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Hi all I dont post very often, but i read alot, know i nead to post a tread, Ive had a wonderful day at my house with all my family, (3 sisters, 6 kids 1 cousin & 2 kids mum and my 3 kids and me ) all spent all day at my house we have had a won derful day full of laughter and love (and a lot of shouting due to the number of children, although all kids have been very well behaved) now im doing what all of us do and doughting what im doing and thinking about what im doing to my children, taking them away from all that, its not a regular thing to happen and today as been a one off, but even so, im still feeling off, It is now buckerting down in essex and im wodering if ive got everything in from the garden that i should off, but so what, its all only going to the bootsale for a £1 so do i care, ive had a glass of wine on my own, because Peter is still on nights. If we stay here he will all ways be on nights to pay for the house we live in, House, yes very nice but only a 3 bed semi and nothing to give up family life for. Im still not thinking that im doing wrong, but it stings when my cousin, that i dont see from one year to next, asks if im doing the wrong thing for my "family" being sisters and mum. Not my family as in my 3 Children. To any one thats read this., thank you I dont really want replys, just needed to get it off my chest. Thanks all Tracey IM STILL AWAITING A REPLY FROM PETERS PRACTICAL TEST, 21/07/08:arghh:

BACK GROUND: My husband is a commercial fisherman who owns his own business and has done for the pass 20 years, his skills are welding, fabrication, shotblasting and marine engineering all self taught. How ever he is in the process of taking his welding certificates and will be starting work for good company as his welding skills are excellent even if i say so my self. My husband although self taught have built and refurbished large commercial fishing vessels from stratch and have done contract work for others over a period of many years. QUESTION: We are in two mind whether or not to go back to australia next year and look for sponsorship whilst there or apply for the visa application here in the uk? PROBLEM? Hubsband has be self employeed all his life and he has no 6 years experience working for employee but has got the experience and references available! WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE PLEASE... WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM OZ HE GOT OFFERED 2 JOBS BUT IT WAS NOT WHAT WE WANTED FOR US AS A FAMILY BUT THIS WAS LINKED VIA THE BBC PROGRAMME (WANTED DOWN UNDER) Kathyw

I just stumbled accross this hub page. It's written by a Lizzy from New Zealand and I found it to be a very honest appraisal of life in Oz. Have a look and leave her a comment if you agree its good !! http://lissie.hubpages.com/hub/Moving-to-Australia

http://dreamsofalife.com/home/newspaper

:arghh:Ok, where to start.... my OH is a bricklayer by trade, he passed all skills assessment, we have found we are 10 points short for 175 and 176 visa. my OH is dyslectic and barely reads and writes he was told to sit ielts test to gain the extra points but when he went for test he couldnt said couldnt do it:no:. so now we are in the worse situation, i have been reading up about 475 visa, we have family out there mother and father in law, sis in law and bro in law... the bro would be the one to sponsor us on this 475 visa and that then gives us our 10 points we need.... but we have two young children and despeartly want to live in perth with our family, can we live there? i need to know any info on this visa and wether this is our best option. does anyone know also how long this visa takes to grant as we have so many hold ups that we just want to be out there! also i know there may be others out there in similar situations so if you have any advise or questions feel free to ask. thank you in advance.:hug: laura & brad x:tongue:

I'm sure I did and it was packed with Poms (and homesick Aussies?)

Hello! My name is Beccy and I am near the end of my 2nd year training on a diploma course. Me and my partner would love to come to Australia (looking at Queensland) as soon as possible from me qualifying! However, from doing some reading around we know it might not happen! I have looked into the graduate nursing scheme, however on the queensland health website it says you can only apply once your right to work has been granted. So I would need a visa and to register with AHPRA right? On the AHPRA site it says newly qualified diploma nurses without experience are considered on a case by case basis (to do the grad scheme you arent allowed to work as an RN beforehand). So, I am not sure how to go about it? Would there be more chance of AHPRA allowing me to register if I have been offered a job somewhere? Or is there a visa I can get that wouldnt need me to be AHPRA registered, then I could apply for a job and then apply to AHPRA? I would be happy to work as an RN without doing the grad scheme, so have emailed a few hospitals, but it looks like the hardest bit is going to be to sort out registration. Any tips/pointers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Beccy

