The Importance of English for Australian Migrants

Migrating to Australia can offer you and your family a brighter future and great cities to live in. This predominantly English-speaking country is one of the most multicultural diverse in the world, with one out of every four people having been born overseas. Since Populate or Perish policy of the Australian government after World War II, about 7 million people have migrated to Australia, making it a country based on international immigration.

Australia is a promising land of opportunity because of its vast land and rich natural resources. Large scale immigration has always been a part of the Australian culture, with the biggest number of migrants coming from skilled migration and family reunion programs. In line with this, many of these migrants have little English language skills, which cause them a significant disadvantage when it comes to employment and engagement in society.

English, the country's main language, is highly important for migration purposes. People who seek employment in Australia need to pass an internationally standardized test to be able to fulfill certain requirements for a visa. You need to speak, read, and write English to be able to work in Australia's workforce, where the main language used is English. If you go to Australia to reunite with family and loved ones, you still need English to be able to take part in society. Sure there are other languages spoken in the country, about 200 of them, but the dominant one used is English, making it an important skill that you can't simply do without. Even if, for example, you only speak Mandarin, and you work in a Chinese store with Chinese clients, you still need English to be able to function well into other areas, such as seeking for another job, getting further education, or simply doing your groceries.

The importance of English for migrants have been emphasized by the Australian government since their first English education program was launched in 1951. After the 2nd World War, large scale immigration from European countries occurred due to the government's efforts to attract immigration to the country. And since many of the migrants spoke very little or no English at all, the government decided to provide English language education through the Australian Adult Migrant Education Program in the fifties and sixties. Over the years, the focus of the program has switched to helping migrants develop a long-term ability to settle into the Australian society, and therefore, contribute more to the community and the economy. Today, this program is now called the Adult Migrant English Program, or the AMEP, used by over 50,000 migrants every year.

When you have good English skills, you will be able to bring the full value of your skills and experience to the industry. If you want to look for another job or change careers, its best that you have a great command of the language since English is used in the workforce. By being proficient in the language, you will also eliminate the chances of being taken advantage of by your employer - it will be easier for you to learn and know about your rights and laws in your new environment.

Need some help with your worker’s visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma was a migration agent assistant for Move Migration, an immigration specialist agency with registered migration agents in Sydney, offering simple fee structures and exceptional services that will make the entire process easier and faster for its clients.

Weird Visa Questions from All Over the World

Gaining entry to another country is life changing for anyone - you can have the opportunity to work, visit the nation's amazing national wonders, study in world class universities, reunite with family members you haven't seen for years, and meet incredible friends along the way. However, in a lot of countries, you need to have a visa to be able to do all these things.

In the world of visa applications, most often than not, it can be an exhausting process. Doing research, paying certain fees, gathering documents, interviews, getting the services of a migration agent, the long waiting period - sometimes it can take the life out of you. In the sometimes grueling process of applying for a visa, a poll conducted by the website IXPVisas.com shows the lighter side of the whole process. Having questioned over 1,450 travelers from around the world, the site revealed a list of the weirdest questions immigration of several countries asks their applicants to answer. From describing your moustache, to asking where your wife sleeps on the bed, here are some of the weirdest visa questions travelers encountered.

One traveler reported being asked to describe his moustache or beard in an application form in Mexico, making him scratch his head about how to actually describe it.

Another traveler reported being asked if he had been to a farm in the last 6 months to be able to enter Australia.

In a Middle East visa application, a businessman was asked about how many wives he intends to bring in his travels.

In the US, applicants were asked about the side of the bed their wives sleep in.

And for overseas students in the UK, they were asked whether or not they were involved in war crimes such as crimes against humanity and genocide.

Other weird questions asked international students to name three things about a certain topic and in the US, applicants were asked whether or not they have been involved in any terrorist activities.

Though most people would laugh or wonder about these questions, according to IXPVisas.com's Liam Clifford, these may seem ridiculous, but they are there to serve a purpose, such as highlighting cultural differences. He also said, that if you joke or laugh about certain requirements, expect that your application won't go down well. According to him, the biggest and number one rule of traveling is to respect other cultures.

Most often, questions are not mere questions. In interviews, how you carry yourself and how you react can mean more than the words that come out of your mouth. Nonverbal communication is just as important as the words you write down on the application forms. So if you think a country's visa requirements are ridiculous, keep it to yourself, as according to Clifford, the bottom line is, they're requirements.

