New Review Set For Australian Student Visa

With all the new jobs in Australia now available, a lot of people are now wanting to move into the country. And one of the groups that are trying their luck are the countless of foreign students that are wishing to land a good job after they graduate. However, with all the new rules and regulations being implemented int the Australia student visa program, this has become quite more difficult.

As can be recalled, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship began implementing the changes in the student visa program since early last year. Here, some of the major ones were that were done focused on the qualifications needed to get a visa. In particular, English proficiency was given special attention for foreign student applicants.

According to immigration officials, these moves are necessary in order to give out visas to those students that truly deserve these and also to ensure that quality of the student visa program. However, as expected, many people in the foreign student community have voiced their opposition to the changes. According to them, these have unfairly limited their chances of being able to study in the country.

And as it turns out, it was not only the students themselves who are airing their concerns against the changes that w4ere being implemented by the DIAC. School officials have also said that they are also affected by the changes. They pointed out that, because of these changes, many students coming from abroad are now having second thoughts on whether they should continue studying in the country. This, in turn has caused foreign enrollments in the various tertiary education institutions to drop. Thus, these schools have joined the students in calling for a review of these new rules.

In response, the Federal government said that they will be conducting a review of the current student visa program rules. The announcement was made amidst clamors from the foreign student industry to address the current situation. Officials from the department said that they will conduct the review in order to determine the areas that needs to be improved and to also address the concerns aired by the foreign student population. Immigration officials also said that the move is to better focus the program.

Upon hearing about the announcement, the move was greatly welcomed by the foreign student community. According to students, this one was a long thing coming, but is nevertheless worth all the effort. They also added the review will hopefully be in their favor and will pave the way for increasing their chances of working in the country.

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Foreign Students Brace For Changes In The Points System

With all the changes in Australia, education experts are now saying that these would have a big effect on the country's foreign student industry. Indeed, the initial changes that were implemented by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on the student migration last year have had a noticeable effect on the country's foreign student community.

Now, many international students are gearing up for the new changes that the department has announced. According to the department, these changes will take effect in in July of next year. One of the biggest of changes is the revision of the points system for the general skilled migration program. The points system is used to assess the qualification of an applicant for the visa.

Here, the department said that they have emphasized on English proficiency as a major part of the points assessment. Immigration officials noted that many of the passers of the previous assessments actually have below average English language skills. The department said that, since Australia is an English speaking country, this is crucial if they want to be able to easily find a job in the country.

With that, the DIAC said that they will be giving additional points for those showing remarkable proficiency in the language. For instance, those that will be able to get a rating of “superior” in the International English Language Test System exams will automatically be awarded 20 points in the assessment. On the other hand, points will also be given to those which possess higher educational credentials, such as bachelor's degrees or doctorates.

Meanwhile, the department said that it will not award points anymore based on the kind of work that the applicant is applying for. This, according to the department, is necessary in order to give all applicants equal opportunity. On the other hand, work experience will still be awarded points, depending on the amount.

The department have also said that they have now increased the pass mark for the assessment to 65 points.

As it is, many students will certainly not like the new points system. For one, those coming from non-English speaking countries will certainly find this new emphasis to be a hard one to follow. On the other hand, the increased focus on higher level qualifications, means that many students have no choice but to go for them if they want to work in Australia after they graduate. Nevertheless, Australian officials are confident that these moves are necessary for them to get the workers that the country needs.

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Schools Take Action Against Visa Changes

With all the things happening in Australia, student visa applications have become quite harder to go through for many. And with a set of new changes being announced by the department, it will likely get even tougher. These have gotten a lot of groups to be worried.

It can be recalled that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship started to implement the changes in the student migration program since early last year. Many of these changes were intended to better focus the attention of the program into getting more highly skilled workers in the country. The DIAC also said that these were intended to find the best suited workers.

This is also the thrust of the recent changes that the department announced. In here, the points assessment system was also heavily revised in order to put more emphasis on on certain skills that the department has recognized to be very important. The qualifications were also made to be much tougher in order to better regulate the flow of immigrants.

However, from the get go, many foreign students have already voiced their opposition to the new changes. According to them, these new rules will limited their chances of being able to study in the country severely. Some students have also argued that the new rules are somewhat discriminating of them.

But it was not only the students who have voiced their arguments against the changes in student visa program. The schools themselves have also cried out against the new changes. What they are saying is that, because of the changes, many of their current foreign students have decided not to continue with their enrollment. And since a lot of these schools rely heavily on these international students for their income, their loss is definitely going to be huge.

Thus, they have joined international students groups in asking for the repeal of the changes. And one school has actually taken the plea further. Kelly College, an information technology school in Brisbane has announced that it was suing the Australian government over the changes in the student migration program. School officials said that the changes have had a drastic effect on their ability to generate income.

