The Australian healthcare system is one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It operates in a hybrid mode, i.e. it consists of both public and private systems. If you are an expat living in Australia, or if you are planning to move to Australia, then you might want to know what the Australian healthcare system has to offer.

In the following sections, this article will go over a brief overview on the entire Australian healthcare system, then moving on to more focused topics.

Overview of the Australian Healthcare System

In Australia, there are many providers of healthcare. They include:

• primary care services delivered by general practitioners (GPs)
• medical specialists
• allied health workers
• nurses.

The way the Australian healthcare system is designed, for any kind of ailment the first point of contact are the GPs. For more specific and serious health conditions patients are able to seek consultation from medical specialists, however, they first need a GP referral to get a booking.

As stated previously, there are both public and private sectors in the Australian healthcare industry. Through Medicare, Australia’s universal health care scheme, Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible expats in Australia are able to access the public hospital system either for free or at low-cost.

If one has private health insurance, they are able to choose private healthcare providers along with public healthcare providers. Generally, for private health care (including services both in and out of hospital) cost of the health care is borne by the individual.

What is Medicare?

Medicare has been there since 1984; it is the umbrella term for the government funded Australian healthcare system. Its three major parts are:

• medical services
• public hospitals
• medicines

Medicare covers a range of services:

• Seeing a doctor or specialist: Medicare will pay the whole cost. If the doctor does not bulk bill, you will have to pay for the consultation then claim part of the cost (called a rebate) back from Medicare.
• Going to hospital: If you are a public patient receiving care in a public hospital, Medicare will cover all your costs. If you go to the emergency department of a public hospital, Medicare will pay for everything.
• Prescribed Pharmaceuticals: Medicare covers a range of prescription pharmaceuticals subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• Tests and scans: Medicare covers a range of tests including x-rays and pathology tests.
• Eye tests: Medicare pays for eye tests conducted by optometrists. If you are under 65 this can be claimed once every three years. Over 65 year-olds can claim it once a year.
• Mental health services: You can claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions (increased to 20 during the COVID-19 pandemic) each calendar year with a mental health professional. To do this, you need a mental health care plan and referral from your doctor.
• Other support: Medicare covers the costs for some long-term conditions, some allied health services such as physiotherapy, and some prescription medicines.

Medicare is funded by the Australian Government through taxation revenue, including a Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge. The State, territory and local government also help fund, manage and administer these public hospitals. 

Expats eligible for Medicare in Australian Healthcare System
Due to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, expats from the following countries can apply for Medicare. To register and receive their Medicare (government-run healthcare system) card, they will need:

• a passport;
• travel documents;
• permanent visa.

Expats from these countries covered by Medicare in Australia.

TOEFL Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
TOEFL is an Internet Based Test and has a number of test centers across the world. The duration of the test is 4.5 hours which is longer than IELTS and Pearson. The test results are available after 10 days of the exam date which is similar to the IELTS test.

Q) What score should I achieve and how many points do I receive?
English test results are divided into 5 main categories: Vocational, Functional, Competent, Proficient and Superior. Your minimum requirement differs according to the visa you are applying. However, for the “points test” following is the points allotment:

Private Health Insurance
It is important to note that some medical and allied health services are not subsidised through Medicare. For instance, Medicare does not usually cover costs for ambulance services, most dental services and optical aids (such as glasses and contact lenses). Typically for these services, private health insurance is a great option for managing these health care costs.

• hospital cover for some (or all) of the costs of hospital treatment as a private patient
• general treatment (‘ancillary’ or ‘extras’) cover for some non-medical health services not covered by Medicare — such as dental, physiotherapy and optical services.

Some people with private health insurance have either one of the other both. The Australian Government provides a means-tested rebate to help individuals with the cost of their private health insurance.

More information on Private Health Insurance Rebates can be found here.

Roles of each level of government in Australian Healthcare System
The different layers of government are jointly responsible for the provision and operation of the healthcare system in Australia. Below is a brief list of main roles of each level of government in Australia’s health system.

