Australian Immigration - General Skills Migration Program

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If you possess the work skills Australia requires to fill vacancies in their labor force then the GSM Program is for you.

If you wish to live, work and play in Australia but are not sponsored by an employer then GSM is the way to go. GSM stands for General Skilled Migration. It is an excellent program and a very successful one.

If your skills match those on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and you have a good command of English, then you have more chance of success.

Prerequisites for Australia’s GSM Program:

There are various prerequisites for applying the program. They are:

• Age: you must be over 18 years of age and below 45 years of age.
• Language: you must be able to speak English well. This is the main prerequisite for anyone applying for this program.
• Skill-set: you must possess skills in the areas of shortage with qualifications and recent experience in the field in which you are applying.

The qualifications and experience needed for an occupation can be cross checked in the Australia’s Skilled Occupation List - SOL for short.

Recent Changes

Significant changes were made to the GSM program in September 2007. These include:

• a greater proficiency in English will be required, with 25 points going to those who score well in the testing system
• a greater emphasis is now put on skills experience, with bonus points only being awarded if you have 12 months experience in your nominated occupation
• there will be a new temporary work visa for graduates to enable them to increase their work experience
• the GSM visa structure was simplified, instead of 15 subclasses there are now only 9: 5 for Onshore applications and 4 for Offshore applications. This should make it easier to identify which visa subclass will work best for you

GSM Categories:

There are two basic categories for those applying through the GSM program: Onshore for those already on Australian territory with current visas, and Offshore for those applying from abroad.

There are four sub-catgories in each: sponsored, independent, Regional sponsored (provisional) and graduate, with the Onshore having the additional category of a permanent Regional sponsored visa.

Applicants can be sponsored by an Australian relation or an Australian state or territory government. Independent applications are from those with the right skills and experience required. A graduate visa is for those from recognised foreign universities whose skills are required by Australia. In each case there are certain requirements that must be met and you should check each carefully.

The evaluation of applications for Australia’s General Skilled Migration Program is generally done using a points based system. To qualify, you must score the appropriate level of points set by the system. If you score a little less than required, your application may, in some cases, be placed in a reserve pool and may be considered at some future point.

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Transportation In Australia

When you reach Australia, the first thing you will want to look for is transportation. There are all the usual options: train, air and bus services to get you around. The most economical ways are likely to be the train or bus services. If you are from Europe or America you may not find them very convenient but still they are good and economical.

Train

You will find train services like the Airport Link, which plies between Sydney Airport and the city centre in 13 minutes, is the most economical way to reach Sydney’s suburban stations. Metro Light Rail and Mono Rail provides city travel in Sydney.

The CountryLink network reaches 334 destinations in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. QR (Queensland Rail) offers safe and economical transport services within Queensland and interstate. The Ghan offers travel from Sydney to Melbourne. The Overland makes your travel from Melbourne to Adelaide enjoyable while V/Line offers transportation throughout Victoria, and Western Australian Government Railways around Western Australia.

Indian Pacific offers the longest cross-country train journeys from Sydney to Perth.

One visitor to Australia says, “As a frequent traveler to Sydney, as well as other parts of the world, I would give the trains an above average score for entertainment value, but a bit below average for convenience, timeliness, and cleanliness…”

Bus

You will find services such as the Brisbane-based Brisbane Buslines has scheduled services within Queensland; Eastline Buses which operate in Melbourne; Firefly Express which offers luxury interstate express coaches, and many more services that ply in and around various states in Australia. Most of them have flexi travel options. Many buses leave every 10-15 minutes to the major destinations, so if you plan your travel, you could well save a few dollars using these buses. (Why not!!)

Ferry

There are ferry services to Tasmania.

And a ‘must-do’ when visiting Sydney is the ferry to Manly. Surprisingly many locals have missed this delight.