There are always social and cultural differences wherever you may go and something that seems unnecessary to you may be important to a certain culture. The way you handle yourself and situations like these are one of the factors that immigrant officers will look at to evaluate your application.

If you need some help with your visa application processing, Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration, which is an immigration boutique specialist with migration agents in Sydney. They are among the leading migration agencies in the region, specializing in all visa assistance services such as the Australia partner visa, student visa, or skilled worker visa.

How a Migration Agent Can Help Your Spouse Get Australia Visa Quickly

Applying for Australian partner visa could take a lot of your time and effort. There are different types of partner visas issued by Australian government and among them are offshore partner temporary visa and partner permanent visa. You can apply for the visas when in de-facto relationship or as married couples. Getting help from a migration agent would surely make the entire application process easier. To ensure successful application, you will need to show that your relationship is genuine. There are four categories of relationship evidence which will be called for and include:

Financial Aspects: This evidence shows that you have joint financial commitments with your spouse and covers joint property ownership, joint bank accounts, sharing bills and joint insurance among others. This evidence must show financial support in both ways. Both partners should support each other. Your Australia partner visa agent will help show this in the application process.

Social Context: This entails how your family and friends see your relationship. They should have accepted you as a couple through party invitations, having common friends and group photos among others.

Nature of Household: Your partner and you should be sharing household responsibilities such as housework, living arrangements and sharing bills among others.

Nature of Commitment: The partners must prove that they have a joint commitment to each other. Chat and phone logs should be provided in case of separation.

Other requirements are relationship history describing how you met and what has happened since that time. Also required are statutory declarations that help to prove the social part of your relationship. Police and medical checks carried out by a doctor that has been approved by Australian immigration should be provided.

Because of the mammoth challenges that prospective migrants face, it is imperative to enlist help from a migration agent registered by the Australian government. However, you need to know that some agents have better abilities than others. Here are important guidelines to help you choose the best Australia partner visa agent.

Sales Teams or Target Driven Agents

Don’t agree with migration agents who pressurize you to sign up with them. Some of them enroll clients who don’t even qualify for Australian visas and make them pay the fee. Anytime you come across this, treat it as a red alert.

False Immigration Information: Agents provide false information because of their inexperience, scaremongering or over complication. Verify the truthfulness of the information provided.

Experience: The professional capacity of professional migration agent is determined by experience. Those who have more than three years of practical experience would offer excellent service.

Client Feedback: Those who have used the services of Australia partner visa agent will always be more than willing to share their experiences with others. Check the testimonials to ensure that you are dealing with the right person.

Registration and Agency Fees: Make sure the agent you are dealing with is duly registered by the government of Australia. Its agency fees should also be reasonable.

General Attitude and Response Time: It’s important dealing with a migration agent who responds to clients concerns quickly. Also, their general attitude and their response time which would determine if you would use their services.

Generally, a registered migration agent makes it easier for you when applying for an Australian partnervisa. The entire process takes time and effort and there is a lot of evidence required to get a spouse visa processed. But with the help of an experienced and registered migration agent, it could be easier for you!

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration, a migration agency with professional and licensed migration agents in Sydney, Australia. Their registered migration agents offer exceptional services and simple fee structures that will make the entire process easier and faster for its clients.

4 Scholarships Available for International Students from Top Universities in New South Wales

It seems that more and more international students are preferring to study in Australia. Being one of the top 3 countries in the world with the highest number of English-speaking international students, Australia currently has over 40,000 foreign students enrolled in its leading universities. With the Australian government spending millions of dollars on its education system every year, plus having the most livable and happiest cities in the world, this number is only going to get higher.

Recently, the Council of International Students Australia launched a short story writing competition to inspire others to study in the country. With the main purpose of bringing awareness to their contribution to the Australian community, international students currently studying in the country were invited to share their experiences while studying in Australia. Sharon San from Western Australia bagged the top prize with her story about working in part-time jobs and even as a housekeeper to complete her Masters degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Studying in Australia can be a little expensive, but most universities actually offer a number of scholarships to international students. If you want to study in the Land Down Under but are thinking about the tuition fees and other financial things, here are 4 scholarships intended for foreign students at the New South Wales' leading universities.

The Sydney Achievers Scholarships for International Students

Australia's first ever and oldest university, the University of Sydney offers 100 scholarships every year to new international students from around the world. This program was created to attract high quality, achieving, and academically excellent foreign students from other countries to study at one of the best institutions of higher education not only in Australia, but the world. The scholarships are open for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. For eligibility requirements and application procedures, check out the university's website for more information on the scholarships.

