September 2007

Hello and welcome to the September 2007 edition of the NMS newsletter. This month we will provide details regarding important changes to the TRA process, plus details on processing information for Australian and New Zealand residence applications. We’ve had a number of queries recently about school terms for the New Year so also included is some general information about schooling in Australia. There are some helpful hints regarding writing a cover letter and information from one of our financial service partners – Lloyds TSB International.

Australian Permanent Residency Processing Information:

Applications submitted on the dates shown below are currently being allocated to case officers for the initial review of applications. Once this review has taken place a letter requesting additional information such as medicals with be sent.

Priority (includes all 137 STNI applications and those applications whose occupations are on the MODL list) 22^nd November 2006

Non Priority 15^th November 2006

SIR applications:

Paper based: 22^nd November 2006

Information is updated weekly and can be obtained by sending a blank email to: aspc.processing@immi.gov.au. This is an automated service providing processing information only. Please do not send any other enquiry or information to the e-mail address.

Perth Offshore Parents Centre – Parent Applications

Current processing times are the Perth Offshore Parents Centre is as follows:

• For Contributory Parent visa categories (subclass 143), it is taking approximately 10 months from the date the application is received until a case officer is allocated to the application.

• For Parent Migration visa (subclass 103) it is taking approximately 12 months from the date the application is received until it is allocated to a case officer. Perth is currently allocating visa officers to applications submitted in July 2006.

Communicating with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Due to the 1 September 2007 changes DIAC has experienced a severe increase in applications and application related enquiries. A general email was sent out to inform applicants and agents that due to this increase the ability of DIAC to respond to enquiries has been affected. They have given the time frames for response but remind applicants and agents that delays can be experienced.

DIAC have issued these time frames for processing applications:

• DIAC aim to accept payment within 12 weeks of submission

• DIAC will acknowledge an application 4 weeks after payment has been accepted

• DIAC will send an acknowledgment letter containing a client reference number and a receipt after this time

• If your enquiry is not related to the acknowledgment or receipt of an application DIAC will aim to answer your query within 2 weeks but it can sometimes take up to 4 weeks.

Network Migration Client Service Consultants are in constant contact with DIAC either via email or by phoning. However we ask for your patience in this matter and whilst we understand that these delays are frustrating they cannot be avoided and our consultants will do their best for you at all times.

New Zealand Expression of Interest Fortnightly Selections

The latest fortnightly selection took place on 13^th September 2007

Selection criteria No. of EOIs

All EOIs at or above 140 points. 482

All EOIs with a job or a job offer claiming points between 100 and 135 points. 103

All EOIs claiming 15 points for work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage and with a points total between 100 and 135 points 58

All EOIs claiming 10 points for work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage and with a points total between 100 and 135 points 32

All EOIs claiming 10 points for a qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage and with a points total between 100 and 135 points 55

All EOIs between 130 and 135 points where there is no points claim for a job or job offer, work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage, or qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage 47

TOTAL SELECTION 777

SHOCK DECISION MADE BY TRADE RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA (TRA)

TRA has abolished skills pathway D (no formal qualifications but 6 or 7 years work experience) with the announcement including the following;

TRA recently announced that until further notice they will no longer accept skills applications which predominantly rely on work experience. TRA has the authority to determine, at its sole discretion, the standards against which the skills of a person are assessed.

Effective immediately, Skill Pathway D has been removed from the UAC. All applications TRA has received to date and not finalized, which predominantly rely on evidence of work experience and would normally be assessed under Skill Pathway D, will be returned along with the application fee. Until 30 September 2007 any subsequent applications received by TRA will also be returned with the application fee.

Applications received on or after 1 October 2007 will be assessed by TRA against the UAC, exclusive of the former Skill Pathway D, and the standard fee will apply.

(Source: Peter Bollard and Associates)

The announcement has caused enormous concern to migration advisers, particularly as it effects existing applications, and the Migration Institute of Australia has indicated that it is seeking legal advice on a possible legal challenge to the change. The TRA will now only assess applications that can show a formal or informal apprenticeship, a vocational traineeship or an Australian qualification.

This will affect a number of Network Migration client's whose applications have been submitted to the TRA and whose applications rely on work experience or who have not yet submitted their application but whose points rely on attaining a positive skills assessment based on work experience. Our consultants will be contacting those affected directly and will work with you to find a positive alternative to this situation.

SCHOOLING IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia, there is a national body that ensures a consistent standard of education through all states and territories in the education system. Children begin primary school at 6 years if age.

