Posted in Living in Perth, tagged Andrea Dearden. 2009, best place, Blue skies, born, bred, dreads, everyone, Kangaroos, mulitcutural land, perth, plane, sand, sunsets, Truly, WA on November 29, 2009| Leave a Comment »
WA born and bred 
Getting on a plane everyone dreads
With kangaroos and sunsets
Blue skies and sand
Why would anyone want to leave
This mulitcutural land !
Source : Andrea Dearden 2009, Truly the best place to be x
Posted in ALL news, Immigration News, tagged 400., abused, advertisements, Applications, Australian Business, backpackers, cancelled, claim, convicted of fraud, department, Department of Immigration, documents, European visitors, extend, false documentation, falsely claim, farm, farms., Federal, fee, fraud, fraudulent claims, fruit growing, Gumtree website, holiday visa, hostel, immigration, Indians, industries, international students, internet, job, jobs, linked, lodged online, mainly, opposition, posted, reflected, rural, rural jobs, scams, selling, Sharman Stone, SPECIALIST integrity unit, spokeswoman, Sydney, targeting, this fraud, under-resourcing, visa, visas, widespread, worked, working holiday visa program, working holiday visas on November 29, 2009| Leave a Comment »
A SPECIALIST integrity unit has been formed inside the Department of Immigration to deal with widespread fraud in the working holiday visa program, on which industries such as fruit growing depend.
More than 200 internet advertisements have been found offering to buy or sell documents allowing backpackers to claim they had worked in rural jobs without them leaving Sydney, and thus extend their working holiday visas. The standard fee is $400. So far, 64 visas have been cancelled over the fraud and at least 19 more are being reviewed.
One man, an Irish national, has been convicted of fraud. ”There’s been more than 100 fraudulent claims identified this financial year,” a spokeswoman for the department said. ”The answer is we don’t know [the full extent of the fraud]. At this stage it’s too early to determine and we will be looking at it over the next six months.”
The working holiday visa (subclass 417) allows people to extend their stay in Australia by a year if they can prove they have worked in a rural area for three months. Applications are lodged online but have been abused by people selling Australian business numbers linked to farms so backpackers can falsely claim they worked on farms.
”Second year visas for sale,” one ad read. ”Will email completed 1263 form and add your details to my books so you can gain second year visa with ease.”
Another ad offering similar services, posted on the Gumtree website on Saturday, had received more than 2000 hits by last night. Unlike visa scams targeting international students, mainly Indians, this fraud is used mainly by European visitors.
One backpacker told the Herald he had been offered the false documentation as soon as be arrived in Australia, by people staying at the same hostel.
”People told me about buying the documents – getting the numbers to put in,” he said. ”When I arrived here people said you can go there [to a farm] or you can buy. Everyone knows about it. It’s easy. All the people who are here know about that.”
The federal Opposition spokeswoman on immigration, Sharman Stone, said the widespread fraud reflected under-resourcing of the department.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 100 million pop albums, 1988, 2 million fans, 25 Live arena tour, 80s, albums, American number one singles, artist, Australia, Australian, Australian trip, awards, Careless Whisper, concerts, confirmed, consummate performer, country, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Down Under, Faith, Faith tour, fans, February, February 20, February 26., Freedom, funky, George Michael, including, Member's Equity Stadium, Michael, million, One More Try, Paul Dainty, perform, performer, perth, pop, Promoter, rife, Rumours, singles, solo, solo pop vocalist, star, stunning show, Sydney, Sydney Football Stadium, thrilling, Too Funky star, Too Funky., trip, tunes, WA, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Wham!, won on November 26, 2009| 1 Comment »
George Michael will perform two Australian concerts in February, and the first will be in Perth. 
Rumours had been rife that the Too Funky star was headed down under, and today his Australian trip has been confirmed.
Heading to Australia for the first time since 1988, the Wham! star and solo pop vocalist will perform at Member’s Equity Stadium on February 20. He will then perform in Sydney at Sydney Football Stadium on February 26.
He will perform tracks from the early days, Wham! and his latest material.
Promoter Paul Dainty said it was thrilling to bring Michael back to the country following his Faith tour in the 80s.
“He is a consummate performer and will deliver a stunning show to his fans who have waited 22 years to see him perform in Australia,” Dainty said.
Michael has performed for more than 2 million fans on this 25 Live arena tour so far. More than 350,000 people flocked to his London performances alone.
Michael has sold more than 100 million pop albums, had six American number one singles and won plenty of awards for tunes including Faith, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Careless Whisper, One More Try, Freedom, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me and Too Funky.
Tickets will go on sale through TicketMaster on December 8.