The Australian Government:

• develops national health policy
• funds medical services through Medicare and medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• provides funds to states and territories for public hospital services
• funds population-specific services, including community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care, health services for veterans, and residential aged care
• funds health and medical research
• regulates medicines and medical devices
• supports access to and regulates private health insurance.

State and territory governments:

• fund and manage public hospitals
• regulate and license private hospitals and other health premises, and regulate products with health impacts such as alcohol and tobacco
• deliver community-based and preventive services (for example, cancer screening and immunisation), ambulance services, and services to address complaints against any of these.

Local governments in some jurisdictions can be involved in:

• delivery of community and home-based health and support services
• environmental health services (for example, waste disposal, water fluoridation)
• public health activities.

Costs of Healthcare in Australia
Medicare is mostly funded through taxes. Taxpayers contribute 2% of their taxable income to fund the system. It must be noted that sometimes not all healthcare costs are covered by Medicare. Regardless of you covered by Medicare, you might have to pay the out-of-pocket expenses.

If the doctor or specialist does not bulk bill, you need to pay for the consultation and claim part of the cost back from Medicare. The amount that you don’t get back from Medicare is known as the gap fee.

If you are wondering about the costs of Ambulance services in Australia, then know that there is a fee for ambulance services in Australia. Medicare does not cover the cost of an ambulance. If you have private health insurance, it may cover some or all of the cost.

Costs of Healthcare in Australia

Telehealth is currently the versatile way of availing healthcare services in Australia. It entails having a consultation with a healthcare provider by phone or video call.

Many GPs, specialists and other healthcare providers now offer a telehealth consultation when a physical examination isn’t necessary. It’s not intended to replace essential visits to the doctor, but rather be a convenient solution when you can’t see a doctor face to face.

If you have seen your regular doctor or medical centre in the last 12 months, they may be able to bulk-bill your telehealth consultation.

How to Find a doctor?

Before you can see your doctor, you would need to book an appointment first. To book an appointment, it is not necessary to be registered with a specific doctor in Australia. In fact, you can see any doctor either as a public or private patient.

The best way to go about it is for you to look up the Australian Doctors Directory. There you get to look up a doctor by their name, if it has been recommended to you by your friends, family or other medical professionals; or look for all the practitioning doctors in your suburb.

Once you have the necessary details, you can call the number to book a consultation. You can also install the HotDoc App and book your next healthcare appointment through the app, without having to call anyone.

If you are a private insurance holder, then you might want to check the healthcare providers affiliated with your insurance provider. That way, you might find the most cost-effective services.

Average Wait Time in Australian Healthcare System

According to the 2020-2021 data, the proportion of people waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a medical specialist appointment was 21.7%, compared to 16.6% of people waiting for a GP appointment.

People living in outer regional, remote or very remote areas were more likely to report  a longer wait time than they felt acceptable for an appointment than those living in major cities:

• medical specialist appointment (26.6% compared to 21.4% in 2019-20)
• GP appointment (22.9% compared to 15.2% in 2019-20).
• public health activities.

People with a long-term health condition were also more likely to report waiting longer than they felt acceptable for an appointment than those without a long-term health condition:

• medical specialist appointment (23.3% compared to 16.9% in 2019-20)
• GP appointment (18.7% compared to 13.5% in 2019-20).

Giving Birth in Australia

If you are considering having a baby in Australia, there are a few factors that you’d need to consider. If you are a non-residents from one of the above mentioned countries, you’ll be covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. This means you will be entitled to free or subsidized essential treatment.

If you plan on having a baby in Australia as a foreigner, it is recommended you take out private insurance. Otherwise, it can be quite expensive to cover the costs yourself.

While at the hospital ready to give birth, it is recommended that you bring the following documents with you.

• Antenatal card
• Copies of your birth plan
• Private health insurance details (if applicable)
• Medicare card (if applicable)
• Money for fees (if applicable)

Unlike a few countries, giving birth in Australia doesn’t automatically give the new born the Australian citizenship, unless one of the parents are Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen. For individuals on temporary visas, the newborn is given the same status as its parent(s).

How to get a Permanent Residency in Australia?

