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International Travel Student Visas to Australia
International Travel Student Visas to Australia
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With all of the recent changes to the General Skilled Migration program in Australia in recent months the notion of studying or training in Australia has intensified. According to the latest figures more than 2800 people from the UK and Ireland have chosen to go back to college or university in Australia this year. This is almost 20% up on 2007 figures. More than half of the new students were mature students enrolling in postgraduate courses at universities or trade training programs in the vocational education sector.  Studying and improving your opportunities for a resurgent labour market is one well tested solution to beating the recession whether it is in Australia or anywhere else. There is a lot to be said for obtaining Australian qualifications. The education system is very highly developed and compares very favourably with European systems. Australian qualification holders are in demand all over the world. So when the tide does turn your employability prospects will be greatly improved. The cachet of an international qualification not only impresses employers but is definitive proof that you are capable of succeeding outside your home environment.It is really important to stress, though, that an Australian degree or trade certificate does not bring with it any guarantee of permanent residency. Much will depend on the state of play of the local and global economy at the time you finish your study or training. In the last few weeks several government sponsored reviews into aspects of international education provision in Australia sought to decouple the perception that studying in Australia will automatically lead to permanent residency. The Department of Immigration and Citzenship’s (DIAC) website is explicit - “Students should not make educational choices solely on the basis of hoping to achieve a particular migration outcome, as the GSM program will continue to change and adapt to Australia’s economic needs.”  The global financial crisis provoked some of the major changes to the migration rules earlier in the year including the introduction of the Critical Skills List in March and the ministerial directive in September to prioritise certain GSM applications. The fact that the economic indicators in Australia are all heading north again and the spectre of high unemployment has receded does not mean that current policies will be revisited any time soon. It is important, therefore,that you choose a course in which you have a genuine interest and that will advance your career. On a student visa you will have an opportunity to live and study in Australia for the duration of your course. Under current regulations you may also be eligible, if your study program is for two years or longer, to apply for a Graduate Visa that will enable you to work full time in your chosen trade or profession. You may be in a position then to consider an application for permanent residency but that will depend on the migration rules in place at the time of your application. Nobody can predict what they might look like in 6 months time never mind 3 years. As a student you will be able to work for 20 hours a week while your course is in session and full time during the vacation. Your partner will be able to work part time for the duration. Earnings will vary, naturally, but you should be able to make a big dent in your living expenses. You will also get to know the country and the people an awful lot better. So should you decide to apply for permanent residency, and meet the criteria at the time of application, you have up to date qualifications and experience. You might even have got to know some employers interested in sponsoring you. As with any strategy there are a lot of considerations you will have to take into account. It is important, therefore, that you get the best possible advice before making any commitment. Study programs in Australia can be expensive - all the more so given the current exchange rate. Typically, you will need to allow upwards of €10500 for annual tuition fees and a further €10000 (for an individual) to cover modest living costs. This can be offset by earnings in Australia - how much will depend on you and the availability of casual and seasonal work wherever you choose to locate. It is a big investment and is not for the faint hearted. However it is one that has paid off for many thousands over the years. There are certainly a lot of choices and a huge array of courses from trade qualifications to postgraduate degrees available in private and public institutions in every state of Australia. You can start by having a look at the Australian government website at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au . If you need help in making a decision and working through the complexities there are a number of specialist agencies in the UK and Ireland who can help you with your decision making and steer you in the right direction. there are also a number of specialist organisations in the UK and Ireland that work closely with a number of Australian colleges and universities and provide free advice and support to prospective students about their educational objectives. It is also important, though, that you spend time with a registered Australian migration agent about your circumstances. They will be on top of the current legislation and in a position to provide you with frank, accurate and honest advice about your longer term prospects. Unlike GSM visas student visas are processed very quickly if you are a current British or Irish passport holder. Unless there are exceptional circumstances you can expect to get your visa within 10 days of lodging a valid application. The process is quite straight forward.
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