Immigration Explores Visa Options

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) in Australia has announced that it is looking at revised options for granting student visas.

Dividing the current single - student visa class into five categories has been flagged as an option for reform of the visa program. Under the proposal the existing single – visa category could be split into post graduate, undergraduate, vocational education, English language courses (ELICOS) and schools. Criteria and conditions, such as student finances, source of finances, English language skills and so on, would be stipulated for each education sector. Under the existing system, visa criteria are generic because they apply to all education sectors.

No indication has been given by the government as to when the proposed changes may occur. Advice of any changes to student visas will be published on this Web site.

Closer Links with Asia

Australian universities now go beyond studying Asia – they are increasingly working towards developing business and educational links with the region. The University of Melbourne Asialink Centre is an example of the types of programs being developed. It runs events aimed at giving its members – who include Asian students, lawyers, financial analysts, engineers, consultants, teachers, artists an journalists – access to business, academic, community and political leaders, and at updating them on developments in the region.

An Asialink conference titled Mobilising Asia Skills, is taking place in Melbourne later this month, and is designed to help Australian businesses tap into the resource of Asian - trained graduates.

Courses in Asian Studies

In an era of globalisation Australian universities are increasingly offering courses to prepare students for careers in both the business and public sector as international managers, career diplomats, Asian specialists and other positions dealing with Asia and the world. Students are studying Asian societies, cultures, history, economics, languages, regional and international relations, Australia – Asia relations, and international business focusing on Asia. These types of courses may well suit international students who are keen to become well-trained professionals who want to focus on the challenges and opportunities Asia will present in the 21st century.

Applying for a further Student Visa

Students applying for a further Student Visa should note requirements include:

• Undergo a medical examination and x – ray.
• Provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and/or have a letter of support that they will continue to provide financial support together with a relevant bank statement.
• Lodge a fee of $290 with the Department of Immigration.
• Submit a statement of course results/evidence of meeting course requirements for the course for which the Student Visa was originally granted.
• Provide the original of your confirmation of enrollment with CRICOS Course Code and Course dates.

PM's bid to keep country clever
(As reported in Melbourne's "The Age" newspaper).

In a bid to counter Australia's "brain drain", the Federal Government will change immigration rules to encourage international students to stay after they complete their studies.

It is an attempt to attract and retain highly skilled workers from around the world to meet business demands and is expected to be announced as part of the government's innovation package to be launched early next year (that is in 2001).

Australia is increasingly pitted against other countries in seeking workers from a small highly skilled labor pool to work in industries such as information technology. In recent years there has been a shift in immigration policy to seek out such workers.

Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday Australia might open its doors to the world's best and brightest to improve innovation and reverse the skills shortage.

"We have to be as attractive as possible to bright people from around the world," he said.

"And one of the things we ought to do is have, I think, a more open view perhaps in relation to our immigration policy concerning this," he told Channel Seven.

Mr Howard said the government would make an announcement on innovation in the New Year, (that is 2001) which could include changes to immigration policy.

Under present rules international students must return to their country of origin once they complete their studies and apply to return to Australia. On their return home they can be courted by many countries seeking skilled workers.

Business groups and universities have been lobbying for a more flexible approach and the changes would mean international students would be able to apply to stay in Australia.

About 17,000 young Australians went overseas to work last year in the biggest exodus since World War II, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

David Buckingham, the executive director of the Business Council of Australia, said foreign students studying in Australia were a valuable resource and helped increase the country's skills base. Making it easier for foreign students to remain in the country was one measure of many needed to minimise skilled labor shortages, he said.