Source : www.watoday.com.au
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Fares, Malaysia Airlines sale, perth, western australia on November 18, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Malaysia Airlines is also offering return flights to Perth in Western Australia, travellers can buy return tickets for as little as £539 per person.
The Malaysia Airlines sale prices are available to travellers who book before November 30th 2009 and travel either between November 9th 2009 and December 10th 2009 or March 1st 2010 and June 15th 2010.
Posted in Immigration News, tagged Annual Report 2008–09, Australia, Australian government, Benefits, budgetary, business, business migrants, Economic, Economic migration, establishment, granting, investment, migration program, permanent residence, regional Australia, skill shortages, skill stream, skilled, skills, strengthens, visas, visas granted on November 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »
This output:
- strengthens the economic and budgetary benefits from granting permanent residence visas to skilled and business migrants
- addresses key and emerging skill shortages, particularly in regional Australia
- expands business establishment and investment.
Performance
In 2008–09, the department issued 114 777 Skill Stream visas, compared to 108 542 in 2007–08.
Regional migration and state-specific initiatives now account for 29.2 per cent of the Skill Stream of the Migration Program. The Australian Government works with state and territory governments to encourage Australian employers and potential overseas applicants to use these programs.
During 2008–09, the department issued 33 474 state specific and regional migration visas, an increase of 27.9 per cent over the previous year. Since the introduction of these programs in 1996, a total of 169 328 visas have been issued.
Regional migration continues to be a priority under the Skill Stream. Through their sponsorship of skilled migrants, state and territory governments have a direct influence on the number and skill sets of migrants who settle in their jurisdictions. The number of visas granted to people sponsored by states and territories was 14 055 in 2008–09.
Read more go to : http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2008-09/html/outcome1/output1-1-1.htm
Under this output, the department manages the entry of skilled and business migrants. State-specific and regional migration programs help employers and state and territory governments fill skill shortages that cannot be filled locally. These programs are targeted to address existing and projected skill shortages and help in the development of local communities.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged adventure seekers, AirAsia, AirAsia’s ten hubs (Kuala Lumpur, airfares., Australia, bali, Bandung, bangkok, biggest, China, diving enthusiasts, Europe, free, free seats, golfers, grabs, holiday, India, Indonesia, Jakarta., Johor., Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, low fares, Penang, Phuket, promotion, routing, shopaholics, Singapore, Surabaya, Taiwan, Thailand, via, Yogyakarta on November 12, 2009| 2 Comments »
Free Seats are back! AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline is today giving away 1 million free seats*, to over 70 hot destinations including China, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and many more across our extensive network of over 130 routes; stretching across 20 countries.
The free seats promotion kicks off from 11 – 15 November 2009 (booking period) for the travel period from 1 May – 30 October 2010. Guests may log on to http://www.airasia.com or mobile.airasia.com to find out more about these exciting great deals.
AirAsia’s Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “To usher 2010, this is the biggest and most exciting promotion of the year. With no fuel surcharge, and no administration fee, it’s a real deal, offering fantastic value to our guests. When the economy is tough, people seek cheaper traveling options which offer them better value for money and there is no better option than flying with AirAsia for Free! This is also our gesture of saying a big thank you to our guests and the public who supported and contributed to AirAsia’s success. Without them, we would not have been conferred the recent “Airline of the Year 2009” award from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), flying over 80 million guests to date.”
“AirAsia always observe the importance of low fares to ensure everyone can fly; and bringing back our highly popular free seats promotion will give our guests the greatest value ever. What’s more? To compliment the free flights, GoHoliday, AirAsia’s one stop travel portal is also offering sizzling deals and fantastic packages, including “Free Rooms” for over 180 Asia Pacific hotels online at http://goholiday.airasia.com. With this incredible offer, guests can plan their holidays ahead to enjoy great bargains, take this opportunity to be creative and map their holiday routing via AirAsia’s ten hubs (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok, Phuket, Bandung, Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali, Penang and Johor) across our network at ultra low fares. For instance, guests from Australia, Europe or the Middle East may explore exotic ASEAN and beyond to some of the world’s most popular island resorts such as Bali, Phuket, Langkawi, and vice versa. With these great deals, AirAsia’s guests with huge appetite for travel will be spoilt for choice as we not only cater to the leisure market but also the adventure seekers, diving enthusiasts, historical and heritage explorers, shopaholics, and keen golfers all within our vast route network.” concluded Kathleen.
Guests can fly from Kuala Lumpur to domestic destinations such as Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and many more from as low as RM6 (All In Fare)*. Popular international destinations such as Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, Bangkok, Phuket and even Tianjin are offered from as low as RM25 (All In Fare)*.
