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Change in Visa rules
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International students who have been affected by the closure of their university or other education provider require a new student visa to complete their studies at another school. But since this week they will be exempt from the $540 student visa application fee. In 2009, twelve education providers had been closed, affecting 4,700 students.
Student welfare
Regarding this, Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, stated "In situations where an education provider can no longer offer a course, the government's primary concern is the welfare of the student".
Living cost increased
From 2010, students will be required to demonstrate that they have access to at least $18,000 a year to fund their studies. Currently international students are only required to have access to $12,000 a year. The increase has been made to better reflect the costs involved in living and studying in Australia. Students must have sufficient funds for study cost lving cost and travel for obtaining a student visa.
Find out more about living cost here.
Read all about your visa here
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ACTION PLANS BY AAERI TO COUNTER THE CHALLLENGES FACED BY THE INDIA STUDENTS
In light of the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia, Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI), the self-regulatory body of education agents and an initiative of Australian Education International (AEI), is working closely with Indian and Australian government to weed out any issues that concern the security of Indian students in Australia.
AAERI has been working towards reinforcing Australia’s standing as a high quality education destination for all genuine students and is strongly lobbying with the government bodies in India & Australia to ensure that Australia remains a high quality education destination.
Thus, to accelerate its agenda of ensuring the safety of Indian students studying in Australia, AAERI has developed an ‘8 point Action Plan’ to address challenges faced by Indian students in Australia
1. Working in conjunction with DIAC and AEI to ensure student safety:
DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship), AEI (Australia Education International) and AHC (Australian High Commissioner) are working closely with AAERI members on modules which will serve as guiding principles for Indian students planning to study in Australia. These modules are drafted keeping in mind the social and economic set up of Australia and focus on the essential ‘do’s and don’ts’ that Indian students studying in Australia should keep in mind. Students are then taken through these exhaustive modules via pre-departure briefings held by AAERI members across India.
2. Liaise with Australian and Indian government to weed out unscrupulous agents and ensure authenticity of students:
AAERI will continue feeding intelligence on fraudulent practices to the Australian Government bodies. In the past, AAERI has alerted the Australian High Commission several times on malicious practices of unscrupulous agents, resulting in several onshore (and some off shore) agents losing their eVisa access. This practice will continue with renewed momentum. Simultaneously, AAERI executive committee will continue working closely with the Indian Government and provide them with industry intelligence to ensure only genuine students go to Australia, through the right channels and to quality institutes.
3. Constant interaction with Australian Government to voice concerns of the Indian student community and protect their interests:
Following the recent visit by AAERI delegation to Australia, deliberations have been held with Indian High Commissioner and the Consul Generals in Australia to safeguard the interests of Indian student community.
AAERI had been strongly advocating for students opting for Vocational courses to be interviewed in person or on the phone and also the eVisa lodgment should have more stringent checks and balances. AAERI had shared this concern with the Indian commissioner Ms. Sujata Singh in Canberra on the 23rd July 2009. To action this, Australian High Commission has upgraded the interview process for the applicants and restricted online eVisa access facility for erring agents.
4. Facilitate interface of students with Indian communities in Australia for better exchange of ground realities:
AAERI is working closely with Indian community in Australia to understand the on ground situation and their concerns. AAERI will attempt to become the connecting link between the existing Indian community in Australia and the students going to study in Australia on an ongoing basis so as to instill an ‘at home’ feeling amongst students and help them adapt better to the change in environment.
1. Working in conjunction with DIAC and AEI to ensure student safety:
DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship), AEI (Australia Education International) and AHC (Australian High Commissioner) are working closely with AAERI members on modules which will serve as guiding principles for Indian students planning to study in Australia. These modules are drafted keeping in mind the social and economic set up of Australia and focus on the essential ‘do’s and don’ts’ that Indian students studying in Australia should keep in mind. Students are then taken through these exhaustive modules via pre-departure briefings held by AAERI members across India.
2. Liaise with Australian and Indian government to weed out unscrupulous agents and ensure authenticity of students:
AAERI will continue feeding intelligence on fraudulent practices to the Australian Government bodies. In the past, AAERI has alerted the Australian High Commission several times on malicious practices of unscrupulous agents, resulting in several onshore (and some off shore) agents losing their eVisa access. This practice will continue with renewed momentum. Simultaneously, AAERI executive committee will continue working closely with the Indian Government and provide them with industry intelligence to ensure only genuine students go to Australia, through the right channels and to quality institutes.
