PomsInOz Forum - Blogs http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/ Poms In Oz forum for migrating to Australia - Discuss moving to Australia en Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:57:14 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/tangerinev3/misc/rss.jpg PomsInOz Forum - Blogs http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/ Australia New University Research Students, Migration and India http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1023-australia-new-university-research-students-migration-india.html Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:18:08 GMT AUSTRALIA: Many foreigners but few PhDs (http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20100219130600348). So difficult has life become for... AUSTRALIA: Many foreigners but few PhDs. So difficult has life become for Australian PhD and masters by research students that the numbers starting the degrees are falling and completion rates are among the lowest in the developed world. At the same time, foreign student commencements in PhD degree courses have rocketed by 125% over the past six years.


Is this a sympton of lower levels of maths science competency of high school graduates, and career guidance during their teenage years?


Queensland to draw up migration plan to curb population. Government is set to draw up a migration plan for the state that could act as a brake on southeast Queensland's rampant population growth while ensuring regional centres receive a steady supply of skilled workers. Premier Anna Bligh said the plan would allow Queensland to choose which skilled migrants settled in the state.



Do we a hear a "dog whistle" here? Surely the QLD government is some years too late in commencement of migration and population planning as population growth is probably now decreasing?


You pay to prove we're not racist. State Government spends $250,000 for Indian journalists to be flown to Australia. Taxpayers are paying $250,000 for Indian journalists to be flown to Australia to help fight a public relations battle over attacks on Indian students. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through its international media visits budget, is paying flight and five-star accommodation bills of $10,000 for each of 25 Indian reporters from the subcontinent to take tours of Australia, focusing on Melbourne.


Begs the question, what have the $100 million of taxpayer money spent annually on overseas travel, hotels and allowances by universities, TAFE, DFAT, Austrade, AEI, DEEWR, State Departments of Education and Tourism bodies etc. been used for if not promoting the same to India and Asia (while not using the internet for economic and effective communication and marketing)? ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1023-australia-new-university-research-students-migration-india.html Australian News Regions, Education and Skills http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1021-australian-news-regions-education-skills.html Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:21:31 GMT * Australian News Migration Education and Skills (http://aiec-studyaustralia.blogspot.com/2010/02/australian-news-migration-education-and.html)* ... Australian News Migration Education and Skills



Regional centres to boom now the bust has settled. SOME are calling it "payback year", others "the year of the investor". I see it as "the year of the regional centre". It's clear 2010 will be a different year to the previous one, with those who worked hard for not much reward in 2009 expecting better returns. These are the people looking for payback.



Kylie, AC/DC miss out on Grammys. KYLIE Minogue, AC/DC, Keith Urban and Sam Sparro felt no love at the 51st Grammy Awards, as Robert Plant and Alison Krauss dominated while R&B singer Chris Brown ended up in a Los Angeles police station instead of on stage.



ABOUT 1350 Victorian students who missed out on a first-round tertiary offer last month secured a place in the second round of university and TAFE offers yesterday. But there were 123 fewer offers made than at the same time last year. The Victoria Tertiary Admissions Centre made 4412 offers, of which 1355 went to applicants who had not yet received an offer.


Migration has been of great benefit to Australia in the past, and if we are smart it will go on benefiting us in the future.


Skills push to lift growth. CONCERN about a looming and long-term shortage of skilled workers has been reignited by the release of a landmark government report, which confirms that productivity growth is critical to counter the impact of the ageing population. ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1021-australian-news-regions-education-skills.html Australia 2010 Economy, Skills, Workers, Population, Migration, Environment, Big Day http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1015-australia-2010-economy-skills-workers-population-migration-environment-big-day.html Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:53:12 GMT * Australia 2010 Economy, Skills, Workers, Population, Migration, Environment, Big Day Out... Australia 2010 Economy, Skills, Workers, Population, Migration, Environment, Big Day Out



WA, ACT enjoy top economies WESTERN Australia and the ACT boast the best performing economies in Australia, a ranking compiled by broking firm CommSec, has found, while NSW ranks lastThe study ranks the states on eight indicators: economic growth, retail spending, business investment, construction, population growth, housing finance, housing starts and unemployment.



Surge in Obesity. Three per cent of Australians are believed to be in the most extreme category of obesity. ALMOST 500,000 Australians are ''super obese'', a fivefold increase during two decades, with weight loss surgeons reporting they are increasingly treating patients at serious risk of premature death.


TEMPORARY skilled workers migrating to Australia have halved since this time a year ago, after more stringent workplace laws came into force. Immigration figures released yesterday show applications for category-457 visas plummeted 49 per cent in the five months to November, after the laws required employers to pay equal wages and lift conditions for foreign workers.



