AAP
Two more men charged with bribery offences have pleaded guilty in court following a West Australian corruption hearing into the manipulation of English-language competency tests.
Eight men faced bribery charges with six so far pleading guilty.
The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) charged the men over allegations that English test scores were falsified at Curtin University to help international students obtain visas and residency in Australia.
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Applicants for permanent residency and work or student visas must prove their competence under the International English Testing System (IELTS), which is relied upon by the Department of Immigration.
The offences are alleged to have occurred over 12 months from June 2009.
Rikenkumar Jentilal Vaishnani and Vishal Jitendrakumar Pandya pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Vaishnani faced three charges while Pandya faced five charges.
Both will be sentenced in the Perth District Court on June 10.
Navin Ramji Bhudiya had his case adjourned until May 25 while Kok Keith Low, who worked at Curtin University's language centre, will reappear in court on Friday.
Bhudiya faces three charges while Low faces 14 bribery charges as well as one charge of being a public officer obtaining or seeking a bribe.
Abdul Kader, Vimal Vinodray Majithiya, Pritesh Chetan Shah and Hainder Jit pleaded guilty to their bribery charges in the Perth Magistrates Court last month.
Kader and Shah each faced 14 charges of bribery, while Majithiya and Jit faced two charges.
Source:http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/two-plead-guilty-to-visa-bribe-charges-20110511-1eib6.html
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Immigration budget 2011: the cost of overseas labour
The current immigration debate and budget is being driven by labour needs without considering the short and long terms economic costs.
In October 2010 Chris Bowen was appointed Labor's Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. He noted that he was bringing an economist background to the portfolio. He said he understood the impact Australia's immigration program has on the 'three Ps' – population size, workplace participation rates and productivity levels. He re-affirmed this view again in November 2010 when he said: "A well-calibrated migration program contributes to all three Ps: productivity, participation and population". He also noted "…it is essential that Australia's skilled migration program, both temporary and permanent, is responsive to current economic conditions.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship received $1,171.3 million in the 2011-12 budget. In comparison to the 2010-11 budget of $1,120.8 million, this is an increase of $50.5 million. Increasing the permanent migration intake from 168,700 to 185,000 places will cost an additional $160 million over four years. This includes 125,850 skilled places, which is an increase from 113,850 in 2010. Family migration will also increase to 58,600 places, up from 54,550 last year.
Increases in the skilled migration program, 16 000 places in regional Australia, and speeding up of the controversial '457' visa have contributed to increased portfolio costs. Long-term costs include the administration of overseas workers on 457 visas who stay in a regional area and whose employers will guarantee work for a further two years who will be fast-tracked to permanent residency. Almost $4.8 billion will be spent marketing migration opportunities and visas to regional employers.
There are six main categories of permanent visa: skilled migration, family migration, business migration, employer-sponsored, refugee/humanitarian, and special eligibility (former Australian residents). Temporary visas, such as 457 visas in the past allow people to visit Australia for a limited time. Beyond these major categories of permanent and temporary visas there are approximately 140 visa subclasses with different eligibility criteria. While Australia has a history of immigration linked to labour needs, the migration system today is driven exclusively by a rigid visa system that often forgets the short and long terms costs of labour on the national economy. Driving much of the debate about the need for overseas labour are Australia's mining companies.
The chairman of BHP Billiton, for example, recently called for a boost to immigration to feed the booming mining industry: "Australia needs to attract more skilled labour from overseas…In the short-term, flexibility is required on labour practices, including immigration policies". Yet, two days after the budget announcements increasing skilled migration places in regional Australia the Bureau of Statistics revealed weak unemployment figures with more than 49,000 full-time jobs lost, offsetting a rise of almost 27,000 part-time positions. Mining stocks fell sharply after a big sell-off in commodities with companies blaming the strong Australian dollar and lower global steel prices. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) rejects the use of temporary overseas labour by employers in industries where local labour cannot be attracted due to poor wages and conditions.
The report recently released by Population Minister Tony Burke, Sustainable Australia, Sustainable Communities, maintains Chris Bowen's view that targeted immigration is about the needs and skills of the Australian workforce. Moreover, population and labour needs have received $230 million of fiscal backing in the 2011-12 Budget. Some of the labour-population costs announced by Tony Burke include $100 million for a Suburban Jobs initiatives; $81.4 million in new investments in the National Urban Policy including $61.4 million for a smart managed motorways trial and $20 million for a Liveable Cities program; $29.2 million for a new Sustainable Regional Development initiative; $11.5 million for a new Promoting Regional Living; and $10.1 million for a new Measuring Sustainability program.
This population-labour related spending needs to be contextualised with the recent Treasury modeling projects that Australia would reach a population level of 36 million by the year 2050. Peter McDonald from ANU's Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute argues that without migration Australia's population would grow by just over a million in the next decade. But 900,000 of them will be over the age of 65. Hence, there will be very little scope for labour force growth but at a time when there will be a very strong labour force demand. Even if the federal government determined that Australia needed 250,000 new workers over the next two years, domestic supply of workers at best can only provide about 100,000 workers. Based on this it is inevitable that Australia will need to have high levels of migration at least over the next decade.
The need for labour is therefore the driving factor of Australia's migration program. This in itself is fine, as long as Australians are prepared to pay for the cost of overseas labour. In the case of the 2011-12 federal budget that is $1,171.3 million plus related costs. To not import labour has its own costs such as wage inflation and interest rate rises. Conversely, there are hidden costs of overseas labour migration.
Environment author Mark O'Connor argues infrastructure costs are between $200,000 and $400,000 for every person that comes to Australia to work. While each overseas worker can contribute to the Australian economy the benefit is more likely to go to the company hiring them (and in this case it is the mining giants like BHP Billiton). For each person that comes to Australia to work it may save the employers training an apprentice or it may drive down wages.
According to O'Connor this may save the employer $10 000 in not having to train an apprentice, but the infrastructure costs borne by government is more than likely double that. Therefore, there is also an argument that there is an economic downside of importing overseas labour.
These arguments are known by government, however the Minister for Immigration maintains an immigration program driven by productivity, population, and participation regardless of the short or long-term costs.
Source:http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12110
In October 2010 Chris Bowen was appointed Labor's Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. He noted that he was bringing an economist background to the portfolio. He said he understood the impact Australia's immigration program has on the 'three Ps' – population size, workplace participation rates and productivity levels. He re-affirmed this view again in November 2010 when he said: "A well-calibrated migration program contributes to all three Ps: productivity, participation and population". He also noted "…it is essential that Australia's skilled migration program, both temporary and permanent, is responsive to current economic conditions.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship received $1,171.3 million in the 2011-12 budget. In comparison to the 2010-11 budget of $1,120.8 million, this is an increase of $50.5 million. Increasing the permanent migration intake from 168,700 to 185,000 places will cost an additional $160 million over four years. This includes 125,850 skilled places, which is an increase from 113,850 in 2010. Family migration will also increase to 58,600 places, up from 54,550 last year.
Increases in the skilled migration program, 16 000 places in regional Australia, and speeding up of the controversial '457' visa have contributed to increased portfolio costs. Long-term costs include the administration of overseas workers on 457 visas who stay in a regional area and whose employers will guarantee work for a further two years who will be fast-tracked to permanent residency. Almost $4.8 billion will be spent marketing migration opportunities and visas to regional employers.
