Categories
News

Australia Dominated Economist Intelligence Unit (Eiu) Liveability Ranking In 2015

Australia Dominated Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Liveability Ranking In 2015

When planning to migrate to Australia, you will need to organize everything, including finding the appropriate accommodation in any city across the country. Part of the decision making is whether to buy or rent a property. This may not be a tedious task for you as Australia has the highest number of liveable cities in the world.

With plenty of space, beautiful sceneries, welcoming people and a vast range of great opportunities waiting just around every corner of the country, Australian cities are the great places to live, study and work.

When it comes to liveability, the differences of one city to another vary depending on how you live and handle expenses. With that being said, it is still interesting for migrants to look at the quality of living in different Australian cities to figure out on which you can start a new beginning after getting approval on your permanent residence and work visa application.

For 2015, Australian cities dominated the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) ranking of the world’s most liveable cities. Together with some Canadian places, the results were based on the stability of the city, the availability of infrastructure, education and even the safety of the environment as a whole.

Below are the rankings from EIU:

  1. Melbourne, Australia
  2. Vienna, Austria
  3. Vancouver, Canada
  4. Toronto
  5. Calgary, Alberta and Adelaide, Australia
  6. (No sixth, since two tied at fifth)
  7. Sydney, Australia
  8. Perth, Australia
  9. Auckland, New Zealand
  10. Helsinki, Finland and Zurich Switzerland

For five years in a row, Melbourne has been known as the world’s most livable city. This section might probably help you decide which city to settle in when you got approval on your visa application. As a first step, let our consultants help you to take your Australian visa application forward. 

Categories
News

Migration Requirements – 1st Of July 2015

Migration Requirements – 1st Of July 2015

The new fiscal year has arrived with changes announced and taking effect on the 1st of July 2015. The following changes to both the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) and the Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) will affect all applicants wishing to migrate to Australia henceforth.

https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01059

Summary

The following occupations have been moved from the SOL to the CSOL; therefore, these occupations now require state sponsorship.

·         Urban and Regional Planner

·         Dental Specialist

·         Dentist

However, two (2) occupations have been upgraded from the CSOL and in the SOL, meaning if state or territory sponsorship is not required, these applicants may now apply independently an elicit sponsorship from an eligible relative.

·         Panelbeater

·         Cabinetmaker

Primary School Teachers

Primary school teachers were for a period of time, removed from CSOL; however this nominated occupation has since been reinstated.

Allied / Health Professionals

The English language requirement for health professions, dental practitioners, medical practitioners, nurses and midwives allow applicants to now combine two (2) separate IELTS reports or submit specific English medical exams such as NZREX or PLAB to meet the registration standards.

Nurses, Doctors and other medical professionals who aspire to have the subclass 187 RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) and 186 ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme) visas now have easier access to exemptions in age requirement if they are 50 years of age or older. They will not be required to be working with the same employer while holding a subclass 457 Visa or Subclass 422 Visa provided that they fulfill the following conditions:

·         Employed for a nominated occupation for at least 4 years

·         2 of the required 4 years work must be located in Regional Australia

·         Nominated position should be in Regional Australia

Ministers of Religion

Permanent visas will now be much more difficult for Religious Ministers to obtain. They are no longer eligible for the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition stream of Subclass 186 and 187 visa, as well as the Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 visas. Religious organisations are required to have an Industry Labour Agreement before submitting nominations under the 186, 187 and 457 visas. Exemptions to age, skill and English language are no longer available for them and they must meet the requirements outlined in the Ministry of Religion Industry Labour Agreement.

Skills Assessment for Accountants and Auditors

Accountants and Auditors have now a narrow range of completed modules to secure a positive outcome. The Core Knowledge Areas have been reduced from twelve (12) to now nine (9). Accountants will need to complete at least seven (7) out of nine (9) while External Auditors and Taxation Accountants need at least eight (8) out of nine (9) Core Knowledge Areas.

Fee Increases

This should not come as a surprise! The full list of fees is now available here:

http://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/budget/VAC-increases-fact-sheet.pdf

Need help with your Australian visa application?

If you are interested to migrate, work or have your eligibility be assessed for migration to Australia, contact NTRUST, Singapore’s leading Australian Migration Agency. Alternatively, attend our monthly immigration seminar for insights into the migration process or schedule for a professional consultation for detailed discussions.

Sources:

 

http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists
http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-process/skilled-nomination-changes-1st-july-2015

Categories
News

Changes to Temporary Work Visa English Requirement

Changes to Temporary Work Visa English Requirement

English language average test scores are now accepted for employer sponsored visa subclass 457 applications. For example, an overall band score of 6 in IELTS will now be accepted for 457 visas – previously, a minimum of 6 in each band (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) was required.

This change will lessen the enormous frustration of applicants taking the test repeatedly to get a minimum score in each band in a single sitting.

Additional Changes

In addition, the government announced the following changes that also came into effect on 18th April 2015:

  • The list of English language providers has expanded and now include test of English as a Foreign Language internet – based test (TOEFL IBT), Pearson Test of English (PTE); and Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) test (conducted on or after 1 January 2015). Previously, only the IELTS and OET were accepted
  • An exemption will be granted when an applicant can provide evidence of 5 cumulative years of study in English at the secondary or tertiary level, rather than proof of five years consecutive secondary or tertiary study in English
  • The term of standard employer sponsorship has been extended to 5 years commencing from the date of approval
  • The sponsorship period for start-up businesses has been extended from 12 months to18 months
  • The market salary exemption threshold has been reduced from $250,000 to $180,000 this is now in line with the marginal tax rate
  • The notifiable period for sponsors has been extended from 10 working days to 28 calendar days
Summary

These changes reduce restrictions on 457 programs while increasing its flexibility. Amending the English language requirements to an average test score will benefit both applicants and sponsors, without diminishing the English language standards of 457 holders. This change will support 457 will allow applicants to score more highly on the test competencies that they will need in their jobs and daily lives in Australia.

