Australian Immigration Daily News

The ACT has conducted another invitation round today and the results are published on the website.  Below is the summary:

Invitation Round 15

Invitation date: 30 July 2019
Number of Invitations Issued: 320

All TOEFL iBT® tests from 1 August 2019 will be shortened by 30 minutes, to just 3 hours, with no changes to the overall test format, question types, or score scale. In other words, it’s the same fair and reliable English-language test, just with fewer questions in the Reading, Listening and Speaking sections. For details about the specific changes, and other new test features, visit the Better Test Experience webpage.

Official TOEFL iBT prep materials are being updated to reflect the new test format. The free online MOOC, TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide,already reflects the new changes. Other materials, including the official TOEFL® Practice Online practice tests, will be updated soon. In the meantime, existing preparation materials can be used. The only difference is that practice tests may have more questions than test takers will see on actual tests after August 1.

For more information about the TOEFL iBT test and official preparation materials, visit www.toeflgoanywhere.org.

RDA Far South Coast is open and accepting applications under the 489 program.

The occupations list is here: 

https://www.rdafsc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Occupations-for-Nomination-RDA-FSC-RCB-30-JUL-2019.pdf

This instrument operates to specify the form and fee required for applications for approval as a family sponsor and applications for variation of approval as a parent sponsor, and repeals the Migration (LIN 19/147: Arrangements for Sponsorship for Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa) Instrument 2019. 

Item was registered on 29/07/2019
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L01015

There are small changes in the application process and nomination criteria for the RDA Far South Coast, NSW regional area. Following changes apply:

• All the applications must be electronic. It is better not to submit the applications by post.
• Processing times have decreased from 3 months to 2 months.
• The minimum English requirement has increased from 6 bands in each module to 7 bands in each module (IELTS or equivalent).
• The English language certificate must be 2 years of at the time of submission.

Source: https://www.rdafsc.com.au/srs-489/