Category Archives: AES News

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Good news for Subclass 457 Visa

The Government has made changes to the Temporary Skilled (Subclass 457) visas effective from 18 April 2015.  The Government:

 

  • has expanded the list of English language providers, to 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);
  • will accept an overall test score with minimum scores of each test component (reading, writing, speaking and listening); and
  • will grant an exemption when an applicant can provide evidence of five 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.
  • has extended the term of standard business sponsorship to 5 years commencing from the date of approval.
  • has extended the sponsorship period for start-up businesses from twelve (12) months to eighteen (18) months.
  • has reduced the market salary exemption threshold from $250,000 to $180,000, this is now in line with the marginal tax rate.
  • has extended the notifiable period for sponsors from 10 working days to 28 calendar days.

 

For more detailed information on the changes please refer to the Department’s website at: www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/457.aspx

 


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ACS changes to IELTS requirement for Professional Year Program

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has made important changes to the 485 Temporary Graduate visa requirements.  Effective 18th April 2015, the following changes have been made to English language requirements;

  • an overall score of at least 6, with nothing below 5 in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test
  • a score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) of an Occupational English Test (OET)
  • a total score of at least 64, with nothing below 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking, in a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
  • an overall score of at least 50 with nothing below 36 in each of the four test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in a Pearson Test of English Academic

an overall score of at least 169 with nothing below 154 in each of the four test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test taken on or after 1 January 2015.

Accordingly, ACS will now accept an IELTS score of 6, with no band below 5 (or the above equivalents) for entry into the ACS IT Professional Year Program, effective immediately. 

For more details or any esquires, please feel free to call us for booking appointment with our migration consultants for free consultation.

AES hotline: 03 9654 3409

AES address: level 4, 258 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000


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GOOD NEWS!Changes to minimum English language test scores for subclasses 476 and 485

Commencing from 18 April 2015, Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 and Skilled – Recognised Graduate Subclass 476  applicants will be allowed a lower English language test score to enable these visas to be more responsive to Australia’s labour market conditions. This change will allow applicants to apply with an overall minimum English language score and a minimum score for each of the four English test components.

Minimum required overall test score and the minimum required scores for each of the test components:

English test Minimum

overall Score

Total overall score Minimum scores for English test components
Listening Reading Speaking Writing
IELTS 6 5 5 5 5
OET B B B B B
TOEFL iBT 64 4 4 14 14
PTE Academic 50 36 36 36 36
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken on or after 1 January 2015) 169 154 154 154 154

If you have any esquires, please contact us for free consultation : 03 9654 3409. Or make appointment with our migration or education consultants.


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INTRODUCING DEAKIN COLLEGE – Deakin and Navitas rebrand successful pathway college

Deakin University and leading education provider Navitas are pleased to announce plans to extend their long and successful partnership by renaming the pathway college, the Melbourne Institute of Business and Technology (MIBT), to Deakin College.

 

Via MIBT, Navitas has successfully collaborated with Deakin University since 1996, providing pathway courses for both domestic and international students. In that time more than 14,000 students have successfully progressed to degree programs at Deakin.

 

Deakin College will integrate more closely with the University to enable further growth of international and domestic enrolments across Deakin University campuses in Melbourne and Geelong.

 

The refreshed physical context and teaching and learning approaches of the College will reflect recent developments in teaching and learning, physical spaces, digital technologies and course offerings at the University.

 

The new College will also provide an improved student experience and superior student outcomes as well as reflecting the enhanced standing and reputation of the University.

 

Deakin University and Navitas will transition to operation of the renewed Deakin College from July 2015.


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DIBP closed 27 April 2015; TIS National unaffected

The Department will be closed on 27 April 2015 as agreed in their Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

The Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS National) will still operate as usual on this date.


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New Science Research Master’s for 2015 at Deakin University

We are excited to announce Deakin University’s newest degree program for students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in engineering, IT and frontier sciences: the Master of Science (Research).

This new, two-year degree program offers a number of specialisations for students who want to be leaders and innovators in their fields. Deakin’s Master of Science (Research) will prepare your students for professional success or doctoral level studies.

Applying and entry requirements

The application process for Master of Science (Research) is simple: Just submit an application with the student’s specialisation clearly stated.

The entry requirements for the course are also simple: The student must have an undergraduate qualification in a related field with a cumulative average of 65% over their final year of undergraduate studies. English language requirements also apply.

Specialisations

The specialisations offered for the Master of Science (Research) are in cutting edge fields that are in demand in the global job market. Your students can choose from:

Engineering:

Information Technology:

Frontier sciences:

Sustainable Regional Development (from Trimester 2, 2015)

Deakin University official Website- http://www.deakin.edu.au

deakin-uni_logo-e1415682989776


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Partner visa fee increases – 1 January 2015

Members are reminded Partner visa fees will increase on 1 January 2015. Where possible lodge as early as possible to allow for the disruptions that may occur if the ImmiAccount system becomes overloaded with last minute applications.

The MIA has made strong representations expressing deep concerns on the increases to the Minister and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Treasurer and the Department.

The new visa application charges:


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Immigration SA – English test arrangements & SA VET international graduates state nomination

Immigration South Australia has announced broadened English test arrangements in line with the expanded English language test Regulations.  Changes have also been made to their website and GSM application forms to reflect the new tests.

South Australian Graduate List requirements have also been expanded to include Vocational Education and Training (VET) graduates from South Australia. These changes have been made in consultation with the South Australian branch of the MIA.


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Alternative English Language tests for visa applicants

From 23 November 2014, the department will accept English language 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) across the Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident, and Work and Holiday visa programmes.

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).

These tests are alternatives to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Occupational English Test (OET), and have been accepted in the Student visa programme since 2011.

Student visa applicants can continue to provide scores from the IELTS, OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) tests.

 


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GSM contacts and allocation dates

Members can access processing and other information on GSM subclasses 489, 189, 190, 175, 176, 475, 487, 496, 885, 886 and 887 by sending a blank email to gsm.agents@immi.gov.au.  An auto reply email will provide information including allocation dates, HAP IDs and contact emails.

Subclass 189, 190 and 489 visas allocation dates are available on the Department’s website.

The GSM Support Team can be contacted visa email at gsm.documents@immi.gov.au For requests which require formal correspondence allow seven days for a response.

Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate and Subclass 476 Recognised Graduate visas are processed in either Brisbane or Adelaide.  The following generic email addresses are provided for these sections.

Brisbane processes all 485 visas (except China, Pakistan or Afghanistan) qld.temporary.graduate@immi.gov.au.

Adelaide processes the remaining visas in these subclasses sa.temporary.graduate@immi.gov.au


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