More people does not equal trashing our environment. Australia can cope with population growth. We just need smart planning. Continued high population growth is an almost uniquely Australian issue. Most developed countries are battling the reverse problem, that of population decline. The populations of Italy, Germany, Japan and South Korea will shrink by tens of millions of people over coming decades. Russia faces the greatest demographic collapse, with its population predicted to shrink from 140 million to 100 million by 2050.


Projections of 35 million people by 2050 deflate under closer analysis. Most people will have a view about whether a major increase in Australia's population by 2050 will undermine their quality of life and harm the natural environment. My opinion is that it will be damaging on both fronts.


Too many of those nasty non English speaking background foreigners coming already educated, or to be educated, in skills Australians cannot be arsed to do, while baby boomers who do are retiring...... plus some spruiking for more funding on behalf of the university sector?


From 1 January 2010 applicants who studied in Australia a bachelor degree and who are applying for skills assessment by VETASSESS must demonstrate that they worked in their occupation for one year in a full time position AFTER graduation of the course, before they are able to apply for their permanent residence (PR) visa.


After graduation students will have to apply for a visa subclass 485 (Skilled graduate temporary visa) which entitle up to 18 months of full time work. On this visa students must complete at least 12 months of full time work in their occupation. The new program is called “Job Ready Program” and this allows participants more time to gain valuable experience in an Australian workplace. Once this is achieved, students are able to apply for their PR.


Big Day Out Music Festivals NZ & Australia 15- 31 January 2010 Auckland, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

AIEC. ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1015-australia-2010-economy-skills-workers-population-migration-environment-big-day.html Australia NAB, Roland Howard, JJJ, Students, Visas, Racism, Migrants http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1014-australia-nab-roland-howard-jjj-students-visas-racism-migrants.html Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:41:38 GMT NAB set to pounce on Northern Rock (http://www.smh.com.au/business/nab-set-to-pounce-on-northern-rock-20100104-lnxs.html). National Australia Bank is... NAB set to pounce on Northern Rock. National Australia Bank is gearing up for a takeover of nationalised British lender Northern Rock and has held a "beauty parade" of potential advisers on the deal, The Observer reports. NAB, which already owns Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks in the UK, has hosted presentations by Lazard, Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley as it prepares for opportunities that will follow a radical shake-up of the British banking sector this year, the newspaper said.

Triple JJJ Australian Top 100 Local & International Artists. The idea is pretty straight forward: ask Australians everywhere to vote for their favourite song of the year and tell us why. triple j then collates the results and plays the countdown on Australia Day – but the end result is much more. By voting you are taking part in the world’s biggest musical democracy. You’re also joining a world-wide party as listeners in Australia and ex-pats everywhere get together, crank up the radio and party to the best songs of 2009.

Roland Howard Farewell for 'ridiculous, singular, charismatic individual'. ABOUT 500 mourners gathered in St Kilda yesterday to hear friends and lovers celebrate the life of "a charming, dignified, regal man", guitarist Rowland S. Howard, who died last week, aged 50, from liver cancer. Howard, a guitarist in Nick Cave's punk bands the Boys Next Door and the Birthday Party before forming his own bands Crime and the City Solution, and These Immortal Souls, is best remembered for his unique, influential guitar style and for writing Shivers, one of the Boys Next Door's biggest hits.

Racism does exist in Australia. This week has seen tensions between Australia and India escalate, following yet another attack on an international student. Indian authorities have issued a travel warning about increased violence in Melbourne. The Australian Government is in damage control. While police investigations into the fatal attack of accounting graduate Nitin Garg in Melbourne and the discovery of the body of an unidentified Indian student in NSW are ongoing, the motives behind these attacks remain unclear. What is certain however is that there is growing disquiet about the way our international guests have been treated.

Indian student visa applications fall by half. THE number of Indians applying for visas to study in Australia has plunged dramatically, heightening fears for the nation's $17 billion international education industry. The latest Immigration Department data, for the period from July to October 31, shows a 46 per cent drop in overseas student visa applications from India compared with the same period in 2008.

Time for action - Racism threatens multi-billion education sector. The Government should use money from international student fees to fund support programs and public awareness campaigns about the positive contribution international students make to Australia.

Australia No. 2 Every January, International Living magazine ranks and rates 194 countries to come up with our list of the places that offer you the best quality of life. Aussies and those who've chosen to emigrate there have access to an active and healthy lifestyle. But urban dwellers will find plenty of great culture and excellent food in Sydney and Melbourne, and a cost of living below that of some of the world's other great cities..... if you plan to stay, you'll find that few English-speaking countries with quality health care and good infrastructure will benefit as much as Australia from the economic booms in Asia and China.

Drowning in Debt In all the self-congratulations over how Australia has managed to sidestep the GFC, an inconvenient truth has been overlooked: the crisis was caused by too much debt, and Australian households have had a stronger love affair with debt than even the Americans. As of the latest RBA figures, Australian households now owe the equivalent of an entire year's GDP - three per cent more than Americans ever owed.