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................You Couldn't Help Yourselve Could You ............................................................................:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh: lmao

I hope that I am allowed to post this. Alan Spray is my Uncle and has been missing since last Saturday from the St. Albans area. We are trying everything we can to bring his information to people. I know that a lot of the PIO Community still live in Britain so please pass on any info. http://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/missing_alan_spray_a_wonderful_husband_father_and_grandfather_1_986371 Thank-you Helen xx

The Expat Explorer Survey focuses on expats’ experiences when bringing up children abroad. The report looks at which focuses on six key global locations the best opportunities and experiences for their children. Expats rated childcare, education, ease of integration, costs of raising children, time spent outside, and time spent taking part in outdoor activities. In addition, they also rated the relative ease in which they were able to do the following in their new country of residence. Read The Full Report Here Expat Survey Full Report Key findings One in three of the expats surveyed (31%) have dependent children (children under the age of 18) living with them abroad in a total of 26 different countries around the world. Of the top six countries (UAE, US, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia), expats in Singapore are the most likely to have children who currently live with them (46%), while just a quarter (24%) of expats in the UK have dependent children. Generally, 37% of expats have experienced an increase in the quality of family life since moving abroad. Of the top six countries, Australia had the largest proportion of expat parents (55%) who reported an improvement in the quality of family life compared with where they used to live. Some expats reported that moving to the UK can have a negative effect on their family life – 45% reported a decline in quality compared with only 16% who reported an improvement. Australia Takes Best Overall for Children Of those countries surveyed as part of the Offshore Offspring report, expats living in Australia feel the country provides the best environment for healthy and active children. For example, parents report that these children are the most likely to spend more time outdoors than in their previous country. Children in Australia are more likely to have increased the amount of time spent playing sports (68% vs. 44% globally) and are also the most likely to spend less time watching TV and to eat healthily when compared with their home country; making Australia the best place for children to adopt a healthy way of living. Read The Full Report Here Expat Survey Full Report <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

ok my husband passed his medicals but now his file has been given to a senior migration officer because he has a criminal record.has anyone on here ever had that happen and if so how long did it take and what was the outcome? i am going out of my mind my hubby and i have now been seperated for 10 months and its killing me.

Hi, Im hopefully going to australia on the 'last remaining relative visa' i was supposed to move in 2010 -but was told that it has been CAPPED! -from 200 to 20 per year allowed in! If your going to oz with this type of visa -and been told /having problems! please comment -and we can see and discuss when 'last remaining relative visa' applicants will recieve there visa! It would be very nice to know as we havent been told much! and dont know if were moving along! Many thanks :hug:

Hey guys, I wanted to put this is here as I saw there are over 170 people viewing the immigration section of the forum. I am sure it is a long and arduous process and sometimes seems like it's never gonna happen but stick with it. I landed in Oz three weeks and it is amazing, seriously happy that I am here. So I just wanted to say keep going because I think it will be worth it for you! All the best, Kev P.S. I have recently updated the blog in my signature so if you would like to see how I am getting on then please check it out.

RIGHT ............ I have just been to see the last film of Harry Potter and i was really looking forward to it, i have loved everyone of the films ............... up till now, but ............... i came away feeling ............... disatisfied. Anyone else been to see it and felt the same, i read the book and there was a number of things that i wasn't happy about, i'm not one of those people who think the film should be exactly like the book, but i found some of the acting a bit ........... naff and voldermort ended up being rather pathetic, a blabbering, fool who seemed to have human feelings all of a sudden. Theres more that i wasn't happy about, but i just wondered if anyone else thought the same?

