DIBP recently issued a new form 80 (dated 04/2014) where the 30 year requirement for travel and address history has been backtracked to the previous requirement of 10 years for all but refugee and humanitarian visa applicants – Looks like the DIBP is reading the MA website and paying attention to our lobbying. Great outcome!

 Special thanks to Mark Northam on our Committee for this news.

Is it bad that I just mispelled the word MIGRATION in one of my newsletters?  I spelled it migation.  Which score would I get on an IELTS test for skilled migration purposes if I misspelled (or is it misspellt) the word 'migration'?

I would like to know how I would go in the written test.  The heading of the email was:

$55.00 online migation CPD modules - only pay if you pass the module - no risk

A report in this morning from a Migration Alliance member, who wishes to remain unnamed, will be used as the basis of a complaint to the DIBP:

"I have always felt that the inconsistency with DIBP was an issue for Migration Agents. However, I have seen this once too often and feel I need to speak out.

A client (company) of mine insists on lodging their own nominations for their 457 visa applicants. This is not a problem and we have been happily completing our dealings for 457 visas over the past four years.  I also get copies of all nominations lodged.

We have all seen cases where a client has sat the IETLS test multiple times to try and secure points and on many cases they fall just short of their target by 0.5 points and the scoring is not consistent. One time it could be in Speaking, the next Writing, Listening or Reading.  

The lack of openness and transparency in the IELTs testing system leaves the system open to allegations of misuse and abuse. Candidates are denied detailed information on their test results and have to re-sit the test time and time again.

IELTS has a statutory monopoly on English Language testing, and many institutions are getting rich in the process.  The IELTS language testing is worth over one billion dollars a year.

The Federal Government said that the jailing of a former migration agent for immigration fraud sent a strong message to the industry that fraudulent and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated.

Ms Xiao Ying Wu (known as Amy Wu), was based in Sydney's Chinatown and pleaded guilty to forging immigration documents and defrauding her clients, who were seeking assistance with visa applications, in order to obtain more than $80 000.

She was sentenced today in the Downing Centre District Court to 21 months' imprisonment, with five months to be served, in relation to two Commonwealth charges of using false documents to obtain benefits.

She also received 18 months' imprisonment with five months' minimum term (to be served concurrently) for two charges under the NSW Crimes Act of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage.