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Australian culture and way of life has attracted many migrants to travel to Australia. One of the strangest holidays for some of our clients who moved to Melbourne is the “Melbourne Cup” day.

As one of our clients said “I first thought it was a cricket or footy tournament, apparently not. It is a horse race in Melbourne”

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous annual Thoroughbred horse race. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and over, conducted by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. It is the richest “two-mile” handicap in the world and one of the richest turf races. The event starts at 3:00 pm on the first Tuesday of November and is known locally as “the race that stops the nation”.

Phar Lap, the most famous horse in the world of his day won the 1930 Melbourne Cup at 11/8 odds on, the shortest-priced favourite in the history of the race. He had to be hidden away at Geelong before the race after an attempt was made to shoot him and only emerged an hour before the race time of the Cup. Phar Lap also competed in 1929 and 1931, but came 3rd and 8th respectively, despite heavy favouritism in both years. Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday for all working within metropolitan Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria, but not for some country Victorian cities and towns which hold their own spring carnivals. For federal public servants, it is also observed as a holiday in the entire state of Victoria.

Photo by Philippe Oursel on Unsplash

Australian citizenship is something that many migrants aspire. It is an acknowledgement of their commitment to Australian values.

To become an Australian citizen, the migrant should submit an application by him/herself or through an agent. Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs.

If the application is successful, the applicant will be invited to participate in an Australian citizenship ceremony, which comprises of the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

There are 3 ways to become an Australian citizen:

• By birth: If you are born here and one or both of your parents is an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• By descent: If you are the child of an Australian citizen but you are born overseas, you will generally be granted Australian citizenship.
• By grant: If you are a non-citizen of Australia you can apply to become an Australian citizen.

There are certain Australian citizenship requirements you must meet, which include:

• You are an Australian permanent resident
• You are over 16 years of age
• You have lived in Australia for a period of four years, including 12 months as a permanent resident
• Are of good character
• Have an adequate knowledge of your responsibilities and privileges as a citizen

As an Australian citizen, you have a number of privileges, which include:

• Voting in Federal and State or territory elections and in a referendum
• Applying for work in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
• Seeking election to parliament
• Applying for an Australian passport and re-entering Australia freely
• Obtaining help from an Australian official while overseas
• Registering children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent

Citizenship Test

All applicants will need to complete and pass a citizenship test, which is based on their knowledge and understanding of Australian society, values and history. The test will also assess the applicant’s English language abilities, sufficient knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen and intend to reside and work in Australia, or to preserve a close connection with the country.

September and October brought good news for many migrants offshore. The following list of occupations received invitations with just 65 points displaying Australia’s commitment to getting more skilled migrants to Australia.

If you fall within any of the following categories, contact us today to commence the skilled migration process before the Australian Government closes the invitations for the year.

• Aeronautical Engineer
• Agricultural Consultant
• Agricultural Engineer
• Agricultural Scientist
• Architect
• Audiologist
• Biochemist
• Biomedical Engineer
• Biotechnologist
• Botanist
• Cartographer
• Chemical Engineer
• Chemist
• Chiropractor
• Civil Engineer
• Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
• Electrical Engineer
• Electronics Engineer
• Engineering Professionals nec
• Engineering Technologist
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Engineer
• Gastroenterologist
• General Practitioner
• Geophysicist
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Hydrogeologist
• Landscape Architect
• Life Scientist (General)
• Life Scientists nec
• Marine Biologist
• Materials Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
• Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Medical Practitioners nec
• Metallurgist
• Microbiologist
• Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
• Naval Architect
• Occupational Therapist
• Other Spatial Scientist
• Psychologists nec
• Quantity Surveyor
• Registered Nurse (Aged Carel
• Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care
• and Emergency)
• Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• Registered Nurse (Medical)
• Registered Nurse (Mental
• Health)
• Registered Nurse
• (Perioperative)
• Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• Registered Nurses nec
• Secondary School Teacher
• Social Worker
• Sonographer
• Special Needs Teacher
• Specialist Physicians nec
• Speech Pathologist
• Structural Engineer

This article provides a general overview of the Australian education system that consists of four stages.

1.  Early childhood education (ages four to five)

Kindergarten is officially the first stage of formal schooling in Australia. The aim is to teach children to work with others, make friends, express their creativity, build communication skills, and the reading, writing and numeracy skills required to effectively participate in subsequent learning opportunities.

