Migration News

The Australian Newspaper dated 26 July 2008

Following is an article printed in The Australian newspaper featuring an interview with Jonathan Granger.
Elisabeth Wynhausen | July 26, 2008

Bogus references helps students win residency

OVERSEAS students are buying their way into Australia using bogus references that back up their applications for permanent residency.

Students are paying $5000 or more for a set of documents they require before applying for a trade certificate, a necessary step if they hope to stay in Australia. An investigation by The Weekend Australian has revealed that businesses, including restaurants and hairdressers, are being paid for fraudulent references that claim the students have completed the required 900 hours of work experience.

One reference obtained by The Weekend Australian says a 22-year-old Indian student has been doing unpaid work for a restaurant in Melbourne's northern suburbs over the course of a year. The document lists the many tasks the student has undertaken. It is signed by the restaurant owner who said: "We have quite a few students working here. I've written plenty of references."

The restaurant owner said he could not recall their names as they were difficult names to remember. He said he had not written a reference for anyone who had not worked for him and he had not received money for writing references. The student told a registered migration agent he had never worked at the restaurant. Under the present system, the references are assessed by Trades Recognition Australia, an authority in the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The department says: "The provision of fraudulent documents in support of TRA applications for skills recognition is considered a very serious breach of the law.

"DEEWR commits significant resources to identifying, investigating and prosecuting instances of fraud. As an example, in March 2008, a Sydney migration agent was found guilty of two counts of fraud in relation to the provision of false documents to TRA. A number of other similar investigations are ongoing in a number of states.

"At this point in time it would be inappropriate to make any further comment, as to do so could prejudice these investigations, and any subsequent legal proceedings that might follow." One of the difficulties in checking the references is that the TRA allows voluntary work to count as work experience.

Sydney migration agent Jonathan Granger said that had made it easier for some colleges, migration agents and also restaurants "to take $5000 from students to give them the reference saying they've done the 900 hours".

Click here to read the entire article.

For more information and advice we suggest that you complete our "Online Form".