Australia Visa, Immigration Advice Blog - PrincipalVisas

Recent Immigration Changes Favor Doctors And Nurses

teamcreatives — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:18:46 +0000

One of the countries that have a huge demand for workers today is Australia. Thus it is not surprising that many people apply for Australian working visas yearly. And two of the most in demand jobs in the country today are doctors and nurses.

According to the statistics gathered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, more than a hundred thousand medical professionals are applying for entry visas to the country yearly. And the department also said that this is actually likely to increase even further in the years to come.

The current demand for medical professional is actually very understandable. You see, Australia is a big place. And with so many people scattered across the continent, the country’s medical industry is currently unable to meet all the demands. Thus, the Australian government has since opened the market for the entry of foreign medical workers into the continent.

And the recent changes in the immigration department’s policies have allowed for even more medical professionals to come in. Previously Australia’s skilled migration program was oriented towards getting more people into the country. Thus, priority was given to general skilled migrants, which was the bulk of applicants back then. This sadly caused a shortage in the supply of doctors and other medical professionals in Australia.

Luckily, the government took notice and pushed through with changes in the immigration policies. One of the major changes that the immigration department has gone through was a shift in priority from getting more people in to selecting the right people. Thus, the skills occupation list was revised, putting highly skilled professions, including medical practitioners, on the forefront. Priority was also given to them for visa processing, as they have been placed first in the batches that will be processed for the immigration period of 2009-2010.

Upon the announcement of the new changes, their impact was immediately felt by the industry. According to the latest statistics given to the public by the Australian government, the number of applicants for highly skilled visa, those in the medical field included, has practically doubled since the changes were implemented in June of 2009. On the other hand, a significant decline in the number general skilled migrants, who were the hardest hit in the changes, was noted by the authorities.

The government didn’t say exactly how large is the demand for medical workers in the country. But, according to them, with the new rules in place, they are likely be able to meet the demand accordingly. Authorities have also assured incoming practitioners of better opportunities in the country.

Changes In The Points System Worries Visa Applicants

teamcreatives — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:22:41 +0000

So many people line up in the embassies yearly in order to apply for their Australian work visas. It is safe to say that all of them are hoping that they get approved fast and be able to land a good job in the country. However, with the recent changes that has been implemented by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), this seemed to have become much harder to reach.

One of the changes that has worried many visa applicants is the revisions made in the points system. For those not familiar, the points system is one of the assessment tests that the DIAC conducts in order to determine which of the applicants are qualified to receive a work visa. Applicants are ranked based on the points that they gather for the exam.

There are several factors from which the points are assessed in. These include age, work experience, educational attainment and especially English language communication skills. The actual points that an applicant needs to get varies with the visa he is applying for. In case an applicant does not pass the points exam, but still gets a score well within the so called pool mark, his application will be held by the immigration department for up to two years. If the pass mark changes within this period and he becomes eligible, he is then given the visa. Note that the change in the passing mark is solely upon the discretion of the DIAC.

And this is where the recent changes made by the department to points system come in. However, for many applicants hoping to get their visas, this might not be a welcomed news. This is because, instead of loosening, the points system has actually become a bit tighter.

According to the immigration department, the main problem that they had with the previous system is that it actually allowed more general skilled migrants than highly skilled ones to enter the country. This disparity had led to the shortage of highly skilled workers that are much in demand in the country’s major industries.

In the new system, emphasis will be given to to higher level skills. English communication skills will be given special attention, as according to the department, many of the applicants that pass under the old system has average to below average command of the language. Also, points will be redistributed to give better proportion on the areas of age, work experience and others that are deemed necessary by the department to meet the country’s labor demands.

As these have yet to be finalized, applicants are waiting for changes that might happen in their favor. But for sure, these will impact those who are still deciding on whether or not to apply for a visa.