2.  Primary school education (ages six to 11)

Primary schools offer programs from Foundation to year six. Primary education focuses on developing essential literacy, numeracy, intellectual and social-emotional skills.

3.  Secondary school education (ages 12 to 18)

Secondary schools cater for students’ educational needs from Year 7 to Year 12. 

In some states, students can drop out at Year 10 to enrol for vocational training and pursue an apprenticeship.

Australia’s secondary school education system adheres to a national curriculum framework. Subjects taught include, mathematics, science, history, languages, geography, the arts, health and physical education, information and communication technology, civics and citizenship, economics and business.

After completion of senior secondary school (Years 11 and 12), students sit for exams and are awarded a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

4.  Higher education in Australia

Also known as tertiary education, higher education in Australia includes all formal education beyond high school. It’s divided into two sectors; vocational education and training (VET), which is registered and regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Agency (ASQA), and universities which are registered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). 

Vocational Education Training (VET)

VET is based on partnerships between Australian governments (federal and state) and industry bodies and is designed to expedite entry into a job after graduation.

Many vocational courses incorporate a period of on-the-job training, in addition to classroom or online learning.

Courses are provided by government-funded Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, adult and community education centres, and private registered training organisations (RTO).

VET qualifications range across four levels of certificates (Certificate I, II, III and IV), as well as Diploma courses and Advanced Diploma courses, depending on the years of study and the occupational skills and competencies gained.

Undergraduate study in Australia

At the undergraduate university level, student’s study for a bachelor’s degree as initial preparation for a professional career of their choice.

Completing a bachelor’s degree involves a minimum of three years of full-time study. However, some institutions offer a fast-track system to complete a degree in two years. 

At tertiary level, the majority of Australian universities are public, and under Study Assist, fees are subsidised through a student loan program where payment becomes due when students enter the workforce and reach an annual income level of  $47,000. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree is AUD$15,000 to $33,000. In recent years most popular field of education at higher education institutions in Australia was Management and Commerce. Subjects in the society and culture, and health fields, were the next most popular study options in that year. The most popular subjects include medicine, law, business and management, dentistry, education, environmental science, accounting and engineering

The recent cyber attack on one of the largest telecom service providers in Australia, Optus, reminded all that the scale and sophistication of cyber attacks are increasing.

And they’re becoming harder to detect. Australian Demand for cyber security products and services is growing. Australia’s appetite for cyber solutions is expected to see sales grow to A$7.6 billion by 2024.

Australian expertise in this field includes secure mobility solutions, quantum encryption, AI-driven deception, IoT security, and cloud security.

The Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) is a streamlined visa program for highly skilled professionals to move to Australia. There is no points testing and it grants immediate Permanent Residency. If you meet the criteria for this visa, please make an appointment to speak with us today. There are 2 pathways under the Global Talent visa:

1. the Global Talent visa pathway – an opportunity for highly skilled people in the target sectors; and
2. the Distinguished Talent pathway – a pathway for exceptional and outstanding individuals who do not fit into any Global Talent sector. Some examples are international cricketers, musicians.

If you are highly skilled in one of these areas, or you work in a senior role for a company that provides services in one of the following sectors, you may be eligible for the Global Talent visa under the Global Talent pathway.

The Global Talent Visa allows an opportunity for experts in cyber security to apply and obtain a permanent residency visa.

Whilst Permanent Visa holders have access to medicare facilities, most temporary residents have to maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia. In the visa grant letter, the Department of Home Affairs include a condition identified by the number 8501 visa condition.

If this visa condition is there on your visa you need to take out health insurance for coming to Australia. Some of the examples of visa classes include;

• Working Holiday Visa (417)
• Work and Holiday Visa (462)
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
• Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
• Student Visa (subclass 500)
• Visitor (subclass 600)

There are several Australian insurers that offer cover tailored to visa holders. When you approach a health insurance provider indicate that you are subject to this condition and they will recommend the policy options available for you.

It is also noteworthy that sub class 491 which comes under a temporary skilled visa is not subject to this condition and are entitled to medicare.

As Australia comes out of COVID restrictions many employers are finding it hard to find staff. The recent announcements from the Government of Australia made it clear that they will prioritise solving this crisis.

