Australian Immigration Daily News

IELTS announces changes to IELTS testing in response to the Novel Coronavirus outbreak

The IELTS Partners are monitoring this situation very closely and are taking relevant measures to protect the health of our test takers and colleagues in affected areas, in line with the advice of national healthcare authorities.

China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR

• All IELTS tests are suspended in China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR.

• Mainland China – tests currently suspended until 1 March 2020
• Macau – tests currently suspended until 11 February 2020
• Hong Kong – tests currently suspended until 17 February 2020
• These dates will be reviewed as the situation develops.
• Test date transfers and refunds are available for affected test takers. Test takers should contact their test centre by email.

Unfortunately, many test takers in these locations will be delayed in sitting a test and subsequently sending their IELTS scores to institutions.

Biosecurity (Human Health Response Zone) (North West Point Immigration Detention Centre) Determination 2020

The instrument gives effect to requirements to isolate individuals repatriated from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that may have been infected with, or otherwise exposed to, human coronavirus with pandemic potential for a period of up to three months.

Item was registered on 3/02/2020
Some or all of this item commenced on 3/02/2020
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L00087

Stream two of the Community Languages Multicultural Grants program is now open. The grants are part of the Australian Government’s commitment to provide $10 million over two years to community language schools to help young Australians learn another language.

Through stream two, community language schools can apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that build the capacity of the community language sector across Australia, such as the development of teaching resources and professional development programs.

Community language schools are encouraged to partner with language associations or organisations, such as universities, institutes and consultants to deliver these projects.

This instrument repeals Migration (LIN 18/183: Determination of International Trade Obligations Relating to Labour Market Testing) Instrument 2018 (F2018L01479) made under subsection 140GBA(2) of the Act in accordance with subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (the Interpretation Act).

Subsection 33(3) of the Interpretation Act states that where an Act confers a power to make, grant or issue any instrument of a legislative or administrative character, the power shall be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions (if any) to repeal, rescind, revoke, amend, or vary any such instrument.

Source: Instrument  - LIN20029.pdf

ETS and the Chinese National Education Examination Authority (NEEA) have cancelled all GRE and TOEFL test administrations in Mainland China through to the end of February. This is due to concern for the health and safety of our test takers and test center staff in response to the escalation on January 26, 2020 to a Level One Public Health Emergency Response by the Provincial Governments in China.  

At this time, test administrations in locations outside Mainland China (except Hong Kong) will take place as scheduled.  Testing has also been suspended in Hong Kong till mid-February. 

Because of this situation, many Chinese test takers will be delayed in testing and sending scores.