The Australian Population Issue

teamcreatives — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:20:32 +0000

Australia is considered as one of the top places that many people would want to move into. Thus, thousands apply for Australian visas in the embassies yearly. However, while the Australian government is very much welcoming of the influx of migrants to the country, one question still pops up in many people’s minds: will the country be able to absorb all the people coming in.

Before going on further to explore the issue, here’s a refresher on the basic facts about Australia. With an area of more than seven million square kilometers, the country is the smallest of all the six inhabited continents in the world. And with a population of only 19 million (as of the 2006 census), the country holds no more than a third of a percent of the entire world population. Furthermore, combining the two and doing a little bit of math, you will get a a population density of only about three people per square kilometer. This means that your next door neighbor might actually be miles away.

These figures seems to show that Australia still has a lot of room to carry more people. However, many people, experts and ordinary observers alike, have expressed their worries that Australia might have already gone to the brim. And they actually have valid reasons for these fears.

One of the biggest limiting factors on the amount of people that can live in Australia is the country itself. Even though Australia has a large area, much of the country’s interior is actually from a semi arid to arid desert. Thus, most of the Australian population actually lives in the coastal regions and the patches of habitable land in the inner areas.

As these habitable regions are rather limited in their area, they soon get filled up, with the number of new immigrants moving in increasing yearly. This actually forces them to expand into the inner regions. But, as have been said before, the inner regions are largely uninhabitable. Thus, there is a limit on how much these can expand their areas.

And there is still another threat to the ability of Australia to accept more people. As you have probably learned in your studies, human activities have an impact in the environment. And the larger the population, the larger the impact. This actually increases the rate at which Australia’s natural resources are being used by its population. And as the population increases (immigration actually being one of the top causes), it is likely that it will also speed up the use of Australia’s resources.

The Australian government has tried many ways to deal with the issue. It has, in fact, initiated radical changes in immigration policies in order to better cope up with the problem. However, many are still waiting whether or not these moves will produce good results.

Must See Places For The Eco Tourist

teamcreatives — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:28:28 +0000

One of the most popular activities that many Australian travel visa holders would want to try is going on an eco tour. Eco tourism has, in fact, become one of the fastest growing sections of the tourism industry in Australia today. And since there are plenty of places to explore in the country, this means that you have lots to do on this one.

So, what is eco tourism anyway? Well, in simplest terms, it is exploring tourist areas in order to better learn more about them. It is much like your regular tourist trip, except that it is more educational. Here, you will also learn a lot of useful things that you can actually apply to your life back in the city. The eco tour will also give you a better appreciation of the natural wonders of Australia.

One of the particular places that many eco tourists want to explore is the Daintree Forest in Queensland. What makes this remarkable for both eco tourists and nature enthusiasts is that it has actually been estimated by scientists to be well over one hundred and thirty million years old, making it the oldest existing forest in the world today. Here, you will be able to see a wide variety of plants and animals that are considered rare in the outside world. You definitely would not want to miss the once in a lifetime chance to see these creatures.

Another place that is considered by many to be a treasure trove of eco tourists is the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The park is so large that it is about the size of the country of Israel. Its large size means that you have a vast land to explore. In fact, each part of the park actually has a different environment, so you will be able to see many creatures that are unique in these areas.

Also in the Northern Territory, many visit Uluru yearly. This huge rock is so popular, not only for its lush environment, but also its cultural significance. You see, Uluru is considered by the local Aboriginal people in the area to be a sacred place. Here you will get to learn and explore more about the Aboriginal culture, which is also an integral part of eco tourism. The locals themselves will be the ones who will gladly guide you to know more about their culture.

And no eco tour of Australia will be complete without exploring the Great Barrier Reef. This underwater wonder is one of the country’s most well kept gems. Dive with the vast number of marine creatures that make the reef their home. You will also be delighted to see the other underwater curiosities that abound the are. And you will surely have a greater appreciation of it once you rise up the surface.