AIEC ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1014-australia-nab-roland-howard-jjj-students-visas-racism-migrants.html just a thought http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/wiccanwitch/1012-just-thought.html Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:31:34 GMT yep still thinking of moving but still just a thought:biggrin: yep still thinking of moving but still just a thought:biggrin: ]]> wiccanwitch http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/wiccanwitch/1012-just-thought.html Australia, Wine, Population, Employment, Skill Shortages, Victoria, Household Wealth http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1011-australia-wine-population-employment-skill-shortages-victoria-household-wealth.html Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:10:21 GMT Australia, Wine, Population, Employment, Skill Shortages, Victoria, Household Wealth & Debt, NZ Uni, Foreign Students, Brand Australia & Larrikans

Constellation to end growers' contracts. Winery giant Constellation has told its remaining Murray Valley growers their contracts will be terminated in three years. The company has been progressively shedding growers over the past two seasons, giving them three years' notice their contracts will not be renewed.


Another industry that has become a commodity......


Seal of approval for Grange wine. PENFOLD'S Grange has again been recognised as one of the world's greatest wines, with influential US critic Robert Parker awarding its latest vintage a score of 99 out of 100. Parker was credited with lifting Grange to superstar status when he named the 1990 vintage the greatest red in the world, but even that wine was given only 94 points.


Populate and prosper. IN what surely must come as a great surprise to demographers biding their time at university campuses and in research bureaus, the population issue has assumed barbecue-stopper status. The debate started when the former Howard government released its intergenerational reports, revealing the spectre of an ageing population putting the fiscal crunch on future workers.


If the there was as much analysis and explanation in the media about population as there was regarding sport most would support population growth on condition of regional development, urban planning etc.



MANAGERS and professionals have prospered through the economic downturn while tradespeople, machine operators and clerical staff have been laid off. New employment figures show big swings in the labour force as industries such as manufacturing, property and construction bear the brunt, while sectors such as health and education have been relatively untouched


Skills shortage looms as growth obstacle for resources industry. THE next decade is expected to throw up the same issues as the last for the resources sector, as the quest for scale continues through mergers, and China and India put growing demands on Australia's production, infrastructure and skills base.


Victoria goes from basket case to star performer. VICTORIA has leapt ahead of all the non-resource states, as well as Queensland, as the former rust-belt state reaps the rewards of more than 15 years' of economic reform. The state is taking advantage of its sputtering northern neighbours in attracting new business investment and population and housing growth.


I would not get too smug in Victoria with property prices neyond the bejesus belt, and applications from main overseas student source market, i.e. India, falling off a cliff i.e. down 80%....



AUSTRALIANS have enjoyed the fastest growth in household wealth for more than a generation, as the rebound on stock markets has given back almost half the money people lost in the global financial crisis. Financial accounts issued by the Bureau of Statistics on Christmas Eve show that even excluding real estate, households' net financial assets shot up by a record $147 billion or 17 per cent in the September quarter alone.



Debts at record levels BORROWERS have set a new record: for the first time we owe more in household debt than the entire Australian economy earns in a yearReserve Bank figures show mortgage, credit card and personal loan debts now stand at $1.2 trillion, up 71 per cent from just five years ago and equating to $56,000 for every man, woman and child in the country.


Very wealthy if you do not go bankrupt first....


Uni cheaper in NZ AUSTRALIAN students are gaining university degrees at half the price by heading across the Tasman to study in New Zealand. It's a chance to turn the tide on the Kiwi influx, because a little-known government deal means New Zealand taxpayers are subsidising more than 2000 Australians to study at NZ universities.


Why not? Overseas students will be going everywhere except Australia in future....


Foreign students suffer rise in Australian dollar. I decided to do my PhD in Australia in the, now debunked, belief that it would cost me less than other countries. I have been here for six months and I now think that this education is going to be more expensive than almost all other destinations I had on my application list. The rent of the dormitory I'm living in is clear evidence of this. However, my initial wishful thinking has nothing to do with the early tuition and daily cost calculations. Instead, it has much to do with a surge in Australian dollar in the past year.


We aren't just larrikins. The larrikin image certainly has a place in Australian popular culture, but it should not be allowed to damage our business relations or prospects. Do international managers think of Australia when deciding about business relocations or investment decisions? Or are we just an exotic holiday destination? Perhaps Australian industries should respond to the "Where the bloody hell are you?" campaign with a business-to-business advertising answer: "At work, and we're doing fine, mate."


Australia is reknowned as a great place to visit with very nice people (albeit a bit racist) but to do business not very reliable, clever nor innovative..... :(


AIEC ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1011-australia-wine-population-employment-skill-shortages-victoria-household-wealth.html VET Regulation, Colleges, Employment, University Teaching Quality http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1010-vet-regulation-colleges-employment-university-teaching-quality.html Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:16:07 GMT New national VET regulator will help boost standards and quality of training... New national VET regulator will help boost standards and quality of training. 08 December, 2009 | Media Release Unions have welcomed the creation of a single national regulator of Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector as an important step towards higher standards in the sector. The Council of Australian Governments has agreed to set up a new regulatory body that will begin operation in 2011.


CHINA has become Australia's biggest source of migrants, for the first time eclipsing New Zealand and Britain. The latest migration figures show a record 6350 new settlers arrived from mainland China in the four months to October, compared with the 5800 from Britain and the 4740 from New Zealand.

TWO more private colleges in Melbourne have been forced to close after a regulator found they had failed to meet the most basic education standards. The Australian Institute of Career Education and the Australian International College of Commerce were closed yesterday because they had inadequate learning materials, deficient kitchen facilities for training hospitality students, and they failed to keep proper student records.


Employment ads jump 5.2pc ina month as economy picks up. THE number of jobs advertised in newspapers and on websites rose 5.2 per cent in November, as the economic recovery gathered pace. The ANZ job advertisement survey released yesterday showed that overall job ads jumped to an average 140,658 a week in November, following a 1.7 per cent dip in October.


Economists hail 'extraordinary' job surge. Australia's unemployment rate has fallen to 5.7 per cent, after the creation of 31,200 jobs in November. Even better news was that full-time jobs made up most of the increase, with the Bureau of Statistics survey showing 30,800 full-time positions created, seasonally adjusted.

BRUCE Baird's interim report of the review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 gives only broad indications of the review's thinking. On many points the interim report just identifies an issue without saying what action is contemplated. But there seems to be medicine for almost everyone involved in Australian international tertiary education.

UNIVERSITY teaching is in worrying shape in Australia but regulation is not the answer, according to an international expert on the student experience. "I would be quite anxious about further regulation of teaching, I don't think that's the way to improve its quality," said Paul Ramsden, outgoing chief of Britain's Higher Education Academy. ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1010-vet-regulation-colleges-employment-university-teaching-quality.html OZ here we come http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/johnyg/1009-oz-here-we-come.html Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:31:01 GMT well we finally sold the house, been a while but our own fault really..... trying to hold out for maximum amount... didnt really work.. so ended up... well we finally sold the house, been a while but our own fault really..... trying to hold out for maximum amount... didnt really work.. so ended up with the same as we where offered 6 months ago!!! oh well at least its gone...our stuffs on its way to brisbane, have been told it will be there on jan 14th!.. wow thats quick... used white and company... seems to be good company so far... we will see when the stuff arrives?.....fingers crossed....
looks like i (john) will be going to brisbane 1st.. wife(marie) hasnt quite made her mind up about when she and kids will go,, probably a few weeks later once ive got everything sorted... but that can change on a daily or even hourly basis(guys. you know wot i mean!!!)..so just sitting here in my dads house...jeez.. was it 20 yrs ago since i last lived here??.... poor wife is in her mums..2 kids and a dog in 1 bedroom. and i get 2 dinners every day, no wonder im looking the way i do(bronzed adonnis.?? er .. maybe not.lol)
so i have handed my notice in today.... to be honest not really got excited about anything yet... probably due to the double edged sword that emigrating is... missed family, friends,, weather...er.. scrub the last one...you know wot i mean though....
so i feel like im divorced at the moment... not very nice..... popping in to see the wife and kids etc... im not too happy about that.. but it will be worth it in the end.... missing my wife, kids and .....yeah.. the dog!!! cant wait till we are all a family again....
marie....if you are reading this..... love ya babe xxxxxx:laugh: ]]> johnyg http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/johnyg/1009-oz-here-we-come.html Summer has arrived http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/petals/1008-summer-has-arrived.html Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:55:09 GMT Time I had a little update. Its now summer so we can expect to get a bit of everything weather wise in Melbourne. One thing most residents want... Time I had a little update. Its now summer so we can expect to get a bit of everything weather wise in Melbourne. One thing most residents want is a lovely day on Christmas day, a nice 25 degrees with a light breeze satisfies most people.

The hot weather usually hits in February just as the children are returning to school, first week can usually bring on some scorcher days.

January not much happens, everything is slowed down, shops are still open of course and everyone is in holiday mood and heading for the hills beach, country etc. Having a caravan in the country is popular and then people head up there, read books generally lie around and veg out.

Just before Christmas its mad and everyone shops till they drop and buy up all the food like there will be a famine after Christmas, funny really because the supermarkets are open on Boxing Day along with all the other shops.

Boxing Day sales are popular with lots of people and they rush in and buy up big. Me personally I stay away from them and wait for the genuine goods to be reduced in Feb and March. A lot of the stuff is just bought for the sales.

Funny old year, and I wonder what next will bring. A lot of disappointed Brits with the visa situation and I hope they sought it out soon.