For its part, the Australian government has welcomed the suit. This, they say, will help a lot in clarifying all the issues with regards to the changes in the student migration program. However, immigration officials remained adamant that these are necessary and that they will continue to implement it.

How everything would be resolved is something a lot of people are waiting to find out.

DIAC Introduces Biometrics To Student Visa

With all the changes in the australia student migration program, many overseas students in Australia are now worried that their chances of settling in the country will be greatly affected. Indeed, the student program was one of the hardest hit in the changes that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship implemented since last year. And it seems that there is yet more to come for foreign students in the country.

It can be recalled that the DIAC begun implementing changes in the student migration program since early last year. Here, one of the biggest changes was the reorganization of the list of courses that are eligible to get a visa. As part of the government's effort to get more professi8onals into the country, the department has decided to review the list and remove lower level positions in order to accommodate more higher level ones.

The department has also decided to revise the qualifications needed to secure a student visa. One of the areas that they have emphasized for this one is English proficiency. Immigration officials noted that many of the previous applicants who were granted student visas actually have less rhan average English communication skills. This, the officials said, will likely cause problems to them later on.

As expected, many of the foreign students in the country voiced their opposition to the rules. According to them, these will severely block their chance of studying in the country. Experts also said that the changes will have a detrimental effect on the foreign student industry, ass enrollment numbers are likely to drop on this one. However, the department is adamant that this is necessary in order to meet the country's needs.

Now, the DIAC has rolled out a set of new changes for the student program. One of the most hotly debated of these is the proposed inclusion of biometric scans for student visa application. It should be noted that including biometric data in visas being issued is not actually a new one, as it was first implemented early this year on select visa types. And since the initial implementation was a success, the department has decided to put it as standard in all visa types.

However, many student visa holders are still worried about the effects of this. One of their biggest concerns is that these might be used to secretly monitor their presence in the country. But the department assured the foreign student community that this will be used only for identification purposes. They also said that it will also give them added security.

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More Worries For International Students In Australia

With all the changes that have been happening lately, foreign students in Australia are now concerned that their chances of moving into the country are getting slimmer. Indeed, the changes that that have been implemented by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on the student migration program. But as it turns out, there are still a lot of things that overseas students have to deal with.

Australia student visa - After graduation from high school, Australian students

have the option of either continuing their studies in order 

to get a college degree, or going into vocational courses, 

which involve more work related training.

It can be recalled that the DIAC started implementing these changes since early last year. The single biggest change here was the reorganization of the list of courses available for a visa. Here, the department decided to drop around a hundred vocational courses from the list to make way for more higher level ones, which the DIAC said is currently what the country needs. Though, many foreign students aired their opposition, the department remained adamant with their decision.

Aside from this, the DIAC have also changed the overall qualifications for getting a student visa. Again, the department has said that this move is necessary in order to discern which applicants are best suited for getting a visa. Here, immigration officials put emphasis on the importance of English proficiency in the student visa, with it getting a larger part in the points assessment. However along with this, the department have also increased the marks necessary to pass the English proficiency exams.

Just this month, the DIAC announced additional changes to be done in the program. One of this is the introduction of biometric scans for those wishing to get a student visa. Biometric scans, which gather details such as fingerprints and iris patterns, were first introduced by the department early this year in two visa types. This have since been expanded to include all of the visa types being issued by the DIAC. While there isn't really much effect coming out from this, except maybe a slightly higher visa fee, there are groups that are worried that it might send a negative message.

But it is not only visa application that foreign students are worrying about. Many of them are now concerned that the price of education in the country may be well beyond their reach. According to the latest figures, studying in some of Australia's top universities now cost around AU$ 30,000 on average. And the recent growing strength of the Australian dollar is actually adding more to the problem. Thus, many of them are now opting to move to cheaper schools in other countries.

But the Australian government said that they are working on improving the situation of foreign students. They have also launched a huge effort to attract more students into the country.


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Australian Government Unveils Plans To Help Foreign Students

One of the biggest news that hit the Australian education scene in the last two years are the changes made in the country's student migration program. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship said that these changes are necessary in order to meet the country's needs. However, while the DIAC is confident about the outcome of the changes, many groups are still concerned about the negative effects of these changes.

It should be noted that the DIAC has started revising the student migration program since last year. Here, one of the biggest changes that the department has instituted was the reorganization of the courses that are valid for a student visa. The new listing focused more on higher level courses, which the department says is what the country currently needs.

