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Reasons People Are Migrating To Australia

Reasons People Are Migrating To Australia

Thousands of families are migrating to Australia year after year, and some have disclosed their reasons to us for doing so; better career opportunity, better education system for their children and improved quality family life were some of the reasons cited.

Quality universities in Singapore, for example, will cost families a fortune. For some who have younger children, being able to be with their kids most of the time without sacrificing their (hectic) work schedule is a continuous dilemma, both for locals and non-locals. Nevertheless, most think that they can get the life they are dreaming about for their family in Australia.

Considered as the most successful immigration nation worldwide, Australia focuses on continuously delivering persistent economic prosperity backed with a generous migration programmes over the years. In fact, the migration programme has contributed a lot to the faster growth of the nation’s population, based on the Australia Bureau of Statistics.

For children’s sake

The good thing about having the Australian Permanent Resident (PR) status is even though they are non-citizens, they can still enjoy to live, work, study and have a good education for their children, the same benefits Australian citizens are getting. Talking about education’s perspective, many think that education is better in Australia. You wouldn’t need to send your children to private school, because as a PR you can either get subsidized or free education in public schools, and the quality is of the same as privates’. Fast forward to college, your children can also apply for a loan from the government, which is payable in a certain amount of time after finishing their degree.

For family’s sake

Everyone always wants the best for their family. Once granted a PR visa, you are entitled to go in and out of the nation unrestrictedly provided that you are still holding a valid visa; normally, you are going to be granted a 5-year permanent visa. You have the ability to stay in Australia even if it expires, but you would need to file a Resident Return Visa (RRV) if you have plans of flying out of the country. Alongside, you will also be entitled to social security benefits after two years of being granted the PR. Most important is, you’ll also be able to get access to Medicare, which gives you and your family free medical treatment and subsidized medicine at public hospitals.

These are only a few of the benefits of becoming an Australian PR. Immigration is a family decision simply because it may affect your career growth, your spouse’s life after migration, and the future of your children. Choose the right immigration agency carefully, as their professional advice may help you decide on which path to take. Call us at 6299 0245 to book a professional consultation.

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Australia Visa Application – Are You Qualified?

Australia Visa Application – Are You Qualified?

If you are living overseas and you have been dreaming of migrating, working and living in Australia as a skilled migrant, the first step is to find out whether you will be eligible for an Australian Permanent Residency or any visa.

Let’s face it – immigration rules and regulations is not getting any easier. Australian Government has been implementing several changes to strengthen their immigration programmes.  All we can do, as an applicant, is to go with the flow of the changes for us to meet the requirements and obtain the visa we have been dreaming of. Skilled migration, in particular, is following a points-based system wherein you need to meet the passing mark of 60 points to qualify.

Below are the important things that you should take into consideration for you to qualify:

Age Does Matter

As part of the regulation changes that were taken effect 1st July 2017, all permanent skilled visas will have lower maximum age requirements and applicants must be under 45 years old when invited to apply for the skilled visa. Remember not to overlook that age is taken towards the end of the application process when you have been invited to lodge your application. Conservatively, allow yourself one to two years for this application if you are nearly reaching the age boarder line. Applicants in the 25 to 32 age bracket gets the highest points for the age though.

Know Your Nominated Occupation

Determining your nominated occupation for Skilled Migration can be straightforward or more difficult. An applicant who has qualification, work history and skills in accounting would normally select “Accountant” as their nominated occupation. However, a person who has educational qualifications, experience and skills in Information technology may opt for different nominated occupations such as ICT Security Specialist, ICT Support Technician, or Web Administrator, depending in their skillset and verifiable evidences of work history. Your nominated occupation should be in the Skilled Occupation List, which is being moderated annually, for you to qualify.

English Language Proficiency

For you to be eligible for an Australia Visa under Skilled migration, you would need to have sufficient ability in English language in four areas including listening, speaking, writing and reading. The English level you need to demonstrate depends on the requirements of your visa and the organisation you plan to work. IELTS is one of the world’s most recognized English language tests.

Other than the abovementioned, your application will only be successful if you can provide verifiable evidences of your skillset, experience and qualifications. Know your eligibility for an Australian visa by filling out our online assessment form. Alternatively, let our consultants assess your family criteria by booking an appointment and calling +65 6299 0245.