Australian Culture, An Interesting Mix

teamcreatives — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:27:54 +0000

One of the many immigration information for Australia that you need to know if you are planning to go here is all about the country’s culture. Indeed, this one is very important in order for you to be able to mingle with Aussies much easier. However, aside from that, Australia’s culture is very much unique in itself that you actually would love to know more about it simply to better appreciate it.

For the most part, since the continent is previously ruled by the British Empire, most of its culture is derived from that country. This can be evidently seen by the continuing recognition given by the continent to Queen Elizabeth II of Britain (she is formally known as the Queen of Australia), as well as the name of the states of Queensland and Victoria (which was in turn given in honor of Queen Victoria). Also many Australians follow traditional British customs, so those familiar with these can very easily fit in.

However, this doesn’t mean that Australia is strictly a British imitation. In fact, this statement belies the fact that the country is so multiculturally diverse. It is interesting to note that people from other Western countries have also come in and chosen to live in the land down under. Thus, it is not uncommon to see influences coming from Greek, German and even American lifestyles in Australian culture. And Asians have also made the continent their home, which adds Chinese, Japanese, and even Filipino elements to the mix.

And lest it be forgotten, the native Aboriginal populations also contributed greatly to the development of what is now known as the Australian culture. Though the meeting between the natives and the whites was not initially in good terms, the Aboriginal culture is the single largest, aside from the British, contributor in the development of Australia’s national identity. And this doesn’t end only place names, as facets of Aboriginal culture can be easily seen in even the city dweller’s lifestyle.

What makes Australian culture even more interesting is its ability to combine this erstwhile hodge podge of cultural elements into something uniquely its own. Thus, it is not surprising to see British corporate culture standing beside traditional Aboriginal beliefs. And this mix also allows anyone to easily blend in, no matter where he came from.

But perhaps one of the biggest defining aspect of Australian culture is its strong belief in equality. Thus, unlike other western countries where white culture often reigns supreme, Australian culture allows other elements to shine through. This makes it a rather easy place to live in, which in turn, attracts a large number of immigrants.

Looking For The Right Visa Service Company

teamcreatives — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:21:49 +0000

One of the hardest things that anyone going to Australia has to go through is visa application. Not only can it be a quite long process, but there are instances that you will get into a lot of trouble. Thus, to many people, it is important to find a company that offers Australian visa services.

However, as it turns out, looking for these services isn’t going to be easy at all. In fact, with all of the ones out in the market today, finding one can actually be as hard as applying for the visa itself. Thus, it is important that you know how to select a service carefully. Here are some useful tips that you can keep in mind in order to find the right company.

One of your first concerns when searching for a visa service provider is which ones to look for. Since, as have been said, there are a multitude of them out there, choosing one can be quite confusing. However, you can easily narrow down your options by knowing which one will suit your purposes.

Here, you have either the general purpose visa service company, which caters to applicants to different countries. On the other hand, there are also companies that focus solely on a single country, like Australia for instance. In this case, it would be a good idea for you to get the latter. Why so? Simply because these companies know the specific quirks pertaining to the countries that they can easily find the better routes to take.

However, this does not mean that you don’t have to go with general visa services. They will still be useful if you are only looking for minor assistance. Also these usually charge less than the specialized service providers.

Another thing that you need to consider when looking for a visa provider is the services that they give. Again, this will depend on your actual needs. While some companies offer each service separately, most others usually have a complete package that provides help from the filing of the application, all the way to the interview. Decide on which services you will actually need to determine if you will get a package or sign up for separate ones. Also consider your budget here, as these have varying costs.

Lastly, you need to look into the track record of the company. Don’t be easily fooled by the “We have a hundred percent success rate!” slogans, as these are nothing more than a way to entice you to sign up. Instead, look out for evidences of its performance, such as reviews or testimonials made by other customers. You can also try asking about them from people you know who have signed up for them. Another important thing that you have to see is their track record with the embassy. This way, you will be able to assess how they are received by embassy officials.