There are six main categories of permanent visa: skilled migration, family migration, business migration, employer-sponsored, refugee/humanitarian, and special eligibility (former Australian residents). Temporary visas, such as 457 visas in the past allow people to visit Australia for a limited time. Beyond these major categories of permanent and temporary visas there are approximately 140 visa subclasses with different eligibility criteria. While Australia has a history of immigration linked to labour needs, the migration system today is driven exclusively by a rigid visa system that often forgets the short and long terms costs of labour on the national economy. Driving much of the debate about the need for overseas labour are Australia's mining companies.
The chairman of BHP Billiton, for example, recently called for a boost to immigration to feed the booming mining industry: "Australia needs to attract more skilled labour from overseas…In the short-term, flexibility is required on labour practices, including immigration policies". Yet, two days after the budget announcements increasing skilled migration places in regional Australia the Bureau of Statistics revealed weak unemployment figures with more than 49,000 full-time jobs lost, offsetting a rise of almost 27,000 part-time positions. Mining stocks fell sharply after a big sell-off in commodities with companies blaming the strong Australian dollar and lower global steel prices. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) rejects the use of temporary overseas labour by employers in industries where local labour cannot be attracted due to poor wages and conditions.
The report recently released by Population Minister Tony Burke, Sustainable Australia, Sustainable Communities, maintains Chris Bowen's view that targeted immigration is about the needs and skills of the Australian workforce. Moreover, population and labour needs have received $230 million of fiscal backing in the 2011-12 Budget. Some of the labour-population costs announced by Tony Burke include $100 million for a Suburban Jobs initiatives; $81.4 million in new investments in the National Urban Policy including $61.4 million for a smart managed motorways trial and $20 million for a Liveable Cities program; $29.2 million for a new Sustainable Regional Development initiative; $11.5 million for a new Promoting Regional Living; and $10.1 million for a new Measuring Sustainability program.
This population-labour related spending needs to be contextualised with the recent Treasury modeling projects that Australia would reach a population level of 36 million by the year 2050. Peter McDonald from ANU's Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute argues that without migration Australia's population would grow by just over a million in the next decade. But 900,000 of them will be over the age of 65. Hence, there will be very little scope for labour force growth but at a time when there will be a very strong labour force demand. Even if the federal government determined that Australia needed 250,000 new workers over the next two years, domestic supply of workers at best can only provide about 100,000 workers. Based on this it is inevitable that Australia will need to have high levels of migration at least over the next decade.
The need for labour is therefore the driving factor of Australia's migration program. This in itself is fine, as long as Australians are prepared to pay for the cost of overseas labour. In the case of the 2011-12 federal budget that is $1,171.3 million plus related costs. To not import labour has its own costs such as wage inflation and interest rate rises. Conversely, there are hidden costs of overseas labour migration.
Environment author Mark O'Connor argues infrastructure costs are between $200,000 and $400,000 for every person that comes to Australia to work. While each overseas worker can contribute to the Australian economy the benefit is more likely to go to the company hiring them (and in this case it is the mining giants like BHP Billiton). For each person that comes to Australia to work it may save the employers training an apprentice or it may drive down wages.
According to O'Connor this may save the employer $10 000 in not having to train an apprentice, but the infrastructure costs borne by government is more than likely double that. Therefore, there is also an argument that there is an economic downside of importing overseas labour.
These arguments are known by government, however the Minister for Immigration maintains an immigration program driven by productivity, population, and participation regardless of the short or long-term costs.
Source:http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12110
Australian Immigration System to change in July 2012
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen MP announced this month a new Skilled Migrant Selection Model to be introduced in July 2012. When introduced this will represent the biggest change to the Australian immigration system for many years.
From July 2012 to apply for an Australian skilled immigration visa you will firstly need to register an online Expression of Interest (EOI). You may then be invited to make an immigration application. This is similar in some respects to the New Zealand Expression of Interest immigration system which has been in existence for many years.
In the current Australian immigration system, as long as you meet the requirements, you can submit an immigration application right away. The Immigration Minister had the following to say:
"It is critical that Australia's skilled migration program is driven by Australia's skills needs, rather than the desires of prospective migrants."
"That's why the government will introduce a new model for selecting skilled migrants to better target Australia's future skill needs, expected to come into effect on 1 July 2012."
"The new system will be fair and equitable for people wishing to migrate to Australia, and will deliver strong outcomes for local employers who demonstrate they are unable to fill their skilled positions locally."
The following Australian immigration visa categories will be affected by the new Skilled Migrant Selection Model:
Skilled – Independent (Migrant) subclass 175
Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) subclass 176
Skilled – Independent (Residence) subclass 885
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) subclass 886
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 475
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 487
The new immigration system will be less convenient for prospective migrants to Australia. You will have to wait probably about six months to find out if you are allowed to make an immigration application. If you wish to come under the current immigration system it may be worth making an immigration application soon. workpermit.com has a registered MARA Agent who can help you with your immigration application.
Source:http://www.workpermit.com/news/2011-05-30/australia/australian-immigration-system-to-change-in-july-2012.htm
From July 2012 to apply for an Australian skilled immigration visa you will firstly need to register an online Expression of Interest (EOI). You may then be invited to make an immigration application. This is similar in some respects to the New Zealand Expression of Interest immigration system which has been in existence for many years.
In the current Australian immigration system, as long as you meet the requirements, you can submit an immigration application right away. The Immigration Minister had the following to say:
"It is critical that Australia's skilled migration program is driven by Australia's skills needs, rather than the desires of prospective migrants."
"That's why the government will introduce a new model for selecting skilled migrants to better target Australia's future skill needs, expected to come into effect on 1 July 2012."
"The new system will be fair and equitable for people wishing to migrate to Australia, and will deliver strong outcomes for local employers who demonstrate they are unable to fill their skilled positions locally."
The following Australian immigration visa categories will be affected by the new Skilled Migrant Selection Model:
Skilled – Independent (Migrant) subclass 175
Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) subclass 176
Skilled – Independent (Residence) subclass 885
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) subclass 886
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 475
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 487
The new immigration system will be less convenient for prospective migrants to Australia. You will have to wait probably about six months to find out if you are allowed to make an immigration application. If you wish to come under the current immigration system it may be worth making an immigration application soon. workpermit.com has a registered MARA Agent who can help you with your immigration application.
Source:http://www.workpermit.com/news/2011-05-30/australia/australian-immigration-system-to-change-in-july-2012.htm
Australia to increase skilled migrant visas
MELBOURNE: Australian government plans to increase visas in skilled migrant category that was targeted by cookery and hairdressing students by almost 30 per cent under its 2011-12 migration programme.
According to a report in 'The Australian' newspaper, the program projected over 29.6 per cent increase in independent skilled migrants, lifting the number of places to 44,350.
The government had been scrutinising this category after visa grants scam to low-skilled overseas students came into light, the report said.
The report quoted Monash University researcher Bob Birrell as saying that the extra spots were good news for former overseas students waiting for a decision on migration applications.
The government said the queue had shortened from 150,000-plus in May last year to just below 132,000 in April this year.
A tougher points test emphasising advanced skills and superior English starts on July 1.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen spokesperson said it would take time for applicants under the new points test to make their presence felt in the system.
"While it is not possible to predict accurately, it is likely that initially a large proportion of skilled independent visas will be granted to people who are assessed under the old points test," she said.
These could include former overseas students whose professions, such as accountancy, were on the new, better targeted occupation list, Birrell said.
Universities Australia chief executive Glenn Withers said more places in the independent category, together with the new points test, would help universities replace retiring academics and hang on to promising post-graduate students.
When the new points test was foreshadowed last November, they had been working to reduce the dominance of the independent skilled category, departmental officials said.
"In 2006-07, the independent category was about 55 per cent of the (entire skilled] migration program. That's come down now. We're projecting it's going to come in at about 30 per cent in 2010-11, they added.
But in the 2011-12 program, the share allocated to the independent category rises to 35.2 per cent. And the employer-sponsored category gets only a modest 4.19 per cent increase to 46,000 places.
"That's quite striking in the light of rhetoric about favouring employer-sponsored migrants," Birrell added.
Bowen's spokeswoman said, "The decision to balance skilled migration planning levels between employer-sponsored and independent migration reflects macroeconomic conditions, the need for skills in key occupations, and the likely demand for various visas. Priority continues to go to employer-sponsored categories.
Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/job-trends/29580921_1_migration-program-overseas-students-occupation-list
According to a report in 'The Australian' newspaper, the program projected over 29.6 per cent increase in independent skilled migrants, lifting the number of places to 44,350.
The government had been scrutinising this category after visa grants scam to low-skilled overseas students came into light, the report said.
The report quoted Monash University researcher Bob Birrell as saying that the extra spots were good news for former overseas students waiting for a decision on migration applications.
The government said the queue had shortened from 150,000-plus in May last year to just below 132,000 in April this year.
A tougher points test emphasising advanced skills and superior English starts on July 1.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen spokesperson said it would take time for applicants under the new points test to make their presence felt in the system.
"While it is not possible to predict accurately, it is likely that initially a large proportion of skilled independent visas will be granted to people who are assessed under the old points test," she said.
These could include former overseas students whose professions, such as accountancy, were on the new, better targeted occupation list, Birrell said.
Universities Australia chief executive Glenn Withers said more places in the independent category, together with the new points test, would help universities replace retiring academics and hang on to promising post-graduate students.
When the new points test was foreshadowed last November, they had been working to reduce the dominance of the independent skilled category, departmental officials said.
"In 2006-07, the independent category was about 55 per cent of the (entire skilled] migration program. That's come down now. We're projecting it's going to come in at about 30 per cent in 2010-11, they added.
But in the 2011-12 program, the share allocated to the independent category rises to 35.2 per cent. And the employer-sponsored category gets only a modest 4.19 per cent increase to 46,000 places.
"That's quite striking in the light of rhetoric about favouring employer-sponsored migrants," Birrell added.
Bowen's spokeswoman said, "The decision to balance skilled migration planning levels between employer-sponsored and independent migration reflects macroeconomic conditions, the need for skills in key occupations, and the likely demand for various visas. Priority continues to go to employer-sponsored categories.
Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/job-trends/29580921_1_migration-program-overseas-students-occupation-list
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sri Lanka to issue visas for visitors online
Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration is making arrangements to issue visas over the internet for the visitors to the country.
Sri Lanka Cabinet of ministers yesterday approved a proposal submitted by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to set up an electronic system at the Department to issue visas online.
Accordingly the foreigners visiting or travelling through the country will be able to obtain visas through Immigration and Emigration Department website after paying the required fees online.
Intended visitors with no private internet facilities can apply for visa through private agencies to be established for the purpose and also through Sri Lankan Foreign Missions and from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the government said.
The online visa system will replace the current system of visas on arrival in the country.
The new measure being introduced aims at providing conveniences to the tourists and promoting tourism in the country. Since the end of the war in May 2009, the number of tourists arriving in the country has doubled and surpassed 600,000 visitors last year.
University of Moratuwa is to provide the technical support to implement the online visa system.
Source:http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11A/May26_1306432683CH.php
Sri Lanka Cabinet of ministers yesterday approved a proposal submitted by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to set up an electronic system at the Department to issue visas online.
Accordingly the foreigners visiting or travelling through the country will be able to obtain visas through Immigration and Emigration Department website after paying the required fees online.
Intended visitors with no private internet facilities can apply for visa through private agencies to be established for the purpose and also through Sri Lankan Foreign Missions and from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the government said.
The online visa system will replace the current system of visas on arrival in the country.
The new measure being introduced aims at providing conveniences to the tourists and promoting tourism in the country. Since the end of the war in May 2009, the number of tourists arriving in the country has doubled and surpassed 600,000 visitors last year.
University of Moratuwa is to provide the technical support to implement the online visa system.
Source:http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11A/May26_1306432683CH.php
Visa on arrival for Indians scrapped
Sri Lanka on Thursday withdrew the on-arrival free visa facility for Indian tourists.
It means that Indians planning a trip to Sri Lanka after August should apply for their visas online for a fee or visit Lankan missions with an application. The new system will be implemented within 80 days, WA C
hulananda Perera, Immigration and Emigration Controller General, told the Hindustan Times.
Besides Indian tourists, visitors from 78 other countries will be impacted by the decision.
“Only tourists from Singapore and Maldives, countries which gives on-arrival visas to Lankans, will continue to get the reciprocal facility,’’ Perera added.
For example, Lankans visiting India need to either get a visa from the High Commission of India or apply online for it.
The proposal to set up an online visa system was put up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was expectedly given the green-signal by the Lankan Cabinet of ministers on Thursday.
“Foreigners visiting and travelling via Sri Lanka will be able to obtain visas through the website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka by personally applying for them on payment of the prescribed fees,’’ a government statement said.
Perera said the visa processing fee was yet to be decided but will be nominal.
“Those who do not have private access to internet facilities, will be able to apply for visa through private agencies to be established for the purpose and also through Sri Lankan Foreign Missions and from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration,’’ the statement added.
Perera said applicants will be able to apply to get a visa either within a day or within three days. ``The system will be very easy and data base for each applicant will be maintained online,’’ he added.
Travel or ticketing agents would also be able to apply for the visa on behalf of the tourist.
In August last year, the government had withdrawn the facility but overturned the decision after a clamour of protests from the tourism industry. Tourism is one of the main earners of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka and, which is finally witnessing a revival after decades of civil war. In 2009, more than 85000 Indians visited Lanka; that number went above 1.2 lakh last year.
Perera, however, said tourism will not be affected by the change in system; it will only make it easier for the tourist, he added.
Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/Visa-on-arrival-for-Indians-scrapped/Article1-702316.aspx
It means that Indians planning a trip to Sri Lanka after August should apply for their visas online for a fee or visit Lankan missions with an application. The new system will be implemented within 80 days, WA C
hulananda Perera, Immigration and Emigration Controller General, told the Hindustan Times.
Besides Indian tourists, visitors from 78 other countries will be impacted by the decision.
“Only tourists from Singapore and Maldives, countries which gives on-arrival visas to Lankans, will continue to get the reciprocal facility,’’ Perera added.
For example, Lankans visiting India need to either get a visa from the High Commission of India or apply online for it.
The proposal to set up an online visa system was put up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was expectedly given the green-signal by the Lankan Cabinet of ministers on Thursday.
“Foreigners visiting and travelling via Sri Lanka will be able to obtain visas through the website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka by personally applying for them on payment of the prescribed fees,’’ a government statement said.
Perera said the visa processing fee was yet to be decided but will be nominal.
“Those who do not have private access to internet facilities, will be able to apply for visa through private agencies to be established for the purpose and also through Sri Lankan Foreign Missions and from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration,’’ the statement added.
Perera said applicants will be able to apply to get a visa either within a day or within three days. ``The system will be very easy and data base for each applicant will be maintained online,’’ he added.