My neighbour gave me a gummy shark yesterday they usually try and catch me an elephant shark as they are a nice eating fish. I chopped up the gummy and put it in the freezer for two weeks before we use it as is the usual course of action. They fish all the time, sometimes wonder what it would be like to be a fish out there in Westernport Bay with everyone trying to catch me.

To those of us who are having their first Christmas and feeling a bit lonely and missing familiar things and family do not mope around the house go out and do things with the family or if single accept every invitation and it will help.

Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year ]]> Petals http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/petals/1008-summer-has-arrived.html Job seeking - the remote interview http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/biffo/1007-job-seeking-remote-interview.html Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:05:32 GMT I have finally managed to get some telephone interviews, having persuaded the agents that I am serious about migrating. The first interview was two... I have finally managed to get some telephone interviews, having persuaded the agents that I am serious about migrating. The first interview was two telephone calls a week apart - there was just two of us in the running for the job going into the second interview. Unfortunately, I was not the chosen one this time:no:.
The next interview was a bit of a surprise. I thought that I was emailing an agency and they said that they had several local people set up for interviews but that they would like to talk to me. OK, I thought the agency was going to call and do their general chat thing - no probs. The call came a few minutes earlier than scheduled, my wife answered, I flushed the loo :embarrassed:and washed my hands just before my wife hands me the handset....
"Hi,are we OK to speak?" they asked.
"Yes certainly." I replied as I walked through the house.
It transpired that it was not an agency but rather the manager who was hiring and he went straight into a full blown telephone interview!:eek:
Anyway it went well, even though I had no preparation and they said that I was definitely in the running but they would rather employ somebody who is already living in Oz - "We will let you know next week after we have seen everybody." he said. I don't expect that I can beat the locals on this one, but you never know. Fingers crossed until next week.

I will keep trying on the job market, but it is not easy being so far away from the prospective employers. I just wish that we could sell our house, then the move to Oz is definitely on and we can take our lives off hold.

Some may think that this situation is frustrating, I think that it is a challenge and that it will make success taste even better.:wink: ]]> biffo http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/biffo/1007-job-seeking-remote-interview.html Australia Ashes Cricket, Skill Shortages, RBA, House Prices, Private Colleges, VET, R http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1006-australia-ashes-cricket-skill-shortages-rba-house-prices-private-colleges-vet-r.html Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:05:01 GMT * Australia Ashes Cricket, Skill Shortages, RBA, House Prices, Private Colleges, VET, Regulation... Australia Ashes Cricket, Skill Shortages, RBA, House Prices, Private Colleges, VET, Regulation

Cycling to the Ashes.... 14 months...25000km on a bike... London to Brisbane ... with a cricket bat. Met this English bloke Oli in Budapest at our local, he has been staying at a friend's hostel and playing cricket. He is on his way by bicycle to watch the Ashes in Oz late 2010.

His Blog Cycling to the Ashes.

His Website Cycling to the Ashes.


He is open to sponsors, ideas, whatever!

Surgeon shortage threatens regional health. A critical shortage of general surgeons in emergency wards across the country is threatening the 7 million Australians living outside metropolitan areas. General surgeons are required to deal with almost any surgical emergency, from hernias to hip replacements, and are the essential ingredient in keeping full-scale surgical care operating effectively in regional areas.


Reserve Bank unfazed as housing prices keep rising. WORRIED that $500,000 is too much to pay for a Melbourne house? The Reserve Bank isn't worried and it expects prices to climb higher still. In a speech that amounted to a defence of Australia's historically high house prices, Reserve Bank deputy governor Ric Battellino told a Melbourne housing conference yesterday to expect worse and to recognise that buyers were getting value for money.
Who needs advertising when the real estate industry has the RBA spruiking on their behalf?
...House prices would be boosted by increased population growth and immigration, solid increases in household incomes and ''substantial competition'' for construction industry workers from the mining sector....
Really? Independent Skilled Migration processing suspended, student numbers trending downward, baby boomers retiring etc,?

Meanwhile more housing costs to increase....
Households to foot emissions scheme bill. The upshot of the events in Canberra yesterday and today is that the Government's emissions trading scheme will be passed by the Senate sometime later this week - barring miracles or accidents. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme requires businesses to pay for the carbon they emit and that means we will all have to pay, but how much? On July 1, 2011, it will cost to emit carbon dioxide.


Private college system a fiasco in need of a fix. Even as the rot in international education is laid bare, the Brumby Government would like us to believe the problems with private colleges are restricted to a handful of small, fly-by-night operators. Rubbish. The recent closure of nine colleges in Melbourne and Sydney left nearly 3000 stranded foreign students clinging on to nothing more than hope.