Air

The Australian airline, Qantas, flies to all major Australian cities. You can enjoy a wide range of discounts like random discounting and internet fares. Virgin Blue is another airline that flies all over the country at very competitive fares. As there is not much long-distance transportation, you may prefer to take the airlines to reach farther destinations.

Concession Travel

Students up to 16 years of age can often travel free on buses, however do check to confirm this in the areas you will be.

Concession cards are available for students in many areas - again, check if this applies to where you will be. If they are not, then the most economical way to buy tickets is usually a weekly or monthly ticket rather than by journey.

Other ways to travel

Taxis in Australia are probably not in a student’s budget as they are very expensive!!

The elderly and unemployed often get half fare cards to assist them in getting around.

Cars are the most commonly found mode of transportation in Australia. Remember to drive on the left side of the road and watch out closely for speed restrictions as fines are heavy and better avoided! Other rules like wearing a seatbelt are stictly enforced. And you must have a license to drive!

As you can see there are multiple options for transportation in Australia. Opting for public transportation may be the best option open to you. Find what suits your purse and make the most of the opportunities.

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Sydney Scored Highest For Best Quality Living In World

In a recently conducted analysis on the best living city in world, Sydney marked the highest score. I read this in a recently published newspaper which stated that the above analysis was done by the Worldwide Quality of Living Index.

A range of factors for best Quality of Living were taken into account to arrive at the final result:

• economic performance
• environmental factors
• education facilities available in the city
• ease of access and class of transport
• other public services
• political and social conditions
• medical and health facilities provided in the city

In fact, Sydney exceeded the score established as the international standard of quality of living, which made it rank as the best city to live in, in the world! Now, who wouldn’t want to live in Sidney after this?!

You’ll find world class housing facilities in Sydney - anyone residing in Sydney cannot deny this fact. Sydney scored highest for housing, and with climatic and weather conditions also superb pushed it to even greater hights. Other two important attributes - namely socio-cultural environment and economic environment - are also good and so the scoring in this was near perfect.

Sydney occupied the second place the previous year but could top the first place for best living in the world in 2008 with people and Australian government contributing for improvement in the city.

The result of analysis was achieved only after collecting data consistently for a period of three months covering the above mentioned factors for best living with final monitoring also made on the same.

The availability of goods and services without any difficulties marks the good position of consumer industry and the reduced personal risk with an efficient infrastructure also makes Sydney reach the highest score for world’s best living city.

You can realize that any city in Australia would generally have the best standards of living in the world as Australians prefer to enjoy the same! In fact, the analysis recorded four other Australian capitals in the top thirty five positions of best cities for living in world. Among this the top ranking was occupied by Sydney. This paves the way for many multi-national companies and job seekers to make their way to Australia to enjoy the same. Australia also benefits by attracting workers and companies by filling skilled workers in shortage job positions.

You are sure to enjoy the natural beauty at Sydney as it is abundant there with its perpetual blue sky, well maintained harbor with yachting, surfing, sail boarding, swimming and water-skiing available, stunning beaches, fantastic wildlife and much more.

Sydney is a friendly city offering visitors a variety of attractions and activities. There are many nature rich national parks with many natural bush lands, making Sydney full of greenery for a healthy living.

Australian government also contributes a lot in terms of investment in infrastructure, high-quality housing, low crime, strong media for making Sydney the best city for living in the world.

One more beneficial and attractive point which would make your living at Sydney comfortable is though Sydney is ranked as the best city in the world, the cost of living at Sydney is not much and is very affordable. So enjoy!

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Australia - A Top Travel Destination?

Many people like me who live in Australia would surely rate New Zealand as the top ‘must-see’ destination. It is always true that many people would not want to go too far out of their cultural comfort zone.

Like Australians preferring New Zealand as the top ‘must-see’ destination, many people living in New Zealand prefer Australia as their top ‘must-see’ destination. There are various reasons for this and the one that strikes my mind is that Australia is like New Zealand with the difference being only in bigger size, more diverse and with better weather.

However, in the whole Asia Pacific region Australia ranks top among travel destinations preferred by many people.

The above statement was confirmed by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). They survey reported that about 2.7 million people already visited Australia in 2007 and also this number is confidently forecast to increase in future.

The above statistics are based on door-to-door interviews conducted among various people of nine countries and territories. The survey asked people to list their top five ‘must-visit’ travel destinations in Asia Pacific region in order of priority and among this, a majority responded with Australia as their top ‘must-see’ destination.

There are various reasons for majority of people preferring Australia. Before residing in Australia, I had visited Australia about seven to eight times… What drew me back, time and again?

• amazing scenery
• fascinating Aboriginal history
• an land of contrasts
• remarkable variety in nature
• dramatic night skies

There are various places in Australia - like Kimberley - which bear testimony to the above beauty and features. One more vital reason is these factors remain unaltered for years and are sure to be there for keeps!

Though I have lived in Australia for so many years there are yet a lot of great places for me to see. Australia is a diverse country which contains lots and lots of cities, towns, rock formations, beaches, forests, deserts and islands to be explored which cannot be finished in just one travel visit.

I liked Sydney in Australia which has a moderate climate with warm summers, mild winters and rainfall that is spread throughout the year. The climatic conditions in Australia also make people prefer it as a top destination.

There are many nature lovers like me for whom the best place would be Gold Coast in Queensland. This area is a perfect blend of man made and natural attractions which is an eye-catching treat for nature lovers and is sure to make them prefer it as their top ‘must-see’ destination - even the next time round!

During my travels to Australia, I stayed in Melbourne where I found cost of living is cheap and less crowded than other places.

My visit to Tiwi islands is surely an unforgettable cultural experience and anyone would definitely have this in the top of their travel list each time. All these above factors like amazing scenic beauty, excellent climatic conditions, options for cheaper cost of living, great cultural experience, and abandon natural beauty contribute towards majority of people preferring Australia as their top ‘must-see’ destination.

Being such a cornucopia of natural beauty and such a melting pot of cultures, its no wonder that Australia is fast emerging as the dream destination - not only to travel to, but also to live in!

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Relocating To Australia Is Easy?

Relocating to Australia provides numerous job seekers with an opportunity to move to the land of Kangaroos.

• The world is shrinking at a rate never imagined before.
• Cultures are merging and people are interacting more actively than ever before.
• The advent of newer technologies and better lifestyles have seen populace shifts from well settled locations to hitherto unknown hinterlands in search of greener pastures.

Frankly it is quiet amusing, the way the human mind works. For a person who has been desperately searching for a satisfying remuneration suddenly starts scratching his head for a answer as to whether he should uproot himself/ herself and relocate to a place alien to him, or not.

Oh-so-warm Australians

The anxiety can be understood if one is required to relocate to an obscure country. However, the Oz is one place where everybody is welcomed with open arms and a mug of Australian beer. The apprehensions, if any, melt away the moment one touches Canberra or for that matter any of the metros. Happy go lucky people, beautiful atmosphere, amazing opportunities and a fun filled life welcomes you. The land of contrasts boasting of coral reefs, endless golden beaches, rich marine life, mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, and idyllic deserts beckons every visitor to its folds.

Australia is Cosmopolitan

Being the world’s smallest continent does not deter Australia from being the sixth-largest country. Major cities such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Queensland, Perth, Sydney, New South Wales etc attract scores of people from across the globe for a dreamy life. These metros not only breed a cross cultural society but also provide a fertile ground for those willing to learn and implement the Australian way of life. Being ruled by British has left an imprint on the country but that’s where the similarity ends (of course not to forget the left hand drive!). Australia has been a peace loving and fun filled country and it continues to be so, rubbing off the energy to any soul touching her.

Basics are taken care of!

