one of our immigration agents.

Source: https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/Empl/skillselect