If you are interested to apply for an employer sponsored visa or need to advice for your plans to migrate to Australia, please call us at +65 62990245 to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/457.aspx
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00564

Categories
News

Many More Migrants Still Needed in Australia

Many More Migrants Still Needed in Australia

A study conducted by the Migration Council of Australia (MCA) claims that an increase in migration intake is critical to Australia’s future prosperity.

MCA is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit body established to enhance the productive benefits of Australia’s migration and humanitarian programs.

According to MCA, the migration levels of Australia need to increase by about 30% per year in order to retain the economy’s competitiveness and sustain future growth -by accepting 250,000 migrants annually until 2029-30.

“What we get in terms of gains is quite amazing for Australia and something that we should be encouraging,” MCA’s CEO Carla Wilshire said.

“Migration will be adding $1.6 trillion to Australia’s GDP. So in a single year, about 40% of GDP will be owing, in some form, to the migration program that we run,” she added.

MCA warned that not increasing the migration program or stopping the migration program all together would have very significant consequences.

“Migration will ensure Australia remains a highly skilled nation.” -MCA

The CEO stated that a healthy migration program is critical to address the country’s fiscal deficit and the ageing population. She noted that migration will add 15% to employment growth in terms of labour market participation. This is going to have an impact on fiscal revenues for government, because migrants are generally younger, more skilled and have a higher employment participation rate. Thus they contribute more to the tax base and rely less government welfare services.

“In fact, there’s less of a ‘spend’ per migrant in terms of government services. And so when you combine those two factors (tax contribution vs reliance on welfare), their impact is to contribute more in some senses to the government’s fiscal bottom line,” says Ms. Wilshire.

In addition, failure to have a strong migration program, Australia’s economy will suffer and it will not hit the target population of 38 million by 2050 – the projected population target of the government’s Intergenerational Report (IGR) which shows that migrants are expected to make up a smaller percentage of the population in coming decades.

The IGR provides a snapshot of Australia in 2055, when the population is projected to almost double from 24 million today, to 40 million.

Summary

In a nutshell, this is good news for those who plan to move and permanently live in Australia. It is good to know that many years from now, Australia will still be open to accept migrants. However, keep in mind that the immigration policies change quite often and may make an application more difficult in the future. If you are seriously planning to relocate to Australia, the best time to apply is when you qualify for what you qualify.

NTRUST remains the leading and most experienced registered Australian migration agent in Singapore. If you are interested to migrate to Australia, call us to schedule a professional consultation for detailed discussion and planning for your visa application. Alternatively, you can attend our Australia immigration seminar for an overview of the whole migration process.

Sources:

“The Economic Impact of Migration” by Migration Council of Australia

“2015 Intergenerational Report Australia in 2055” by the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia

Categories
News

TOEFL and PTE Academic Now Accepted As IELTS Alternative for English Test

TOEFL and PTE Academic Now Accepted As IELTS Alternative for English Test

The department has announced that it will accept test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) as alternative English tests for visa applications lodged on or after 23 November 2014.

These tests will be applicable for Australian visa applications including Skilled Migration and Business Innovation & Investment Programs.

“This development affords applicants more choice in providers while also increasing competition within the English language testing market,” said Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash.

In addition, it is expected that scores from the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test will also be accepted from a test taken on or after 1 January 2015 (to coincide with the launch of Cambridge English Language Assessment’s new reporting system).

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT is taken via the internet. There are more than 50 test dates each year across different test locations around the world.

The test takes approximately 4 hours to complete has the following format:

  • Reading: 60-80 Minutes
  • Writing: 50 Minutes
  • Listening: 60-90 Minutes
  • Speaking: 20 Minutes

TOEFL scores are available online 10 days after the test date and a hard copy is sent approximately 13 days after the test date. You can select the institutions who will receive the score reports sent via an online facility but this cannot be changed after you have taken the test.

The current cost to undertake the TOEFL iBT in Singapore is US$235 – cheaper than the IELTS.

PTE Academic

Overall, the Pearson Test of English Academic takes 3 hours to complete.

  • Reading: 32-41 minutes
  • Listening: 45-57 minutes
  • Speaking and Writing: 77-93 minutes

Score results can be viewed online within 5 working days. It is also possible to forward results to institutions via the online account.

The cost to do the PTE Academic test is USD$250 – slightly more expensive than IELTS. Locations and test dates are less extensive than the TOEFL.

Some important points to note about these changes:

Test Validity

Test results are valid for 3 years – you must lodge your visa application within 3 years of undertaking the test.

Pearson and TOEFL are also now acceptable for establishing Functional English. Functional English is important for determining whether any included dependents need to pay the English Language fees. Tests are only valid for 12 months for the purposes of establishing Functional English.

Summary: IELTS compared to TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic

Component

IELTS

TOEFL iBT

PTE Academic

Listening

30 minutes

60-90 minutes

45-57 minutes

Reading

60 minutes

60-80 minutes

32-41 minutes

Writing

60 minutes

50 minutes

77–93 minutes (combined with speaking)

Speaking

11-14 minutes

20 minutes

Duration combined with writing

Total duration

2.7 hours

3.2 to 4 hours

2.6 to 3.2 hours

Cost

$310-$320 (Singapore Dollars)

$235 (Singapore Dollars)

$250 (US Dollars)

Click here to download the score equivalent chart of IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and OET.

For a consultation schedule, feel free to call us at +65 6299 0245 to discuss your visa options and to find out which test is appropriate for your application. Alternatively, you can attend our Australia immigration seminar for an overview of the process to migrate to Australia.

Sources: