Thousands of students enrolled in vocational courses like cookery and hairdressing, which till now allowed a “fast track” to permanent residency, will have to sit for a test requiring “competent” English language skills while applying to live and work in Australia.

“Trades people applying to live and work in Australia permanently from the first of July will require increased English language skills,” according to new immigration policy changes issued by the Australian Immigration Department.

The change will mean that people applying for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas overseas will have to pass a test showing they have competent English. In the past, the pass mark was based on vocational English, a lower standard. Continue Reading

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In response to the current demand for IELTS test results for candidates with Student Visas expiring by 15 March 2009, a number of IELTS test centres throughout Australia have opened emergency places on February 7 and February 21 2009.

There are additional tests available in Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Rockhampton and Darwin.

These tests are for students based in Australia if your visa ceases on 15 March 2009 and you want to apply for General Skilled Migration.

You will only be able to secure one of these emergency test places by presenting proof that your student visa ceases on 15 March 2009 along with your passport. Continue Reading

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Not so long ago I wrote a post which gave an overview of the IELTS Exam.

IELTS or the International English Language Testing System measures a persons ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – a key requirement for folks who intend to study, work and generally live in Australia.

Although a written post is always going to prove useful, I thought I’d also include a Video which I found on Youtube which some of you folks may also enjoy watching.

There’s actually a ton of stuff on Youtube which I think might be of interest or of use to visitors to our site so as I find them I’ll add them for you to review  

I hope you find the Video of use, please let me know if you’d like to see similar resources added to the site

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During the run up to the recent changes which were made to the Australian Skilled Migration system, it seems that some of the stories circulating in the media were a little misleading.

We’ve already written about the International English Language Testing System IELTS and the points you get for speaking and writing English at a high level.

We’ve also written about the fact that the English Language Threshold had been raised making it harder for those who don’t hold English as a first language to gain the necessary points.

However, does this mean (as announced in some media outlets) that the the English language requirements for English speaking applicants have been ‘relaxed’, therefore making it easier for Brits to score more points towards their application? Continue Reading

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IELTS or the International English Language Testing System measures a persons ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking - a key requirement for folks who intend to study, work and generally live in Australia.

Since the announcement to the changes in the General Skilled Migration Program which comes into effect next week, a migrants ability to speak a good level of English will become even more key as a knock on effect of the English Language threshold being increased.

IELTS Test

The IELTS tests are available in two formats – Academic and General Training with the latter being the more appropriate for people who simply need to prove they can speak and understand a good level of English before moving to Australia.

The Academic Reading and Writing Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Continue Reading

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Federal Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has announced changes that he says will require higher standards of English among people coming to Australia to study and work.

The changes to the General Skilled Migration programme (GSM) will be introduced on 1 September 2007. People who have made an application for a skilled visa on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.

Changes will include:

* increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants
* rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency
* greater emphasis on skilled work experience
* introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates
* simplifying the GSM visa structure.

The threshold level of English language proficiency will be raised from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) to 6 (competent) on all four components. However, applicants applying for trade occupations will be required to meet the current threshold of an IELTS score of 5.

Under the points test system, bonus points will be given to applicants who achieve English language scores above the threshold level and additional points will be allocated for skilled work experience in Australia.

Note: Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) points will only be awarded to applicants with at least 12 months experience in their nominated occupation or one that is closely related.

To ensure skilled migrants have the skills Australian employers need, there will be tighter requirements on links between study, work experience and nominated occupation.

International students who are unable to meet the new requirements for a permanent skilled visa will have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) to build on their skills and work experience. This visa will have unrestricted work rights.

The changes aim to ensure that overseas students who decide to stay on in Australia after completing their studies have a much better chance of competing for jobs in their chosen vocation.

There are currently 15 GSM visa subclasses available to people onshore and offshore, who are wishing to apply to migrate to Australia. Under the new visa structure, this will be reduced to nine visa subclasses – four offshore and five onshore. This new structure enables applicants to more easily identify the visa subclass best suited to their circumstances.

Associated Reading:

Post in our forums – Changes to Austrailan General Skilled Migration (GSM) system

Sydney Morning Herald – Migrants must speak English well: govt

News.com.au – Skilled migrants to need better English

The Australian – Skilled migrants to need better English

ABC News Online : Govt toughens English standards for visas

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