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Australia Visa Application – Avoiding Fraud

Australia Visa Application – Avoiding Fraud

Your lack of knowledge with the entire Australia visa application programme might make you a target for swindles or fraudulent acts by unregistered migration agencies. While we would like to believe that all organizations are working diligently, there are still many reasons why we might be susceptible to fraud.

No, it is not hard to determine which agencies provide better services than the others do. Prevention and detection are very crucial, as preventing things to happen is much easier than recovering from the loss of being a visa fraud victim.

Visa frauds are disguised in so many forms. Below are the things that you should be mindful of when engaging Australia migration agencies.

Registration Is Very Important

One of the best things about engaging a registered migration agent is that you are sure that your agent is regulated and monitored by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Aside from that, they are also required to take continuing professional development (CPD) courses to keep them updated with the current rules and regulations of the immigration process. Simply go through the MARA website and check if the agency is registered or not. Moreover, the longer the agent has been registered the stronger the experience is.

Reviews and Feedbacks are Relevant

Just like the years of experience, client feedback and reviews matter in a migration agency’s capacity to provide professional advice. If you are to consider engaging a migration agency, read a lot! Read reviews online. There are clients who are very happy to share their experience with others — that is even more so if they had a bad experience. Most companies like us have testimonial section on the website for your reference. Google is your friend as well, as some legitimate business can be reviewed using Google.

Pushy Marketing Can be Intimidating

Reality is there’s a lot of businesses out there that do hardcore marketing, even in person, instead of giving you some time to think about some considerations to make. We have cases whereby we assessed clients as not qualified but told us that they have consulted with another agency and advised them to start the application. There’s also one whereby they have started the application, received negative outcome and consulted with us, only to find out that they are really not qualified. Taking money from clients who are not eligible is against the MARA regulation.

NTRUST is regulated with MARA, thus, we only practice what we should do. We will be upfront to you during your consultation appointment whether you are eligible or not. For us, it really makes a big difference working along with someone who actually cares about your situation. We value our customers more than our business. To talk to one of our migration agents, call 6299 0245.

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You May Get a Visa Refusal

You May Get a Visa Refusal

Sure, every year, the Department of Home Affairs in accepts thousands of Australian visa application from Singapore and all over the world, especially for skilled migration programme. Some receive positive outcome, while some cases will be rejected.

Applications with innocent mistakes, inconsistencies in the information and misunderstanding with the criteria, will certainly be denied. And just because you were denied once, doesn’t mean you can easily lodge application again in the future. To avoid wasting thousands of dollars and preventing you from getting your Australian visa, you might want to consider the following advice below:

Every Piece of Evidence is the Key

Any visa application will require many substantial pieces of evidence; work experiences have to be demonstrated for the skilled visa, acquired assets must be collated for business visas, and relationships have to be proven for partner or family visa. If you have worked 5 years for the past 10 years, for example, provide the certificate of employment or reference letters. Immigration authorities don’t depend solely on your verbal declarations, thus all supporting documents must be verifiable to not get any interrogation from the case officer regarding your application.

Consistency is all that matters

Take your application as if the judiciary is investigating you — you will need to be consistent in providing necessary information. Immigration authorities will conduct cross-checking of all your submitted documents. Inconsistency, be it accidental or innocent, can cost you money, delays in the application, and refusal for your future applications. Consistency and honesty go hand-in-hand with this matter. Not disclosing any important information, or disclosing non-verifiable information can certainly affect your visa application.

Importance of Migration Agents

Imagine someone assisting you all throughout the application, telling you what needs to be done, giving you the list of the documents to be submitted. Isn’t it time-saving, stress-free, and more convenient? Migration agents will also provide you upfront, honest, and professional advice on which visa will be applicable for you. Aside from that, they will be representing you to the immigration authorities; they certainly know Australian laws and regulations. Be mindful of companies who are unlawful pretending to have migration agents. Always check the Migration Agent Registration Authority (MARA) website to ensure you are only dealing with registered authorities.

NTRUST provides all type of Australian visa application since 2003. With our experience and reputation as the most established, registered Australia migration agency in Singapore, we will provide you only professional advice and assistance for you to be able to obtain your visa. Call +65 6299 0245 to book a professional consultation with us.

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Skilled Migration: Still A Good Year For Accountants, Engineers And IT Professionals

Skilled Migration: Still A Good Year For Accountants, Engineers And IT Professionals

Occupation Ceilings for 2017-18 Program year has been released, carrying a good news for Accountants, Software Engineer and Mechanical Engineers. For this fiscal year, significant higher ceilings are given for the abovementioned occupations.