Gillard holds to VET education regulator plan. FEDERAL Education Minister Julia Gillard will press ahead with plans for a national vocational education regulator, despite the refusal of Victoria and Western Australia to sign over their powers. The Government will legislate next year to create the regulator, which will accredit colleges, including those offering courses for international students.
Finally, though WA probably wants to retain control re. mining industry training etc., Victoria because they are incompetent in regulating dodgy colleges....
AIEC ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1006-australia-ashes-cricket-skill-shortages-rba-house-prices-private-colleges-vet-r.html <![CDATA[Australia Socceroos, Refugees, Dodgy Colleges, Broadband & WHV's]]> http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1004-australia-socceroos-refugees-dodgy-colleges-broadband-whvs.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:25:41 GMT * Australia News 15 November 2009 (http://aiec-studyaustralia.blogspot.com/2009/11/australia-news-15-november-2009.html) * AUSTRALIA is in the... Australia News 15 November 2009

AUSTRALIA is in the driving seat to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup after its gutsy 2-1 win against Oman, with coach Pim Verbeek estimating the Socceroos need three points from their last two qualifying matches to reach the finals. Having ridden their luck to beat the Omanis in Melbourne last month, the Socceroos on Saturday were again blessed with some good fortune at a boisterous Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

Refugee dads get into the swim. GOOFING about at Smiths Beach on Phillip Island yesterday, the 15 African fathers and their children were learning not only how to surf, but how to negotiate the treacherous rips of life as a refugee family in Australia.

Melbourne, Victoria DODGY private colleges that exploit foreign students will be closed down sooner and have their details made publicly available under changes aimed at restoring confidence in Victoria's beleaguered international education industry.

Fine, but have state agencies responsible worked out a more intrusive system to audit and evaluate colleges plus the student experience?


Lots of questions, no answers for angry students. THEY came searching for answers but found only uncertainty. Hundreds of foreign students, mainly Indian and Chinese, packed into Melbourne Town Hall hoping the Federal Government, which had called the meeting, would explain why their colleges had collapsed and what the future now held.

Melbourne broadband base. MELBOURNE has been selected as the home for the technology team building the national broadband network. The move will make the city a major focus of early development of the network.

Populate and perish. Somewhere Peter Costello is smirking. The former treasurer loves to talk about his role in encouraging Australians to have more children.

A government crackdown on fraudulent second-year working holiday visa applications has resulted in rising numbers of backpackers withdrawing their applications, according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). DIAC director of working holiday section Deirdre Russack told delegates at the Adventure and Backpacker Industry Conference (ABiC) an Irish backpacker had his visa cancelled after he was found to have submitted a fraudulent application. ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1004-australia-socceroos-refugees-dodgy-colleges-broadband-whvs.html Australia Boom, Growth, Rudd, Brand Oz and Republic http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1001-australia-boom-growth-rudd-brand-oz-republic.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:05:00 GMT New boom 'could last for years', says a bullish RBA. AUSTRALIA is rapidly emerging from the downturn into an economic boom the Reserve Bank believes could last for years, powered by the resource industry and rapid population growth. The bank's quarterly review of the economy, published yesterday, has sharply upgraded its short-term economic forecasts and presented a radical rethink of Australia's growth potential.


World hits Rudd over boat people stand-off. THE Federal Government's tough stance on asylum seekers is attracting international media attention - most of it critical and likely to damage Australia's standing. .


Out of the Woods: state's tourism links to golf's El Dorado. HE'S not so much a golfer as a phenomenon, one of the greatest athletes of our age, a multicultural role model and cash register on legs. And as Eldrick ''Tiger'' Woods paces around Kingston Heath this week during his first Australian visit in 11 years, in addition to any personal aspirations he might harbour, he'll be carrying the hopes of the state's tourism and events industries on those powerful shoulders.


I wish more of you were here. TOURISM QUEENSLAND hailed it as the ''most successful tourism campaign ever'', a $2.5 million strategy that returned $390 million in global publicity. But the Best Job in the World campaign has failed to lure foreigners. Official figures show the number of international holidaymakers travelling to Queensland dropped by 8 per cent in the 2008-09 financial year. The total number of international visitors - which also includes people travelling on business and for other reasons - fell 5 per cent.


Dollar's up, so we're nicking off. Australians are leaving the country as never before. The soaring Aussie dollar and low international airfares pushed the number of Australians taking holidays overseas up above 600,000 in September with the number leaving in the past year hitting a record 6 million.


DIAC: Australians need to travel to assist with Working Holiday program. More Australians must travel overseas to assist with the influx of international working holiday makers visiting Australia, the Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) has said. DIAC director of working holiday section, Deirdre Russack told delegates at the Adventure and Backpacker Industry Conference (ABiC) today that many more UK citizens are visiting Australia than the other way around and was also the case in other markets where Australia has reciprocal visa arrangements.


‘Brand Australia’ knocked off top spot in Country Brand Index. Australia has been knocked off top spot as the world’s best country brand, in the 2009 FutureBrand Country Brand Index (CBI). After three years as the most popular country brand, Australia has slipped to third position and was overtaken by the USA in first place and Canada second. New Zealand came in at fourth spot.