The Macquarie University Scholarships for International Students

Renowned for its interdisciplinary research and teaching, the Macquarie University offers full and partial scholarships to international students across all courses, covering tuition fees for both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Having one of the most generous scholarships in the entire country, Maquarie University offers countless opportunities for international students to study and become part of its highly skilled graduates. Complete requirements and details of the scholarships can be found on the university's official website.

University of Newcastle International Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Funded by the Research Division, the University of Newcastle offers international scholarships for students who are studying for their Master's or PhD degrees by research. Open to all foreign students, this scholarship will allow students of higher learning to study and learn at this world class university that ranks as the 9th best university in Australia. More details on the scholarships can be found on the University of Newcastle's website.

The University of Technology Sydney Achievement Scholarships for International Postgraduate Students

One of Australia's leading universities of technology, the University of Technology offers scholarships for its international students who are excelling academically during their first semester in postgraduate degrees. Six students from the engineering courses are given this scholarship, as well as 6 other students from the Information Technology courses. For a complete list of requirements and details on the scholarship, check the university's website for more details.

Though studying in Australia may cost you or your family a significant amount of money for your future, there are plenty of scholarships for international students that will surely benefit the student, the school, and the community in the long run.

Need some help with your Australia student visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is a migration agent assistant at Move Migration; an immigration boutique specialist with migration agents in Sydney, specializing in visa application assistance such as the Australia partner visa and student visa.

Top 3 Best Jobs in Australia in Terms of Salary

Named as the best place in the world to live and work by the Paris based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for the third straight year, Australia has a great job market for both its residents and foreigners. With the country's unemployment rate of 5%, plus labor shortages in many industries, it's no wonder that Australia's average salary is one of the highest in the world - even beating the US and the UK in minimum wage rates. What you can earn in the US for a month can be potentially earned in Australia for just a week. Though the cost of living in Australia is higher than most Western countries, many people would still opt to work in Australia, not just for the high salaries, but also for the many perks that come with the jobs - a no-worries work attitude, more paid leaves, and of course, living in the best place to live on earth.

If you want to earn big while living in Australia, you have to take a look at what occupations are in demand and are paying the highest. Here are the top 3 best jobs in Australia, in terms of income earned:

Medical Jobs

Image Credit: medicaljobsaustralia.net

Anaesthesiologists, surgeons, general practitioners, and those who work in the medical care industry are among the country's top earners. Surgeons earn an average of $350,000 a year, while anesthesiologists come in second with $300,000, and general practitioners around $260,000. These are just the average salaries, which mean some doctors are earning way more than these figures. With the country's ageing population, it comes as no surprise that jobs in the field of medicine are highly in demand.

Financial Jobs

Image Credit: allstarrecruitment.com.au

Business executives in the financial industry, accountants, auditors, and financial dealers and brokers are also at the top of the pack. Average salaries can range from $150,000 to $280,000 per year. These jobs can range from taking care of a company's budget, to credit assessments, to handling investments and transactions of personal and corporate finances. One must earn a business related degree, or even law and economics. Dealing with other people's money is always a high paying job in Australia's economy, with more and more investors keeping the economy at great levels.

Mining Engineers

Image Credit: theaustralian.com.au

Australia is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources. With the world's high demand for minerals such as gold, nickel, iron, and others, the country's mining industry is among the leaders in the economy. Mining engineers evaluate, plan, and build mines, bringing essential minerals to the world. Average salaries of mining engineers are at $160,000 a year, plus many perks including a car and several weeks of paid leave.

The perks of working in Australia go way beyond the high salaries. Dubbed as the happiest place on earth, you'll also be enjoying a high quality of life.

Need some help with your worker’s visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working a migration agent assistant at Move Migration; a company of professional migration agents in Sydney, Australia that offers exceptional assistance and services to its clients. Their fully registered migration agents have high success rate in their visa application assistance, with having exceptional services and simplified procedures.

Tips on How to Find the Best School in Australia

If you're about to enter college, or are planning on acquiring higher education, studying overseas is a good choice for those who want to enroll in top notch schools with Centers of Excellence coupled with invaluable international experience. Australia is fast becoming the top destination for English-speaking international students from around the world. Only coming in 3rd after the US and UK with the highest number of international students currently enrolled in the top universities in the country, there are now over 40,000 students from 140 countries who avail of the excellent Australian education system.

A good number of Australian universities are among the Times Higher Education top 100 universities world ranking. The University of Melbourne is currently number 39, while the University of Sydney is ranked 49 - which just go to show that Australian education is among the best in the world.