Hi all. We had our meds on friday and all was going well until they got to my 4yr old son who has a medical condition called Tuberous Sclerosis. Basically it means he has benign tumours on his brain & in his heart which causes Epileptic fits. Sounds serious but if you knew him you would see he's a normal 4yr old, no learning/behaviour problems on any other problems. He was diagnosed in January 2009 after having 5 seizures in a week. He was put on medication (which he takes twice a day) and thank god he has been seizure free since. His consultant is hoping to take him off his meds if he is seizure free for 3 years, fingers crossed. The dr that did our meds has asked for more info on his condition, and long term prognosis even though we gave her 12 pages of reports to read. Im very concerned now that they wont give us a visa because of this so I wanted to know what medical condition you have had and still been given a visa? Has anyone with epilepsy or simular ever been given a visa? Also if we are refused can we appeal? Sorry its long but really worried and need advice please :unsure: Thanks x

I would like all members to note the title of this part of the forum - Moving Back to the UK. Now recently I have had quite a lot of emails and pm's from new members who are wanting to return home but feel concerned about putting their thoughts in this area for fear of being jumped on. It has resulted in some new members choosing not to participate any further. Now I am sorry but this is the last thing we want, people who are returning need our support more than anyone on this forum, they have uprooted their family for the initial move and are now very unhappy. We find that people moving back will have opinions of Australia that you may not agree with, but please remember this is THEIR feelings. If you are not happy with that then please use one of the other forums there are plenty to choose from. If we see people using this forum just for arguments then we may look at restricting access. :hug::hug::notworthy::wubclub:

Good Evening guys I'm in the process of applying for my TRA assessment. I have sent a letter to my human resources department but i know they will only send me a very basic reference back as they are so unhelpful. Are there any guys on this forum who have worked for BG and have gone through this process in the last few years. Any advice you may have or wish to share you experience i would be most grateful. I did an apprenticeship with was 12 months at college then on the job training and mentoring. I started this training on the 03/10/03 and was promoted to fully qualified engineer 01/04/07. Any help guys no mattwer how small would be useful Thanks in advance Kind Regards Nick

Hi, my names jess and im 15 years old, currently living in the UK. My parents have had this dream for ages to move to australia and my step dad has just got offered a job, but they want him in May. I think it would be a great experience and i really would love it, i know that. But i really have so so much to lose here I have a big family and lots of friends and guy im seeing. I really don't want to go in may, and am worried about schools and stuff. If anyone could give me some advice on what to do, what its like if anyone has moved their previously, been in my shoes or something. I would really really appreciate it, and would love someone to talk to who's living in Melbourne. Love Jess xx :frown: :sad: :swoon:

Firstly thanks to all who read this, here is my story.......... I am a 24 year old fully qualified electrician, I hold a JIB gold card graded as approved. I have seven years experience and currently work self-employed. I am NICIEC fully approved also. People have always told me to go and work in Oz and the idea has always appealed to me. My personal cirumstances have changed a lot over the past 12mths. A long term relationship has broken down, family are now spread all over the UK and as we all know, work in England is thin on the ground. I travelled the US this year following the break up of my relationship. I met the most amazing Aussie girl. She is a school teacher from Brisbane and we hit it off instantly. We are in constant contact and very keen to get to know each other further and see if we have a future. I have very few ties to the UK these days, no children or mortgage. It seemed ideal to come to Oz to work for a while and see how things develop. I thought I'd be killing two birds with the one stone, working in Aus as I'd always wanted and being with this girl. I now unfortunately realise the issue is slightly more difficult. I dont want to apply for permanent migration without spending a significant period of time within the country, travelling a little and allowing our relationship to progress to a level significant enough. I am aware of the working holiday visa, but doubt this would allow me to work within my trade, due to VETASSES etc. Also my fear is getting out there and doing casual work for a year, building an amazing relationship and then having to return to the UK after 12mths, start a whole new process and not see her for ages, thus damaging the relationship. Are there other VISA options I can explore under the skilled migrant schemes to allow me to get more time over there to assess my situation and then apply for permanent migration whilst there, circumstances permitting? Any advice on sponsor companies etc or just general next steps would be greatly appreciated, the sooner I get the ball rolling the better. I have contacted immigration agents via email, but they just want to take my money to process applications, not give me any real world advice regarding my situation. My points score was 140, so should be no probs there! Thanks a million, Joey:jimlad:

anyone read this story i mean what does this say about the british justice system or how britain wants to be seen by australia? Father-to-be who attacked two men in a drunken brawl spared jail so he can emigrate to Australia | Mail Online