However, from the get go, many groups have pointed out that this will likely created a lot of negative effects on Australia's foreign student industry. Indeed, upon the commencement of the new rules for the student migration program, the number of foreign student enrollments in the universities and colleges have shown a significant drop. The Monash University, for instance, projects that it is likely that the number of its foreign students will drop by almost 10 percent for next year's term. The drop is said to be due to a lot of foreign students opting to either head back home or move to other countries.

Because of the sudden drop of foreign student enrollments, many schools now fear that their incomes will also go down. Thus, they have clamored for the government to act on the matter. For its part, the Australian government has recently released a plan aimed at helping not only schools but also the foreign students themselves.

One of the main thrusts of the strategy is to promote better interaction between international students and the communities that they are currently staying. This way, officials hope it will bolster the welfare and protection of students. On the other hand, the government also plans to set up an International Student Consultative Committee by the first half of next year. The said committee will oversee the consultation with the foreign student community on policies.

However, some experts say that, while the strategy is indeed promising, it is still not enough. They said that there are still a lot of issues, such as security, that needs to be dealt with in order to regain the thrust of many foreign students. But the government assured them that they are now handling these matters.

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Declining Foreign Student Numbers Worry Australia

In Australia, student visa applications are now starting the be on the decline. And many of the those in the foreign education sector worried that if the trend continues, it can have a negative effect on the industry. Thus, they are now urging the government to act on the situation. 

 

One of the biggest reasons for the decrease in the number of foreign students enrolling in the country is said to the changes in the student migration program that was made by the Department of immigration and Citizenship. It should be noted that the DIAC started the implementation of these changes since early last year. The biggest of these changes is the reorganization of the skilled occupation list, which resulted in the removal of a lot of jobs in the list. This, in turn, has affected he number of educational courses that can be granted a visa.

On the other hand, the stricter qualifications that the Department requires of student immigrants is also considered as another thing that has contributed to the decrease in the number of foreign student applicants lately. The most notable of these new qualifications has been the increase in the amount of funds needed before one can be granted a student visa. The stricter requirement for English proficiency has also been a major problem for those students coming from non-English speaking countries, like India and China.

Because of these, many foreign students are asking the government to act in order to give them the chance to get into the country. According to current Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans, the downturn of foreign student numbers is indeed quite alarming. He noted that the foreign education sector is one of the biggest industries in the country today, totaling to more than $18 billion annually. He added that this has been one of the country's top priorities in recent years.

Thus, he emphasized that both the government and the private education sector must closely cooperate in order to attract more foreign students into the country. Evans made this statement while meeting with education representatives in Beijing last month. China still remains one of the country's biggest clients when it comes to foreign students, comprising 27 percent of the entire population. However, the number of Chinese enrollments have been declining in the last few months.

However, Evans also said that he will still stand by the changes made in student migration program. He said that these are essential to safeguard the quality of the country's education system. He also urged foreign students to increase their efforts in order to get in. 

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Embark On A Great Career In The Australian Education Sector

If you are looking for a job, then you might want to check out the universities in Australia. These educational centers are in fact some of the biggest employers of foreign staff in the country. And you will find that the field to be quite lucrative.

It should be noted that the land down under is often considered as one of the top educational centers in the world today. Indeed, all of its major universities have in fact are in the top positions in the world rankings in the last few years. This in turn makes them even more attractive to foreign students looking fro quality education.

there are many independent sectors in Australia that give out vocational training to students.

And this is where the universities' search for more staff comes in. as the number of both local and foreign student enrollments continue to grow in the last few years, the institutions need more personnel to handle them. And while Australian schools get the bulk of their staff from the local population, they are also always on the lookout for foreign personnel.

Teachers and professors are probably the biggest chunk of the workforce hired by schools from oversees. In particular, teachers specializing in foreign communication and language are the most popular ones being sought. Coming in a close second are technical teachers, including engineering experts and computer programmers. Here, both lower level lecturers and those focusing on advanced studies have equal chances of getting in.

Aside from teachers, researchers are also another group of education professionals routinely hired by universities and colleges. Their work are not only limited to teaching students, as they are also involved in the researches conducted by the universities. They are also regularly allowed by their parent institutions to work as research consultants for both private and public companies and organizations. This, in turn, adds greatly to their income.

Aside from those directly involved in the teaching profession, the various universities and colleges in the country also regularly hires people for staff duties. Rank and file positions are probably the most common ones being contracted. On the other hand, higher level positions, such as department heads, counselors and administration staff are also pooled.

In terms of income, working in the Australian education sector may not earn you big as compared to other sectors, but the wages here are more than adequate to meet your needs. This is aside from the wide variety of benefits that you will receive all throughout your career. So if you are still deciding, then you might want to give Australian universities a second look.

