List of Australian Visas That Accept TOEFL and PTE Academic Score

In case you missed it, the Australian Immigration Department announced last May 2014 that scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language- internet-Based Test (TOEFL-iBT) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic are now accepted to certain types of visas starting November 2014 (no exact date is announced yet).

The following are the visas that will accept TOEFL-iBT and PTE Academic as part of the English proficiency requirement:

• Distinguished Talent (Australian support) (subclass 124)
• Business Talent (subclass 132)
• Former Resident (subclass 151)
• Business Owner (provisional) (subclass 160)*
• Senior Executive (provisional) (subclass 161)*
• Investor (provisional) (subclass 162)*
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (provisional) (subclass 163)*
• State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (provisional) (subclass 164)*
• State/Territory Sponsored Investor (provisional) (subclass 165)*
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• Business Innovation & Investment (provisional) (subclass 188)
• Skilled – Independent (subclass 189)
• Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190)
• Work and Holiday (temporary) (subclass 462)
• Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476)
• Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
• Skilled – Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)
• Distinguished Talent (subclass 858)
• Skilled – Regional (subclass 887)
• Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) (subclass 888)
• Business Owner (Residence) (subclass 890)
• Investor (Residence) (subclass 891)
• State/Territory Sponsored Business owner (Residence) (subclass 892)
• State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Residence) (subclass 893)

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/News/Pages/aelt.aspx

You can also read the press release from ETS announcing the inclusion of TOEFL for visa and immigration-related applications in Australia. Read it at https://www.ets.org/newsroom/news_releases/australia_open_for_business.

Australia Immigration Facts: What is the Difference between NSW vs SA?

Any applicant for an Australian visa need to be familiar about the requirements included before lodging the application. Furthermore, they also have to know the difference between New South Wales (NSW) and SA (South Australia). These are two of the territories in Australia that have different visa offers and immigration requirements.

NSW is considered Australia’s powerhouse and the most competitive business locations in the Asia Pacific Region. This is because of the following reasons: (1) Sydney being the third largest financial center in the region; (2) NSW has the highest ICT employment with almost 100,000 people working in the ICT industry; (3) 80% of multinational pharmaceutical companies are based in NSW.

 

On the other hand, SA is the southern central state on the mainland of Australia with Adelaide as the capital city. Employment is at 20% higher and demands just keep increasing. SA has a large supply of minerals such as uranium, copper, iron, nickel, mineral sands and gold. Skilled employment are available including health services, management and trades and engineering.

Whether one is applying for a job in NSW or SA, certain requirements are needed to be completed. Here are the common requirements for visas applied for SA and NSW:

• English proficiency examination (International English Language Testing System score of 6 and Occupational English Test score of B)
• Suitable skills assessment from the relevant Skilled Occupation List
• Age below 50 years old
• Evidence that you need to provide to support the Points Test claims made in the Expression of Interest (EOI)
• State or territory government agency nomination through SkillSelect or Sponsorship by an eligible family member living in a designated area of Australia.
• Passport
• Passport size photos
• And any other documents depending on the type of visa being applied for

There are some differences in applying for both New South Wales and South Australia.

1. Selecting South Australia has higher chances of nomination than New South Wales
2. Applying for South Australia has a more positive response than New South Wales where responses are delayed
3. South Wales has less job scope due to the nature of work present in the territory
4. New South Wales has been compared to a lottery system as they have placed a limit on the number of applications

These differences are observed facts of those who applied for NWS and SA. What is important for an applicant to understand is the different opportunities that lie in both SA and NSW. For more information on these territories, check their websites at https://www.migration.sa.gov.au for South Australia and http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/ for New South Wales.

Free Immigration and IELTS Seminar (Top and Trusted Immigration and Consultancy Firms in One Event)

Join SOAR ABROAD on August 30, 2014.

Be one step closer to your dreams and find out various opportunities that await you in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand.

Attend the free immigration and #IELTS seminar on August 30, 2014 in the Philippines.

Free consultation with participating trusted immigration consultancy firms. The event will be held in all JROOZ Review Center branches (Makati, Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio). Visit http://www.jroozreview.com/jrooz-ielts-soar-august-30-2014/ or see the poster for more details.

Is IELTS Required for Partner Visa (Subclasses 820/801 ) in Australia?

Working in Australia has been trend for many Filipinos for the past years. Acquiring a visa for work is not that totally difficult as long as the applicant has the necessary documents for the visa being applied for. What is really good in working in Australia is that the applicant can bring their loved ones and be permanent residents of the country. For these, applicants need to apply for the Subclass 820 (Partner Temporary Visa) and Subclass 801 (Partner Permanent Visa).

The Subclass 820 visa allows the person to live in Australia if you are the spouse or de facto partner of:

• An Australian citizen; an Australian permanent resident; or an eligible New Zealand citizen

Any applicant of the said visa type should be in Australia on the time the application is lodged. The government will first grant a two-year temporary visa before awarding a permanent residence visa. Only one application form for both temporary and permanent visas is needed and only one application charge.