Australian Partner Visas

teamcreatives — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:17:16 +0000

Perhaps one of the most common visas being applied for today is the Australian partner visa. Since it is not uncommon for Australians marrying foreigners, it is also not uncommon that they would want to bring their partners to the country. However, as it turns out, it is not that easy to get your spouse to Australia.

In fact, there are a lot of things that one needs to work out before he can be sure that he will be able to secure a partner visa for his spouse. And knowing the right way to apply for the visa will certainly help you a lot. Here are some tips that you can go by when applying for this visa.

The biggest concern that you need to think about when getting a partner visas is proving that you are both indeed in a relationship. For those who have already married prior to getting your visa, this is actually very easy. All you need to do in order to pass is to present your marriage certificate. Do take note that a marriage certificate is different from a marriage license, in that the marriage license is only a permission to conduct the ceremony, while the certificate is proof that you have gone through the ceremony. In some cases, you can also present the license as a certificate., if it has been duly authorized by the marriage officer.

On the other hand, those getting a partner visa prior to getting married will find it harder to apply one. This is because you have to prove that you are indeed in a relationship. And since you don’t have any legal documents yet, the embassy officials will more likely scrutinize your case.

However, there is still some way that you can go through it much quicker. For those who already have a marriage license, you can present this as evidence. On the other hand, if you are still on the planning stage of your wedding and has not yet gotten a license, then you can present documents of your wedding plans, such as receipts and reservation slips for the occassion. You can also present witnesses to vouch that your relationship is genuine.

Also take note of the restrictions that are put on those getting a partner visa. One of this is that yo have actually seen each other face to face within six months before your visa application. Also, in case you plan to get married when you arrive in Australia, you need to do so within six months, else the visa will be null and void.

As a last tip, you might want to get an immigration lawyer to help your case. Be sure to go for one that specializes in this type of applications. This way, you are sure that he knows the best way to go around your application.

Australian Travel Log

teamcreatives — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:21:32 +0000

One of the countries that many Australian travel visa applicants would want to go to is Australia. For some, it would definitely be an interesting first time. On the other hand, many tourists to the country have been their for quite some time now. However, they are still coming back for more.

So why Australia so alluring to many people, that they would be coming back dozens of times to the country? To find out, it would be a good idea to get to know Australia more from the viewpoint of one of these travelers.

Robbie Myers is a field engineer for a large construction firm in the United Kingdom. “We have a lot of projects around the world, so I have pretty much traveled to many places,” he starts. “I have been to Dubai and China several times. I have even went all the way to Vietnam. So I am pretty much familiar with all the spots in these countries.”

“My first project in Australia was a building in Perth,” he continues. “We were there for five weeks, but we completed our work during the first four weeks, so we had a week off.” According to Myers, he initially does not want to go around sightseeing, as he wanted to rest since he was really tired after a month’s work. However, he said that his coworkers were very insistent for him to join them in touring the city.

“We were all first timers in Australia, so you can imagine how we felt. We spend the whole week roaming around the city and trying out all the things that are there. And of course, we had tons of photos of us goofing around in the city,” he chuckles. “It was also my first time to watch Australian football. Man, the game was really rough.”

When he went home to Britain, he knew that he wanted to come back again to Australia. “So when my wife and I got our leave from our work, we immediately booked a family trip with our kids to Australia.” He said that, since it was summer during that time, his kids wanted to go to the beach. “So we naturally headed to Queensland..”

“There, we had a really great time. The beaches were so clean and the people in Brisbane were actually very nice to us,” he tells. “What I also really loved was the food. It was really proof that Australians are definite food lovers.”

“My kids, on the other hand, were really so excited when we had our diving expedition in the Great Barrier Reef. They had fun exploring the the reef and mingling with the fishes there. I was also really amazed at the whole experience, as this was my first time to go scuba diving.”

Myers said they are now currently looking for another good schedule to go on a family vacation to Australia.

