Welcome to Australia Blog

New Life & New Friends

When it comes to friendship, are you doing all the running? As a new migrant to Australia, you may be perplexed to realise that when it comes to getting comfortable socially, you are in fact doing a lot of the work.

Have You Ever Seen Turtles Hatch?

A Few Thoughts on Renovating a House.

Similarly to building, renovating can be a fairly long process with any extensions and structural change needing to be approved in advance by local council.

Are Australian Houses Affordable For New Migrants?

Is the Aussie housing bubble going to burst? Good news for new migrants and the ‘just arrived’ in Australia, the property market is said to be on the turn….

When we first arrived 6 years ago now, we felt the pressure to buy quick; the market was climbing and the boom in Brisbane was already underway.

Buying in an up-and-coming suburb has served us well as many well established areas were already expensive $1 million AU…..

In a recent survey by Demographia, the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is winner of most unaffordable place to buy a home. Also on the expensive list is the Gold Coast and Sydney.

Whilst the current house prices look good for homeowners, for first time buyers and new migrants they are sure to look a little daunting. $300, 000 used to buy you a decent house now; it is more like $4-500, 000.

However, interest rates are low and there has been an increase to the first time home buyers grant, so houses are currently still being bought and sold. As a permanent resident you can buy a house in Australia and will also be able to apply for this grant.

This is not the first time Australia has been rated in recent years as being an unaffordable place to live. We’ve watched the prices keep climbing and now with the global credit crunch we are wondering if there will be a big fall- Some say it will not come, and so far it hasn’t. Let’s see what the rest of the year has to offer! What do you think?

Looking for more Parent Support?

As a new migrant and parent, you may find yourself looking for a bit more support. Something I noticed and have found useful is the fact that Pharmacist often have community nurses stationed on their premises one day a week.

Yes, Open Universities do Exist in Australia.

If you’ve just moved to Australia and are thinking about studying, up-grading your skills or taking on a new direction in life, Open University could be an option.

Open Universities Australia was set up by the Australian government and today there are 7 universities that run open uni courses.

These are the following:

Curtin University of Technology, Griffith University, Macquarie University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of South Australia.

Anyone can enrol, there are plenty of courses to choose from and you don’t have to visit the campus. All study can be done at home with the help of CD-roms, on-line, videos etc.

You can study at your own pace and in your own timing, at least any time within 10 years of starting the course. There are four semesters each year: March, June, September and December.

From what I’ve heard the courses are cheaper but check it out at: http://www.open.edu.au/.

Is Studying in Australia a Way to Migrate?

Given that Australian degree courses are short, Australia attracts a lot of international students and it is easy to see why, but is it a way to migrate?

All Australian Universities accept overseas students and there are no quotas or restricted limits on how many or what percentage of local/international students universities can take. Million of dollars are spent in marketing and recruitment off shore and places are filled with intellects from all nations.

What do Australian’s think to this? The concerns locally are that with a wider selection of future students, universities can afford to keep their requirements high and be picky. For Australian students this makes the prospect or gaining a place at their own Universities daunting.

Some people do say it is easier to gain access to an Aussie University as an international student than as an Australian. However, this is debated.

This could be partly true due to the financial capacity of foreign students able to pay fees (shorter courses in Australia is a big pull factor). Admission qualifications for international students is case by case but students do need to be able to prove they could gain a place on a similar course in their own country, Australia is not for those who don’t make the cut at home.

Fluency in the English language is tested if a certificate isn’t provided.

There are preparation for university English language courses available locally in Australia.

Australian universities accept the international baccalaureate (IB) certificate as an entrance qualification, but not an American high school diploma, for example. You can get more detailed information from your University of choice or http://www.dest.gov.au/.

What’s the Catch?

There isn’t one and it seems to be beneficial for both Universities and international students alike.

International students do need a student visa. This is gained once a place on a course has been guaranteed. Fees do need to be paid up front, not in full but for at least half of the first year.

Students must be able to pay for their day-to-day living but can work for up to 20 hours per week.

Private health insurance is a must for all students.

To keep the student visa, students do need to have good attendance and good results.

When the courses is finished, the visa expires and it is time to say goodbye.

Many students to hope to find permanent work here, get sponsored and stay on, there isn’t a guarantee and as with many visa’s there is a need to re-apply and possibly leave the country and re-enter. Switching visas within Australia is tricky if not, from what I’ve heard, impossible.

Job Focus: Trades in Queensland

All Trades Queensland is the the place in the know, at least locally in Brisbane, when it comes to apprentices, trainees and qualified trade staff.

If you are a tradesman/woman, and have moved to Queensland, Australia -this is a good site to check out: http://www.atq.com.au/

They employ most kinds of trade staff (45 different ones) and lend them out to 9, 000 different employers. So whether you are well experienced, in need to up-grading your own skills, short of or swamped with work, you can go along and get to know this company.

What’s in it for the employer? It seems to work like a temp agency…
No need for long-term contracts – you may only need a hand for a day or a week or a variety of skills.
All trades Queensland can do any government paperwork, pay wages and benefits, provide apprentices with tools etc.

For Employees
They get to work in a variety of jobs, with a variety of people
They can study and work.
Their qualifications are recognised Australia wide.

Which student visa are you seeking?

A student visa, costs and is only issued once you’ve been accepted onto a course and paid half of the first year fees up-front.

You can be going to a University, TAFE, or a college. Student Entry to Australia (form 1160i) and Application for a Student (Temporary) Visa (forms 157a).

The 7 Types of Student Visas

• English for Overseas Students ELICOS.
• Primary or secondary school.
• Certificate and diploma studies- Vocation Education and Training.
• Bachelor degree or a graduate certificate or diploma – Higher Education.
• Masters and Doctorate Studies
• Non-award Foundation Studies
• AusAID or Defence Sponsored

Find out more on TAFE’s.

Whilst universities offer a range of full degree courses, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges, offer courses that have a strong vocational, practical focus.

TAFE colleges are state run and are similar to universities in that they have many campuses.

The typical level of qualification sought is: certificate, diploma or advanced diploma.

Degree and university entry courses are also available at some TAFE’s.

Typical courses are: pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, trade, post-trade, technician courses, commercial and general courses to certificate level.
Courses often work alongside the industry and job that a student is in.

Study can be part-time or full-time.
Fees vary with the state or territory. and concessionary rates are means tested.
TAFE websites: www.tafe.qld.gov.au/international/living_qld/regions.html
www.tafensw.edu.au/
http://www.tafe.sa.edu.au/
http://www.centraltafe.wa.edu.au/