Australia offers a variety of visas that will allow you to secure permanent residency in Australia. To check which visa is the most suitable based on your circumstances, we recommend that you book a consultation to discuss that. During the consultation, our team of immigration lawyers will provide you with a feasible pathway to help secure a permanent residency in Australia.

Given the mammoth of experience the team brings in, we provide feasible and practical counselling on your successful pathway to Australia. The team is well adept with knowing what helps increase the chances of success for your application.

If you are unsure whether this visa category applies to you or not or if you are looking to be successfully nominated, then don’t hesitate to contact us or directly email us at hello@pathmigration.com.

The post Understanding the Australian Healthcare System first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

English is the native language of Australia, hence it’s one the most important criterion when selecting an application for temporary or permanent migration. In fact, it is so important the the government has allocated extra points for higher English scores.

The following blog entails detailed information about the same.

Q) Which tests are accepted?

There are several English tests that the Department of Immigration accepts for an applicant to demonstrate their English ability. They include the following:

• IELTS test
• Occupational English Test (OET)
• Pearson Academic Test of English (Pearson PTE)
• TOEFL Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
• Cambridge Test of English

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS is the most popular test that applicants undertake to demonstrate their English language ability. The Department of Immigration accepts both, General Training and Academic test for assessment purposes. However, it is important to note that some skills assessment authorities require the applicant to undertake the academic version only. The IELTS test results are available after 14 days of the exam date.

OET (Occupation English Test)
The OET accesses the English proficiency for individuals in themedical and health care industry. The test should not be undertaken by individuals who wish to apply for a visa in an occupation not related to the medical or health care industry.

PTE (Pearson Academic Test of English)
The Pearson test is similar to the IELTS test in terms of components: speaking, writing, listening and reading. Except it’sa Computer Based Test (which is generally a good thing). The key benefit for undertaking the PTE is that the results are issued within 5 days.

TOEFL Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
TOEFL is an Internet Based Test and has a number of test centers across the world. The duration of the test is 4.5 hours which is longer than IELTS and Pearson. The test results are available after 10 days of the exam date which is similar to the IELTS test.

Q) What score should I achieve and how many points do I receive?
English test results are divided into 5 main categories: Vocational, Functional, Competent, Proficient and Superior. Your minimum requirement differs according to the visa you are applying. However, for the “points test” following is the points allotment:

*GSM- General Skilled Migration
ENS- Employer Nomination Scheme
RSMS- Regional Sponsorship.
It should be noted that if you hold a passport from Canada, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Ireland you achieve a competent level of English without undertaking the English test.

Functional English
Functional English is the minimum level of English that a secondary applicant(s) have to demonstrate at the time of application. However, if they are unable to achieve the required score, it doesn’t risk the primary applicant’s application.

It only means that they will have to pay an “English Education Charge” of about $4080 (If they achieve the score, then secondary applicant charge is only is $1800- this reduces further for subsequent applicants).
Functional English can be proven in many ways (not just through English Exam):

1. Successful completion of- (Australian equivalent) diploma/ trade certificate, higher degree, high school where the medium of teaching was English. OR

2. Successful completion of a primary education degree and 3 years (or more) of secondary education where the medium of Teaching was English. OR

3. Successful completion of at least 5 years of secondary education in English medium OR

4. Completion of at least 1 year full time study in Australia or equivalent part-time study towards a vocational degree, higher degree or an English Course.

5. Achieving the desired score in an English Exam (mentioned below):

Vocational Level of English
This is the minimum score required to obtain ENS and RSMS visa through the Temporary Residence Transitional stream. The score required to achieve a vocational level of English for each test is tabled below.

Competent Level of English
If you demonstrate competent level of English, you will not receive any points but it will make you eligible to apply for a skilled visa.The score required to achieve a competent level of English for each test is tabled below.

Proficient Level of English
If you demonstrate proficient level of English, you get 10 extra points for the English Language component of the points test. The score required to achieve a proficient level of English for each test is tabled below.

