The recent boom in student migration numbers is being attributed not only to the lower Australian dollar and better working rights via the post-study sc485 visa but also to the streamlined visa processing system (SVP). However the SVP is beginning to look like a convenient backdoor into Australia for some who enter Australia easily on the SVP but then change courses to cheaper non-SVP providers soon after. 

RMAs are monitored closely and scrutinised for indiscretions. What about education agents and SVP approved instituitions? The emerging trend of 'course-hopping' among students begs the question: what steps, if any, are being taking by education agents and SVP approved institutions to discourage course-hopping and how exactly are these education agents and providers being monitored?

Over the last year the department of immigration has issued some 1400 warning letters to students who entered Australia on the SVP system but had since left the SVP-approved institutions before completing their course, reports The Australian. According to the report 503 students received notices of DIBPs intention to cancel their visas with 103 visas actually being subsequently cancelled.

The report notes that “there was increasing evidence that students were entering the country by enrolling in a government-approved university or college under what is known as streamlined visa processing, then jumping ship to a cheap private college to finish their qualification at a fraction of the cost while ¬remaining eligible for post-study work rights.”

The streamlined visa processing arrangements was recently extended to eligible advanced diploma level students. It was previously the domain of universities but now vocational and education training institutes assessed by DIPB to be ‘low- risk providers’ have also been included.

Given this and the potential further increase in student numbers, it remains unclear how exactly education agents and SVP approved institutions are managing the SVP privileges or how DIBP is monitoring them.

It was always my view, that there is no bigger or smaller half, majority means more than 50 % . Obviously I am wrong .  The 457 visa legislation requires  nominator to certify that the tasks or duties of the nominated occupation will include a "significant majority" of the tasks or duties described in the relevant occupation dictionary or legislative instrument . 

The  457 visa compliance unit intends to sanction my client on the basis of visa holder is performing prescribed tasks and duties for approximately 80% of the employment time.  That  is "not enough " according to the Delegate . 

Seeking explanation what this "significant majority " means,  while 80 % "is not good enough " I turned to very helpful , as usually "agent's gateway "  getting helpful and competent answer .

The Australian High Commission is urging Indian nationals to be cautious of scams while applying for Australian visas, and report any frauds to the authorities. Last month, the Australian Government launched a national campaign ‘Work visa scams. Don’t pay the price’ to investigate allegations of unauthorized payments to visa sponsors in return for visas.

The campaign involved an initial assessment of up to 100 visa sponsors who are subject to allegations of receiving payment for arranging sponsorship for individuals under the 457 visa programme.

‘Work visa scams. Don’t pay the price’ also has a public education component to further educate visa sponsors about their obligations and make visa holders more aware of their rights and responsibilities.

The government website Scamwatch, states that some scammers contact prospects by post, email, or phone offering a visa in return for payments, personal details and identity documents.  They may claim to be a ‘registered provider’ or ‘Australian visa application service’.

Other scams involve people posing as staff from an Australian Government department, or by using websites which look like official Government sites.

The following news is straight in from the DIBP to Migration Alliance:

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Sun protection means protecting skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Everyone needs to protect their skin from UVA and UVB rays, the two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun that reach the earth’s surface.

This radiation can cause health problems such as sunburn, skin ageing, eye damage and even skin cancer. Use a combination of the following main ways to help protect yourself in the sun:

• slip on a shirt,
• slop on sunscreen,
• slap on a hat,
• slide on sunglasses,  
• and seek shade wherever and whenever you can.

Cover up