Major concerns which plague a mover viz. schools for kid, proper housing facility, decent neighborhood and a stable job are generally taken care of within a short span of time. Thanks to the wonderful Australian Government welfare and guidance schemes, the visitors settle down much faster than the average settling down time. Knowledge of English language helps settling down faster and making friends who can be a catalyst to enhance the process. The language also helps in finding own way or while driving around the country. The Australian dollars and cents system is quite akin to the one known worldwide and is in fact, a step better with the advent of polymer (plastic) money which is not only clean and neat but also eco friendly.

Don’t worry - Be Happy!

Once the movement to Australia is decided, it is better to surrender oneself to the charms of the country rather worry about the future. The wonderful Australian lifestyle, fantastic climate and abundance of opportunities will bind you to this country. The recovery from jet lag would be quick and a combination of local friends would assist the transition phase glide smoothly.

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Australian Immigration: More Positives Than Negatives?

For people seeking a challenging and exciting career, Australia has been the dream country. Immigration to Australia is an ambition in Britain and hence the Australian Immigration Service has strict rules about the number of people that are allowed to enter Australia. Australia requires skilled workers and their work experience, qualification, and language ability are key factors in determining their migration. People enter Australia with an either an

• Investor visa
• Business Owner visa
• Business Talent visa or
• Senior Executive visa

The country’s economy is very strong and it encourages the immigration of skilled workers if they can contribute to the economy. But there are a wide range of views on the level of immigration which are more speculative in nature. CSIRO population study entitled “Future Dilemmas”, commissioned by DIM pointed out six very valid points with regard to immigration. They pointed out that the numbers of aged continued to rise but this is being debated that immigration actually can slow the ageing of Australia’s population.

CSIRO pointed out that Australia’s trade balance would worsen because of increase in imports and higher consumption of domestic products, increased gas emissions, overuse of agricultural soils, and decline in urban air quality and biodiversity. It claimed that Australia is over populated with reduced standard of living. Some claim that this rise in immigration level has led to shortage of housing and employers attempt to introduce foreign workers to avoid paying locals higher wages.

But Productivity Council has submitted a final research report that immigration cannot possibly be the only reason for all these degradations.

In contradiction to this, a study in science journal, Nature, claims that immigration does not result in global warming because although immigration increases population in one country, on a global level, immigration does not affect population.

It is being argued that:

• these immigrants to Australia actually reduce the ageing of population because they are young on average.
• Skilled workers actually add more to the economy.
• Immigration did not increase unemployment but actually it decreased unemployment because of more investments.

There is a strong emphasis in the immigration program to attract people who can contribute to the economy. The country continues to welcome migrants who are skilled and can help the well being of the country and its people.

The Productivity Commission does not accept “population pressures” as a major cause of strong increases in house prices, stating that “increased demand for better quality and better located dwellings, rather than for more dwellings, has been the primary driver”.

DIAC has found that Australia’s well-structured labor market along with the larger number of immigrants with higher education levels has tended to raise employment levels for Australians who are relatively unskilled.

“Gittens claims there is considerable opposition to immigration in Australia by “battlers” because of the belief that immigrants will steal jobs. Gittens claims though that “it’s true that immigrants add to the supply of labor. But it’s equally true that, by consuming and bringing families who consume, they also add to the demand for labor - usually by more.”

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Relocating to Australia? As A Student, Don’t Forget to…

Relocating for education to a new country, like Australia, involves a lot of administrative procedures before you actually board the flight. Australian universities and educational institutions offer an experience that can be rated among the best in the world today.

Eligibility Exams…

Once you have decided on Australia as your choice of destination to further your education, surf the net to find out what are the various things you now have to do. Remember there are exams to be cleared before you can be considered eligible for admission. Enroll in some coaching classes if required so you can clear the required exams with good grades.

Apply for a Student Visa

While you are studying for the exams, find out what paperwork is required to apply for a student visa. All your certificates and mark lists need to be kept handy. The same goes for all identity documents and financial statements.

