5STAR Student Services

Based on the success of the New Colombo Plan pilot, the Australian Government will extend it’s 2015 program to include 35 countries in the Indo-Pacific region. 

The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the federal government that provides funding for Australian undergraduate students to undertake study in the Indo-Pacific region, with the intention of strengthening the relationship between Australia and its neighbouring countries. The federal government has committed $100 million in funding over five years, offering scholarships and mobility grants for study and work experience abroad.

During the program’s pilot phase in 2014, students travelled to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore. In 2015, the New Colombo Plan will be extended to include countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Vietnam. For a list of the 35 participating countries included in the Plan and further information, visit http://goo.gl/CYCKdj

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STEP 1 - Find the right visa for you 

You can immigrate permanently to Australia through either the family, or employment visa programs. These visas will allow you to work and live indefinitely in Australia

 Family-Based Permanent Residency

If you have a member of your family unit that is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, you may be eligible to immigrate to Australia. Migrant visas are available for:

¨       Partners

¨       Fiancé(e)s

¨       Children

¨       Dependent relatives

 Work-Based Permanent Residency

There are several pathways to Australian permanent residency through the worker category. The migrant worker categories are:

¨       Employer Sponsored Workers - When an Australian employer (government or private) sponsors a foreign national to work in Australia.

¨       General Skilled Migration - For people that are not sponsored by Australian employers but possess a skill valued in Australia.

¨       Skill Select - For workers possessing certain skills that Australia is in need of.

Migrants are not citizens. However, once you satisfy the residency test you can apply to become a citizen.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has a great tool to help you find which visa is right for you. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1?

STEP 2 - Check if you meet the visa requirements

The DHA website lists the eligibility requirements that you need to satisfy for each type of visa. For example, you may be required to have a relative that is an Australian citizen; skills that are on the published lists of skills which are in demand; a qualified sponsor; be under a certain age etc.

STEP 3 – Apply for an Australian Permanent Residency Visa *

After you’ve found the right visa and have checked you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can apply for it. Make sure the entire application is fully completed before submission.

Applications are available for download or to apply online at the DHA website. Most applications require you to submit supporting documents and an application fee.

* It is important to note that this can be a complex, time consuming and expensive process. We specialise in simplifying and streamlining it for you as well as maximising your chance of success!!

STEP 4 – Wait for a decision

The processing times for different types of visa application varies significantly. Average processing times are published on the DHA website. You may have to wait several weeks, months or years for a decision to be made on your application depending on the type of visa.

STEP 5 – Obtain the Visa

If your application is approved, you will receive your migrant visa and can live and work permanently in Australia. Australian migrant visas are issued in increments of five years, subject to renewal. As long as your visa is valid, you may enter and leave Australia freely. The benefits of permanent residency include:

¨       Right to work

¨       Right to apply for citizenship

¨       Right to public education

¨       Right to sponsor relatives to immigrate to Australia

¨       Right to travel freely between Australia and New Zealand without a visa

5STAR Student Services looks forward to helping you find the right visa and submitting your application to maximise your chance of migrating to Australia!!

MARN 1802311.

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