We are not British - that's why a republic is so important. Independence is about taking pride in our unique culture. THE 10th anniversary of the referendum reminded me that I should dust off the old ''Young Australians for a Republic'' banner in the shed and drop it off at the national archives. ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1001-australia-boom-growth-rudd-brand-oz-republic.html <![CDATA[Australia Asylum, Immigration, Regional Jobless, Housing, VET & Robbie Fowler]]> http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1000-australia-asylum-immigration-regional-jobless-housing-vet-robbie-fowler.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:21:30 GMT The head of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) says the Government should put out a welcome mat for the Sri Lankan asylum seekers docked in west Java... The head of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) says the Government should put out a welcome mat for the Sri Lankan asylum seekers docked in west Java. So far the Labor movement has been broadly uncritical of the Prime Minister's approach to the 255 asylum seekers intercepted by the Indonesian Navy. But Paul Howes, who is also the vice-president of the ACTU, has now broken ranks. He has urged the Government to seize the moral high ground and ensure there is no return to the divisive debate of 2001.


Hear hear!


IMMIGRATION has held a special place in the fears of many Australians but the figures tell a different story to that told by Liberal MP Kevin Andrews. We're hardly over-stuffed. The data on asylum seekers and refugees in particular provides some much-needed perspective on the current national debate. It was clearly Mr Andrews' intent in discussing Labour's immigration policy to play on the fears of many Australians who have been led to believe there is a flood of asylum seekers waiting to hop a boat to Australia. However, I think we would do well, as a nation to consider that developing countries host 80 per cent of the world's refugees.


About time, too many white Australia attitudes rearing their head.....


The gap between Australia's regional jobless rates is at its widest in almost 20 years. FAR north Queensland may be beautiful one day, perfect the next, but the economic climate in the tropical north has taken on a definite wintry chill.


Also includes info on Melbourne suburbs etc.


HUNDREDS of new high-rise apartments on the upper north shore have stood empty for months due to a lack of demand, casting doubt on the State Government's strategy of opening up the region for high-density development. Developers have resorted to offering thousands of dollars worth of free furniture in an effort to sell apartments in the shiny new five-storey blocks that have sprung up from Wahroonga to Roseville.


Housing shortage?


A re-emergence of a skills shortage is expected within 12 months despite business doing all it can to hold on to staff during the economic downturn, a survey finds. The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and consultant Deloitte warn that the skills shortage will re-emerge when trading conditions improve because of a drop in training and number of apprentices.


Surprise, surprise.....?


Rules skew student choice. THERE is frequent criticism in the media about education agents and about students seeking permanent residence via the study-immigration route. Demographers have theories, trade unions have political positions and newspapers publish half-informative, half-inflammatory articles. This gets us nowhere; we need people for the coming economic boom.


Agree.


Robbie Fowler Northern Fury Townsville REVENGE and redemption are two words that seem to have been bandied about in the days leading to tonight's game against Gold Coast United. But from my perspective that just isn't a motivator heading to Skilled Park. Sure, they gave us a bit of a hiding last time we met, and we do want to beat them, but if you go into a match thinking about revenge, there's a real chance you'll come unstuck.

Robbie Fowler living the dream in Far North Queensland, and getting a goal or two also :)

AIEC ]]> connaust http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/connaust/1000-australia-asylum-immigration-regional-jobless-housing-vet-robbie-fowler.html My migration experience http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/biffo/999-my-migration-experience.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:06:44 GMT My wife and I have been looking to migrate out of the UK for some years to escape the overcrowding and not so magical weather. Before the summer of... My wife and I have been looking to migrate out of the UK for some years to escape the overcrowding and not so magical weather. Before the summer of 2007, the sunny state of Florida in the USA was our most likely candidate but then our first visit to Australia happened....

We only had two weeks, one in Surfers on the Gold Coast and one in Cairns. Considering that it was the Australian winter, the weather was fantastic although the swimming pools were a little chilly when you first jumped in! We loved it so much that we visited a local migration agent in Cairns who spared us some time on a walk in visit. He was very helpful and we were convinced that a move to Oz was the right thing to do.

Note: None of my migration agencies can be referred to by name due to legal reasons unfortunately. So please accept my apologies for just calling them an agency or agent.:mask:

On our return to the UK we set about researching our visa options. I foolishly thought that I would politely decline the Cairns agent's offer to help simply due to location and time difference. Instead I found an agency which advertised visa help and job placements in both Oz and NZ, paid up over a hundred quid to have my case analysed and waited for the response. The response came back saying that I was a very good candidate and offered me a few options - all for migration to NZ! It transpired that the agency only really dealt with NZ but could do Oz at a push, they apologised and refunded my money at my request.

I went though the same initial loop with another agency and travelled to Egham for a face to face. This agency was twice the price of some of the others advertised on the net but they persuaded me that this was because of the quality of service and the breadth of their support. Stupidly, I believed them! 'You could be there by Christmas!' he said, but neglected to say which Christmas.