Why Australia Is A Better Place To Live In

teamcreatives — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:24:51 +0000

For many of the people applying for an Australian visa, the country is one of the better choices to live in. This might not be surprising to some, but what is really intriguing is that many of those who chose to live in Australia are actually coming from western countries. This actually makes one wonder, why do they leave the West for Australia?

One of the biggest reasons why many have considered Australia to be a better place to live in is the environment. Since Australia has a relatively small population compared to other countries, the country’s surroundings is still pretty much untouched by people. Thus, you are sure that you will be able to live on a rather pristine community.

Another thing that sets Australia apart is its abundance of natural resources. Again, since Australia is still not yet that much populated, much of its resources still remained untapped. Thus, this actually creates plenty of opportunities for many migrants to develop in the country. Also the continent’s mild climate attracts many people, especially the older ones, to move and live in here.

And because of Australia’s idyllic settings, the life in the country is actually an easygoing one. Thus, compared to other countries, you do not need to try a live up to a fast tracked life. However, this does not mean that Australians are a laid back people. In fact, Australians are considered as being some of the most industrious people in the world today. However, once you learn more about the Australian working environment, you will find it much easier working here because of the warm nature of the locals. Also, since Australians are not as competition oriented as their western counterparts, you will not worry about a stiff job environment.

Aside from these factors, many people also choose to move to Australia because it is actually much easier to settle there. The housing rates are actually one of the lowest in the developed countries. And since there are actually a lot of land still available in the country, you will be able to find the place that you would like to live in.

Aside from the low cost of housing, the general cost of living is rather very affordable. For instance, the cost of petrol in the country is actually half to that of the UK or the US. This is why it is way much easier to own a car in Australia than any other country. Also, because of the lower cost of petrol, other basic needs are well within the reach of many people.

Many foreigners also choose to move into Australia because of the extensive services provided by the government. The Australian medicare, for example, covers all the medical expenses that one will need, including those for major operations. Also there are plenty of other social services being provided, such as affordable loans for those starting to establish a new life in the country,.

Why Many Americans Choose To Study In Australia

teamcreatives — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:27:32 +0000

The number of student visa applicants lining up each year is a clear indication that Australia is one of the top favorites among foreign students. This isn’t surprising, considering the country’s track record when it comes to education. What is surprising and interesting however, is that out of these numbers a large portion are actually coming from America.

So why do so many Americans choose the country to study in? Actually there are a multitude of reasons for them to do so, which indicates a great interest in Australia. Here are some of the ones that many American students have indicated as their main reasons.

The foremost reason that many of them give is that Australia has a great educational system. This is rather intriguing, considering that the US ranks first in terms of educational quality. However, as some of the students themselves have explained, Australian schools have certain unique characteristics that make them stand out among other choices. They also said that the country is home to some of the top educators in the world today, which is one of the biggest factors that they are after.

Another thing that many American and other foreign students love about Australia is that most, if not all, schools are complete in their facilities. These range from well furnished libraries, complete with the resources that they need, to modern equipment which keeps them up to date. One notable feature that many foreign students love about studying in Australia is that the country is in fact, fully online. This, they said actually make studying, as well as keeping in touch with people back home, much easier.

And one of the biggest considerations of many students in choosing where to study in is, of course, the cost. Here, they said that Australia is also a definite winner, as the tuition fee costs are actually much lower in the country, as compared to, say, the US or the UK. Also school materials are very much cheap in Australia, which greatly adds to the savings that many students get.

Aside from the obvious benefits of studying in Australia, many Americans point out the country’s mild climate as another pro for studying there. They said that it was actually very conducive to studying. They also added that the country’s weather allowed them to have some fun while studying.

And aside from the weather, many American students also praise the warm Australian people. They added the the locals helped them to settle in the country for their term. Many students also commended the non-competitive nature of Australian schools, which, according to them, made learning much easier and more fun.

To know more about studying in, and other immigration information for Australia, please visit Principal Visas regularly.