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Whales, Australia's Marine Treasures

But professionals and amateur biologists know that there are a lot to study in Australia. Almost everybody know that the country's wildlife is very diverse. And this is one of the reasons why a lot of nature lovers head to the country yearly.

One of the most popular attractions for tourists in the country are the numerous whale species that inhabit the oceans that circle the continent. Since Australia lies in the major migration routes of these marine animals, they are actually a common sights in the waters off the country's coasts all year round. Also there are several whale populations that since made this region of the oceans their permanent home.

The western part of the country is one of the best spots to see these magnificent creatures. Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia is one of the most notable whale watching places in the area. On the other side of the continent, the state of Queensland is also another popular spot for whale watchers. Particular spots include the islands located on the Great Barrier Reef. There are also occasional whale sightings near the Sydney Harbor, so those in the city might as well try and catch a glimpse of them.

And of course, a lot of people would want to know what kinds of whales that one can expect to see hear. The list is actually quite extensive, however, there there are particular ones that you can expect to get a glimpse of. There are several species of sperm whales that cross Australia's waters regularly and if you want to see a big one, then the majestic blue whale (the largest animal in the world) also makes frequent visit to the continent. There are also several dolphin species that are frequent residents in the the country's waters.

However, many people are worried that these whales might not last long for watchers to see. As it is, there are many things that threaten the existence of these creatures in Australia. One of the biggest of these is the pollution that is occurring in some regions around the country. There are also incidents where humans encroach on the whales' activities.

Because of these concerns, the Australian government has sought to act and protect these magnificent creatures. The states have enacted several laws aimed at protecting these creatures. There are also several studies being conducted to determine what human activities affect the whale population the most and how these can be controlled. The government is confident that the whale watching public will help in the effort.

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Australia Riding High On The Jobs Boom

If you talk about Australia, working visa holders would definitely be very excited. As it is, the country is very much in an economic boom lately, which means that there are a lot of job openings available. And according to experts, it is likely that the boom will continue for the next few years.

It is interesting to note that the Australian jobs market, along with that of other countries, fell significantly during the financial crisis that hit the world in 2007. However, as it was able to put up a comprehensive mitigation plan for the crisis, it was able take the full effect head on. And because of this, it was one of the first few countries that was able to quickly recover.

 Australian Immigration Online Assessment is designed to instantly determine if you may be eligible to apply for immigration to Australia. The Online Assessment incorporates criteria set by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Along with this recovery was the need to get more workers. And this is where the current jobs boom comes in. As the companies start to regain their footing, they have also started to hire new workers to fill in their need. And as one has already known, Australia's population is not that sufficient to handle the jobs boom.

And this is why a lot of companies are clamoring for more immigrants to come in. in response to that, the Australian government, through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, have started to review the country's immigration regulations and implement changes. The changes were actually started last year, right at the time the country was still starting to recover from the crisis. These changes are aimed to pool the incoming immigrants to find the ones that are most suitable for the country's needs.

Another thing that the Australian government is pushing for is distributing more workers to the areas that need them the most. These include regions that are outside the major commercial centers and in the central provinces. However, one of the major dilemmas facing the government is encouraging people to move into these areas. With that in mind, they are now starting to consider giving incentives to those who wish to move in.

The companies themselves have already started on this one. Many are now offering lucrative deals to entice workers from other countries to head to Australia. Some of these include residential accommodations, as well as other benefits. On the other hand, large wages are still a primary attraction that many companies offer. And with the amount of immigrants coming into the country to work. It seems that all their efforts are indeed paying off.

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Australia Pushes To Safeguard Its Foreign Students

 

Many people have traveled a lot in order to get an education in Australia. This one is actually not that surprising, since the country has long been considered as one of the best in terms of education. And according to experts, it is likely that the number of foreign students enrolling in the country will continue to grow in the years to follow.

Here, one of the groups that has the largest population in the country are those coming from India. In fact, with more than a hundred thousand students enrolled in the various colleges and universities in the country, this means that they make up the bulk of Australia's current foreign student population . And with more people lining up in the embassies to get their student visas, it is likely that their numbers will grow in the months to come.

However, it has not been always easy sailing for Indian students in the country. In the past few months alone, there have been several incidents that have greatly affected the Indian student, as well as the whole foreign student, community. And this has greatly affected their trust in Australia.

Some of the biggest of these incidents were the several attacks against Indian students this year. It should be noted that similar such attacks also happened last year, prompting several widespread protests from the foreign student community. And while not all of the incidents were determined to be racially motivated, this has left many Indian students wondering if they are indeed being targeted for such reasons.

And to make matters worse, the new immigration rules that were implemented last year also affected many foreign students, including Indians. While the purpose of the new laws was to better organize the student migration program, many students felt that these are limiting their chances of getting into the country. Thus, they are clamoring for a loosening of these rules.