The best part is that, AirAsia’s long haul affiliate, AirAsia X recently launched routes such as Abu Dhabi, and Chengdu are also offered within the same period with special fares from as low as RM 99.00* (All In Fare)* only. AirAsia X highly in demand “Kangaroo Routes” to Australia such as Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth are offered from as low as RM149.00 (All In Fare)* and the popular London route is also on offer from as low as RM499 (All In Fare)*.
Promotional seats are limited and available on first-come, first-served basis and made exclusively online via http://www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.
Stay tuned! Follow AirAsia on Twitter, Facebook, and AirAsia’s Blog where we will provide real time updates on our latest promotion.
Source : www.tourismtravel.com
Posted in Immigration News, tagged Australia, Australian government, burden, DIAC, expenses, financial, international education provider., international students, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, overseas students, part-time work, refund, school college, Senator Chris Evans, student visa, Students, study, visa, visa application charge, visa application fee, visas on November 10, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said that from 1 January 2010, overseas students who require a new visa to complete their studies at another school or college will be exempt from paying the $540 student visa application charge.
Senator Evans said that although most students will be able to complete their studies on their existing student visa, some may need to enrol in a new course that finishes after their existing student visa expires and will require a new visa.
Twelve education providers have closed in 2009, affecting about 4,700 students. ‘In situations where an education provider can no longer offer a course, the government’s primary concern is the welfare of the student,’ Senator Evans said. ‘We understand that these situations are not the fault of the student and the introduction of a fee exemption will ensure they are not shouldered with an additional financial burden.
In the interim, students will be able to apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a refund of their visa application fee if they’ve been affected by the closure of an education provider in 2009 and have had to apply for a new student visa. Senator Evans said the government is also increasing the minimum financial requirements for overseas students to ensure they can meet their living costs while in Australia.
From 1 January 2010, prospective overseas students will need to demonstrate that they have access to at least $18000 a year to fund their living costs in Australia, instead of the current $12 000.
The new figure better reflects student costs in Australia and is consistent with information published for international students in Australian Education International’s (the international arm of DEEWR) ‘Study in Australia’ guide.
Living costs are one component of the financial requirements for a student visa. Students must also have sufficient funds for tuition fees, travel costs and costs of any dependents.
‘It is important that students understand these financial requirements are only the minimum amount required for a student visa,’ Senator Evans said.
‘International students can supplement their income through part-time work in Australia but the primary purpose of a student visa is to study and students should not rely on part-time work to meet their expenses.
‘Prospective students are encouraged to conduct their own research so they can make an informed decision about what study in Australia will cost.’
DIAC will also make an assessment of whether the funds demonstrated by students will be available to them while they are in Australia.
‘The Australian Government values international students and is determined to make sure they have a rewarding and successful study experience in Australia, without financial hardship,’ Senator Evans said.
The latest measures will be implemented through regulation change later this month subject to approval by Parliament and the Governor-General.
The changes will support the enhanced integrity measures for the student visa program announced in August this year. Those measures included:
The measures target parts of the student visa caseload in India, Mauritius, Nepal, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Since these enhanced integrity measures were introduced, there has been an increase in the number of applications being withdrawn, from five per cent in July to 17 per cent in September.
The new figure better reflects student costs in Australia and is consistent with information published for international students in Australian Education International’s (the international arm of DEEWR) ‘Study in Australia’ guide.
Living costs are one component of the financial requirements for a student visa. Students must also have sufficient funds for tuition fees, travel costs and costs of any dependents.
‘It is important that students understand these financial requirements are only the minimum amount required for a student visa,’ Senator Evans said.
‘International students can supplement their income through part-time work in Australia but the primary purpose of a student visa is to study and students should not rely on part-time work to meet their expenses.
‘Prospective students are encouraged to conduct their own research so they can make an informed decision about what study in Australia will cost.’
DIAC will also make an assessment of whether the funds demonstrated by students will be available to them while they are in Australia.
‘The Australian Government values international students and is determined to make sure they have a rewarding and successful study experience in Australia, without financial hardship,’ Senator Evans said.
The latest measures will be implemented through regulation change later this month subject to approval by Parliament and the Governor-General.
The changes will support the enhanced integrity measures for the student visa program announced in August this year. Those measures included:
The measures target parts of the student visa caseload in India, Mauritius, Nepal, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Since these enhanced integrity measures were introduced, there has been an increase in the number of applications being withdrawn, from five per cent in July to 17 per cent in September.
And to date, more than 150 agents have had their eVisa access suspended due to evidence of fraud or inactivity.
More information on the changes will be available on the department’s website in coming days.
See: What’s New for Students and Sponsored Training?
