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Lately, universities are being cracked down for allowing admission to international students with very limited English language skills. It comes to no surprise that the English standards are kept low by the universities to lure billions of dollars in revenue, but the real question is whether the students are being looked after in return. Increasing number of underperforming students It has been difficult for lecturers and teachers to pass increasing number of underperforming international students. If such pressure is kept up, the universities will face losing their status as a quality education provider on a global scale. Language Barriers Many international students struggle with the English language and consequently these language barriers have created both social and academic issues. Many students face social isolation and are unable to connect with other students due to language difficulties. Will offering bilingual classes help? Although many universities offer English language classes, they are mostly insufficient to prepare a student to improve their language skills that they can use in their day to day life. According to an opinion article by ABC News, “a reductive “learn the language” approach to international students is detrimental”. Offering plain English language classes are clearly not good enough and totally unhelpful considering international students pay hefty fees to study in Australia. Although one could argue that translation services are available to students to translate an academic material into their own language, however it doesn’t assist in producing assignments or keeping up in tutorial classes in English, and therefore easily disadvantaging international students due to the lack of language support. To make a straight point, students are not getting their money’s worth and this only means one thing: the Australian education system needs to change! Possible Solution: What about offering courses in high-demand languages? This idea is not so unrealistic considering we have an example to lead by: many universities in Europe offer courses in English as a method for attracting international students. So why can’t we offer the same to other nations? “If universities invest in improving infrastructure for students with limited English language comprehension everyone would benefit. Universities could overcome the problem of failing students because of their language comprehension; international students would feel supported and local students would continue to benefit from access to different cultures, ideas, and opportunities”. (Alexander Gudic-Hay, ABC News) Currently, there is a lack of meaningful access to services that properly engage and support international students. Australian universities are not providing the standard as one should expect if they are paying thousands of dollars every semester, and should be held accountable if they fail to provide these students with the means for them to succeed in their studies. It is time that we change the current Australian psyche and warm up to the notion that we should perhaps adapt to the world, rather than the world adapting to us. Getting Assistance At Migration Centre of Australia, we are partnered with hundreds of universities and colleges across Australia and ensure that students are properly looked after during and post-enrolment in their course of interest. Book one of our agents for professional advice by calling 02 4626 1002 or email us to book in a time at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au. We also speak fluent Hindi, Nepalese, Punjabi, Turkish, Tamil, Portuguese and Marathi. If one of these isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) assesses visa applicants’ English language proficiency for Student visas, skilled visas and some permanent visa applications. Exemptions The visa applicant are exempt from needing to prove English language proficiency if one of the following apply: If they hold passport from: Canada New Zealand the Republic of Ireland the United Kingdom the United States of America If they have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary level institution and where most classes were in English. The Department will require the following information: name and location of the institution/s level of qualification/s official transcript from the secondary and/or tertiary institution number of contact hours per week in English number of years of study If nominated occupation in Australia will be performed at: diplomatic or consular mission of another country an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan If nominated occupation requires the visa applicant: to hold a licence, registration or membership you were granted the licence, registration, or membership you had to prove that you had equal or higher English language proficiency than that listed in the table below to be granted the licence, registration or membership if applicant is: an employee of an overseas business the business or its associated entity has nominated you to work in Australia you will receive a guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400 What are the approved English language tests for Australian visa? Unless the visa applicant falls within one of the above exemptions, they will require to prove their English language proficiency if they apply visa in the Short term stream or Medium term stream, and the visa applicant needs to: achieve the required test scores set out for the visa, in a single attempt at the test complete the test within 3 years before the date of submitting a valid visa application The following is a list of