System Message:

Australian Immigration Daily News

Breaking Australian immigration news brought to you by Migration Alliance and associated bloggers. Please email help@migrationalliance.com.au

  • Home
    Home This is where you can find all the blog posts throughout the site.
  • Categories
    Categories Displays a list of categories from this blog.
  • Tags
    Tags Displays a list of tags that have been used in the blog.
  • Bloggers
    Bloggers Search for your favorite blogger from this site.
  • Team Blogs
    Team Blogs Find your favorite team blogs here.
  • Login
    Login Login form

Posted by on in General

Christopher Levingston LLB has previously given advice to RMAs NOT to participate in random OMARA surveys.  There is no legal requirement for RMAs do do so. 

Agents should be alert to emails coming from the Office of the MARA.  As you are aware the Office of the MARA is now fully integrated into the DIBP and controlled by the Director of NSW/ACT.  This means that NOTHING you give to the Office of the MARA is being sent to an independent body. 

It has already been confirmed by the OMARA that surveys are not compulsory so there is no need to participate in them.  Why give your adversary a rope so they can hang you with it.  Don't forget, anything you give them they can (and will) use against you.  This is how a few agents have been de-registered already. 

...
Continue reading Last modified on
Hits: 3676 4 Comments
Rate this blog entry:
0

Posted by on in General

Migration Alliance met with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on Monday this week.

It used to be the protocol that MA member agents could write to Migration Alliance, and then Migration Alliance would email a central address at MAS (Migration Agents Section) in Canberra for and on behalf of agent members. 

This is no longer the protocol.

...
Continue reading Last modified on
Hits: 2706 0 Comments
Rate this blog entry:
1

Posted by on in General

Nominate now:

Migration Alliance will be supporting nominees who would like to run on our 'United Profession' ticket in the MIA election.  It is not important whether you advise us right now whether you want to be part of the 'United Profession' ticket.  What is important right now, is to get your nomination forms in immediately and without delay.

The nomination form is below:

...
Continue reading Last modified on
Hits: 2482 0 Comments
Rate this blog entry:
1

Posted by on in General
RMAs and members of a migration industry professional association may be able relate to this email received by Migration Alliance today:
 
Dear Migration Alliance,
 
I have been a member of MA for the last few years. I really hope you get this email and can help me. I will focus on one particular aspect where I have been having issues with DIBP on 457 visas. I have clients who hold a Cert IV in Commercial Cookery from Metro College. Whereas in the past the department has accepted these qualifications and granted 457 visas to my clients lately for two of my clients I have received strange RFIs. For the first case I quote the case officer
 
"The department has conducted checks to confirm the information that you provided in your application. During this process we have received unfavourable information which does not support your application. You have provided a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery SIT40413 at METRO COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD certificate as an evidence that you have the skills and experience that are necessary to perform the nominated occupation. As a holder of a Student visa you are required to be enrolled in an approved registered course only. The Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) database indicates that you have not been enrolled in a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery SIT40413 course at METRO COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD ."
 
My client got his qualifications while he is onshore on a student visa and undertaking "Bachelor of Building and Construction". He did his Cert IV as distance learning as a domestic student. Have you come across similar cases? If I provide the explanation is that sufficient or is there a hidden DIBP agenda here? 
 
For the other client the department has requested for a skills assessment because "Your qualification from Metro College is obtained through RPL (Recognised Prior Learning)". Nowhere on the certificate, transcript or letter of completion from Metro College it is implied that the qualification was achieved through RPL. It was achieved through distance learning. I wonder if this simple explanation and a letter from Metro College will be sufficient to convince the case officer?
 
Should I also mention that in the past, applicants with similar qualifications have not had any problem getting the 457 visa?
 
Please help!!
 
XXXX YYYYY
Registered Migration Agent
Member Migration Institute of Australia 0000
ZZZZZZZ
 
We have been informed by DIBP that if agents have feedback, complaints or questions that the right place to do this is the Global Feedback Unit online form.  Here is a link to that form:
 
Last modified on
Hits: 9428 28 Comments
Rate this blog entry:
0

Posted by on in General

The following email is a perfect example of what applicants under sc176 are facing after 'Cap and Cease'"

"Dear AGENT [name removed to protect privacy]

I came across your post and thought to ask you for some advice. I will be very grateful to you because right now I and many others like me are totally devastated but not broken.

...
Continue reading Last modified on
Hits: 4488 4 Comments
Rate this blog entry:
1
Joomla SEF URLs by Artio