Travel or ticketing agents would also be able to apply for the visa on behalf of the tourist.
In August last year, the government had withdrawn the facility but overturned the decision after a clamour of protests from the tourism industry. Tourism is one of the main earners of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka and, which is finally witnessing a revival after decades of civil war. In 2009, more than 85000 Indians visited Lanka; that number went above 1.2 lakh last year.
Perera, however, said tourism will not be affected by the change in system; it will only make it easier for the tourist, he added.
Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/Visa-on-arrival-for-Indians-scrapped/Article1-702316.aspx
TOEFL scores approved for student visas
Students from around the world who wish to study in Australia can now use their TOEFL® test scores as part of their visa application as announced by Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Today's announcement paves the way for Australian higher education institutions to have access to even more quality international students from a diverse range of markets.
Previously, only one English language assessment was accepted for students coming to Australia from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries such as China and India.
Swinburne's Pro Vice- Chancellor (International and Recruitment), Mr Jeffrey Smart said this is great news for Australian universities.
"The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment worldwide. It is popular with prospective students and agents in all of Australia's major source markets.
" I'm sure that all of Australia's universities, VET and English language providers join me in welcoming the re-introduction of the TOEFL test for student visa purposes.
Smart added that for many years, students have been able to gain academic admission into Australia's universities on the basis of their TOEFL score: now applicants will be able to satisfy visa requirements with this test as well.
"With students in 165 countries taking the TOEFL test, the Department's decision provides a boost to Australia's international student recruitment efforts at a critical juncture as our country's institutions compete for talented international students," Smart said.
David Hunt, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ETS's Global Division said that nearly every university and college in Australia already accepts TOEFL scores for admission purposes.
"With this decision, many more international students will be able to consider Australian universities without having to take a second English test for visa purposes. We think this is good for both international students and Australian higher education.
"We hope someday to see the TOEFL test accepted for skilled migration purposes as well."
The announcement is significant for large numbers of international students from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries who are interested in studying in Australia. They now have the opportunity to use the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English language proficiency, satisfying the required language component of the visa application process.
For more than 45 years, the TOEFL test has been the most widely accepted English language assessment in the world, recognised by more than 8,000 colleges, universities and agencies including the most prestigious institutions in the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. And with more than 4,500 test sites around the world, the TOEFL test is more convenient than ever for students wishing to apply for study in Australia.
More information about the TOEFL test, including registration dates and free sample test questions, is available at www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org
About the TOEFL Test
The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment in the world, recognised by more than 8,000 institutions in more than 130 countries. Globally, the TOEFL test is available at more than 4,500 testing sites. To date, more than 25 million students around the world have taken the TOEFL test.
A clip explaining the decision can be found at:
https://files.me.com/etsmedia/brhxcn.mov
Contact: Dan Bleakman, TOEFLAustralia@howorth.com.au on 02 8281 3823
Source:http://www.swinburne.edu.au/chancellery/mediacentre/media-centre/news/2011/05/toefl-scores-approved-for-student-visas
Today's announcement paves the way for Australian higher education institutions to have access to even more quality international students from a diverse range of markets.
Previously, only one English language assessment was accepted for students coming to Australia from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries such as China and India.
Swinburne's Pro Vice- Chancellor (International and Recruitment), Mr Jeffrey Smart said this is great news for Australian universities.
"The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment worldwide. It is popular with prospective students and agents in all of Australia's major source markets.
" I'm sure that all of Australia's universities, VET and English language providers join me in welcoming the re-introduction of the TOEFL test for student visa purposes.
Smart added that for many years, students have been able to gain academic admission into Australia's universities on the basis of their TOEFL score: now applicants will be able to satisfy visa requirements with this test as well.
"With students in 165 countries taking the TOEFL test, the Department's decision provides a boost to Australia's international student recruitment efforts at a critical juncture as our country's institutions compete for talented international students," Smart said.
David Hunt, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ETS's Global Division said that nearly every university and college in Australia already accepts TOEFL scores for admission purposes.
"With this decision, many more international students will be able to consider Australian universities without having to take a second English test for visa purposes. We think this is good for both international students and Australian higher education.
"We hope someday to see the TOEFL test accepted for skilled migration purposes as well."
The announcement is significant for large numbers of international students from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries who are interested in studying in Australia. They now have the opportunity to use the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English language proficiency, satisfying the required language component of the visa application process.
For more than 45 years, the TOEFL test has been the most widely accepted English language assessment in the world, recognised by more than 8,000 colleges, universities and agencies including the most prestigious institutions in the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. And with more than 4,500 test sites around the world, the TOEFL test is more convenient than ever for students wishing to apply for study in Australia.
More information about the TOEFL test, including registration dates and free sample test questions, is available at www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org
About the TOEFL Test
The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment in the world, recognised by more than 8,000 institutions in more than 130 countries. Globally, the TOEFL test is available at more than 4,500 testing sites. To date, more than 25 million students around the world have taken the TOEFL test.
A clip explaining the decision can be found at:
https://files.me.com/etsmedia/brhxcn.mov
Contact: Dan Bleakman, TOEFLAustralia@howorth.com.au on 02 8281 3823
Source:http://www.swinburne.edu.au/chancellery/mediacentre/media-centre/news/2011/05/toefl-scores-approved-for-student-visas
Government dilutes IELTS test monopoly
THE IELTS English language test monopoly in the Australian visa business has been weakened.
Today the Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said those applying for student visas also would be able to use the US-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In Australia, the International English Language Testing System is operated by education broker IDP. Globally, IELTS is owned by Cambridge University, IDP and the British Council.
Under the old rules, students from key markets, such as China, had to furnish an IELTS score as proof of English proficiency to qualify for a student visa.
Mr Bowen said he expected two other tests, the Pearson Test of English Academic and the Cambridge English: Advanced tests, would get official recognition for student visas later this year.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"These additional English language test options will help to create competition in the English language testing market, while creating more test places for student visa applicants,'' he said.
"They will also provide candidates with greater choice and enable them to more quickly obtain test results needed for visa applications.''
However, most controversy about English tests has focused on their role in selecting former international students for permanent residency as skilled migrants.
This is less of an issue now that the Government has weakened the education-migration link although IELTS also remains the required test for the growth category of skilled migrants sponsored by employers.
Mr Bowen said the Government would wait to see how the new tests performed with student visas before deciding whether or not to open up other visa categories to competition.
Today's decision flows from a review of English language tests begun by Mr Bowen's department in 2008.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/ielts-test-monopoly-diluted/story-e6frgcjx-1226059742385
Today the Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said those applying for student visas also would be able to use the US-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In Australia, the International English Language Testing System is operated by education broker IDP. Globally, IELTS is owned by Cambridge University, IDP and the British Council.
Under the old rules, students from key markets, such as China, had to furnish an IELTS score as proof of English proficiency to qualify for a student visa.
Mr Bowen said he expected two other tests, the Pearson Test of English Academic and the Cambridge English: Advanced tests, would get official recognition for student visas later this year.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"These additional English language test options will help to create competition in the English language testing market, while creating more test places for student visa applicants,'' he said.
"They will also provide candidates with greater choice and enable them to more quickly obtain test results needed for visa applications.''
However, most controversy about English tests has focused on their role in selecting former international students for permanent residency as skilled migrants.
This is less of an issue now that the Government has weakened the education-migration link although IELTS also remains the required test for the growth category of skilled migrants sponsored by employers.