approved English language tests for Australian visa purposes: Occupational English Test (OET) – The four sub-tests that make up the OET are reported on a scale from 0 to 500 in ten-point increments (e.g. 350, 360, 370 etc). The numerical score will be mapped to a separate letter grade for each sub-test ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). The applicant can see an overview of their latest test scores via an online profile on the OET website, approximately 16 business days after each test day. Official copies of Statements of Results can be downloaded from the website. The cost of the test is AUD $587.00 International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – IELTS assesses the visa applicant’s English proficiency on a scale from 1–9 in four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The visa applicant has a choice of two test versions – IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training – depending on the requirements for the visa.  The IELTS is computer delivered in Australia. The Test Report Form will be available 13 days after completion of the test. The results will also be available to view online for 28 days. The cost of the English test is AUD $340. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) – The TOEFL iBT® test is given in English and administered via the internet. There are 4 sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) which take a total of about 4 ½ hours to complete, including check-in. Scores will be posted online approximately 10 days after the test date. A PDF copy of the test taker score report is also available for download. The PDF will be available within 3 days of the date the scores are posted online. The cost for the test is US $300. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English) – The exam is made up of four papers developed to test the English language skills. The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. The Statement of Results is released online, approximately four to six weeks after the exam for paper-based exams, and two to three weeks after the exam for computer-based exams.  The fees for the CAE exam is AUD $320. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – PTE Academic assesses listening, reading, speaking and writing all via computer in a single three hour test session. PTE Academic scores are accessed via an online account. An email notifying the scores are available will be sent in 5 working days. The cost for PTE test is AUD $340. The required marks to meet the English language requirements among these tests are not the same. The score requirements will be different depending on the test the visa applicant has undertaken. What are the English language proficiency levels? There are five different levels of English language proficiency as prescribed under the Migration legislation, the visa applicant requires to achieve for the visa: Functional; Vocational; Competent; Proficient; and Superior. The proficiency level required will be dependent on the visa subclass applied by the visa applicant. Migration Centre of Australia At Migration Centre of Australia, you can be assured that all of our team are qualified and experienced in their field and our agency is registered with MARA. We are well-trained to handle highly complex matters. Book one of our agents for professional advice by calling 02 4626 1002 or email us to book in a time at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au. We also speak fluent Hindi, Nepalese, Punjabi, Turkish, Tamil, Portuguese and Marathi. If one of these isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

Every year thousands of partner visas are lodged and granted in Australia. The partner visa allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. The process for applying for the partner visa is a complex process and requires substantial documents. The basic eligibility for a partner visa is – you must prove to the Department that you are in a genuine relationship with your sponsoring spouse or de facto partner. To cut significant waiting time it is advised that application should be lodged as ‘decision ready’ i.e. providing all documents at the time of application to the Department.  The current processing time for a partner visa is 15 – 20 months. The cost of the visa is AUD 7,160 for the main applicant and it covers the temporary and permanent Partner (Migrant) visa.  There is also a fee for each family member who applies for the visa unless they hold a Dependent child visa. To prove the genuineness of a relationship and to be granted the partner visa you require to provide evidence: a) Statement of relationship: Your statement needs to describe, how, when and where you met, how the relationship developed, joint activities, significant event, future plans. b) Financials: Mortgage, loan documents, bank accounts c) Responsibilities: Joint bills, living arrangements, correspondence addressed to both d) Community: Proof of joint travel, cultural or social activities, declaration of relationship to Government and family e) Long term relationship: Commitment to each other, correspondence between sponsor and applicant, personal documents, knowledge of each other in personal circumstances. You also need to provide health, character and Insurance documents for the visa application.  Applicants and sponsors must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws. Getting Assistanc If you intend to lodge a partner visa, it is worthwhile to seek immigration advice as a partner visa is a costly application and could lead to significant waiting periods for you and your partner or your application being refused. At Migration Centre of Australia, we have expert migration agents knowledgeable in Partner visa, and we also assist in writing statement letters for a Partner visa.  We are well-trained to handle highly complex matters. Book one of our agents for professional advice by calling 02 4626 1002 or email us to book in a time at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au. We also speak fluent Hindi, Nepalese, Punjabi, Turkish, Tamil, Portuguese and Marathi. If one of these isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

