Until now, competition in the student visa market for English language testing has been non-existent, with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) experiencing a monopoly over the market. Amongst a number of changes to the Australian international student visa program recently announced by DIAC, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announced an end to this monopoly.

The Australian recently reported on the news of competition being introduced to the IELTS;

TEST providers in competition with the International English Language Testing System are about to gain entry to the student visa market.

After November 5, immigration officials will accept results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson's PTE Academic test and the Cambridge English Advanced test, the HES understands.

Under current rules, student visa applicants from so-called high-risk countries, such as China and India, must show an IELTS result as evidence of English proficiency.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has been working with test providers on a table of equivalent scores for each test.

This change, and the related decline in offshore visa applications, has reduced the size of the English test market.

As well, the Knight reforms will give universities a streamlined visa process next year, meaning that would-be students from the biggest market, China, will no longer need to show English competence to secure a visa.

The read the full article, click here.

If you have any queries about the relevance of English language testing to your potential visa, and the scores required, contact Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers to speak to one of our friendly Registered Migration Agents.

As reported by the Asian Correspondent, popularity of Australia's student visa program is back on the rise;

For anyone who has thought of coming to Australia to study English or enter a university program, now is a great time to start planning. There have been some very positive changes that the Australian Government has made to student visas. The changes that relate to ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) are to be implemented in the next 3 to 6 months.

In the processing of student visas, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) assesses applications on their own merit. However Assessment Levels (ALs) are also used to assess the migration risk of students from various countries, with AL 1 representing the lowest migration risk and AL 5 the highest. For students coming from AL 3 and AL 4 countries, such as China or India, this can mean having to prove significant financial funds and minimum English language requirements. Some of the very welcome changes that are to take place in relation to ELICOS student visas include a reduction in financial requirements for AL 3 and 4 student visa applicants.

Additionally, a streamlined visa process will be introduced for students who package their ELICOS course with an eligible university course. This means that DIAC would treat these applicants as though they were a lower migration risk (similar to the current AL 1), regardless of country of origin. Other positive changes include the removal of the English language test requirements for higher risk AL 4 and AL 5, stand alone ELICOS visa applicants and a two- to four-year post-study work visa for students who go on to complete their studies at university.

To read the full article, click here.

Are you an international student in Australia due to graduate soon but want to extend your stay in Australia? Our Recent Graduates Team can help - we specialise in all visa categories, including skilled graduate (temporary) 485 and independent residence 885 visas. To learn more, contact us today or email your enquiry to students@australianmigrations.com.

As Australia's resources and mining boom approaches full throttle, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has reported a significant increase in temporary (employer sponsored) 457 visa numbers, up a third in 2010-11.

According to a report by DIAC, emerging skills shortages, posing a risk to business growth in some parts of the Australian economy, have increased demand, resulting in the strongest year on record for the subclass 457 visa program.

The Australian today covered details of DIAC's findings;

The Immigration Department's annual report released yesterday has revealed use of the temporary visa - historically reviled by unions - has surged under the Gillard government, up a third during 2010-11.

The revival in fortunes of the demand-driven, uncapped visa scheme comes after its numbers slumped by a third in 2009-10, in the wake of the global financial crisis and a government crackdown on low wages and substandard conditions.

In industries such as construction, the turnaround is even more pronounced, up 78 per cent last financial year.

Total 457 visa grants - including those issued to dependants - hit 90,120 last financial year, rivalling the 113,725 visas issued under the government's priority program for permanent skilled migration.

To read the full article at The Australian, click here.

The Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers (AMVL) Employment Network facilitates overseas skilled workers seeking both (457) sponsored visas and employment, as well as seeking quality skilled overseas workers for Australia employers and manages all visa arrangements for these parties. If you're an overseas skilled worker and you'd like to learn more about the AMVL Employment Network and the hundreds of jobs we currently have available, email your resume/CV to jobs@australianmigrations.com or submit an Employment Network registration form here.

Australian employers interested in becoming a member of the AMVL Employment Network (free) should click here and submit an enquiry form, our Recruitment Specialist will contact you to discuss how the network can help you to recruit skilled workers from overseas for your business.