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Skill Shortages
Australia continues to experience skill shortages across a number of industries including construction and mining. We have companies who are actively seeking to sponsor visa applicants or provide job opportunities. Register with us today and discover your new life down under.
Changes to Skilled Migration Announced - 6th April 2007
On 6th April 2007 Australia's Immigration Minister announced major changes to the Skilled Migration program.
The changes will come into effect on 1st of September 2007 - therefore applications received on or before 31st August 2007 (at Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre) will not be affected by these changes.
Full details may be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/changes/index.htm.
Changes include
- English Language criteria – including change in point allocation
- Recent Work Experience
- Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) points
- Australian Work Experience
- Electronic lodgement of Visa Application
- The general points test Passmark – is under review
Australian Visa Specialists invites all enquirers to log onto our website www.australianvisaspecialists.com and complete our online assessment form and we will then contact you to outline your best options. Once all the amendments have been finalised by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) we will hold a Skilled Migration Seminar to explain the new system.
To register your interest in receiving updates on the Skilled Migration Program please email your details to visa@avsvisa.com.
Choosing a Migration Agent
Selecting a Migration Agent to help you with your visa application requires you to understand how the Migration Advice Industry works within and outside of Australia.
Within Australia, Migration Agents must be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) in Australia - visit www.themara.com.au for further information.
It is important that prospective visa applicants understand that outside of Australia anyone can give Australia Migration Advice. However, the ONLY official recognition for Australia Migration Agents worldwide is that with MARA. In fact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship states
'If you are outside Australia, you do not have to use a migration agent registered with the MARA. However, the department recommends that you use an agent who is registered with the MARA where possible. Registration with the MARA requires the migration agent to provide a professional service as set out in the Code of Conduct, whether they work in Australia or overseas.' See further information at - http://www.immi.gov.au/students/migration_agents/outside_Australia/finding.htm
So, the bottom line is - MARA agents must represent clients according to the strict code of conduct, MARA agents must appy for re-registration each year, MARA agents must not make false claims about success rates, MARA agents must not make false claims in advertisements. All in all prospective visa applicants should either manage the application alone or ONLY appoint a MARA agent.
Did you know?
We are proud to advise Liz O'Hagan has been an Australian Registered Migration Agent since July 1999 [MARN 9902776]. Each year Liz has to meet Continuing Professional Development standards to ensure she retains her registration. In 2006 Liz attended a conference in Vietnam to secure her re-registration beyond July 2006. When Liz relocated to Ireland she could have chosen to let her registration lapse and operate as a non-registered agent and thus saving her over €5K annually and she would then not be monitored or answerable to the authorities in Australia. However, Liz decided that as a professional she would not use the services of someone unregistered as this would not give any protection to her and her family - so why should she expect you to do the same?
Outside of Australia ANYONE can assist people with an Australian Visa Application - the industry is only regulated in Australia. Using an Australian Registered Migration Agent ensures you are using an individual who has met the professional qualifications and standards for working as a Migration Agent. This is your future, your life - don't be caught out by using an inexperienced consultant. Before appointing an agent ask for proof of their success, ask how much experience they have (the first two digits of the MARA registration number indicates the first year of registration i.e. 9902776 means Liz O'Hagan was first registered in 1999 and has retained her registration since that date). Please visit www.themara.com.au for further information and the DIMA website at www.immi.gov.au.
Discussion forum for Irish Applicants
To meet other applicants from Ireland going through the visa process we recommend you join in the Discussion Forum www.irishozforum.com .
Australia featured on our screens in
2007
The following TV shows may be of interest to you
15 - 26 Jan 2007 - BBC1 - 9.15am to 10.am - Wanted Down Under
Each Monday for 4 weeks commencing 8 January 2007 - RTE1 - The Great Escape - so far we have seen irish families settle in France and South Africa. Australia will feature in one of the last two shows.
12 - 16 February will see the IRELAND AM Breakfast Crew from TV3 broadcast from Australia
March 2007 - The RTE show How Low can you go will be a six part series based in Australia.
Happy Viewing!
Newsletter
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Liz O'Hagan (Owner/Manager of Australian Visa Specialists) Radio Interviews
In the lead up to the popular Down Under Expo at the RDS, Dublin on 21st & 22nd October 2006 the topic of Irish People moving down under was featured in the Irish media. Liz O'Hagan, Ireland's longest established Australian Registered Migration Agent (MARN 9902776) was featured on the following radio shows:
Dublin City Anna Liva FM 'Women in Business' show featured an Interview with Liz O'Hagan and Krishna De on Wednesday 18th October 2006.
RTE Radio 'The Tubridy Show' on Thursday 19th October 2006 - you can listen to the show which also includes interviews with two Irish people now living in Australia at http://www.rte.ie/radio1/thetubridyshow/1109112.html
TodayFM 'The Last Word' on Thursday 19th October 2006 - listen to the Last Word 6pm Hour for an interesting discussion on Irish People emigrating to Australia.
http://www.radioireland.ie/lastword/lastword.html
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