The sub class 482 visa is one of the tools in the arsenal to do that. The 482 visa is a temporary skill shortage visa, allowing a skilled worker to temporarily live and work in Australia if nominated by an approved employer who hasn’t been able to find an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

There are several requirements for a 482 visa. You must be nominated by an approved employer, you must work for them, you need to have worked in this field for at least two years and have the relevant skills, qualifications and background to do so, and you might also need to have a positive skills assessment. You will also need to meet certain health and character requirements, have health insurance (unless exempt) and demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency.

Not all 482 visa holders are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Your eligibility will depend on a number of factors including your occupation, age, English proficiency and more.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about 482 visas.

Can I change employer on a 482 visa?

You can change your employer on a 482 visa, as long as the new employer is willing to sponsor you and lodge a new nomination for you. You are not allowed to start working for this new employer until the change has been approved. Until it has been approved, you have to continue working for your previous employer or make sure that any gap in employment is less than 60 consecutive days.

Can I get Medicare on a 482 visa?

As a rule, you will not receive access to Australian medicare on a 482 visa. You are responsible for your own health costs and must get adequate health insurance.

Is 482 a permanent visa?

The 482 visa is not permanent. A short-term stream allows you to stay for two years and a medium-term stream lets you stay for four years. However, you may be able to apply for a new visa when your 482 is due to expire.

Can I study on a 482 visa?

Yes, you can study in Australia on a 482 visa.

Can a 482 visa be extended?

Technically your 482 visa cannot be extended, but you can apply for a new one when it is about to expire. On a short-term stream visa, which lasts two years, you can apply for a further two years without leaving Australia. You would have to go offshore to extend it further. The medium-term stream lets you stay for up to four years, and can be renewed an unlimited amount of times.

Can a 482 visa be transferred?

You can transfer to a new company or a new role in the same company while on a 482 visa, as long as your employer submits a new nomination for you.

Can my spouse work on a 482 visa?

The spouse or partner of a person with a 482 visa is allowed to work and study in Australia.

How long is a 482 visa valid for?

There are three kinds of 482 visas: the short-term stream lets you stay for up to 2 years, the medium-term stream lets you stay for up to 4 years, and the rare labour agreement stream also lets you stay for up to 4 years.

NSW published their skill list for this financial year today (8th September 2022).

They have introduced new minimum point scores and years of skilled work experience requirements in the 2022-23 financial year. 

To be eligible for NSW nomination you must meet the minimum point score AND minimum years of work experience in your occupation’s ANZSCO unit group. 

For example, if you are skilled as a Finance Manager (occupation code 132211), you must have a minimum point score of 110 and 3 years of eligible skilled work experience to be considered in an invitation round. 

To see the full list of occupations please click the link below.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/nsw-skills-lists

A place to stay is among the foremost worries of many migrants when they are about to move to Australia. In this article, we provide you with some helpful tips to navigate this subject. To the surprise of many migrants, the process is a lot more complex than what they may have experienced back home.

In Australia, many rental applications require a rental history. If you are new migrant you naturally have no such history. How can you build a rental history if you can’t rent a property? Here is the thing: every renter has been a first-time renter before and there are a number of documents you can use to strengthen the application. Having these on hand and organizing them before you even start the rental process means you can apply for properties a lot faster and you will look like a much stronger applicant in the property manager’s eyes. 

What you will need:

• Verification of employment and verification of income – these prove that you can cover the rental amount. 
• Reference from your employer or another staff member – this proves your employment and also acts as a character reference for your reliability and responsibility. 
• Reference from a neighbour or a friend.
• Personal references – these should not be from relatives and speak to how you are as a person. Why should the property manager choose you?
• Photo identification
• A recent utilities or phone bill if you have them.

Some real estate agents and property managers even request you to prepare some of these references from back home in your country before moving so that you can tick the boxes.

Key considerations for novice renters

Before you even start scouring the property websites to find a suitable home to rent, there are some things you need to consider.

The first thing is creating a must-have list and a nice-to-have list. On the must-have, include all of your necessities, taking inspiration from the following initial questions:

• How many bedrooms do you need?
• How many car spaces do you need?
• Do you have a specific preference for your new space (e.g. a large dining space, an outdoor area for kids)
• Are you looking for a pet-friendly property?
• What location/s are you willing to live in?
• How important is proximity to public transport and other amenities for you?
  

