Obtain SIV visa programme updates and insights at the 'Migration Conference 2016' delivered by two SIV experts: David Chin, Basis Point & Stacey Martin, NAB Private Wealth

Friday 26^th February 10:15am – 10:45am as part of the $220 10CPD one-day Migration Conference 2016 in Sydney.

The Significant Investor Visa (SIV) migration program was launched in November, 2012.

Migration Agents are travelling internationally to win SIV business in Asia.  One example is a recent trip to Hong Kong for the Asian Financial Forum by RMA delegates of Think Global's 'Invest in Australia' Mission.

Australian permanent residency in nine months was promised to unsuspecting foreigners who seemed to have readily fallen for the scammers advertisement which promoted a training program as "The Quick and Easy Way to get PR".

A Melbourne man and his company that duped almost a hundred people of some $800,000 in the scam, are now expected to be ordered to refund the money to their former clients and pay penalties in excess of $1 million dollars, according to a report on Channel 7 News.

The court heard that between 2012 and 2013, Radovan Laski and his company Clinica International operated an elaborate scheme promising to provide clients with Certificate III cleaning training that would lead to a job in regional Australia and qualify them for a permanent residence visa.

Educating international students has earned Australia a record $20 billion last year, spiking 13% from the previous year. The latest figures firm up education's position as Australia's third-largest export after coal and iron ore, as well as its position as the largest services export, well ahead of tourism, according to a report in The Australian Financial Review.

The lower Australian dollar together with a relatively easier student visa processing program has made an enormous impact on Australia’s education export sector. The total spending by international students in Australia – including course fees, accommodation, living expenses and recreation – was $19.2 billion in 2015, up from $17 billion the previous year, according to figures released by Australian Bureau of Statistics earlier this month.

At the moment there are about 650,000 international students in Australia, 10% more than the previous years. Over 270,000 such students are enrolled in higher education courses and the number of undertaking vocational education is shot-up 14% to 170,000 in 2015.

The Migration Conference 2016 in Sydney is shaping up to be a great day for RMAs who enjoy networking whilst learning and obtaining 10 CPD.  The one day event starts at 9am on the 26th of February at Sydney TAFE, Ultimo.

Today I would like to focus on one of the key-note speakers for the conference, from the Australian Federal Police, Agent Gus McLean (pic inset).

Gus McLean is a Detective/Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police, with a background in the investigation of serious transnational organized crime.

Australia is home to some of the best universities in the world that attract students from all over the world. It also helps that it is relatively easy for people to come to Australia to study when compared to other countries. The main reason it is so much easier is that Australia’s government is more lax when it comes to students. People who come here to study are a net positive to our country; they are here to get education and do not get involved in illicit activities. They are also not a burden on our country, which is why one doesn’t see opposition to students like we do with other migrants.

Language

The first and most basic thing you will need to do is pass an English test. In order for the migrants to assimilate in our culture and become a positive part of it, it is necessary that they be well versed in the local language. The test you need to pass depends on different factors and will also depend on what university you are applying to. You will probably not need to do this test if you hail from a country that has English as its national language.

Academia

You will also need to have the required academic qualification, as can be expected. Most migrants come here for higher education. If you are doing an undergraduate then you will need the equivalent of Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12). If you are here for getting a postgraduate then you will need an undergraduate degree. Your grades will affect which university you can get into.