Australian Immigration Daily News

The following information has been received by VETASSESS at 6:03pm last night Australian EST.

Dear Agent,

We’d like to inform you about some recent and upcoming changes in the SRGO assessment process.

Firstly, applicants and agents applying for an SRGO assessment can now upload the required documents onto the online portal. This applies to both new and pending applications. Documents no longer need to be certified photocopies, but should be colour scans of original documents. Please note that you can upload initial documents until 30 days after submitting your application. If you are requested to or need to upload more documents at a later stage, please contact us and we will enable the upload feature again.

If an applicant is unable to scan documents effectively, you will still be able to submit hard copies of the certified required documents. If you are unable to apply online, you can also still apply using a paper-based application.

At the moment applications for Chinese Qualification Verification still need to be submitted separately, either online or by post. For information on how to submit the supporting documents for Chinese Qualification Verification, please visit http://www.vetassess.com.au/migrate_to_australia/verify_chinese_documents.cfm.

Secondly, we will be issuing electronic outcome letters very shortly. All outcome letters will then be available to download from the applicant or agent portal as digitally certified pdf documents.

If applicants still wish to receive a hard copy of the outcome letter in addition to the electronic version, they can indicate this in the postage section of the online application form.

We are hoping these new features will further streamline the application process and make the system even more user-friendly for applicants and their agents.

Kind regards,

Marieke Shin

Acting Coordinator SRGO

Today Migration Alliance made a decision to stop promoting and advertising the LexisNexis immigration 'professional library' product.

Christopher Levingston has today said:

'The product promoted by LexisNexis and in effect "sold" to MA fell short of the expectatons of the profession.  When it became apparent that what was on offer fell short of the expectations I urgently sought a meeting with LexisNexis to discuss my concerns about the continuing relationship.'

The following message has been received from VETASSESS today by a Migration Alliance member (RMA):

'I am writing in relation to your recent Skills Assessment application to VETASSESS. Unfortunately, we have experienced an extremely high application rate over the last six months which has caused an unusual delay in our processing times. Currently an application, with all the required documentation, requires 10 to 12 weeks for completion. We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience that this delay is causing you and wish to assure you that we are taking a number of steps to reduce the processing time and to ensure that our completion rates are back to normal early in 2014.

If you have an urgency request for faster processing due to a DIBP deadline (approaching significant birthday or visa expiry), please complete the Urgency Request form (SRGO5) available on our website and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please note that all urgent requests require manager's approval and must be supported by evidence of urgency.

We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter and request that you contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any enquiries.

Regards,


Jenna Wong
acting manager
Skills Recognition - General Occupations
VETASSESS
Level 5, 478 Albert Street
EAST MELBOURNE VICTORIA 3002
AUSTRALIA'

Migration Alliance members will be interested to learn that on 2 December 2013 the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison MP has announced that the number of total protection visas that can be granted in 2013-2014 is........ (open it to find out):

Protection-Visas---granting-of-2013-2014.pdf

An explanatory statement comes with the above document and is below:

Stacey Martin CFP, Dip FP GAICD is a Senior Wealth Advisor for the National Australia Bank and is a trusted Authority on personal wealth strategies for Aussie expats.  Stacey has recently attended Australia’s first Significant Investor Visa conference, produced by Basis Point.  The conference hosted a whopping 310+ delegates. They came from a wide range of industries including property development, wealth advisory, funds management, channel marketing, immigration and professional services.

The Basispoint SIV Update is a great way of getting your head around what is happening with the SIV and how it is tracking towards the end of 2013.  Please see the update at the following location:

Basispoint-SIVAustralia-November-2013_1J5M.pdf by