These are all essential considerations, and you really need to think about what is absolutely essential and where you are willing to be flexible. For example:

• Suppose you wanted spacious bedrooms and a proper study. Would you be willing to compromise if the property had your ideal bedroom size but only came with a small study nook?
• If you have two cars, are you open to signing a lease for a property with only one car space? Asking the right questions during the inspection can help, especially as off-street parking varies.
  

Once you are clear on the non-negotiables, start your list of nice-to-haves. Things to think about here include gas cooking, north-facing outlook, bedrooms on the same level, parking options for visitors, and other recreational extras such as a pool or a view. 

Once you have jotted all of this down, it is time to compile the documentation needed so you can be prepared for inspections. A good idea is to create digital and physical copies of documentation, so if you would like to fill out an application form on the day of inspection, you have everything ready. 

Next, the fun part: searching real estate websites for rentals properties. You can, of course, do this online, but it is also a good idea to pop into local real estate agents to ask in person. You never know; something that matches your exact specifications may be coming online within the next couple of days. Make a shortlist of all the properties you like and organise them into a list of inspection times. Remember, rental properties can be snapped up quickly, so it helps to be prepared to apply quickly. Many properties will be open at specific times, but remember there will be some that are by appointment. 

And then, of course, you will need to fill out the application. Be honest on your application and as thorough as possible.

Inspecting the rental property

While it may sound obvious to actually go and look at the property physically, many people out there simply look at a home online, rely on the images, fill out the application and sign the lease without even stepping foot inside the property. Guess what, looks can be deceiving.

It can be quite fun going on property inspections. As you wander through homes, it can be easy to picture yourself sitting in that exact spot, drinking your coffee in the morning. But don’t get too carried away. 

First and foremost, make sure there is no damage. If there is any, note it down, mention it to the property manager and take a photo. That way, you can’t be held responsible for it, and if it is something that needs to be fixed before moving in, it can be dealt with. Also make sure the garden is well-maintained, that all appliances are working and everything is as stated. Physically inspecting a rental also means getting some face-to-face time with the agent. Ask them any questions you have and you can even get their advice on how best to fill out your application form. 

Agreements, bonds and reports: knowing the nitty-gritty

Once you have decided on the property, filled out the forms and been approved, there are a number of documents that should be given to you. This includes a copy of the residential tenancy agreement, a copy of the bond lodgement form and the condition report. The latter will need to be checked, completed and signed, then returned to the office. You will also receive a copy for your records. 

On top of all of this, you should receive a receipt for the initial rent amount, lease fees and bond, a photocopy of the keys, remote controls (if any) and emergency contact details.

What is a residential tenancy agreement?

A legal, binding contract between the tenant and the landlord, the residential tenancy agreement sets out all the legal details. It is colloquially and more commonly known as a lease. Make sure this document is given to you and that you read it before you sign anything. Ask any questions you have to ensure you understand it fully.

The tenancy agreement will include:

• The name and address of the tenant, the owner and the property manager (if different)
• Dates for when the agreement starts and ends
• How much rent is to be paid, when it should be paid and how
• Standard terms – what the tenant and the owner or property manager can and can’t do
• Any special terms that must be agreed on in advance
• The length and type of tenancy
• The amount of bond required
• Any other conditions or rules
  

Keep an eye out for special terms such as those in relation to pets. An example might be that if they are allowed in the property, they must stay outside or carpets must be regularly cleaned.

What is a bond?

A bond is separate to your rental payment and acts as security for the landlord if you don’t meet the terms of your lease agreement. The bond will either be paid back to you at the end of your lease, or it may be used towards any cleaning or repairs required.

Importantly, the bond cannot be used as any part of your rent. This means, when you are moving out, you need to pay your rent in full until the agreed-upon date and the bond needs to be returned to you in full – it cannot go towards your final rent payment. 

What is a condition report?

The condition report goes into detail about the condition of the property prior to the tenant moving in. This includes any fittings and fixtures. It is your responsibility to check the condition report against the property itself to make sure it includes any damage or issues that you have noticed in the property.

Tenants are allowed a number of days to check the details in the condition report, to confirm or disagree with what is included. Remember, the condition report will most likely be used if there is a dispute about anything in the property, from cleaning through to repairs, big and small, so it is important that you read it thoroughly.