In response to all the questions, the Australian government have said that they are now putting up new measures to ensure the safety of the foreign student community. They have also said that they are now pursuing cases against those who are responsible for the attacks. With regards to the immigration laws, officials said that these are necessary in order to protect the country. However, they said that those who are indeed qualified to study in Australia are guaranteed to get in easily.

Government officials also reiterated the importance of foreign students to Australia. They said that, aside from the obvious economic benefits, foreign students also serve as a bridge for better understanding between Australia and their home countries.

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Going Through The Student Visa Interview

One of the hardest things when applying for an Australian student visa is going through the interview with the consul. And with the changes being made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to the country's student migration program, this one is likely to get even harder. Thus, it would be a good idea for you to be well prepared for the interview.

One of the things that you need to prepare for here would be the questions that will likely be asked during the interview. Take note that since this is the Australian consul that will be interviewing you, then all the questions will likely be in English. Here, you can always ask for an interpreter in case you are not sure about your English speaking skills.

However, you might also want to reconsider training more in speaking in English. As it turns out, one of the changes made by the DIAC to the student program was more emphasis on English communication capabilities. Thus, it is likely that the consul will take your responses during the interview into consideration for the assessment of your visa application.

It is likely that you will also be inquired further about your choice of course to take up in Australia. Here, one of the most common questions that will be asked of you is why you are taking that specific course in the first place and why in Australia. The key in getting through this one is to stay truthful and honest in your answers. For instance, if you are intending to use the study period as an opportunity to gain permanent residency in Australia, then say so. This will assure the consul that you are not just another applicant wishing to get easy entry into the country.

It is also likely that you will be questioned about the funds that you have for the entire duration of the course that you are going to take. Note that this have also been changed from AU$ 12,000 to AU$ 18,000 average, so you might want to review that before proceeding. Also, even though you have submitted the pertinent documents already, some consuls will likely ask for a copy of these, so make sure that you have them during the interview.

Lastly, you will be asked about your ties to Australia. In case you are going under a scholarship, then you also need to provide the pertinent letters of recommendation coming from the educational institution you are heading to. On the other hand, if you are simply a foreign student, then you might also want to present your list of contacts in the country.

Education Sector Warns Of Impending Devaluation

For several years now in Australia, student visa holders have arrived here by the plane loads. This one is not that surprising considering that Australia has long since known as one of the best countries to study in. however, a lot of groups are worried that this might have a negative effect on the country's education system.

According to some concerned groups from the education sector, such a large influx of students into the country can actually lower the value of Australia's education. As it is, a large section of the the number of foreign students arriving in the country are actually taking up vocational courses instead of the higher degree ones.

Most often, as many immigration officials have pointed out, many of those getting vocational courses are doing so not for educational purposes, but for it to be a means of easy entry in the country. This is because even those graduating from low level courses are given a chance by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to apply for permanent residency.

But as it turns out, this does have a negative effect. As it is, the large number of those taking vocational courses can shift the focus of the government into them. This, in turn, would likely draw away students from the universities and devalue them in the long run. They have also feared that such a case would likely to cause universities to be seen as nothing more than skills factories for foreign students.

In fact, the latter view was expressed by many university officials after the title of education was dropped from the Ministry of Jobs, Skills, and Work headed by Senator Chris Evans. According to them, such a drop might be indicative of the likely trend. However, the Gillard government was quick to clear out that the removal of the title was a mistake on their part and promptly corrected the matter.

However, this is just a small part of the matter regarding the current value of education. As it is, there have been several proposals in both houses of the parliament to grant Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions the power to hand out bachelor's and other higher education degrees. Observers said that such a move will put them at par with universities. But university officials have countered the move, saying that this will cause a significant decrease in the quality of tertiary education in the country.

As it, the government has yet to come up with the final verdict on the proposals. However, people from the education sector are clamoring them to quickly settle the matter in order for the education industry to proceed with its development.

Things A Foreign Student Must Take Into Consideration

The Australian student visa is probably one of the most popular visa types being applied for by a lot of people nowadays. Indeed, with the country having the reputation of being one of the premiere educational centers in the world today, it is not surprising why a lot of people would want to study here.

However, applying for a student visa is no easy task. The process can be quite complicated and tedious at times, with so many things to go through. In fact, some people consider getting this one as hard as applying for a work visa. And so, here are some quick tips for foreign students wishing to enter and study in the country.

One of the first things that you need to take note of is the course that you will be studying. Those students that only plan to complete their courses and then leave the country have no problems with regards to this one. However, for those intending to work in Australia after graduation, then there are quite a few things that you need to sort out.