To Do List

All this information is freely available on the internet, but you need to do some serious research. Make list of jobs to be done so you don’t forget something vital. The Australian Embassy may be able to educate you on all things required. There may be some medical examinations and vaccinations that are essential.

Learn all you can about the city you are going to stay in, find out your accommodation, its distance from the college or university, what will be your mode of transportation etc.

Allow Enough Time…

Relocating requires a lot of hard work and preparation. Find out how much time you need to keep in hand to complete all the paperwork and work your way backwards. This will give you a timeline of sorts which you can use efficiently and effectively.

Food and Diet?

Now that you have the administrative details all sorted out, start learning about the culture and traditions of Australia . Find out their eating habits and what kind of food is available. If you have specific food requirements, then find out what you need to do differently.

Check Australian Vacation Dates

Remember their holidays are going to be different so chalk out your plans accordingly. Plan your finances so you can make the most of your stay. If part time employment is an option, then ensure that the visa you apply for has the proviso incorporated in it. This information can be found out at the Australian Embassy.

Careful Planning Helps…

It is not difficult to relocate to Australia but it is not very easy getting all the clearances and paperwork in order. It is a little time consuming and detailed in its content. Your approach must be systematic and logical in its execution so that you don’t waste time and effort.

With ticket, visa and passport in hand you are well on your way to new and exciting times relocating to Australia, so all the best mate!

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Why Should I Study In Australia?

Education today is a small world… there is something for everyone in many parts of the globe. All you have to do is decide what you want to do and where can you get the best course option vis-à-vis financial implications, locations, admission availability, ease of getting admission and of course the reputation of the institute in question.

In this global education scenario, one very good option is Australia. Recognizing the potential in offering their courses to foreign students, today Australia has fast become a preferred country for various courses and career options. There are a lot of doors being opened for students and there are processes underway to ensure that pursuing your dream course in the Land Down Under is as hassle-free as possible.

International Standard Recognized Universities

Australia is a wonderful country. Their universities and institutions are among the best in the world today. Most of them have an international office on the premises which will help you settle down and get started. The Australian education authorities make every effort to ensure that their foreign students can get the best out of their stay and the course they are pursuing. Be it counseling, orientation, special needs of handicapped students, career advice, Australia covers it all.

Varied course options

As far as actual courses are concerned, the universities offer the regular subjects, degrees and diplomas so one needs to know and decide which field is suitable for them from the career point of view.

It’s not just lectures!

At the classroom level, classes call for debates, free thinking is encouraged, and creativity and a practical approach are stressed upon. There are tutorials and lectures, where for lectures there are almost as many as 200 students and the tutorials, are for about 30 students. The tutorials are where the lecture is discussed and debated which makes for a better understanding. Participation in the classroom is a part of the assessment grade.

What to Remember

As with studying in any country outside your own or for that matter even relocating to a new city for your education, there is a flip side to it too. One needs to learn about the culture and traditions of Australia. There may be some things that are unfamiliar to you. Finding your way around without stepping on toes is an art in itself. The best way to do this is to make a list of probable questions that you feel will help you understand the city and its folk better. Ask for clarifications and explanations wherever you can.

The Financials

The financial implications of living in Australia would actually depend on your spending habits and lifestyle requirements. On an average, it has been estimated that all things considered, one can safely budget $ 350-400 per week inclusive of food, clothing, rent, transportation, phone calls and entertainment etc.

So if you are looking for study options, then Australia can easily figure right on top of your list. Surf the net for all the information regarding admission, visas, and other procedural requirements. Get set for a great time Down Under.

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Tips on Investing in Real Estate in Australia

For Australians, investment in housing is a national symbol of security. If you have a job for more than 6 months, it is easy to buy a house in Australia. Banks are the buyres’ main source of finance. The Government encourages this by providing long-term financial backing.