So in October 2007, I started the paperwork and evidence gathering for my skills assessment and visa. By the end of November I had everything ready and sent it all to the agency. As part of the package there was a relocation service offered by a 'sister company' in Oz which I stumped up nearly a grand for. We were going to Oz for just over 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year and thought that the relocation people could met up with us to show us the areas......

Just before departing on our Christmas trip, we contacted our UK agency again to find out what was going on with our paperwork as we had not had any feedback - 'Oh...mmmm.. yes here it is, we have recived it.'. After much hindering we were given the email for the relocation people who said that they were looking to jack up some job interviews.

There was a whole lot of silence and we went to Surfers for Christmas. We had very little contact with our relocation agent (an email saying that he hopes we have a great stay and that there are no interviews because it's holiday season).

Christmas day on the beach was great even though we hardly got to sleep at all thanks to Santa coming and our daughter's excitement! We travelled around a little to explore, including two days in Brisbane CBD, two days in Sydney and three days in St.Kilda. The weather in the Gold Coast was not brilliant (windy and quite a bit of rain) so the break to the other states (and sunny weather) was definitely worth it. The beaches down and around Mornington were fab and they reminded us a little of the beaches at home in Weymouth but warmer.

With the trip over, we were convinced that the Gold Coast was the place for us to live. There is so much to do and we are confident that our daughter will never be bored with all the beaches and theme parks. Work for me as an IT bod would probably be in Brisbane itself which is likely to be more of a challenge than getting a job in Sydney, ACT or Melbourne but the weather in South East Qld is more our scene.:cool:

Back to the agency. 'Oh...mmmm.... our specialist has been away over Christmas, they will look at you case soon.'

Near the end of January, after chasing the agencies managers, the migration 'consultant' asked for some more details, letters from my University for my recent degree and a signiture for one of my references. I did what they asked. I had to revisit the University letters, much to my embarrasment, three times due to the lack of information from my consultant. Eventually, after much discussion with the management, my papers were ready to submit to the ACS in March '08. My new consultant (due to a re-shuffle within the agency) contacted me three weeks later and said that they were sending the papers to the ACS - at last!

The normal lead time for the ACS was about 8-12 weeks at the time so in June, I started chasing my agency for feedback following over 2 months of nothing. By mid-July, I was getting a little disturbed at the lack of response from the ACS, so I contacted them directly 'I am sorry Sir, we do not have a records in your name. I suggest that you talk to your agency.':mad:

I spoke with the agencies consultant, manager and the Director. My papers were found in somebodies out tray! 'Sorry, we have now submitted them tto the ACS'. No refunds or compensation of any sort. The ACS recieved my papers at the bginning of Aug '08.

Waiting....waiting...no feedback!

In October, I chased the agency again. The ACS had declined my Portsmouth University Degree as a valid degree because it was partially distance learning! The agency said that I had a limited time to appeal and support my case with RPL evidence. Two 10,000 word reports later, I managed to get the ACS approval two days before my 40th birthday. Had this been any later then I would have needed points from an engish test to proceed with my 175 visa application.

My 175 skilled independant visa application was submitted on 29th Nov '08. Over a year since we started this painful journey. Still nothing from the relocation agents 'looking' for a sponsor in the mean time.

Waiting...waiting....waiting...conatcted by another migration agency. 'Your original agency has gone bankrupt, but we will take on your case free of charge.'

What about my relocation agent? 'Oh, we can't help you with that Sir.'

OK. Have we heard anything from DIAC? 'Nothing as yet but there is a long delay'

I contacted DIAC to let them know that the agency had changed and almost instantly I was given a case officer at the beginning of May '09.

DIAC asked for some more information about my Phillipino wife. What?????? There must be a mistake, we are both from a long chain of Anglo Saxon descent. There was a mistake, but we had to fill the forms out anyway. Then came the meds and PC's. Then finally, at the beginning of August '09, an email from the agency to confirm that my visa application has been approved.:jiggy:

After a summer holiday, we sent our passports off to get the evasive visa sticker and set down to readying for the move.

Now all I need is either to sell the house or to get a job offer in Oz to be able to afford to make that final move at a sensible risk. Two whole years have passed for what was meant to be a straight forward case. We are not there yet, but we hope that it will be over soon.

The relocation agent? With some help from fellow PIO's I have tracked down the agent who has re-branded and claims that the parent company never sent any money. He has offered to help free of charge because he believes that would be fair but I am finding it difficult to get results so far. Maybe he will come through, maybe I have lost him? Dunno really, but that is the least of my worries now.

Patience and perseverance (and possibly a spellchecker) are essential requirements for any potential Pom In Oz. Good luck to all those that try! ]]> biffo http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/biffo/999-my-migration-experience.html