Here, you might want to take note of the recent changes in the student visa program. Since the whole program has be reorganized, there are quite a handful of positions that have been made ineligible for student migration visas (these are still available for temporary student visa applicants though). Note that since the new rules have already been in effect since July 1 of these year, then there will be no more exemptions.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind are the funds that you need for your study. As with the other rules in the student migration programs the ones concerning this has also been changed greatly. For instance, from an amount of AU$ 12,000 you are now required to have at least AU$ 18,000 in your account in order to qualify for a student visa (this amount is for those getting full courses). In case you find that your funds are insufficient, then you are entitled to apply for a part time job during your study.

Lastly, you might also want to take note of the stricter implementation of English requirements for the granting of a visa. This has been done in order for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to be sure that student visa holders have adequate communication skills. If you are intending to enroll in a higher degree course, then this one is not much of a problem. However, those going for lower level courses must at lease have basic English communication skills.

A Look At The Australian Foreign Student Market

When you talk about Australia, student visa holders would certainly be quite excited. After all, the land down under has long been considered as one of the best places to study in for a lot of foreign students and with the ton of opportunities available in the country, a lot more will likely be attracted.

But this lively picture is back then. Nowadays, it seems that it is looking bleak for the foreign student market in Australia. According to the latest figures, it seems that foreign student enrollment is slowly decreasing in the country' educational institutions. In fact, the figures went down by more than three percent in the past few months. And some observers believe that it is likely to go down even further in the coming months.

One of the biggest reasons that observers pointed out as causing the decline in foreign student numbers in the country is the recent tightening of the student immigration program. It can be recalled that the Australian government, through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, has begun to tighten up the program since last year. One of the biggest changes that were implemented here was the reorganization of the jobs list that are qualified for a visa. The move saw the removal of many vocational courses from the listings.

Since a lot of foreign students are taking these vocational courses, many of them were forced to cancel their enrollment upon learning that these are no longer on the list. Looking further back, one can see why a lot of students are taking such courses in the country. Previously, these allow easy entry into the country for residency purposes. However, this is also the thing that the Australian government is trying to solve, as they argued that the setup is not doing good for the country's attempt at attracting the right kind of people to meet its needs.

But it is only not this one seen as a major reason in the decline of Australia as a favorite student destination. Other countries are now starting to showcase what they have to offer to many foreign students. And this is slowly catching the attention of a large portion of the international student market. For instance, the United States, while traditionally been considered as the top foreign student destination, have since increased its efforts to get more foreign students.

In this regard, a lot of experts are now urging the Australian government to double their efforts if they would still want to get a significant portion of foreign students. Luckily, they are not the ones to take this lying down, as the Australian government have said that they are now on the process of putting out newer programs to attract foreign students.

Traveling Australia On A Shoestring

If you are an Australian travel visa holder, then you would definitely love going around the country. However, though this one is indeed a great way to spend your vacation. There is a slight catch. As you might have already known, touring the Land Down Under is not going to be cheap.

But of course, that does not mean that you can't cut down on your expenses when on vacation. In fact, this one will be an enjoyable part of the whole trip, as you will be challenged to come up with new ways of saving up. And so, here are some useful tips and tricks that you can do on your nest trip.

Ditch the car rental

This might sound ridiculous, but you can actually save a big amount of money of you forgo renting a car during your stay. You see, car rentals can often run over a hundred dollars a day. And imagine how much you will have to spend on this one for a few days.

If you are worried on how to get around, you can always take the train or the bus. You see, Australia has a well developed public transportation system that will take you anywhere in the continent. And if you want to save more, you can always get yourself a multi-pass to avoid having to get several tickets when you go around. In case you prefer flying, there are also a bunch of low cost airlines available.

Food is all over you

If you are hungry, then you need not worry about having to look out for a fine dining restaurant. There are actually plenty of great eating places scattered around the cities. And these are reasonably priced too. You have a wide variety of options to choose from here, from fast food to fine cuisine that will suit your tastes.

If you are looking for some great tasting seafood dishes, the docks are a good place to visit. One good example is Port Jackson in Sydney. The place is actually teeming with a wide variety of seafood sold at market prices, since they are quite close to where these are harvested. Here, you will definitely get to enjoy fishes and crabs without the huge bills.

Get rid of all the extra services

If you really want to cut your hotel expenses, then you will have to let go of the room service. And this will not only cut down your costs, but it will also encourage you to go out and explore Australia more. But of course, that doesn't mean that you have to cut them off entirely. Request for something every now and then to treat yourself.