Superior Level of English.
If you demonstrate superior level of English, you get 20 extra points for the English Language component of the points test. The score required to achieve a proficient level of English for each test is tabled below.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post English Language Requirement for immigration first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

BENEFITS OF BEING AN AUSTRALIAN PERMANENT RESIDENT

“Permanent resident” is the name given to an individual who holds a permanent visa to reside in Australia for an indefinite period of time. Their rights and duties are very similar to that of an Australian citizen- they can work, live and study in Australia without any restrictions. They are also eligible for the same government benefits and services as the citizens (minor exceptions).

FOLLOWING ARE THE BENEFITS OF GETTING AN AUSTRALIAN PERMANENT RESIDENCY:

1) Right to live in Australia permanently:

As the name suggests, a Permanent Residency Visa entitles you to live in Australia permanently. The PR visa is usually valid for 5 years but it can be renewed easily and/or citizenship can be applied for within these initial 5 years.) Hence making the Visa a permanent one.

2) Right to Work without any restrictions:

2) A highly important benefit of the Australian PR is being entitled to work rights with No Restrictions. Moreover the government provides various other supports in case you ever suffer from unemployment such as bi-weekly payment, child support, recruitment services etc. The only restriction is that a permanent resident cannot work in “Public services or armed forces”. Only Australian citizens can work in the aforementioned areas.

3) Right to Travel:

The Australian Permanent Residency allows you to travel in and out of Australia for the whole duration of your visa. Even when your visa expires you are entitled to live in Australia, however you will need a “Resident Return Visa” if you are traveling in to Australia after your Permanent visa is expired. In addition to this, you are also allowed to enter and exit New Zealand without restrictions.

4) Education Benefits:

Primary and Secondary education is absolutely Free- sponsored by the government. The government provides various loans like HECS to Australian Permanent residents/ citizens and citizens. This includes education for all applicants on the visa, including your children.

5) Australian Born Child:

If you are a permanent resident and your child is born in Australia, he/she will by birth be recognised as an Australian citizen. Needless to mention the children will be entitled to all rights and benefits of an Australian citizen.

6) Sponsorship Privileges:

Permanent residency gives you the privilege to sponsor your relatives as well.

7) Health Care:

Permanent residents are eligible for “MediCare” which is basically government funded health insurance. “Medicare” looks after the health and well-being of Australians. Various programs available through Medicare are:

8) Social Welfare:

Permanent residents and citizens can avail social security benefits provided by the Department of Human Services if they are eligible for it. The eligibility criteria revolves around your income level, the number of dependents you have, your age, purpose of seeking the benefit etc. More information about the eligibility for obtaining these services can be found here: https://www.humanservices.gov….

9) Australian Citizenship:

Australian Residency is valid for 5 years, and you can apply for citizenship during this time. This means you get your own Australian Passport.

NOTE: This update or any previous updates on our website do not constitute “legal advice”. It’s advisable to call our office on +61 28815 58135 to seek professional advice from our MARA registered lawyers before acting on any information provided on this page.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN AUSTRALIA 2022 first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

Top 10 reasons to move to Australia in 2021-22

We recently conducted a survey with our clients and asked them the top 10 reasons what they decided to move to Australia.

1. A beautiful country

The country is naturally very beautiful. You have the option of swimming at the sandy beaches or go bush walking in one of the 500 national parks. You could even go skiing during the winter months. The cities are well planned and organized with infrastructure that will support Australia’s population growth.

2. Multicultural Society

Australia is a multicultural and multiracial and this is reflected in the country’s food, cultural practices and lifestyle. Approx 45% of Australians were born overseas or have a parent that was born overseas.

Contrary to the media hype, Australia is actually a very racially tolerant country.

The diversity of cultures creates an environment that is innovative, energized and outward looking.

3. Fresh Air

Australia’s air pollution is one of the lowest as rated by the World Health Organization. The health benefits of this are not to be undermined. A healthy and safe environment is the foundation of a good standard of living.

4. Climate

Australia’s climate would be considered mild. We do get our fair share of sunshine. Many of our European rate this is the main reason to live here. Australia experiences all weathers in moderation and doesn’t have any major extremities.