The onshore partner can be a:
a. Married application – the applicant should be able to provide evidence that the marriage is legal. However, same-sex marriage, under age marriage and polygamous marriage are not honoured as they are not legal in Australia.

b. De facto – the applicant has to provide evidences that the relationship is true and ongoing

Here are some documents needed for this visa application:

• Form 47SP Application for migration to Australia by a partner (downloadable online)
• Form 40SP Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia (downloadable online)
• Passport and travel documents
• Passport-size photographs
• Birth certificates
• Police certificate (from Australia if necessary)
• Health examination certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Sponsorship requirements
• Evidences that the relationship is genuine and ongoing (FORM 888)

Regarding with the English score requirement, the applicant must take an English proficiency examination for the application. The partner does not need to apply for it is a sponsored visa. What is important is that the sponsor must hold citizenship of Australia or have a permanent visa and be usually resident in the country. Applicants are given the choice to take the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System exam or the OET, Occupational English Test.

A permanent visa (subclass 801) can be granted if:

• The relationship has been on for not less than three years of not less than two years if there is a dependent child of the relationship
• The sponsor or de facto dies
• The relationship breaks down and there is a child of the relationship
• The relationship has ended because of family violence 

Once granted with the visa, the bearer can:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely
• Work and study in Australia
• Apply for citizenship
• Sponsor other eligible residents
• Receive social security payments
• Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted 

 

For more information, visit http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/801-820.aspx. Detailed information and forms are explained for the applicant’s convenience.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) Requirements and Basic Information

Are you planning to work in Australia?

Australia has been offering a wide variety of job opportunities for foreigners. This demand for manpower has surprisingly been increasing overtime. Hence, this is an opportunity Filipinos will not miss. There is a good number of Filipinos who have been completing requirements needed for their employment in Australia. The country has been offering quite a number of visa types. One of these is the Skilled Nominated Class, Subclass 190 visa.

Subclass visa 190

 

This visa type is a points-based visa. This means that applicants have to comply with a number of requirements with their equivalent points. If the candidate reaches the required number of points, then the visa application can be lodged. This visa is for those skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory. Bearers of this visa can live and work permanently in Australia. Further, eligible family members can also be included. Additionally, visa holders can enrol in Medicare (Australia’s health-care) and apply for Australian citizenship.

The requirements for this visa are the following:

• Have an invitation to apply
• Age older than 18 years but not more than 50 when the invitation was issued
• Has a work nomination that matches the applicant’s qualifications and is included on the relevant skilled occupation list
• Skills assessed through a suitable skills assessment
• Scored at least 60 on the points test
• Have at least competent English (IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination score – minimum of 6.0)
• Good health and character records 

Since it is a point-based system, here are some that candidates need to have to get a high score.

• Age
• English proficiency
• Employment
• Qualifications
• Australian study requirements

Like what is mentioned, applicants can include their family members in the application. These are the eligible family members’ that can be included:

• Applicant's partner
• Applicant's dependent child
• Applicant's dependent relative

Once granted with the visa, holders need to adhere to the state's rules. Some might require the applicant to stay in the territory for at least two years, have the state or territory informed on any changes to the applicant’s information like address, complete surveys and provide necessary information when needed. For more information, visit http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/190.aspx. You can also check on how many points you already have if you are already eligible to make an application. Moreover, candidates have to get all the documents ready before application. Hence, have a checklist and make sure everything is ready before lodging the application.

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program

Ever imagined how it feels like to be teaching in the United States? Are you longing to find an opportunity to share your rich culture with other people? Then the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program is right for you. 

"Increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." – This is the goal of the Fulbright Program, the flagship international exchange program sponsored by the United States of America (USA) government. This program provides opportunities for chosen individuals to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Lucky participants are carefully selected according to their academic merit and leadership potential. 

The Foreign Language Teaching Assistance program has started since 1968. The program has been giving the chance for young, international teachers to better their skills in teaching, improve their proficiency in using the English language and to know more about cultures and customs in the United States. 

Who are qualified for this program?

Candidates must have the passion for teaching. These people should have the interest in teaching their own culture and knowledge to American students. These lucky people will be taking a test to gauge how well they know their own culture and that includes current events. 

Leadership skills are also needed and valued. They need to have the ability to motivate students in their classes. These candidates should be people who are open to embracing cultures, very participative in different events and maintain good relationship among colleague, students and other people.

Here are major requirements for the program:

1. Candidates should have an equivalent Bachelor’s degree in the US with good academic record.

2. English fluency is mandatory. English proficiency exam is required. A score no less than 550 on TOEFL paper-based test and 79 on the TOEFL iBT test. (TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language)

3. Teaching experience

4. Applicants must show maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism

5. Outgoing and dynamic individuals with a great sense of humor 

Electronic application is used in the program. Candidates should complete the online application form. Instructions must be read carefully and thoroughly. Prior to starting the process, candidates are asked to contact IIEFLTA@iie.org to let them know of their application. In addition, there are downloadable instructions and IIE FLTA handbook for candidates to read first before starting their application. 

THE FLTA is a good opportunity for non-native speakers to promote and learn culture in the US. Such opportunity should not be missed. With this program, Americans will be more familiar with other countries’ language and customs; hence, better understanding of one’s cultural or ethnic background. 

For more information, visit http://www.iie.org/Programs/Fulbright-FLTA.