THE AUSTRALIAN THE HEART OF THE NATION Big benefits from immigration Without more migrants our economy will underperform JULIA Gillard understands we have a labour shortage, which is why she announced an expansion of the 457 visa program yesterday, to supply more temporary skilled migrants for the Queensland reconstruction program. Good but not good enough. Our labour shortage is national, not regional, long term not transitory, and it will damage the whole economy if we are not careful. This is exactly the reverse of what the anti-immigration lobby argues. We do not run a risk of migrants taking jobs away from Australians. Rather, as Access Economics argues, we need more migrants to meet existing and imminent demands for labour. We are already underperforming on exports, with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics reporting increased mineral and energy earnings coming from higher prices rather than larger volumes. While the value of coal exports will rise by 32 per cent this year, shipments will grow by only half that. Given demand in Asia, we could be doing better if we had the workers. And we could have them if both sides of politics had not connived to avoid a rational debate over immigration during the election. The conservatives promised to cut immigration when they thought it necessary, but were hazy on the details. The Prime Minister assured us she wanted a "sustainable" population. They were both appealing to a grab bag of popular prejudice on migration. Some people fear foreigners will take their jobs. Green zealots believe humans are a blight on the landscape. Others confuse immigration and border protection and some think our cities are too crowded, blaming migrants whenever they are stuck in traffic. What they all ignore is immigrants are part of the solution to our problems. More migrants, especially ones with job-generating skills, expand the economy, helping to pay for improved infrastructure. Demographer Peter McDonald points out migrants contributed strongly to the increase of one million employed people between 2004 and 2008. Not only did they create demand for goods and services themselves, their presence increased overall output. It is time the government and opposition made this reality the basis for a debate on immigration, rather than lazily appealing to ill-informed fears. Kevin Rudd spoke out for the manifest benefits of a "big Australia" last year and, while he did not make his case very well, he had substance on his side. back Copyright

Hi All, If you need to register in Australia as a nurse and havent yet done so thru AHPRA (and lets face it, things are still very disorganised and the time-line for getting registered with AHPRA is not a short one).. you can do it this way providing you have your IELTS.. 1. Apply to WA for your registration (even if you want to go somewhere else) 2. This takes 6-10 days to process if all your documentaion is in order. 3. Once you recieve your WA registration you can then apply directly to APHRA for mutual recognition (meaning you can then practice anywhere in Oz) 4. This takes a further 2 weeks to process. AHPRA already have the protocols in place for mutual recognition so there is no delay in doing it this way. Its a little more costly this way, but an awful lot quicker! :wink: Hope that helps someone else out there afraid to apply to AHPRA! :wacko: Sorry, forgot to add that you need to do this quickly, as WA will be amalgamating with AHPRA soon (although i have been told that it is unlikely that they will amalgamate on time because of AHPRAs "problems".

Immigration Restriction Act 1901 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I know it's Wikipedia but gives you a good idea of just how tough the Aussies could be when they wanted. Immigration Restriction Act 1901

How have the 23,000 allocated places been distributed between the Australian states and territories? We have approached all the states and territories in Australia, and asked them to confirm the number of sponsorship grants they have been allocated for 2010/11, so we can see how the overall quota of 23,000 is distributed across the different states and territories in Australia. In addition to this, we have asked each state and territory to confirm how many sponsorship applications they have approved, which have yet to be finalised by DIAC, in order to gain a better insight into how close each area is to filling their quota for this year and how close DIAC are to meeting the planning level for state sponsored visas. As of 21 October, 2010, we have received the following responses from the Australian States and Territories: Queensland Queensland have not been forthcoming with precise figures, as they’ve said their planning levels form part of their migration plan, which has not yet been signed off. However, a representative for the State said he "does not believe that the proposed planning levels for Queensland are likely to cause a problem". Tasmania Tasmania have confirmed that, pending the federal government’s approval, they will be allocated 700 sponsorship places, made up of 460 listed occupations and 240 off-list places. To date, the number of granted and on-hand applications totals 220, leaving a total of 480 places available for sponsorship in the 2010/11 allocation. New South Wales New South Wales have referred us to their website, and declined to comment on what they state is part of their forthcoming migration plan. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have confirmed that they have been allocated 1740 spaces, which they’ve said equates to roughly 720 sponsorship places available, after the partners and dependants for applicants have been taken into account. They have confirmed that they have 690 applications either pending or already granted (but not yet finalised by DIAC), meaning their quota of 720 spaces for 2010/11 is essentially already full. The ACT has already taken the decision that any future application for sponsorship under their migration plan will be processed by DIAC in the 2011/12 year. South Australia UPDATED 21/10/2010: South Australia has declined to provide information on their allocated quota or the numbers of visa applications they have already nominated for sponsorship which have yet to be finalised. However, they have confirmed that certain occupations have already reached their quota number and are no longer available for sponsorship in the 2010/11 program year. Check the South Australia website for the most recent updates on which occupations will not be considered for the current year. As the different states in Australia respond, this blog entry will be updated. - Matt Parker is a caseworker for the Australian Visa Bureau. Visa Bureau Blog - Visas and Immigration to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the United States Regards:hug:

Hi All The Senate Estimates Committee met on Tuesday 19th October 2010. The Hansard for the whole of the relevant meeting is below: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S13303.pdf Senator Cash is a live wire! She represents WA and she is a Liberal according to her blog. She is a solicitor by background, it seems. During Tuesday's meeting, Senator Cash tabled 22 questions about skilled immigration of all types. She wanted statistics and figures. Initially, before lunch, DIAC hedged and fudged. After the lunch break, however, DIAC fielded Mr Kruno Kukoc and he answered most of the questions. In answering the questions, Mr Kukoc came out with a whole string of very significant figures about skilled migration of all types. I've copied and pasted the whole thing below: Mr Kukoc—I am trying my best to collect all the information on the 22 questions that you tabled just before the break. I may still ask you to take some of the questions on notice if they were really detailed questions. Question 1: What is the number of students currently on Australian student visas? What is the breakdown between those students between the following visa sub classes—570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576? As at June 2010 we had 385,000 students in the country, but note that this number varies significantly. It is seasonally affected, depending on when they arrive and when some of them would go on holidays overseas. It varies between 385,000 and 400,000-odd. As of June 2010 we had 385,000. In terms of the breakdown of those students between the visa sub classes I would like to take this question on notice. We could not get the information. I do not have it in my folder. Generally higher education is the highest number, vocational education is second and then ELICOS schools with small numbers. We will get that breakdown to you as it relates to the stock of students in the country. Question 2: How many students are currently in Australia on Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) visa? At the moment we have 25,230 485 visa holders in Australia. Question 3: How many are on bridging visas awaiting the determination of a visa under the GSM or ENS program? Under the GSM we had 49,405 and under the employer sponsored we had 18,751. Question 4: How many applications for a 485 visa or general skilled migration visa had been lodged but undecided by 8 February 2010? We have 34,338 485s and GSM as at 8 February the pipeline was 148,711. Of that onshore were 41,000. Note that this pipeline has significantly reduced somewhat from 8 February. It is now around 135,000 or 136,000. Question 5: How many of those would have qualified under the old SOL if the new regulations applied to all applications which were lodged after 8 February 2010, rather than applying it to all applications lodged but undecided prior to 8 February? Note, Senator, that all of these cases are actually protected; they are part of the transitional rules. So all applicants or holders of 485 were all applicants on GSM so, on 8 February 2010, were subject to grandfathering, which means that they can use the old SOL and they can use MODL as well. Senator CASH—And that is set out in the graduate provisions, is it? Mr Kukoc—Yes. Question 6: How many international students currently on Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) visas are awaiting resolution of their application for permanent residency-General Skilled Migration (GSM) or ENS visa? For general skilled migration, I mentioned that number—that was 49,405. For employer sponsorship, I do not have the exact number, but very few students tend to apply for employer sponsorship, and that has been the case until recently. We hope that may change in future. For example, in 2009-10, only 775 former students applied for employer sponsorship. Senator CASH—Sorry, what was that number? Mr Kukoc—Only 775 former students applied for employer sponsorship in 2009-10—but that number may increase in the future as students find an alternative employer sponsorship pathway. Question 7: What is the average processing time for the determination of each of these visa applications? Our standard processing times are on our website. I would need to take this question on notice in terms of the average processing time. I am not able to respond to that, unless someone from client services can, but I would rather take this question on notice and you will get average processing times for each of these visa applications. Question 8: From what countries are these students from and what is the proportion by nationality? I have that as well. The top nationalities by applications on hand as at the end of August 2010 for GSM are India with 33,430, or 24 per cent of the total; the United Kingdom with 14,170, or 10 per cent of the total; and the People’s Republic of China with 13,700, or 10 per cent of the total. There are then lower numbers such as South Africa with 