5. Job opportunities

Australia has very low unemployment (approx 6%). Most of our clients also say that the working environment is very chilled out compared to their home country. The skilled occupation list mentions all the industries which need workers to grow. It’s a clear indication of the booming job availability.

Read more on How to find a Job in Australia.

6. Great opportunities to study

Australia has a number of study options for international students. We have over 1,200 institutions and our institutions are rated among the best in the world. Generally the cost of studying in Australia is cheaper than the USA or US. Moreover the government gives an Education loan (HECS) to cover the full education of every resident/ citizen of Australia.

7. Health Care

Australia has basic health insurance covered by the government (Medicare); private health insurance options are also available. Needless to mention, Medicare is considered one of the most efficient health care systems in the world.

8. Quality of life

Australians are known for the laid back lifestyle. We are very friendly and do enjoy spending our spare time playing sports or relaxing. The work hours are lower compared to many countries and the quality of life is incomparable.

Australia has been ranked as the second-best country in the world for its quality of life by a UN report that assessed economic, education and life-expectancy data. (READ MORE).

9. Stable government and fair legal policies

Our government is very stable with elections held every 3 years. The legal system is fair as everyone is treated equally. Our crime rate is very low compared to majority of other developed countries.

10. Low population density

We have the lowest population density of any continent in the world with only 6.5 people per square mile. This simply means abundance of resources for everyone.
Now, ask yourself: Why would you not live in Australia?

GOT QUESTIONS? ASK US!

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post REASONS TO MOVE TO AUSTRALIA 2021-22 first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

Top 10 reasons to move to Australia!

We recently conducted a survey with our clients and asked them the top 10 reasons what they decided to move to Australia.

1. A beautiful country

The country is naturally very beautiful. You have the option of swimming at the sandy beaches or go bush walking in one of the 500 national parks. You could even go skiing during the winter months. The cities are well planned and organized with infrastructure that will support Australia’s population growth.

2. Multicultural Society

Australia is a multicultural and multiracial and this is reflected in the country’s food, cultural practices and lifestyle. Approx 45% of Australians were born overseas or have a parent that was born overseas.

Contrary to the media hype, Australia is actually a very racially tolerant country.

The diversity of cultures creates an environment that is innovative, energized and outward looking.

3. Fresh Air

Australia’s air pollution is one of the lowest as rated by the World Health Organization. The health benefits of this are not to be undermined. A healthy and safe environment is the foundation of a good standard of living.

4. Climate

Australia’s climate would be considered mild. We do get our fair share of sunshine. Many of our European rate this is the main reason to live here. Australia experiences all weathers in moderation and doesn’t have any major extremities.

5. Job opportunities

Australia has very low unemployment (approx 6%). Most of our clients also say that the working environment is very chilled out compared to their home country. The skilled occupation list mentions all the industries which need workers to grow. It’s a clear indication of the booming job availability.

Read more on How to find a Job in Australia.

Australia has a number of study options for international students. We have over 1,200 institutions and our institutions are rated among the best in the world. Generally the cost of studying in Australia is cheaper than the USA or US. Moreover the government gives an Education loan (HECS) to cover the full education of every resident/ citizen of Australia.

7. Health Care

Australia has basic health insurance covered by the government (Medicare); private health insurance options are also available. Needless to mention, Medicare is considered one of the most efficient health care systems in the world.

8. Quality of life

Australians are known for the laid back lifestyle. We are very friendly and do enjoy spending our spare time playing sports or relaxing. The work hours are lower compared to many countries and the quality of life is incomparable.

Australia has been ranked as the second-best country in the world for its quality of life by a UN report that assessed economic, education and life-expectancy data. (READ MORE).

9. Stable government and fair legal policies

Our government is very stable with elections held every 3 years. The legal system is fair as everyone is treated equally. Our crime rate is very low compared to majority of other developed countries.

10. Low population density

We have the lowest population density of any continent in the world with only 6.5 people per square mile. This simply means abundance of resources for everyone.

Now, ask yourself: Why would you not live in Australia?

