It has been brought to our attention from joint MIA-MA members, that LexisNexis are advertising learning sessions via the MIA.

We would like to remind RMAs that it is our honest belief that the best professional library is still LegendCOM.  LegendCOM is the RMA professional Library product offered by the DIBP.  LegendCOM is a cost-neutral professional library and is offered for sale on a cost-recovery basis only by the DIBP.

To the best of our knowledge, for every RMA that signs up to LexisNexis, and has been referred by the MIA, the MIA is earning commission on sales.  Migration Alliance was once offered commission by LexisNexis but declined, and cut ties with LexisNexis citing 'the product fell short of the expectations of the profession'. 

MIA members who are joint members of Migration Alliance (MIA-MA members) have complained in writing to Migration Alliance about the email from Angela Chan.  The main complaint RMAs provide is the 'lack of consultation before the meeting'.

An ambitious target has been set by Austrade in its market development plan, to double the number of foreign students here to 1 million by the year 2025.

This could see the value of the education industry rise to over $36 billion in just 10 years. According to the report Australian International Education 2025, part of the growth plan is to promote Australian education in new markets more aggressively. John Angley, general manager at Austrade, said several regions have been earmarked for development and they include Brazil, Colombia, West Africa and the Gulf States.

“We’ll always be welcoming eligible Indian and Chinese students but we think that if we’re going to grow the size of the market, we should also take the opportunity and diversify where students come from,” Mr Angley told PIE news. He added that these are “markets which aren’t new to Australia but have potential to build stronger relationships.”

The sector however faces numerous challenges including capacity, maintaining quality and keeping public opinion on its side.

The Australia International Education Conference held in Adelaide earlier this month warned that the government was not doing enough to explain to the Australian public the importance of the education industry and international students to the economy.

Commentators pointed out that in a slowing economy, foreign workers and foreign students are unfortunately targeted by politicians as the source of the problem with many often threatening to reduce the numbers with no due consideration of the actual and significant contribution of these international visitors to the economy.

Migration Alliance is in receipt of the following information from an RMA:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

I have a client currently under consideration for a Health Waiver in respect of a spouse application and she received the attached email  to her personal email address yesterday. 

On his first international visit as prime minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull has announced that New Zealanders who have been living in Australia since childhood will be given access to student loans for the first time next year.

Under the plan, Kiwis who have lived in Australia for at least 10 years and hold a Special Category Visa will be eligible for a loan to help them study at TAFE or university from January, according to a report on the ABC.

Mr Turnbull said if the bill is passed this year, about 2,600 Kiwis will be able to take advantage of the scheme in 2016.

The announcement that New Zealanders will be able to access student loans in Australia, was however overshadowed by the continued criticism in New Zealand of Australia’s stance on deporting non-citizens who have been cumulatively sentenced to 12 months or more in prison.

Australia is reportedly deporting 1 New Zealander a day under the tough laws. It is estimated that up to 1000 criminals could be sent back to New Zealand in the next five years, despite having few or no ties with the country.