There are people in Australia who buy 2 to 3 houses in Australia and let them out for rent which will take care of the mortgage repayment.

Young & Old

Youngsters in Australia show interest in buying houses where they are planning to settle down. They sell the house if they are moving to another place. Older people tend not to retain their house for a long time. Once the mortgage is paid off, they’ll sell the house, buy a smaller one and invest the remaining amount for their old age expenses.

Capital Growth?

For example, if you have invested in the Australian Sunshine Coast about 5-6 years ago, the value of your investment would have gone up many times by now. Why? - The growth in number of immigrants has pushed the prices upwards. As the reports show, “Figures to September show annual growth in medium house prices of more than 13 per cent in Hobart and Brisbane, 19 per cent in Adelaide and over 22 per cent in Canberra. The absolute standout has been Melbourne, surging 33 per cent. For the real estate industry, it’s a beautiful set of numbers.”

Here is one more report on the real estate investment in Australia: Mayor Gary Baildon said he had never seen such a boom in property prices. “It’s unprecedented, I’ve never seen it this lively…and I’ve been here since 1960″.

A market survey says that the momentum for investment in Australia has picked up since the beginning of this year. The Australian Financial Review (one of top financial publications in Australia), 11th January 2006 reports:

“Residential rental property yields in 2006 will improve markedly as contracts are renegotiated to reflect tightening vacancies, property analysts have predicted. Vacancy rates are at the lowest for several years in most capital cities due to pent-up demand and reduced house and apartment completions.”

As in any real estate investments, there are a few precautions to be taken by the investors:

• Check local newspapers
• Talk to a real estate agent in the area
• Contact the local council and Main Roads Department
• Research the Body Corporate (if applicable)
• Seek financial advice
• Re-evaluate regularly

Foreign investors will also need to be familiar and well versed with Australian Federal Government’s foreign investment policy.

If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia and if you want to buy real estate in Australia, you must get the prior approval from the Australian Government.

You should not sign contracts before you receive foreign investment approval, unless the contract is conditional on such approval. You must apply in writing for prior approval to buy real estate.

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

Australian Study Grant For Working Woman

reposted from Wealth Creator Magazine

Working women who don’t have qualifications are being given a boost by the government to enhance their career prospects, in an effort to advance the female workforce. Australia’s mentorship program for working women, My Mentor, has partnered with Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE, and the Federal Government to help women access a $4000 contribution to mentoring and a qualification in business.

The grant will enable women throughout Australia, with no formal business qualifications, to undertake vocational education training and/or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) assessment to achieve a Certificate IV in Business, valued at $2500.

“Women need not be scared by the thought of studying, as Recognition of Prior Learning through the TAFE program will mean that many of their existing skill sets and experience will earn them credit toward the Cert IV program,” said Maureen Frank, Emberin Managing Director, and My Mentor creator.

Ms Frank is urging organisations that employ women with no formal business qualifications to take advantage of the $4K government grant to support the professional development of their female staff, a group who have a huge impact on a company’s bottom line.

“The cost to Australian companies losing their female employees is around 1.5 times the salary they are paid – for some organisations this is millions of dollars every year,” she said.

Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE will work with women anywhere in Australia who are Australian residents, via on-line study methods to help them complete the Certificate IV in Business, valued at $2,500.

“The balance of the $4K funding can then be used to pay for the My Mentor program, any other adjunct learning’s required to complete the Certificate or into a pool within the organisation to support the training and development needs of other women,” Ms Frank said.

With the funding likely to be cut from July 1st 2008, interested ladies who sign up prior to that date will be eligible to commence their study later in the year with the $4000 grant being paid to their employer for their training needs.

Consisting of a DVD, CD and comprehensive workbooks, it was developed to combat the serious issue faced by women in the workforce leaving to have children or to achieve better workplace conditions and mentorship.

by Joanne McCulloch

Brought to you by the Australian Immigration Experts at Synch1

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