7,110, or five per cent, and Sri Lanka with 6,600, or four to five per cent. Senator CASH—Are you able to provide that information on notice or table the information? Mr Kukoc—Yes. Senator CASH—Thank you. Mr Kukoc—You asked the same for the 485 subclass. Again, the top five countries are India, with 13,140; China, with 4,830; Nepal, with 1,950; the Republic of Korea, with 910; and then lower numbers for other countries. Senator CASH—Thank you very much. Mr Kukoc— Question 9: How many applications are currently pending for sub class 485 visas? There are 37,470, and they include both primary and secondary applicants. Question 10: How many of those whose application are pending are now on bridging visas awaiting the outcomes of their application? By a matter of law they are all on bridging visas. So all of those who have applied for this subclass are on bridging visas because their status has to be regulated. [[[Please note - Mr Kukoc went from Q9 to Q11 in Hansard. I don't know what Q10 was, in the circs.]]] Question 11: How many sub-class 485 visas are due to expire by the end of 2010, June 30 2011, December 31, 2012? I would like to take that question on notice if you do not mind. Senator CASH—Thank you. Question 12: What is the English language requirement for attaining a sub-class 485 visa and how does it compare to the English language requirements for accessing a student visa? For a student visa, depending on the education sector and depending on the country, it can vary but it is usually IELTS 5. For a 485 the requirement is IELTS 6. Senator CASH—In terms of the English language requirement, is that affected by the transitional arrangements? Mr Kukoc—No, it is not. Senator CASH—Why is that? Why is it not affected? Are there any people who are here who would have actually undertaken an English language test where the barrier was not as high? Mr Kukoc—The reforms that were implemented on 8 February did not affect the IELTS level, so there are no transitional arrangements. The IELTS level for a 485 in general skilled migration before that was increased from 5 to 6, I think, but the reforms announced on 8 February did not affect the— Senator CASH—Affect the English? Mr Kukoc—Yes. Question 13: How many onshore applications for student visas were made in the 2009/10 financial year by sub-class? What was the refusal rate for applications made in that year for each sub class? How many visas were granted? In which sub-classes? How does this compare to 2007-08, 2008-09? Our overall application numbers in 2009-10 for student visas were 292,874. Of this, onshore applications were at 116,832 and offshore 176,042. The rest of the questions I will need to take on notice. As I mentioned in my earlier statement, there has been a general reduction in applications of around 19 per cent compared to the last year but, at the same time, there has been an increase in onshore applications for student visas by 20 per cent, and a larger decline offshore, I think, of 35 or 36 per cent, compared to the last year, which indicates that many students onshore are actually changing courses or enrolling in other courses. Senator CASH—Thank you. Mr Kukoc— Question 14: How many onshore applications for student visas have been made by failed applicants for 485 sub-class visas in 2009/10? I would like to take this question on notice as well. I do not have this information in my folder. Question 15: What was the major reason for failing to be granted a sub-class 485 visa? How does this compare with 2007-08, 2008-09? What is the reason for this difference (if there is one)? There is not much difference. The three major criteria that you have to meet if you are an applicant for a 485 are: you have to meet the English language requirement, you have to have the positive skills assessment and you need to have an Australian study requirement—you need to have studied in Australia for at least two years. If you do not meet of these three criteria you will fail the 485 test. Senator CASH—But you are then able to apply for a student visa? Mr Kukoc—You can apply for a student visa under a different set of criteria, of course. Senator CASH—And you will provide us with that information in terms of those who failed the 485 and then applied for a student visa? Mr Kukoc—Yes. Question 16: How many offshore applications for student visas were made in the 2009/10 financial year? I have got information here in my folder. Offshore applications, I think I mentioned, were 176,042. Senator CASH—Yes, thank you. Mr Kukoc— Question 17: What was the refusal rate for applications made in that year? How many visas were granted? In which sub-classes? How does this compare to 2007-08 and 2008-09? I do not have all the information with me, but our grant rate is pretty high. It has dropped somewhat in 2009-10. Our grant rate was over 81 per cent, and in 2008-09 the grant rate was 85 per cent—yes, in 2009-10 our grant rate was 85.97 per cent and