Agents and their clients who want to get an in-depth look at the TOEFL iBT® test can now enroll in the new massive open online course (MOOC), hosted by edX. This is a unique opportunity to prepare for the TOEFL iBT test and develop English-language skills that immigration agencies, professional bodies, universities and other institutions look for in applicants.

TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide, beginning on Monday, June 13, 2016, is a six-week course designed by the experts who created the TOEFL test. Each week will focus on different aspects of the test. There will be a general introduction in week one, followed by a week for each of the four skills tested — Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing — then concluding in week six with test-day information and other helpful tips. 

The course features a mix of short lectures, including “Inside the TOEFL Test” videos for each question type and sample questions from past tests complete with answer explanations. During the Speaking and Writing weeks, the team that developed the TOEFL test will review a handful of responses and provide evaluation and feedback. You will also get to meet and share information with students from around the world through discussion boards.

On the TOEFL iBT® test, the Speaking and Writing questions are often regarded by test takers as the most challenging questions.

Agents can learn more about how their clients will be tested on these two important skills at a TOEFL Propell workshop on 23 June from 2:00-4:30 pm in Sydney.

The workshop will be led by ETS Global consultant and TOEFL expert Cath Moore. The workshop includes:

An invitation has been issued to MA member RMAs in Victoria, as follows:

"The Victorian Student Centre has scheduled an information session for migration practitioners in Victoria, on the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) which takes effect on 1 July 2016. I seek your assistance in advising members of your organisation of this event. 

Details of the event are: 

The Australian Embassy in Brazil’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AustraliaNoBrasil/) recently posted news about the new Australian Skilled Occupations List for 2017.  They placed on the same post, a web-link to a site called “BrazilAustralia”.

The owners of this site are not registered migration agents.

The wording is in Portuguese and is targeting the Brazilian market.

Below are some remarks from the website with Google translator’s help:

Update 19 May 2016 at 12:20pm AEST
Liana Allan from Migration Alliance spoke with a Director at the Office of the MARA regarding the decision made by the OMARA not to continue printing RMA registration certificates or cards.  The OMARA Director confirmed that the decision is final and will not be revisited.  The decision went through many layers and proper channels and is part of the digital transformation strategy.  
We understand that many RMAs are upset by this decision.   As a result, Migration Alliance will be arranging for the sale and printing of Certificates and Registration Cards so that RMAs who would like a registration card, can continue to hold a professional card in their wallet and display a certificate on their wall.  The design-work is currently underway.

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After the announcement yesterday by the Office of the MARA that it will no longer produce registration certificates or cards, Migration Alliance is currently in talks with Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyers, with a view to having Registration Certificates and cards printed annually for RMAs.