NOTE: This update or any previous updates on our website do not constitute “legal advice”. It’s advisable to call our office on +61 28815 58135 to seek professional advice from our MARA registered lawyers before acting on any information provided on this page.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post 10 reasons to move to Australia first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post Short Term Skilled Occupation List first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

The post CAVEATS ON 457 OCCUPATIONS first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

The department of Immigration and border protection receives thousands of visa applications. The most popular ones being Work, Family and Student Visas. While many applications are accepted, a very large number of applications are rejected.

While few of these are refused due to fraud or ineligibility, many are rejected due to silly mistakes, inconsistencies and avoidable errors in the application. With the plathora of information available online, the application process may seem easy but sometimes can be complicated given the nitty-gritty involved.

Lodging a visa application requires time, money and effort, often in huge amounts. Hence making it critical to submit EXACTLY what the department is looking for. If the application is spot-on, it results in faster processing and a higher chance of getting a positive outcome.

Following are the 10 WAYS to hit it with your best shot:

1) PROVE EVERYTHING:

Particular visas such as Business investor, Work (Skilled/Sponsored), Student and Family require a high number of substantiating evidence than others. In other words, everything you claim has to be backed up with proof for verification purposes.

Education: Certificates/ transcripts/ mark sheets/ Accreditation from Australian bodies like CPA, ACS etc.

Work: Payslips/ Bank Statement/ Employment Letter/ Promotion letter (in any)

Relationship: (Spouse) marriage certificate/ (Parent or sibling) Birth certificate and passport/ (De facto) Joint house bills, pictures, joint accounts etc.

Other documents often required as proof:

Tax returns/ bank statements/ third-party documents like affidavits, sponsorship letter etc./ police clearance certificate/ medical certificate/ medical test reports/ health insurance/ English test result etc.

For example: if you claim to be an Engineering graduate working at X company for the last 2 years, provide them with:

1) High School Certificate

2) Bachelor’s Certificate

3) Skills assessment by Engineers Australia

4) X company’s Employment Letter

5) Pay slips of the last 2 years

6) Bank statement of the last 2 years

Notice how the above example has 3 claims: “Engineering Graduate”, “Working at company X” and “been working for 2 years”. It’s not just your word, every single claim is verifiable through the 6 documents mentioned above.

EXPERT TIP: Always get your documents certified or notarized to demonstrate authenticity.

2) HONESTY
Disclosing information can often work in your favor, but if you get caught hiding something, chances are the government issues a ban on you for lodging any further visa applications.
Remember! Every single claim should be backed up with evidence.

For example change of residential address- you may think that you changed houses a long time ago and details of the old house are not necessary, BUT THEY ARE.

Sometimes we have a tendency of taking things for granted, especially if they happened a long time ago.  Say a drink driving charge when you were 18 or anything even remotely close to your character requirement needs to be disclosed in the application.

Visa rejections and bans can be re-appealed in the tribunal but it’s not always easy to change such decisions around, moreover you don’t want an unnecessary stain on your records.

Same goes for fraudulent documents: JUST DON’T DO IT.

There are always other options to balance the application but providing false or misleading information is not one of them. There is a whole team (Australian immigration department) dedicated just to find out such abnormalities, hence getting picked out is not a rare event.

3) ACCURACY
Accuracy of details mentioned in the application are important because it fastens the visa process. It’s a no brainer- easier it is for the case officer to verify details, faster your application processed.

Inaccuracy may not always result in visa rejection, but there’s a fair chance that the application will be called out for rectifying the errors.
Not only does this prolong the application, but also harms your credibility with the case officer.

It may also lead in the officer asking for further evidence to prove (other related) claims, making the process lengthy and tedious.

4) CONSISTENCY
As the migration laws get stricter, the immigration department not only verifies claims but also cross checks information provided in previous applications to ensure consistency.

Some migration pathways involve multiple visa applications, for instance Student Visa (subclass 500) to Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) to Permanent Resident visa(GSM subclass 189/190). In these cases the immigration department will bring up all the information provided in past applications and verify it against the newest one.

Sometimes an inconsistency may not be due to dishonesty, but simply because of innocent mistakes, forgetfulness etc. However the department will

Hence it’s crucial to always keep a record of the applications you’ve previously submitted to ensure all details match/flow.

5) Organisation
Presenting your documents coherently can make a significant impact on your visa application. For example making sure the documents are translated, certified and chronologically presented making the assessor’s life easier.

Also ensure all your attachments are in readable format (file type) and also name your files for what they are, for example the scanned copy of your passport should be named “Passport” not “kjsdsklfja”.

EXPERT TIP: Make a separate folder for the final documents you are going to submit. Number them and cross check at the time of submission.

6) Deadlines
One of the most important thing to ensure when lodging an application is “deadlines”.  Missing the due date even by 1 day can jeopardize or nullify the entire application. Same goes out for expiration dates.

Some applications like a partner visa take over a year to process, in this case if you did a medical test at the start of the application, chances are it might expire by the time the application starts getting processed.

On the contrary, a skilled visa requires the medical test during the first half of the application. So getting the test fairly sooner is advisable.

Such details can act as a make or break your application.

7) Checklist of Documents:
Aside from accuracy, organisation etc. it is very important to provide ALL the necessary documents for seamless processing of the visa. If you are going through an agent/lawyer, ask your agent/lawyer for this checklist. If you are applying yourself, make sure to check the immigration website, it has detailed document checklists for every visa category.

Although it can be a little confusing as every situation is different and sometimes you might have to provide extra or less documents, the checklist gives a good idea of the type of documents required. Here’s an example of the document checklist for a 485 Post Study- Work Visa application: http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/…

EXPERT TIP: Always check the expiry date of all your documents before submission. As a general rule of thumb they should be valid for at least the next 6-12 months.

8) Choosing the Right Visa Type
This may seem too obvious but every year there are 100s of applicants who chose a different stream of the same visa and end up losing time and ALL of their application fees (and precious time).

Some visa categories like 485 have more than 1 stream. The cause of confusion is that both the streams are come under the same subclass:

1) 485 Post study work stream

2) 485 Graduate work stream

Both visas are called 485 and are similar in nature but completely different in terms of outcome as one (graduate work stream) requires nomination of an occupation and the other (post study work stream) doesn’t.

Similarly some visas allow you to be onshore (in Australia) while they’re being processed and others have specific conditions where applicant needs to be offshore at the time of lodgement or till the visa gets approved.

In such cases if the applicant is “mistakenly” onshore (when they’re required to be offshore), the status of the applicant will be UNLAWFUL and this will stay ON RECORD. Such negative immigration history can (and most probably will) work against you while your application is being assessed.

9) Using a MARA Registered Migration Agent

Migration lawyers/agents in Australia are required to be registered under the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).Under the Australian law “ONLY MARA registered lawyers/agents are legally allowed to advice on migration related matters”

Although not a requirement, even the department of immigration suggests that using a MARA registered agent can make the whole process a lot simpler and faster.

By law they are required to follow a code of conduct, provide the most up-to-date information and assist you in every stage of your application. They will also be acting as your legal representative, which means all the accountability (well most of it) lies on their shoulders.

It’s reassuring as the department of immigration also allows you to lodge formal complaints against the agent/lawyer should they fail to perform their duties. Hence it’s always worth while to check your MARA agent’s name on google to see if any complaints have been made against them.

EXPERT TIP: Check if your agent/lawyer is registered with MARA here: https://www.mara.gov.au/search…

Also, always check of “Reviews” on google to confirm no previous fraud has been committed by your chosen lawyer/agent.

10) Declarations:
Be sure to declare anything out of the ordinary such as change of name, citizenship of another country, old passport and especially in your medical or character requirement.

Such things might surface later and make it look like you hid it on purpose. Even if this is not the case, the department reserves the right to assume so.

Permanent residency in Australia does not get revoked, but the only 2 exceptions are if you provided fraudulent documents/ Lied at the time of application (this includes unintentional wrong provision of information as well) or if you are involved in a terrorist activity.