Sources:

Britz

http://www.britz.com.au/101-travel-tips-for-enjoying-australia-on-a-budget

Hostel Bookers

http://www.hostelbookers.com/article/travel-articles/australia-on-a-budget/

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http://www.britz.com.au/SiteCollectionImages/Generic/101TravelTips/main_image.jpg

Immigration Officials Confident About New Student Migration Rules

In Australia, student visa applications are one of the most popular types of visas being applied for by a lot of people. Indeed, the Australian education system is considered one of the best in the world, that's a lot of students would want to get in. However, there is yet another side to masses of people wanting to get an Australian student visa.

As it turns out, many people use the student visa for yet another purpose, that of gaining permanent residency in the Lan

d Down Under. It can be noted that, under the old regulations, foreign students were able to immediately apply for permanent citizenship after graduation from their courses. Also, the previous regulations allow foreigners to take advantage of the option regardless of the course they are getting. Thus, a lot of foreign students opted to take vocational courses, as these are the easiest ones to complete and get residency with.

However, with the changes done by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to the country's migration program, this seemed to become a harder route to take. It can be recalled that the DIAC begun implementing these changes since early last year. Here, one of the biggest changes was the removal of the vocational positions from the Skilled Occupation List. Also, the regulations for securing permanent residency has become even stricter today. Students are now required proof that they are indeed currently employed before being granted a chance to apply for permanent residency.

The effect of the new immigration rules were immediate. A lot of foreign students taking up vocational courses were force to stop in their tracks since there is nothing left for them to do. On the other hand, the removal of the vocational positions from the list also meant the automatic cancellation of their visa applications, putting them in a rather awkward situation. Thus, left with no other choice, a lot of them returned to their home countries.

Nevertheless, a lot of people are still pretty much attracted to the idea of getting permanent residency through a student visa. Indeed, the option is actually still very much available. With that, a lot of foreign student hopefuls are now actually choosing to get these visas by getting higher level education. This one is actually welcomed by the Australian immigration department as it indicates that they are able to get more higher level professionals, as this was the intent of the changes.

However, there are still those who attempt to circumvent these new rules and get residency through fraudulent means. These are the ones being closely monitored by the government. Officials are hoping that with the new rules they will be able to clamp down on these individuals.

Image Source

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Foreign Students Leaving Australia

Getting an Australian education is probably one of the most popular reasons why a lot of people want to go to the country. Indeed, the Australian educational system is considered as one of the best in the world today. That's why a lot of foreign students would certainly want to grab the opportunity once it comes along.

However, while the country is still enjoying a large influx of students in this area, it seems that the country's appeal is now slowly decreasing. Indeed, the country has seen a large decrease in the number of foreign students entering its soil in the last few months. And education experts fear that the trend is likely to continue in the next few years.

According to the statistics provided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), the number of students applying for a visa to the country dropped by as much as ten percent in the last few months. Experts project that the drop could actually go to as high as twenty percent by next year if the situation does not change.

One of the biggest factors that has contributed to the decrease in the number of foreign students enrolling in the country is the recent changes done by the DIAC to the student migration program. It can be recalled that the DIAC announced last year that they will be doing a revamp of the student program in accordance to the changes made in the skilled migration program. With the new occupations list for the Skilled migration taking effect last July 1, about a hundred of the courses eligible for student visa application were automatically canceled by the DIAC. Thus, a lot of the students were forced to either return home or stay in Australia and face an uncertain situation.

And it seems that this is not yet the end of it. According to school administrators, there is yet another factor that is contributing to the decrease in foreign student numbers in the country. They said that the increase in the price of education in the country also contribute greatly to the decline of foreign student numbers. This in turn, they attributed to the strengthening of the Australian dollar.

And as it turns out, with the situation Australia is in, its competitors in the international education market are now making their move to attract more foreign students. Both Britain and the US are now relaunching their student programs. Thus, school administrators are urging the Australian government to act and respond to the situation. However, with the way things are, it is unlikely that the government can give a solution anytime soon.

DIAC Revamps English Proficiency Exams

With all the changes being done in the Australian immigration procedures lately, a lot of people are getting worried that their chances of getting a visa is becoming slimmer and slimmer. And it seems that there will be tons more for them to worry about, as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) recently said that there are still a lot of changes lined up for the visa programs.

One of the biggest of these changes so far was the move by the DIAC to put more emphasis on English language proficiency as a requirement for the issuance of a visa. It should be noted that this is not really that new, as English proficiency has long been a key requirement in getting a visa. However, in previous years, along with a more relaxed immigration policy, English proficiency was counted only up to basic communications skills.

With the new thrust of the government to get more highly skilled professionals into the country to meet worker demand, the department determined that there is also a need to revamp the English language assessment scheme to suit this purpose. The DIAC noted that, due to the above mentioned earlier set up, many of those who have been granted working visa have English communication skills that are below the requirements for the job that they have gotten into. This, according to immigration officials, greatly hampers their ability to perform the tasks that are related to their work.