If there are any areas that you don’t agree with, this needs to be noted in the appropriate section of the document. An inspection report must be completed and returned to the property manager or owner, within the required timeframe. If not, the condition of the property, according to the condition report, is deemed accurate.

The most important thing is that the landlord and the tenant both agree on the condition report. It is also a good idea to take photos of the property before you move in. This records the property’s original condition if anything happens. 

As most job markets are online based, many companies now expect the candidates to upload a CV or resume together with a cover letter. The Australian style of CV could be a bit different to that of your country and it is worth spending time to properly research and address the key points.

Your resume serves to introduce the relevancy of your skills, experience, qualifications and achievements to a recruiter and potential employer. A recruiter or employer may not spend longer than a few minutes reviewing your resume, so it should convey your most relevant achievements in a quick-to-understand style.

If the reader thinks you are a suitable candidate for the role, your resume will have achieved its purpose – an offer to attend an interview. 

How long should my resume be?

Your resume should be approximately two to three pages long. If it is substantially longer, eliminate information that isn’t relevant to the role or industry. You can even leave out ten year old part time jobs, internships etc which does not add much value especially if you an experienced professional.

Similarly, if you have an advanced degree, few people are going to be concerned about the exams you took when you were 16 years old. Instead, only include training that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

What NOT to include in a resume

Most job market experts advise candidates to avoid listing their hobbies or interests. Focus instead on the experience and skills that make you suitable for the job you’re applying for. The exceptions occur when you have limited relevant experience or if the employer specifically asks applicants to list hobbies. In these cases, keep it brief.

Even if you are list hobbies consider listing a hobby that requires expertise relevant to the role, such as organisational or communication skills. 

What about colours and graphics?

You also do not need to design a creative resume, unless you work in a creative field. Some candidates attempt to produce a more creative resume to stand out, however it really is the relevancy of your skills and experience that will ensure you make a shortlist, not how you present your resume.

What is the best way to layout my resume?

Your resume must look clean, clear and well structured, with enough white space to enhance readability.  Use a simple font like Arial 10 or 12 point, and keep formatting, such as italics and underlining, to a minimum. Bullet points are extremely useful as they allow you to highlight key points succinctly and keep the document tidy. Start each one with an action verb if you can (‘created’, ‘managed’, ‘increased’, ‘improved’ etc.), rather than ‘I’.

Format to save for online upload

As for the document layout, most organisations will upload your resume into their database so make sure it is in a commonly accepted format that follows the below structure. We recommend a cleanly formatted Microsoft Word document or PDF with no graphics, images, no fancy formatting or fonts. While a creative CV may look good, graphics and special fonts can be difficult for an ATS to process.

What is good to include at the top?

Start with the basics such as your name, phone number, email address (make sure the email address you use sounds professional) and LinkedIn Profile.

How to do a good skills summary?

The reader of your resume may not have more than a minute to spend scanning each application, particularly if the volume of applications is very high, so including a skills section can capture their attention by making it immediately clear what you can offer. Compile a brief bulleted list of skills and competencies. Use keywords from the job description when creating this part.

Also be bold to list your key career achievements, supported by facts, statistics or links. For example, if you over-achieved on your sales targets, you need to say by what percentage and over what period.

Importance of clearly quantifying your achievements

It is important to quantify your accomplishments – the reader wants to see facts not fluff. Focus on the value you added in each role, rather than simply listing what your duties were. This section shouldn’t read like a job description. Rather, it should tell the story of your unique strengths and accomplishments. Think of your biggest achievements for each role and provide concrete, quantifiable evidence of each. One way to help you do this is to use action verbs such as “managed” or “oversaw”. Such verbs force you to focus on what you achieved and your results in each role, which proves the value of your experience.

It is also advisable not to leave gaps in your recent work history. If you took a year out, carried out an interim assignment, or travelled for six months, say so. Just make sure you illustrate whatever the experience was in a positive way, focusing on the fact that it gave you some great experience and knowledge.

And finally the referees….  

The details of references are rarely included on resumes. It’s common for candidates to simply write, “References are available upon request” in this section of your resume. Your recruiter will then reach out for the details of your referees at the appropriate point in the recruitment process. 

Remember though, the referees recruiters and employers value the most are those people you reported to directly who can speak about how you used your skills and experience to add value to their organisation. If you are unsure who to provide as a referee.