Mr Bowen said the Government would wait to see how the new tests performed with student visas before deciding whether or not to open up other visa categories to competition.
Today's decision flows from a review of English language tests begun by Mr Bowen's department in 2008.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/ielts-test-monopoly-diluted/story-e6frgcjx-1226059742385
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Immigration reform: It’s a matter of skill
Take two developments in the last 10 days, flowing from different arms of government and ask yourself why one Federal bureaucracy doesn't orchestrate them both.
On 3 May, Skills Australia[1], Australia's independent skills and workforce advisory body, recommended a root and branch overhaul of the country's vocational education and training (VET) system in order to help raise productivity, and address skills challenges that threaten future economic growth and prosperity.
Skills Australia published a comprehensive national review of the Australian VET system covering the last two decades wherein it recommended a series of strategies designed to produce a more flexible and market-oriented education and training system. A system capable of addressing projected skills shortages, rising structural changes in the economy and an ageing population.
The authority's recommendations included:
· Increasing the public subsidy for those undertaking vocational courses;
· Extending scholarships to VET students currently receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy; and
· The creation of an industry-led "Enterprise Skills Investment Fund‟that would aggregate a number of existing funding streams.
It estimated that Australia would need an additional 2.4 million skilled workers by 2015, increasing to 5.2 million by 2025, to meet projected industry demand. Presently, the projected supply of skilled workers is well short of these estimates.
Skills Australia assess the proposed reforms to cost an extra $310 million per year from 2012–13, ballooning to an estimated $12 billion in 2020. This funding will cover the cost of the expansion of VET qualifications by 3 per cent per year. This is the rate the authority argues it needs to secure enough skilled workers to support projected economic activity.
Skills Australia reports to Senator Christopher Evans whose cloakroom stores many hats, including the Minister for Tertiary Education, Minister for Skills as well as the Minister for Jobs and Workplace Relations. The Minister for Immigration (Chris Bowen) and Minister for Employment Participation (Kate Ellis) don't get much of a sneak peek into the authority's activities.
Fast-forward 8 days.
On 11 May, the Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, revealed that Australia's migration inflow will swell by 16 000 to make room for skilled migrants whose labour is urgently needed in regional Australia. These much needed folk will be welcomed under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
Reams and reams of Commonwealth government propaganda, from both sides of politics, remind us that permanent and temporary migration are key contributors to Australia's economic, demographic and social needs.
And the Department of Immigration & Citizenship[2], reminds us that it"will continue to contribute to the national debate on economic and population policy including [devising] a targeted Migration Program that responds to Australia's changing economic and social needs through (amongst other aims):
· Implements strategies to strengthen the economic, budgetary, cultural and social benefits from both permanent and temporary migration;
· Reviews and improve Australia's temporary entry arrangements to better meet the needs of business, education and tourism,and;
· Delivers the permanent Skilled Migration Program, which works effectively in conjunction with the domestic education and training agenda.
These statements regrettably ignore that a good slice of the migration pie, some 35%, is dedicated to non economic, non refugee migrants.
Putting aside the small refugee component, Australia's immigration program is made of two main parts: Cultural & Social Migration and Economic Migration.
Cultural & Social Migration
Bureaucratically speaking, the point of this part of the annual immigration program is to "develop and administer visa arrangements that further Australia's social, cultural and international relations."
Put simply, foreign nationals are invited to Australia to spend their money be they tourists, students or through sporting, community or religious exchanges. That said, the bulk of arrivals under this category were, and remain family reunions. Three out of four 'family' arrivals are partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents. The balance is children, parents, relatives or carers.
The economic benefit of these migrants is never assessed. But their cost isn't that hard to quantify. They can access the spectrum of social welfare programs offered by all levels of government. They are not subjected to determination if they are rich, young, educated, and innovative or if they have skills that are much sought after by Australian industries.
Economic migration
On the other hand, the Commonwealth has often provided compelling economic and budgetary benefits from granting permanent residence visas to skilled and business migrants, as measured by economic models and surveys of recent migrants.Hardly surprising really, that those immigrants who are one or more of the following: mostly under 45, keen, educated or rich, are indeed more of a benefit than a cost to the rest of us.
The Department of Immigration & Citizenship estimated that the migrant contribution in the skilled program at 2009–10 levels was about $716 million in the first year after their arrival. Their cumulative contribution to the Consolidated Revenue increases to over $10 billion after a decade.
The Department has demonstrated that skilled migrants are younger and more likely to be working in a full-time jobs compared to workers in the general population. The participation rate of skilled migrants is 94 per cent compared to 65 per cent for the general Australian population.
The total number of economic migrants is made of three main groupings:
Employer Sponsored, comprised of the Employer Nominated Scheme and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme. These are two avenues whereby Australian employers can seek to nominate skilled workers from overseas for permanent residence.
These programs allow employers to recruit skilled workers to fill skilled vacancies in their business and respond effectively to changing economic conditions.As mentioned earlier, the RSMS cap was lifted by 16 000 for the year to June 2012. primarily to allow for the swelling demands in resource rich Western Australia and Queensland.
General Skilled refers to professionals and other skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer, but who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia.
Business Skilled comprises business owners or investors who wish to undertake business activities in Australia, which will assist in the economic development of Australia.
On Wednesday 11 Mar, Heather Ridout, board member of Skills Australia and Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group[3], argued convincingly on ABC's Lateline that while Australia currently has 1.7 million people in vocational training of one sort or another, the nation will need another 2.4 million skilled workers by 2015 and many of those will need to be conversant with skills of the future[4].
What's worse, she lamented, is that while at any one time up to 450,000 apprentices and trainees are being taught, in come cases up to 70% quit their courses before completing them. Also we have a workforce where nearly half cannot read the operating manual necessary for the job they're doing in a factory.
In short we have a lack of foundation skills in our existing workforce and an emerging skills gap in areas where the skill content of jobs is rising.
To help address the skills shortages, the Commonwealth has introduced a new category: a resource industry targeted Enterprise Migration Agreement[5], which will allow resource giants to identify much needed workers from overseas and invite them to Australia. Interestingly, there is no limit to the numbers than can be brought here under this scheme.
Over the years, most budgets, from both sides of politics, have revealed what we already all knew. That we simply do not have the right amount of Australians, with the right skill sets, at the right time, in the right places of employment.
And the best our vocational training establishments can do is keep applying band aid solutions in order to stop the gap from widening between the quanta of skills we need at any point in time and those we have.
Why not call the functions of immigration for what they are: on the one hand, a vital tool to address skill shortages and to help with the development of our towns, cities and economy. And on the other, a cynical tool to appease constituents of non-Anglo-Saxon Australian lobby groups.
Wayne Swan's budget was devoid of any meaningful reform. Nothing on income or company taxes and even less on the on-again-off-again carbon tax.
Here's an idea, which could lift Swan's poor standing as an economic manager and at the same time, steal some of the Coalition's territory: harness immigration policy for the benefit of the economy and dispense with a focus on currying favour with ethnic groups.
Swan can start with recognising the seamlessness between, on the one hand, the tool that can modulate China's demand for our resources (this tool is called 'vocational training') and the tool to adapt to the Australian public's demand for housing, education, health care as well as most supermarket staples (this tool is called 'employment'), and on the other hand, acknowledge a tool that performs those very same functions in a very different way (this one's called 'immigration').
