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Welcome to the Granger Australia February Newsletter
Welcome to the Granger Australia February Newsletter, though summer maybe coming to an end once again, we can still enjoy the lovely weather that February is giving us. Along with the beautiful weather there are still many festivals and celebrations during this time. We hope you take the time to attend at least one of these events, and experience something new and exciting.
The Granger Australia Team
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Migration
1st January 2010, Changes to Skills Assessments & Visa Regulations
New DIAC regulations announced earlier this year for students applying under trade occupations (cooks, hairdressers etc) will come into effect on 1st January 2010. All applications for General Skilled Migration visas onshore will require a minimum of IELTS 6.0 in order to apply for the visa. The current minimum requirement of IELTS 5.0 will cease on 1st Jan. Don’t miss this deadline.
DIAC also plan to introduce the Job Ready Test for students applying for permanent skilled visas onshore after January 1st. This requirement will not apply to applications for the Graduate Skilled Visa (485) however the increased IELTS requirements do include the 485 visa.
Unfortunately, DIAC has not yet given any clarification of what the Job Ready Test will be, where or when it will be or how much it will cost. We are all waiting with frustration for further announcements from DIAC on this.
Skills Assessment Requirements
VETASSESS will change it’s assessment requirements from January 1st 2010. This will generally affect assessments for all the 50 point occupations such as marketing specialist, Business and information professional (nec) , graphic designer, etc. While all these occupations require a bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian bachelor for a successful assessment, the new requirements will require relevant qualifications and also require relevant work experience for permanent residency skills assessments
Onshore international students without work experience will be able to get a successful assessment for the purpose of a 485 graduate skilled visa only. To obtain a successful assessment for PR they will need top demonstrate work experience. This will have a major effect on family sponsored applicants who in the past have graduated with sufficient points for the 886 skilled sponsored visa. From Jan 1st they will no longer be able to obtain a skills assessment for PR without 1 year of work experience.
For information visit www.vetassess.com.au
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Education
Scholarship Opportunities
Charles Sturt University
Living Allowance Scholarships 2010
Charles Sturt University study centres have announced a limited number of living allowance scholarships for new students from selected countries who begin their studies at CSU in Sydney or Melbourne in 2010. The scholarship is valued at 20% of the tuition fees paid on your first eight subject’s studies at CSU. The Partial Living Allowance Scholarship will be paid after the session census date and will be available provided you remain enrolled and successfully complete each of the eight subjects undertaken.
Academic Merit Scholarships 2010
The Charles Sturt University study centres announced a limited number of Academic Merit Scholarships for gifted students who begin their studies at CSU in Sydney or Melbourne in 2010. The scholarship is valued at 20% of the tuition fees paid on your first eight subject’s studies at CSU The Academic Merit Scholarship will be paid after the session census date and will be available provided you remain enrolled and successfully complete each of the eight subjects undertaken.
*Both the Academic Merit & Living Allowance Scholarships are limited and there will be no right of appeal should you be unsuccessful in securing a scholarship.
Credit Transfer Opportunities from Vocational Training Courses to University
Contact Granger Australia to have your Diploma or Advanced Diplomas in any field assessed for both entry criteria and credit transfer into a range of bachelor degrees across Australia. Eligible advanced diplomas can earn up to 1.5 years credit into a bachelor degree saving thousands of dollars in tuition.
Contact your Granger Australia student counselor for more information on Ph: +61 (02) 9389 8610.
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Events
Free Migration Seminar held every month
We regularly hold free migration seminars. Email us your interest and we will contact you when our next seminar will be held. enquiry@grangeraustralia.com.au
Click here for all Events
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What's On Sydney
Free English Conversation Classes - February 2010
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm (Every Monday in February)
Location: Bankstown City Library (Ground Floor)
Want to practice your English and meet new people in a friendly and social environment? Bankstown City Library is hosting a series of English conversation classes every Monday during February. For more information visit www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au
Chinese New Year Celebrations - 12th February 2010
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Belmore Park (Central Station)
All the noise and excitement of the Chinese New Year Festival begins with an exciting Launch Celebration at the first night of the Festival Markets in Belmore Park. For more information visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Chinese New Year Markets - 12th, 13th, 14th February 2010
Time: 11:00am to 10:00pm
Location: Belmore Park (Central Station)
Experience the colour, flavours and excitement of an authentic Asian Market at the Chinese New Year Markets in Belmore Park. With more than 50 stalls offering delicious food, New Year gifts, crafts, and activities, there's plenty for everyone to enjoy. For more information visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Valentines Day - 14 February 2010
Chinese New Year Twilight Parade - 21 February 2010
Time: 7:45pm to 9:45pm
Location: Town Hall to Chinatown, followed by fireworks at Cockle Bay
Starting at dusk, Sydney's streets are transformed. Led by a spectacular float performing an ancient eye dotting ceremony designed to awaken the spirit of the dragons, this year's parade is a truly magical experience. Delight at the beauty of the lanterns and swirling costumes, thrill to daring aerial feats and marvel at the giant tiger made from recycled metal, and ready to prowl. For more information visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
South American Festival - 21 February 2010
Time: 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion’s South American Festival brings the best of Sydney’s Latin artists who will have you non-stop entertained on three stages with their dynamic mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance entertainment, displays workshops, colourful costumes and irrepressible talent. For more information visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au
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Aussie Facts
- In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population
- Despite the urban concentration, Australia has an average of three people per square kilometre, making it one of the lowest population densities in the world.
- One in every four persons is either a first or second generation settler to Australia, a trend started after World War II.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the longest reef in the world at over 2010 kilometres.
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