3. Constant interaction with Australian Government to voice concerns of the Indian student community and protect their interests:
Following the recent visit by AAERI delegation to Australia, deliberations have been held with Indian High Commissioner and the Consul Generals in Australia to safeguard the interests of Indian student community.
AAERI had been strongly advocating for students opting for Vocational courses to be interviewed in person or on the phone and also the eVisa lodgment should have more stringent checks and balances. AAERI had shared this concern with the Indian commissioner Ms. Sujata Singh in Canberra on the 23rd July 2009. To action this, Australian High Commission has upgraded the interview process for the applicants and restricted online eVisa access facility for erring agents.
4. Facilitate interface of students with Indian communities in Australia for better exchange of ground realities:
AAERI is working closely with Indian community in Australia to understand the on ground situation and their concerns. AAERI will attempt to become the connecting link between the existing Indian community in Australia and the students going to study in Australia on an ongoing basis so as to instill an ‘at home’ feeling amongst students and help them adapt better to the change in environment.
The Indian Society in Australia has taken certain initiatives in this regard. Indian students are regularly invited to participate in Indian cultural festivals in Australia and mingle with the existing Indian community there. This will make the students feel at the home in Australia. The Indian community is also deeply involved in conducting polling for the Indian students in Australia and wants to understand and solve the problems faced by them. This will encourage the students not to take the law in their hands which is a concern for the Australian Government.
The Indian community leaders in Sydney and Melbourne are proactively writing regular articles to the potential students in the AAERI’s newsletter. This will keep the potential students informed on the current scenario and trends. AAERI news letters are widely read by the students and other non AAERI members, institutions in India and Australia and both Indian and Australian Governments officers.
5. Activating student redressal cell:
The disciplinary committee of AAERI will be strengthened and will work closely with authorities in India and Australia to act on substantiated complaints from students immediately. Students will be encouraged to lodge complaints against any erring AAERI agent members to the committee.
6. Training AAERI members by conducting visa training workshops:
AAERI will conduct visa training workshops for AAERI members across India. These workshops will be held in conjunction with DIAC to enable agents to help students during the entire visa processing stage. Another major focus of the workshop will enabling agents to identify and route “positive profile” students to the visa level, while simultaneously weeding out fake student applications.
7. Implementing stricter norms for AAERI members:
AAERI will be undertake regular exhaustive audits of its current ‘Code of Ethics’ followed by all 160 members and keep improving ‘Entry Norms’ to ensure all students availing services of AAERI members are assured of quality professional advise at every step.
8. Become neutral partners to both students and education providers in Australia in case of conflict of interest:
AAERI members will be encouraged to assume greater responsibility in case of conflict of interest between the student and the education provider and act in the best interest of both the student and education provider.
6. Training AAERI members by conducting visa training workshops:
AAERI will conduct visa training workshops for AAERI members across India. These workshops will be held in conjunction with DIAC to enable agents to help students during the entire visa processing stage. Another major focus of the workshop will enabling agents to identify and route “positive profile” students to the visa level, while simultaneously weeding out fake student applications.
7. Implementing stricter norms for AAERI members:
AAERI will be undertake regular exhaustive audits of its current ‘Code of Ethics’ followed by all 160 members and keep improving ‘Entry Norms’ to ensure all students availing services of AAERI members are assured of quality professional advise at every step.
8. Become neutral partners to both students and education providers in Australia in case of conflict of interest:
AAERI members will be encouraged to assume greater responsibility in case of conflict of interest between the student and the education provider and act in the best interest of both the student and education provider.
About AAERI: http://www.aaeri.org/
- AAERI
The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) is an independent organization registered under the Societies Registration Act of India, which was formed in October 1996 to assure the integrity and credibility of agents who are recruiting students on behalf of Australian education and training institutions.
All prospective students interested in utilizing the services of an education agent are encouraged to utilize the services of an AAERI member because AAERI members abide by a code of ethical practices, which is displayed in their office. The code states clearly the services that are offered to the students. AAERI members have agreed to serve prospective students honestly and fairly, provide them with accurate and unbiased information and to refer students to other agents if appropriate. Also, AAERI members agree to charge only the fee prescribed by AAERI, which is currently no more than Rs 10,000/-
Fri, 13/11/2009 - 23:16
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