Posted in ALL news, tagged Adelaide, Australian, Australian citizen, children, citizenship, citizenship ceremony, civic, civic responsibilities, civics, classroom activities, commitment to Australia, country, curricula, deliver, designed, DIAC, educational, I am Australian: Exploring Australian Citizenship, in-depth lessons, linked, lower secondary, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, MP Steve Georganas, Plympton Primary School, represents, resource book, resource kit, responsibilities, school, school resource book, Senator Chris Evans, Senator Evans, significance, State, Students, teachers, territory, The Department of Immigration and Citizenship, upper primary on November 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »
A new educational resource kit on citizenship will provide school children across the country with a greater understanding of our civic responsibilities and what it means to be an Australian citizen.
The school resource book – I am Australian: Exploring Australian Citizenship – is designed to assist teachers to deliver more in-depth lessons on Australian citizenship and civics to upper primary and lower secondary school students.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the school resource book will help students better understand the meaning and significance of Australian citizenship.
‘Knowledge of Australian citizenship and civic responsibilities is important for all Australians, no matter how they became citizens,’ Senator Evans said.
‘This will be a valuable learning tool for all students, not only for those who have come here from other countries, but also for those who have lived all their lives in Australia.
‘It will also help students appreciate the contribution made to Australia by people from diverse backgrounds, whose journey to Australia was completed when they became citizens.’
The school resource book contains classroom activities which are linked to the curricula of each state and territory and are specifically designed for upper primary and lower secondary school students. The activities relate to Australia’s democratic beliefs, Australian citizen case studies and what it means to be an Australian citizen.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has been producing citizenship resources for schools since 2001. The updated school resource book coincides with the 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship.
Since the first citizenship ceremony in 1949, more than four million people from more than 200 countries have become Australian citizens.
Senator Evans launched the new school resource book with Hindmarsh MP Steve Georganas at the Plympton Primary School in Adelaide, where the Minister conducted a citizenship ceremony for a student and his father.
Zhenguo (Ken) Yang, 43, and his son Pengyu (Kevin), 11, from the People’s Republic of China, became Australian citizens after migrating to Australia in 2005. Mr Yang, a network engineer, came to Australia with his wife Qihong (Linda) Ling, who is studying nursing, to pursue better educational and career opportunities for the family.
‘I congratulate Mr Yang and his son Kevin on their decision to become Australian citizens,’ Mr Georganas said.
‘Citizenship represents a commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It also symbolises our sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or have decided to make our home.’
Source : http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2009/ce09100.htm
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged $1.1million plan, $500000, $600000, 4300 lifesavers, air, assist, beach., beaches, beachgoers, cameras, Chopper, Chris Peck, coastal, combat, DAILY, data, Emergency, emergency freeway phones, emergency response points, helicopter, images, incidents, life, patrol, rescue, rip, safe, safety plan, saving, secluded beaches, shark, shark patrol, shark patrols, spending., summer, surf, Surf Lifesaving spokesman, Surf Lifesaving WA, surveillance cameras, technologies, third eye, this summer., Westpac, Westpac rescue helicopter on November 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »
DAILY shark patrols will begin next month as part of a $1.1million plan by Surf Lifesaving WA to keep beachgoers safe this summer.
Surf Lifesaving spokesman Chris Peck said $500,000 would be spent keeping the Westpac rescue helicopter in the air for three hours every day from mid-December to the end of February. This year’s safety plan also included spending $600,000 on 30 emergency response points at secluded beaches and 27 beach surveillance cameras. And 4300 lifesavers will patrol beaches.
It is a significant investment in using technologies to combat coastal incidents, Mr Peck said. It is the biggest presence we have ever had. Mr Peck said the State Government had agreed to provide thousands of dollars to help operate daily helicopter patrols. The helicopter will fly for three hours between 6.30am and 2pm.
He said the public wanted more beach patrols in summer, with many people unhappy that aerial shark patrols had operated only on weekends and public holidays. Mr Peck said ideally aerial patrols would operate five hours a day, but there wasn’t enough money to keep the helicopter in the air longer.
I think the pressure probably came from the public to have a service mid-week, he said. The fact that something is up there (the helicopter) looking after them gives people a sense of security. I would have liked another two hours so that we were flying five hours a day. It would have enabled us to spread our patrol coverage a little more broadly.
Mr Peck said the use of emergency response points and surveillance cameras would help save lives. The response points are like emergency freeway phones. Beachgoers can push the button and say to an operator I have seen a shark, someone is caught in a rip so we can get a team to that beach quickly he said. The beach surveillance cameras don’t just take images, they gather data. Whether it’s looking for sharks or missing people in the water, it has the functionality to assist as a third eye.
Source www.news.com.au
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