In order to remedy this one, the department has sought to put more emphasis on better English language skills for those getting a visa. To do this, immigration officials have decided to allocate more points to English proficiency in the Skills assessment being given to visa applicants.

The DIAC have also gone further with this one by revamping the exams that are to be used for determining English proficiency. This was done to ensure that those applicants who have greater command of the language would be the ones to get through. Emphasis was also given on the proper use of professional English in work related areas.

In order to better implement these new measures, the immigration department is now also thinking of changing to current tests. As of current, the exams are provided under the IELTS system. Immigration Minister Chris Evans sad that his department is now seriously considering shifting to TOEFL to meet their needs.

However, visa applicants need not to worry about these new moves. According to immigration officials, visa applicants who don't pass the test are still welcomed to get English courses in the country to better their chances the next time they apply.

Vocational Students Find It Harder To Get Into Australia

For those studying in Australia, migration is often the next thing that comes into their minds. And this one is not surprising, what with all the opportunities that await them in the country. Thus, a lot of people would want to be given the chance to enroll in the schools here.

However, many of those aspiring students might soon find that chance as being harder and harder to get. As it is, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have begun to institute changes in the student migration program. And according to department officials, there are still a lot more changes that are planned for the program.

One of the biggest that the DIAC made has been the exclusion of more than a hundred vocational level courses, such as hairdressing and cooking, from the student migration program. This is in accordance with the release of the new Skilled Occupation List for the general skilled migration program last July 1, which had also removed these positions.

It should be noted that, under the old system, these vocational courses have allowed foreign students to easily gain permanent residency status after the completion of their studies. However, immigration official noted that this soon became a common backdoor used by a lot of foreign students to live in the country despite lacking proper work qualifications.

And with the former Rudd government's thrust of getting more highly skilled professionals into the country, the DIAC took attention of the matter and instituted the changes that are currently in the student immigration program. Along with the above mentioned removal of low level positions, the department also drafted higher requirements for student migration applicants, including greater English proficiency. The latter was done to ensure that all incoming workers will have sufficient communication skills for the workplace.

However, while these have been removed from the skilled migration list, department officials said that vocational students wishing to move into the country may still be able to do so. This is provided that there is a demand for their work and that they will be able to find a company that will sponsor their immigration. They have also added that those permanent residency application lodged up until April last year will be exempted and will be processed according to the old regulations.

On the other hand, DIAC officials also clarified the misconception that these changes cover all foreign vocational students. They explained that the rules apply only to students seeking permanent residency after graduation. Foreigners who are on the country only for study purposes are likewise exempted from these changes.

Government Action Asked For Foreign Student Issues

For people getting an education in Australia, the country has long been considered as a haven for academic undertakings. Indeed, the country's standing as having one of the best educational systems in the world today has been one of the biggest factors that draw thousands of foreign students here yearly. But as it turns out, this one is actually far from an ideal picture.

As it is, there is actually a lot of pertinent issues that many foreign students have to deal with when studying in the country. And a lot of them believe that, unless these are resolved soon, they will greatly affect not only the students themselves, but also the institutions that they are currently enrolled in. Thus, they are clamoring for the government to quickly find a solution for these problems.

One of the biggest issues of concern for many foreign students here is with regards to immigration. As can be recalled, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has begun revamping the student migration program in response to the Rudd government's thrust of getting more higher skilled workers into the country. Here, one of the biggest changes the that DIAC has implemented was the removal of more than a hundred vocational and other lower level positions in the Skilled Occupation List.

As it turns out, a lot of foreign students are actually taking these courses, mainly due to the fact the these are the easiest ones to go with when getting permanent residency. However, since these courses have since been removed from the list, the move has put many of these students' fate in limbo. In most cases, the students' visa application were automatically revoked upon the removal of their courses from the list.

The changes have also put a lot of colleges offering these courses into a rather peculiar position. As many of them are catering to mostly foreign students, the withdrawal of enrollments due to the above cancellation of visa applications have forced several to close down, while the others that where not able to meet the more stringent school qualifications set by the new foreign student program also ended with the same fate.

However, foreign students have found allies in many Australians themselves concerning the matter. A lot of experts have said that the new student migration rules will greatly affect the number of students in the country. They also aired concerns about how these will affect the foreign student industry, which is a big one in Australia. The government has responded by saying that it will ensured that legitimate students will not be severely affect by the new measures.

The government has also begun considering setting aside a specific secretarial post to deal with foreign student matters. This one, according to proponents, will help greatly in resolving the issues concerning a lot of foreign students, as it would be a more focused position, as compared to the current ones holding student matters.