Australia has long been a dream destination for many, including Singaporeans, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, high quality of life, and diverse opportunities. If you’re a Singaporean or Singapore Residents looking to make the move Down Under, this article is your comprehensive guide to navigating the complex immigration process from Singapore to Australia.
Planning to migrate to Australia? One of the essential requirements you need to fulfill is demonstrating your English language proficiency through recognized tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Pearson Test of English (PTE). Both tests evaluate your abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In this article, we will compare IELTS and PTE to help you decide which test suits you better for your Australia migration journey.
Are you considering the opportunity to settle in the captivating land Down Under, renowned for its distinctive kangaroos, Vegemite, and stunning beaches? You’re certainly not alone in this aspiration. Australia stands as a favored destination for adept migrants hailing from various corners of the globe, including our fellow Singaporeans. However, it’s important to note that the Australian immigration process diverges significantly from a straightforward journey. The acquisition of permanent residency entails navigating through a multitude of legal stipulations, both at the federal level – which is applicable across all states and territories – and at the state level, where unique regulations and preferences come into play.
When you have plans on moving to Australia from Singapore, the most important requirement that you need to have is an Australian visa. To get one, you need to apply for it which quite a list of processes that you need to comply with in order to get it approved.
To be granted an Australian PR or permanent residency, you must take either the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. But if you have plans to be a professional in Australia (which you probably have), you must take the IELTS Academic. And in order to pass the IELTS or International English Language Testing System, you must have a score of at least 6 in all of the four components of the test.
But don’t let it overwhelm you because we have gathered five tips that can help you achieve superior knowledge of the English language, which will ultimately contribute to the approval of your Australian visa application.
1. Understand how the bonus points for PR works
If you have been looking up how to move to Australia from Singapore, you probably have stumbled upon visas that are based on points. Without going too much into the details of it, you basically earn more points the higher your proficiency level of the English language is.
The government in Australia has defined five different English competency levels – if you get an average band score of no more than 4.5 for each of the tests’ 4 components, your competency level would be defined as “Functional English”.
If you get at least 5, it would correspond to a “Vocational English” level. If you get at least 6, you would be considered to have a “Competent English” level. 7 Would merit a “Proficient English” level, while a score of at least 8 would earn you the highest “Superior English” level.
When migrating to Australia, there are more or less four visa types that you should be concerned with, there is the “Skilled Independent Visa” which earns you an additional 10 and 20 points for proficient and superior levels, respectively.
The same point system applies for the “Skilled Nominated” and “Skilled Regional (Provisional)” visa classifications. But for the “Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)” visa type, you get an additional 5 points for a partner with competent English.
2. Study as much as you can
The key to making sure that you pass the IELTS is to know and be familiar with the fundamentals of the English language.
Even if your first or native language is English, you should still practice because the test is going to be technical.
Speaking the language effortlessly doesn’t guarantee that you know the specificities of sentence constructions, which is why you need to be equipped with the knowledge that will help you advance your IELTS results.
3. Get into a work-study routine
Without a doubt, you might have other responsibilities that you need to attend to such as your 9 to 5 job.
So, for a certain – we’re not suggesting that you ditch it completely so you can focus more on studying for your IELTS. But rather, the plan here is to squeeze in a bit of your time after your work and allocate it towards studying.
It doesn’t have to be a huge chunk because at least an hour every day goes a long way.
4. Take practice tests
Apart from familiarising yourself with the English language, it would also help if you become familiar with how the test is going to be formulated.
Taking practice tests will give you an idea of what kind of answers are being asked for in questions found in IELTS, giving you the advantage of knowing what you need to prepare for.
The official website of the IELTS has practice tests that you can take at any time, all of which are scored by official IELTS markers. You can also use this platform to keep track of your progress each time you take a practice test.
5. Above all else, get some rest
When reviewing for a test like the IELTS, it is very tempting to allocate most if not all of your energy into reviewing and practising for it.
However, it might not be such a good idea because this will lead to burnout, reducing your chances of getting a passing mark.
As such, absolutely make sure that you are studying moderately and see to it that you get some rest afterwards – this will condition your brain for more learnings!
With these tips, polish your reading, writing, and listening skills in no time. All that’s left for you is to finalise your preparations for the upcoming IELTS examination, ace it, and improve your chances of migrating smoothly!
In fact, if you’re looking for an extra helping hand – assistance is on its way with NTRUST’s consultation and guidance. Whether it’s IELTS preparation, approval of Australia PR Application, or migration skills assessment – simply call our office at +65 6299 0245 or schedule an appointment for a clearer idea on how to make a successful PR application in Australia.