However, choosing the best school in Australia should not be based solely on world or national rankings. There are many factors that go into choosing the best school in Australia. Here are a few tips in choosing the best school in Australia for you:

Determine Your Needs.

The first thing you have to do is to know what you want. Do you want a degree in Psychology where you plan to get a doctorate after college? Or do you want to study under a particular professor? Or maybe you want to work in a research center established by a school? Choosing the best school for you will always be based on your needs.

Do Your Research.

While it's good to look at lists of top schools online, you should also do your own research about the schools that you like. Once you've narrowed your choices to the top 5 schools for you, you should then start to gather as much information as the schools as you can.

You can check out the schools' websites and read everything there is to know - the courses offered, accreditation and recognition of programs, and even qualifications of teachers and professors.

You can also contact students who are currently enrolled in the school, to get some valuable feedback from people who are actually studying in the university.

If you are living in the area of the university, join the school's open house and visit the campus. Talk to teachers, visit the classrooms, see the facilities, or better yet, sit in one of the classes. After you've visited the campus, explore the environment outside. Is the location safe? Are there nearby establishments like a good hospital, good places to buy basic needs, public transportation, and lodging, just in case you decide to live outside the campus? Your living environment should also be a major factor in choosing the best school for you.

If you're an international student, though, and you're currently overseas, this may be difficult to do. So the best way to check out the school is from their website, where you can get all the information you need.

Once you've chosen the best school for you, you can then start to apply. Just remember to keep in mind that the best factors in choosing your school are academic reputation, quality of professors, and a safe and secure living environment.

Need some help with your Australia student visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working a migration agent assistant at Move Migration; a company of professional migration agents in Sydney, Australia that offers exceptional assistance and services to its clients. Their fully registered migration agents help their clients by breaking down the immigration process into simple stages with exceptional services and simplified procedures.

Registered Migration Agents: Helping You Increase Your Chances of Successful Migration Application

Averages of 250,000 Australian visas are granted each year. However, the amount of visa applications is more than triple that number, which means that more and more foreign individuals want to move or work in Australia.

So what are those 250,000 applicants doing right? In most cases, it is a simple matter of getting the services of a registered migration agent. Sure, there are quite a number of people who do all the work themselves, but the benefits of getting assistance from a knowledgeable and registered agent far exceeds the proposed savings one gets from doing it themselves.

But whether you plan to do all the work yourself or hire an agent, there are always pros and cons to any method you choose. If you do it yourself, you eliminate the need to pay thousands of Australian dollars. But it will also take so much effort and time on your part by doing all the research and legwork yourself, plus you have to start from square one if you don't have any contacts with immigration and other government departments. If you hire a migration agent, you will definitely spend a considerable amount of money for someone who will guide you every step of the way in your application. But, since they have the right knowledge and experience, you will definitely save more time and effort on your part.

If you choose to hire a migration agent, there are things that you have to know. Since literally hundreds of thousands of people are trying to migrate in Australia, some individuals have also taken advantage of this opportunity to make money using fraudulent information. Unregistered migration agents abound so it's best that you make sure your agent is registered with The Migration Agents Registration Authority in Australia.

The office of the MARA was established in 2009 by the Australian government and in partnership with the "Department of Immigration and Citizenship" (www.immi.gov.au), to protect and ensure that migration agents' clients are provided with the proper and highest quality assistance that only registered agents can give. If you are planning on hiring an agent, you can check MARA's website, which is www.mara.gov.au for a complete list of registered migration agents Sydney, in other cities, and overseas.

Registered migrations agents have the legal training, greater knowledge of Australian immigration laws, requirements, policies, and have years of experience in the field. They are also well-equipped with the latest news and updates since they must go through continuing professional development so they can re-register to be able to continue practicing their profession.

There are hundreds of types of visas each with different requirements and policies. From the 457 visa, to the Working Holiday Visa, the Student Visa, and Australia Partner Visa, it can be a headache which subclass you should apply for. Migration agents, with their vast knowledge and expertise, will not only point you to the right direction, but will actually guide you every step of the way.

However, you shouldn't rely solely on your migration agent to do everything. You would also have to educate yourself about the basic laws and processes so you know what's happening in terms of your application. Working together, both you and your agent will increase your chances of success, plus reducing time and stress compared to doing it on your own.

About the author: 

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration; a migration agent company in Sydney, Australia. They are top quality boutique immigration specialists who have a proven track record of exceptional service.