Given the current skills shortages and the looming catastrophic skill deficits expected, is it not time to close down the disjointed functions of three ministers: the Immigration Minister (Chris Bowen), his Tertiary Education & Skills partner (Chris Evans) and their Employment colleague (Kate Ellis) and merge their responsibilities, working as one department, hand in glove with industry, solely focused on elevating the labour force's skill set in quantum, relevance and timing, regardless of whether talent is home grown or imported.
Surely it's time for a super ministry dedicated to achieving what is so desperately needed.
Surely it's time for a Commonwealth Department of Labour.
[1]http://www.skillsaustralia.gov.au/
[2]http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2009-10/
[3]http://www.aigroup.com.au/mediacentre/directors/
[4]http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3214358.htm
[5]http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3214358.htm
Jonathan J. Ariel is an economist and financial analyst. He holds a MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He can be contacted at jonathan@chinamail.com.
Source:http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12040&page=0
On 3 May, Skills Australia[1], Australia's independent skills and workforce advisory body, recommended a root and branch overhaul of the country's vocational education and training (VET) system in order to help raise productivity, and address skills challenges that threaten future economic growth and prosperity.
Skills Australia published a comprehensive national review of the Australian VET system covering the last two decades wherein it recommended a series of strategies designed to produce a more flexible and market-oriented education and training system. A system capable of addressing projected skills shortages, rising structural changes in the economy and an ageing population.
The authority's recommendations included:
· Increasing the public subsidy for those undertaking vocational courses;
· Extending scholarships to VET students currently receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy; and
· The creation of an industry-led "Enterprise Skills Investment Fund‟that would aggregate a number of existing funding streams.
It estimated that Australia would need an additional 2.4 million skilled workers by 2015, increasing to 5.2 million by 2025, to meet projected industry demand. Presently, the projected supply of skilled workers is well short of these estimates.
Skills Australia assess the proposed reforms to cost an extra $310 million per year from 2012–13, ballooning to an estimated $12 billion in 2020. This funding will cover the cost of the expansion of VET qualifications by 3 per cent per year. This is the rate the authority argues it needs to secure enough skilled workers to support projected economic activity.
Skills Australia reports to Senator Christopher Evans whose cloakroom stores many hats, including the Minister for Tertiary Education, Minister for Skills as well as the Minister for Jobs and Workplace Relations. The Minister for Immigration (Chris Bowen) and Minister for Employment Participation (Kate Ellis) don't get much of a sneak peek into the authority's activities.
Fast-forward 8 days.
On 11 May, the Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, revealed that Australia's migration inflow will swell by 16 000 to make room for skilled migrants whose labour is urgently needed in regional Australia. These much needed folk will be welcomed under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
Reams and reams of Commonwealth government propaganda, from both sides of politics, remind us that permanent and temporary migration are key contributors to Australia's economic, demographic and social needs.
And the Department of Immigration & Citizenship[2], reminds us that it"will continue to contribute to the national debate on economic and population policy including [devising] a targeted Migration Program that responds to Australia's changing economic and social needs through (amongst other aims):
· Implements strategies to strengthen the economic, budgetary, cultural and social benefits from both permanent and temporary migration;
· Reviews and improve Australia's temporary entry arrangements to better meet the needs of business, education and tourism,and;
· Delivers the permanent Skilled Migration Program, which works effectively in conjunction with the domestic education and training agenda.
These statements regrettably ignore that a good slice of the migration pie, some 35%, is dedicated to non economic, non refugee migrants.
Putting aside the small refugee component, Australia's immigration program is made of two main parts: Cultural & Social Migration and Economic Migration.
Cultural & Social Migration
Bureaucratically speaking, the point of this part of the annual immigration program is to "develop and administer visa arrangements that further Australia's social, cultural and international relations."
Put simply, foreign nationals are invited to Australia to spend their money be they tourists, students or through sporting, community or religious exchanges. That said, the bulk of arrivals under this category were, and remain family reunions. Three out of four 'family' arrivals are partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents. The balance is children, parents, relatives or carers.
The economic benefit of these migrants is never assessed. But their cost isn't that hard to quantify. They can access the spectrum of social welfare programs offered by all levels of government. They are not subjected to determination if they are rich, young, educated, and innovative or if they have skills that are much sought after by Australian industries.
Economic migration
On the other hand, the Commonwealth has often provided compelling economic and budgetary benefits from granting permanent residence visas to skilled and business migrants, as measured by economic models and surveys of recent migrants.Hardly surprising really, that those immigrants who are one or more of the following: mostly under 45, keen, educated or rich, are indeed more of a benefit than a cost to the rest of us.
The Department of Immigration & Citizenship estimated that the migrant contribution in the skilled program at 2009–10 levels was about $716 million in the first year after their arrival. Their cumulative contribution to the Consolidated Revenue increases to over $10 billion after a decade.
The Department has demonstrated that skilled migrants are younger and more likely to be working in a full-time jobs compared to workers in the general population. The participation rate of skilled migrants is 94 per cent compared to 65 per cent for the general Australian population.
The total number of economic migrants is made of three main groupings:
Employer Sponsored, comprised of the Employer Nominated Scheme and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme. These are two avenues whereby Australian employers can seek to nominate skilled workers from overseas for permanent residence.
These programs allow employers to recruit skilled workers to fill skilled vacancies in their business and respond effectively to changing economic conditions.As mentioned earlier, the RSMS cap was lifted by 16 000 for the year to June 2012. primarily to allow for the swelling demands in resource rich Western Australia and Queensland.
General Skilled refers to professionals and other skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer, but who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia.
Business Skilled comprises business owners or investors who wish to undertake business activities in Australia, which will assist in the economic development of Australia.
On Wednesday 11 Mar, Heather Ridout, board member of Skills Australia and Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group[3], argued convincingly on ABC's Lateline that while Australia currently has 1.7 million people in vocational training of one sort or another, the nation will need another 2.4 million skilled workers by 2015 and many of those will need to be conversant with skills of the future[4].
What's worse, she lamented, is that while at any one time up to 450,000 apprentices and trainees are being taught, in come cases up to 70% quit their courses before completing them. Also we have a workforce where nearly half cannot read the operating manual necessary for the job they're doing in a factory.
In short we have a lack of foundation skills in our existing workforce and an emerging skills gap in areas where the skill content of jobs is rising.
To help address the skills shortages, the Commonwealth has introduced a new category: a resource industry targeted Enterprise Migration Agreement[5], which will allow resource giants to identify much needed workers from overseas and invite them to Australia. Interestingly, there is no limit to the numbers than can be brought here under this scheme.
Over the years, most budgets, from both sides of politics, have revealed what we already all knew. That we simply do not have the right amount of Australians, with the right skill sets, at the right time, in the right places of employment.
And the best our vocational training establishments can do is keep applying band aid solutions in order to stop the gap from widening between the quanta of skills we need at any point in time and those we have.
Why not call the functions of immigration for what they are: on the one hand, a vital tool to address skill shortages and to help with the development of our towns, cities and economy. And on the other, a cynical tool to appease constituents of non-Anglo-Saxon Australian lobby groups.
Wayne Swan's budget was devoid of any meaningful reform. Nothing on income or company taxes and even less on the on-again-off-again carbon tax.
Here's an idea, which could lift Swan's poor standing as an economic manager and at the same time, steal some of the Coalition's territory: harness immigration policy for the benefit of the economy and dispense with a focus on currying favour with ethnic groups.