Prior to the beginning of the 2017-18 fiscal year, the government announced that the Australia’s permanent migration programme for this program year will remain stable at a ceiling of 190,000 intakes despite the abolition of the 457 visa and removal of some occupations on the list.

The following are the pro rata occupations that ceilings have been increased:

  • Accountants: Increased by 2285 places to 4785
  • Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers: Increased by 639 places to 2178
  • Software and Applications Programmers: Increased by 540 places to 6202
  • ICT Business and Systems Analysts: Increased by 92 places to 1574

The following are the pro rate occupations that ceilings are unchanged to 1000 places:

  • Electronics Engineers
  • Other Engineering Professionals

Occupation ceilings that have been reduced:

  • Computer Network Professionals: Decreased by 108 places to 1318
  • Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers: Decreased by 86 places to 132

Occupations with significantly decreased ceilings:

  • Bricklayers and Stonemasons: Decreased by 480 places to 1271
  • Other Medical Practitioners: Decreased by 315 places to 1000
  • Metal Fitters and Machinists: Decreased by 1347 places to 5330
  • Solicitors: Decreased by 993 places to 4161
  • Engineering Managers: Decreased by 252 places to 1155
  • Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics: Decreased by 274 places to 1427
  • Social Workers: Decreased by 221 places to 1562
  • Special Education Teachers: Decreased by 126 places to 1000
  • Carpenters and Joiners: Decreased by 750 places to 6968
  • Medical Laboratory Scientists: Decreased by 115 places to 1487
  • Chefs: Decreased by 179 places to 2675
  • Electronics Trades Workers: Decreased by 115 places to 1878

This goes to show that immigration process is extremely dynamic, thus, changes in the rules and regulations may occur anytime. Like what we are always saying, everyone should strike the iron while it is still hot. It is best to better understand your eligibility and apply for what you qualify for when you really qualify. Let NTRUST assess your criteria and take your migration plans forward. Call 6299 0245 for more information.

Below is a table of the occupation ceilings set for 2017-18:

Occupation

Occupation Ceiling Value 2017-18

Construction Managers

5400

Engineering Managers

1155

Child Care Centre Managers

1000

Health and Welfare Services Managers

1374

Accountants*

4785

Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers*

1327

Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians

1000

Land Economists and Valuers

1000

Marine Transport Professionals

1000

Architects and Landscape Architects

1474

Cartographers and Surveyors

1000

Chemical and Materials Engineers

1000

Civil Engineering Professionals

3296

Electrical Engineers

1042

Electronics Engineers*

1000

Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers*

2178

Other Engineering Professionals*

1000

Agricultural and Forestry Scientists

1000

Medical Laboratory Scientists

1487

Veterinarians

1000

Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals

1000

Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers

2639

Secondary School Teachers

7910

Special Education Teachers

1000

Medical Imaging Professionals

1113

Optometrists and Orthoptists

1000

Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals

1000

Chiropractors and Osteopaths

1000

Occupational Therapists

1109

Physiotherapists

1464

Podiatrists

1000

Speech Professionals and Audiologists

1000

General Practitioners and Resident Medical officers

3495

Internal Medicine Specialists

1000

Psychiatrists

1000

Surgeons

1000

Other Medical Practitioners

1000

Midwives

1090

Registered Nurses

16741

ICT Business and Systems Analysts*

1574

Software and Applications Programmers*

6202

Computer Network Professionals*

1318

Telecommunications Engineering Professionals

1000

Barristers

1000

Solicitors

4161

Psychologists

1750

Social Workers

1562

Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

1000

Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

1000

Telecommunications Technical Specialists

1000

Automotive Electricians

1000

Motor Mechanics

5980

Sheetmetal Trades Workers

1000

Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers

4426

Metal Fitters and Machinists

5330

Precision Metal Trades Workers

1000

Panelbeaters

1344

Bricklayers and Stonemasons

1271

Carpenters and Joiners

6968

Painting Trades Workers

2780

Glaziers

1000

Plasterers

2103

Wall and Floor Tilers

1407

Plumbers

5507

Electricians

9354

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics

1427

Electrical Distribution Trades Workers

1000

Electronics Trades Workers

1878

Chefs

2675

Cabinetmakers

1905

Boat Builders and Shipwrights

1000