in 2008-09 it was over 85 per cent. It has dropped somewhat to slightly above 81 per cent, but I will provide a detailed answer to that question on notice. Senator CASH—Thank you. Mr Kukoc— Question 18: How many students reported attacks against them to the police, by state and nationality? What was the nature of the attacks? We do not have access to that information. That is a matter for the state police. There are legal impediments to them sharing that information with us. Question 19: How many international students have died whilst studying in Australia? What was the cause of the death by State of residence? Again, we do not collect that information. Unless people bring this to our attention, we do not normally collect that information. Senator CASH—What would happen if a person died whilst here on a student visa and, according to you, the student visa had lapsed or the person had overstayed their visa? Do you make any inquiries as to the whereabouts of that person? Mr Kukoc—We do not normally follow up every student visa in terms of when the student visa expires and whether the person has departed Australia. We do have a general compliance risk management approach in terms of monitoring, visiting and investigation. We do not do that on a case-by-case basis. Senator CASH—Can you be sure at any one time how many students are in Australia on expired student visas and are therefore unlawful? How do you do that? Mr Metcalfe—Essentially the department undertakes a reconciliation process on a regular basis of people who have entered Australia and people who have left by the due date. That includes the various temporary categories—tourists, students and others. We come up with an estimate, as an aggregate but also for particular caseloads, as to the overstay rate. We would have a figure, for example, of student overstayers from particular countries. That is something that informs our risk assessment for future visa decisions from a particular area. It feeds into the so-called assessment level process for determining the types of requirements that we have around particular visa categories from particular countries. Senator CASH—Thank you. Mr Kukoc— Question 20: Does the department collect information from the police about attacks against international students? If not, why not? As I mentioned in my response to an earlier similar question, we do not collect that information and the state police do not share that information with us. I understand there are legal impediments in sharing the information. Question 21: Has the department received any information about the exploitation of vulnerable students, including those with financial problems or who may be subject to extortion, wage and sex slavery etc? What is the mechanism that students can utilise to report these difficulties? This question involves a number of departments such as DEEWR, the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations. It is also a matter for the police in relevant states and for the Workplace Ombudsman. The department has a dob-in line. Of course, if these allegations are brought to our attention we would pass that information to the relevant authorities—the state police or the Workplace Ombudsman. Senator CASH—Are you happy to take on notice to provide me with how many calls you have had to the dob-in line on an annual basis since its commencement and the nature of those calls? Mr Kukoc—We will take that on notice. I think we would be able to do that. The final question: How many applications for tourist visas were made in 2009-10? How many were rejected and how many approved? How does this compare with 2007-08 and 2008-09? Are there particular posts where the decline is most noticeable (if there is a decline in applications)? Is there a reason the refusal rate is so high (if it is)? I do have the information about the grant rate by countries in total and in comparison to 2008-09 and 2007-08. I do not have the information about the applications. I can take that on notice. Our grant rate is very high. If I give you the grant rates you can assume that it is pretty much close to the mark in terms of the applications. Senator CASH—Thank you. Mr Kukoc—We had an overall increase in visitor visa grants of 2.66 per cent in 2009-10 compared to 2008-09. In 2009-10 we had 3,416,576 visa grants. That compares to 3,328,112 in 2008-09. That is the increase of 2.66 per cent. The largest arrivals were of course from the United Kingdom followed by the United States of America, Japan, China, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Germany, Singapore, France, Canada, and then all others. In terms of trends, we have seen a slight drop in visitors from Japan of 7.3 per cent and an increase in arrivals from the United States of America of six per cent. Also, there was an increase in arrivals from China of five per cent; Korea, 7.8 per cent; Germany, 6.6 per cent; and France, seven per cent. Cheers Gill