Swan can start with recognising the seamlessness between, on the one hand, the tool that can modulate China's demand for our resources (this tool is called 'vocational training') and the tool to adapt to the Australian public's demand for housing, education, health care as well as most supermarket staples (this tool is called 'employment'), and on the other hand, acknowledge a tool that performs those very same functions in a very different way (this one's called 'immigration').
Given the current skills shortages and the looming catastrophic skill deficits expected, is it not time to close down the disjointed functions of three ministers: the Immigration Minister (Chris Bowen), his Tertiary Education & Skills partner (Chris Evans) and their Employment colleague (Kate Ellis) and merge their responsibilities, working as one department, hand in glove with industry, solely focused on elevating the labour force's skill set in quantum, relevance and timing, regardless of whether talent is home grown or imported.
Surely it's time for a super ministry dedicated to achieving what is so desperately needed.
Surely it's time for a Commonwealth Department of Labour.
[1]http://www.skillsaustralia.gov.au/
[2]http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2009-10/
[3]http://www.aigroup.com.au/mediacentre/directors/
[4]http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3214358.htm
[5]http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3214358.htm
Jonathan J. Ariel is an economist and financial analyst. He holds a MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He can be contacted at jonathan@chinamail.com.
Source:http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12040&page=0
On arrival visa for Lankans in Philippines
The Philippines has agreed to provide visas on arrival for Sri Lankans following a request by Prime Minister D M Jayaratne who ended a brief visit to the Philippines yesterday, the Premier’s office said.
The two countries also agreed to resume direct commercial flights between Manila and Colombo.
Sri Lanka and Philippines are also set to exchange defence related experiences and enhance bi-lateral economic ties following talks between Premier Jayaratne and President Benigno Aquino III. The Prime Minister’s office said that a MoU would be signed between the two countries within a month. Premier Jayaratne during the tour had also conveyed a formal invitation by President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting President Benigno Aquino III to visit Sri Lanka. The Philippine President told Premier Jayaratne that his visit could be the beginning of a long journey of new and friendly ties between the two nations.
He had added that the existing friendly ties between the two countries had further enhanced with the Premier’s visit.
The Philippine President also said that Sri Lanka was heading towards rapid development since defeating terrorism and enhanced bi-lateral ties would help further improve the economic prospects of both countries.
He added that he was happy to receive the invitation extended to visit Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Jayaratne had said that more robust bilateral ties would help both countries in the long run. He said that diplomatic relations were established between Sri Lanka and the Philippines as far back as 1951.
He had also extended an invitation to Philippine investors to visit Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities.
Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/05/18/news28.asp
The two countries also agreed to resume direct commercial flights between Manila and Colombo.
Sri Lanka and Philippines are also set to exchange defence related experiences and enhance bi-lateral economic ties following talks between Premier Jayaratne and President Benigno Aquino III. The Prime Minister’s office said that a MoU would be signed between the two countries within a month. Premier Jayaratne during the tour had also conveyed a formal invitation by President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting President Benigno Aquino III to visit Sri Lanka. The Philippine President told Premier Jayaratne that his visit could be the beginning of a long journey of new and friendly ties between the two nations.
He had added that the existing friendly ties between the two countries had further enhanced with the Premier’s visit.
The Philippine President also said that Sri Lanka was heading towards rapid development since defeating terrorism and enhanced bi-lateral ties would help further improve the economic prospects of both countries.
He added that he was happy to receive the invitation extended to visit Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Jayaratne had said that more robust bilateral ties would help both countries in the long run. He said that diplomatic relations were established between Sri Lanka and the Philippines as far back as 1951.
He had also extended an invitation to Philippine investors to visit Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities.
Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/05/18/news28.asp
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Resource and energy sector projects need 500,000 extra workers
HALF a million extra workers will be needed to complete a range of resource and energy projects, according to labour hire company Skilled Group chief executive Mick McMahon.
The government announced in the budget that it would allocate 16,000 places in the skilled migration program for regional areas as well as new migration agreements for large resource projects, reported The Australian.
Workers who arrived on a 457 visa and were employed in a regional area for two years would have their residency applications speeded up if their employer could show they were needed for a further two years, the government announced.
Appearing on ABC TV's Inside Business yesterday, Mr McMahon was asked by Alan Kohler if 16,000 skilled migrants were enough to fill the demand for the expected workload required to complete a variety of projects.
"Again, in the long run the right answer is to train more Australians to do these jobs," Mr McMahon said.
"There's no doubt, though, that this will help, particularly if they're targeted at the high end, very scarce skills, which may be a bottleneck to a project, to a time line.
"So it may be a project engineer, it may be a geologist, it may be those sorts of skills we're struggling to find, and particularly targeted at the remote locations, I think is also helpful.
"So whatever helps our clients helps us. In the end 16,000 jobs, when you need maybe 500,000 jobs over the next few years, it's not the main game."
Mr McMahon said it was relatively easy to find people to perform low-skilled work but there were specific jobs such as electricians, diesel fitters, mechanics and high-end welders in remote regions that were harder to fill.
Despite the fall in job numbers last month, Skilled had not seen much of a decline in demand for labour.
"Probably in the last month or so, we've seen a little stronger figures down the east coast of Australia, which have been a little softer than we might have liked with the effect of the rain and the wet weather on parts of our business and, I think, the high dollar on some of our manufacturing clients," Mr McMahon said.
"But in general we'd say the demand for our services is continuing."
Source:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/resource-and-energy-sectors-need-500000-hands/story-fn7j19iv-1226056494338
The government announced in the budget that it would allocate 16,000 places in the skilled migration program for regional areas as well as new migration agreements for large resource projects, reported The Australian.
Workers who arrived on a 457 visa and were employed in a regional area for two years would have their residency applications speeded up if their employer could show they were needed for a further two years, the government announced.
Appearing on ABC TV's Inside Business yesterday, Mr McMahon was asked by Alan Kohler if 16,000 skilled migrants were enough to fill the demand for the expected workload required to complete a variety of projects.
"Again, in the long run the right answer is to train more Australians to do these jobs," Mr McMahon said.
"There's no doubt, though, that this will help, particularly if they're targeted at the high end, very scarce skills, which may be a bottleneck to a project, to a time line.
"So it may be a project engineer, it may be a geologist, it may be those sorts of skills we're struggling to find, and particularly targeted at the remote locations, I think is also helpful.
"So whatever helps our clients helps us. In the end 16,000 jobs, when you need maybe 500,000 jobs over the next few years, it's not the main game."
Mr McMahon said it was relatively easy to find people to perform low-skilled work but there were specific jobs such as electricians, diesel fitters, mechanics and high-end welders in remote regions that were harder to fill.
Despite the fall in job numbers last month, Skilled had not seen much of a decline in demand for labour.
"Probably in the last month or so, we've seen a little stronger figures down the east coast of Australia, which have been a little softer than we might have liked with the effect of the rain and the wet weather on parts of our business and, I think, the high dollar on some of our manufacturing clients," Mr McMahon said.
"But in general we'd say the demand for our services is continuing."
Source:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/resource-and-energy-sectors-need-500000-hands/story-fn7j19iv-1226056494338
Regional Initiatives - Budget 2011-12
A number of initiatives encouraging migration to regional areas of Australia were announced as part of the Federal Budget on 10 May 2011. These include:
RSMS Visas
The RSMS or Regional Skilled Migration Scheme visa is a permanent visa which requires a job offer by an employer operating in a regional area. The criteria are far lower than other skilled migration schemes - an English score of 4.5 average is required in the IELTS test, and a diploma level education or equivalent work experience. As a comparison, under the 457 program, an English level of 5 minimum in each band in IELTS is required for trade occupations - and the 457 is only a temporary visa. For General Independent Migration, under the new points test to come into effect from 1 July 2011, it will be almost impossible to qualify without a score of 7 minimum in each band of IELTS.