The much-awaited Sponsored Parent visa allows parents of Australians to reunite and spend a longer period of time of 5 years (up to a cumulative maximum of 10 years) with their children and grandchildren in Australia. Eligibility requirements – Who can be a sponsor? A sponsor must be the biological, adoptive, or step-child of the parent, and must also be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Additionally, the sponsoring child must: be at least 18 years of age; have lived in Australia for at least 4 years; satisfy the character requirements; accept legal liability for any debt owing for care in the public health system that the parent may incur during their stay in Australia; and meet the minimum income threshold. Meeting the minimum income threshold The visa requires that the sponsor’s most recently completed taxable income year prior to the date of lodgement of an application for approval as a family sponsor to be of at least $83,454.80. Is there an option for a combined tax income? If a sponsor’s taxable income is combined with other taxable incomes such as the taxable income of the sponsor’s spouse or de facto partner; or another child of the parent, and that combined amount is at least equal to the amount specified as $83,454.80, the taxable income test is met. How did the Department come up with a figure of $83,454.80 ? This figure is based on the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Average Weekly Earnings survey, where the amount is calculated from the Full-time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings for November 2019, which was $1,604.90. When can you start applying for this visa?   The visa application will open from 1 July 2019, however the applications for Sponsor has already been made available since 17 April 2019. Subclass 870: Application Process The new visa contains two stages: Sponsorship Application Visa Application Once a sponsorship application is successful, a sponsored parent will be able to apply for the 870 visa. Note: Visa applications must be lodged within six (6) months of sponsorship approval. How much does the visa cost? The sponsorship application fee is $420.00. The visa application charge is: $5,000 for a visa of up to three years’ duration; or $10,000 for a visa of up to five years’ duration. The visa application charge is payable in two instalments, with one payment at time of application and the remainder paid prior to visa grant. How long can parents stay? The 870 visa is a temporary visa which allows parents to live temporarily in Australia for either three (3) years or five (5) years without needing to depart in Australia. However, a parent will be able to stay in Australia for a total of 10 years be reapplying, reflecting that the visa is a temporary visa and does not lead to permanent residency. Parents who have held Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas for the cumulative maximum 10 year period must either depart Australia or apply for another visa that will allow them to remain in Australia. They will not be eligible for grant of a further Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa. Is there a balance of family test? Unlike other parent visas, the 870 visa does not require the parent to meet the ‘Balance of Family’ rule. Will there be any conditions attached to the visa? The visa holders (parents) will generally be subject to a ‘no work’ condition. They must also show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration of the stay period. Is the 870 visa capped? Yes, the 870 visa is capped, so once a fixed number of 870 visas are granted, there will be no further 870 visas that will be granted until the following visa year (commencing in July). The cap is currently set at 15,000 Sponsored Parent visas each program year. What if you already have two sponsored parents? If this is the case, you will need to withdraw your sponsorship for one parent and that parent must either leave Australia or apply for and be granted a different visa before an application for sponsorship variation can be lodged. Sponsors who wish to sponsor two new parents must lodge a new sponsorship application. Can health be an issue? The parents will be required to satisfy the health criteria, for which they must not have a medical condition that is likely to threaten public health, result in significant healthcare and community service costs or limit the access of Australian citizens or permanent residents to healthcare services that are in short supply. Getting Assistance If you have any questions or would like us to assist you with the New Sponsored Parent Visa, contact us without delay. Parent visas can be quite complex, implications can arise especially if the parent has any significant health and medical issues. At Migration Centre of Australia, we are well-trained to handle highly complex matters. Book one of our agents for professional advice by calling 02 4626 1002 or email us to book in a time at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au. We also speak fluent Hindi, Nepalese, Punjabi, Turkish, Tamil, Portuguese and Marathi. If one of these isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.