Hence it’s essential to be 100% honest, accurate and transparent.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post 10 TIPS FOR A POSITIVE VISA first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

Australia has been the first choice for many aspiring migrants since a long time now. The favouritism only seems to be increasing thanks to dramatic political upheavals worldwide, the Brexit in UK, the Muslim ban (among other outrageous policies under the trump reign) in the US, etc. Even a little research on the web will tell you that Australia has an exceptional quality of life. The political stability, social policies and work-life-balance, do come at a cost. Ever wondered exactly how costly is Australia? Currently Australia is ranked as the 12th highest cost of living in the world, however it’s still less expensive than many other expatriate hubs such as Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong which come under the Top 10.

WHERE TO LIVE

Most Popular Cities: Sydney and Melbourne

Sydney has been achieving high scores for various social aspects such as infrastructure, healthcare, education etc. for decades now, and Melbourne has been number 1 on the “World’s happiest Cities” list. These reasons among various others make these cities a popular choice and thereby densely populated. While choosing a city to settle in, some considerations can be: Property prices, job prospects, cost of living etc.

HOUSING IN AUSTRALIA

Sydney has the highest median price of a dwelling when looking at buying a house. If staying in the city is not a necessary requirement, one may also chose to live in the outskirts of the city and travel into the city. “Outskirts” such as Wollongong, Glelong etc. are hardly 1.5-2 hours away from the city but the prices of properties are significantly lower.

If you are LEASING:
location and size of the property determines the rent you’d be paying. For example the average cost of a 2 bedroom apartment in Sydney is about $600 per week, Inner Sydney (CBD) and beach side are almost double this price. Where as a similar property in Melbourne would be 3/4th of the price and in Darwin/Hobart its will be nearly half the price.

TRAVEL IN AUSTRALIA

Travel in Australia is fast cheap and super convenient. Most cities would have a tap on and off card which can be used across different modes of transportation such as bus, light rail and train. Usually a person spends about $20- 50 per week on regular commuting.The bus network is quite integrated and very punctual. Bus stations are located about every 1-3 km so you always have one or the other station around.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Australia is very focused on fitness, this is evident form their outdoorsy culture. Many report have suggested that over 93% of Australians are indulged in one or the other form of fitness. Complimenting this, Australia has a world-renowned healthcare programme. Permanent residents and citizens are all eligible for health cover provided by the government. A standard comprehensive cover (essentials) costs about $100 per month. Many citizens also chose private health insurance to cover extras such as dental care etc.

MOVING TO AUSTRALIA

Moving to Australia is worth it despite the exuberant costs simply because the salaries in Australia are much, much higher. Reports suggest that the Australians earn over 20% more than their British counterparts. Australia also boasts the HIGHEST WAGES PER HOUR: http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/14/pf/minimum-wage-countries-australia/

OTHERS:

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post COST OF LIVING IN AUSTRALIA first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh

Results for the January 2017 SkillSelect invitation rounds have been released and here’s our evaluation, simplified for your quick understanding.

1) Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers:

Number of invitations left for the year 2017: 191
Minimum score: 65 points

With only 17 invites issued per round (since the last 4 rounds), the waiting time for an invite is increasingly growing especially for those sitting at 65 points. For example an EOI lodged this month will take over 28 weeks to get an invite for 189 visa.

PATH Remarks: If the current trend continues, this occupation may get filled very soon. Ensure you have 70 points instead of 65 to get a visa much faster than 28 weeks.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our MARA registered immigration agents understand how stressful the migration process can be. Unlike most other migration law firms, our lawyer actually explain every step of the process in a no-jargon manner. In addition to this, we provide constant on call support. Contact us on hello@pathmigration.com for a Free Assessment and advice on your options for migrating to Australia.
OR

Book a Consultation now!

We are always happy to help! ?

NOTE: The information provided in this blog can not be construed as “legal advice”. You should not act based on the information provided here without consulting a registered MARA agent. Migration law is complex and changes very frequently, while we ensure our content is accurate, we can not vouch for how concurrent it is. To clarify any of your doubts call us on +61 2 8815 8135

The post SKILL SELECT ROUND 04 JAN 2017 first appeared on Path Migration and is written by bhavesh