Even though the criteria for RSMS are already very low, the Government announced last night that the criteria for RSMS will be streamlined even further for people already in Australia on 457 visas. There are grounds to be concerned that the RSMS visa is becoming the "soft option" for migration to Australia, with a high incidence of "non-genuine" applications occuring being lodged. Also, it is doubtful that regional employers really need people with low skill levels - many shortages would be for more highly skilled positions such as doctors.
In addition, just because an RSMS visa is granted does not mean that the migrant will stay with the employer or in a regional area. Whilst an RSMS visa can be cancelled if the sponsored employee does not stay with the employer for two years, RSMS visas are not monitored by the Department of Immigration after grant and there is little evidence that this power is actually being exercised by the Department of Immigration. The RSMS visa is a permanent visa with now work restrictions, so there is a strong temptation for visa holders to move back to the big city after grant.
One option which previously seemed to be effective in securing workers for regional areas were the regional concessions for the 457 visa which were abolished in September 2009. These concessions allowed sposnorship of workers in a wider range of occupations and at a lower salary level for positions in regional areas. The 457 visa is a much better way of ensuring that migrants do settle in a regional area as this visa is monitored by the Department of Immigration, does have work restrictions and is not a permanent visa. There is an established pathway from the 457 visa to permanent residence after the visa holder has worked with the employer for a certain period of time.
The Department of Immigration has increasingly adopted a 2-stage process for permanent residence in other migration streams - general skilled, partner and business migration to name a few. Reportedly, this leads to better immigration outcomes than the model where a permanent visa is granted initially, then possibly cancelled later due to non-compliance.
Regional Migration Agreements (RMAs)
There are few details on what Regional Migration Agreements will be, but it seems likely that they will be similar to labour agreements which allow streamlined processing of temporary and permanent employer sponsored visas. Negotiations for RMAs will open some time in 2012 after a consultation period.
It appears that RMAs will operate on a geographic basis and will lay out the total number of migrant workers by occupation and would be negotiated with employers, local and state governments and the unions. Employers could then sponsor under the terms of the RMA. Presumably the RMA would include concessions on occupation and possibly salary level or English language ability as compared to the usual sponsored pathways.
The main difference between an RMA and the previous 457 concessions would be that each RMA would need to be individually negotiated - as an indication, labour agreements currently take a minimum of 9 months to negotiate and much longer in many cases.
Regional Outreach Strategy
The Government announced that it will develop an enhanced Regional Engagement Strategy - this will involve the engagement of more Regional Outreach Officers by the Department of Immigration at a cost of $4.8 million over 4 years.
The stated purpose of this is to ensure that regional employers fully understand the migration programs are available to them to meet skills shortages. This should be relatively simple as there will really only 2 regional initiatives available to regional employers which are not available to employers in metropolitan areas - RSMS and Regional Migration Agreements.
It is hoped that part of the Regional Outreach Officers' role would be:
Monitoring the RSMS program which in its current form is open to widespread abuse
Assisting regional areas through the Regional Migration Agreement process
Assisting employers to make contact with potential migrants through the new Selection Model (see below)
For more information on other changes, please visit Immigration Portfolio Budget 2011-12 Announcement page.
- 16,000 places allocated to the RSMS (Regional Skilled Migration Scheme) for 2011-12 (an increase of 5,000 over likely 2010-11 numbers).
- The introduction of Regional Migration Agreements.
- Enhanced Regional Outreach Strategy
RSMS Visas
The RSMS or Regional Skilled Migration Scheme visa is a permanent visa which requires a job offer by an employer operating in a regional area. The criteria are far lower than other skilled migration schemes - an English score of 4.5 average is required in the IELTS test, and a diploma level education or equivalent work experience. As a comparison, under the 457 program, an English level of 5 minimum in each band in IELTS is required for trade occupations - and the 457 is only a temporary visa. For General Independent Migration, under the new points test to come into effect from 1 July 2011, it will be almost impossible to qualify without a score of 7 minimum in each band of IELTS.
Even though the criteria for RSMS are already very low, the Government announced last night that the criteria for RSMS will be streamlined even further for people already in Australia on 457 visas. There are grounds to be concerned that the RSMS visa is becoming the "soft option" for migration to Australia, with a high incidence of "non-genuine" applications occuring being lodged. Also, it is doubtful that regional employers really need people with low skill levels - many shortages would be for more highly skilled positions such as doctors.
In addition, just because an RSMS visa is granted does not mean that the migrant will stay with the employer or in a regional area. Whilst an RSMS visa can be cancelled if the sponsored employee does not stay with the employer for two years, RSMS visas are not monitored by the Department of Immigration after grant and there is little evidence that this power is actually being exercised by the Department of Immigration. The RSMS visa is a permanent visa with now work restrictions, so there is a strong temptation for visa holders to move back to the big city after grant.
One option which previously seemed to be effective in securing workers for regional areas were the regional concessions for the 457 visa which were abolished in September 2009. These concessions allowed sposnorship of workers in a wider range of occupations and at a lower salary level for positions in regional areas. The 457 visa is a much better way of ensuring that migrants do settle in a regional area as this visa is monitored by the Department of Immigration, does have work restrictions and is not a permanent visa. There is an established pathway from the 457 visa to permanent residence after the visa holder has worked with the employer for a certain period of time.
The Department of Immigration has increasingly adopted a 2-stage process for permanent residence in other migration streams - general skilled, partner and business migration to name a few. Reportedly, this leads to better immigration outcomes than the model where a permanent visa is granted initially, then possibly cancelled later due to non-compliance.
Regional Migration Agreements (RMAs)
There are few details on what Regional Migration Agreements will be, but it seems likely that they will be similar to labour agreements which allow streamlined processing of temporary and permanent employer sponsored visas. Negotiations for RMAs will open some time in 2012 after a consultation period.
It appears that RMAs will operate on a geographic basis and will lay out the total number of migrant workers by occupation and would be negotiated with employers, local and state governments and the unions. Employers could then sponsor under the terms of the RMA. Presumably the RMA would include concessions on occupation and possibly salary level or English language ability as compared to the usual sponsored pathways.
The main difference between an RMA and the previous 457 concessions would be that each RMA would need to be individually negotiated - as an indication, labour agreements currently take a minimum of 9 months to negotiate and much longer in many cases.
Regional Outreach Strategy
The Government announced that it will develop an enhanced Regional Engagement Strategy - this will involve the engagement of more Regional Outreach Officers by the Department of Immigration at a cost of $4.8 million over 4 years.
The stated purpose of this is to ensure that regional employers fully understand the migration programs are available to them to meet skills shortages. This should be relatively simple as there will really only 2 regional initiatives available to regional employers which are not available to employers in metropolitan areas - RSMS and Regional Migration Agreements.
It is hoped that part of the Regional Outreach Officers' role would be:
Monitoring the RSMS program which in its current form is open to widespread abuse
Assisting regional areas through the Regional Migration Agreement process
Assisting employers to make contact with potential migrants through the new Selection Model (see below)
For more information on other changes, please visit Immigration Portfolio Budget 2011-12 Announcement page.
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