The Australian education system is divided broadly into five areas:

• Preschool

• Primary School

• Secondary/High/Secondary Colleges

• Career & vocational training

• University or other tertiary institutions

Schooling is compulsory for students in most states and territories of Australia until the age of 15 years. Although students are able to leave at that time, almost all students continue until they have completed at least their year 10 qualifications, and most complete their year 12 studies. Australian's believe that education is part of their children's birthright, so community involvement in monitoring the standard of education is very high. Both girls and boys are encouraged to reach the same high level of education through formal learning. You may find the system of teaching and school discipline very different in Australia. Less importance is place on the outward discipline and memorising practiced in many countries. Instead, the emphasis here is on self-discipline, learning through understanding, and generally encouraging a child's enthusiasm for learning.

Government schools provide free education, however, most schools ask for a voluntary contribution to enhance the school's educational and sporting programs. Payment is a matter of decision by parents.

Non-government schools (private schools) charge fees, and they may have a religious affiliation or a particular educational philosophy. Parents who want to find out about private education should make an appointment with the relevant non-government educational authority or contact the selected school directly. Ask at your school about before and after school care or holiday school programs for school-age children.

Choosing which school to send your children is a difficult decision. Generally schooling in Australia is of a high standard with around 70% of the children and a list of all the schools available.

Generally the school year is from the first week of February until between the 15^th-22^nd December. All states have 4 school terms per year except Tasmania.

New South Wales: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au

Queensland: http://education.qld.gov.au/

Western Australia: http://www.eddept.wa.edu.au

South Australia: http://www.nexus.edu.au/learnstatext/default.htm

Northern Territory: http://www.ntde.nt.gov.au

To find out individual curriculum for each states please visit the website above.

The cover letter

A cover letter is often requested when applying for a job. It is sent as an extra attachment but critical when sending your CV to recruitment agencies or companies overseas. Below is a brief outline of the correct way to write and present a cover letter to a potential employer.

Primarily the cover letter acts as a way of self introduction – it needs to capture the attention of the reader and set you aside from other applicants applying for the job. It needs to reflect and summarize the key points made in the CV. By highlighting the most important aspects it will encourage the employer to read further on. They will then take the time to really go over the CV and see what you have to offer in terms of the position offered. You need to set yourself apart from other applicants so be sure to emphasize these points and show how they will relate to the job.

Three important factors to remember are: Keep it concise and to the point, adapt or style the letter to suit the advertised job and its requirements and always remember to proof read!

• Evenly spaced on A4 paper or as a word document, formatted and ensuring all text is in a readable font and the same size.

• Address the letter to the correct person in the organisation – this is usually mentioned on the advert

• Include the date and your own contact details as you would with any formal letter

• Layout – introduction (with name of position applying for), your related experience and/or qualifications, reasons for applying and a conclusion

• Always try to match your skills to those that the employer is seeking – look for keywords or essential requirements and demonstrate you meet these

Always remember to proof read the document – twice! You will not want to make a mistake as this will be the first thing a prospective employer will look at so you need to make a good first impression!!

If you require any further assistance with the drafting of a cover letter, your job search consultant will be happy to help out.

Information from one of our financial service providers – Lloyds TSB International:

Through these offices you can have direct access to our international personal banking service, which offers products and services specifically designed to meet the requirements of people who live, work or retire away from their home country. They include services such as international accounts, international mortgages and longer-term investment solutions.

Our International Account, for example, provides:

• Current account facilities in sterling, euro or US dollars, each available with Visa debit cards

• 24/7 Internet and telephone banking service

• Access to expert tax and financial advice whenever you need it

• Plus a superb range of value-added benefits.

If you are moving to another country then our Money Market Call account could be for you. This instant access account is available in 12 currencies, including Canadian dollars, Australian dollars and New Zealand dollars with no fixed interest rate. In addition, we are also able to provide you with a mortgage covering various locations around the world.

If you would like any more information on any of our products and services please get in touch with your relocation consultant at Network Migration who will be happy to pass on your queries.

And finally some housekeeping:

Appointments – If you require a meeting with your Client Services Manager, Job Search Consultant or Relocations Consultant, please ensure that you book an appointment. This will ensure that you meet with the staff member you are wishing to speak to. Clients turning up without appointments may be disappointed if the person they wish to see is unable to meet with them. If you are dropping off documents at reception, please ensure you clearly label the documents to whom they must be forwarded to.

Training –Network Migration is committed to ensuring the ongoing training of all their staff members. This allows us to offer our clients exceptional customer service and ensure that all staff are kept fully up to date with any changes in regulations and current trends in migration. Internal training takes place every Friday between 11am-1.30pm so please be aware that staff will not be available to take calls during this time.