hi drednag! i am planning to take the bp either in victoria or perth, wa. curtin and murdoch's conversion courses will run for a year. it's different from the 3-month iron courses since it will 'convert' your local bsn degree to an australian degree. so, it as double the tuition fee of the 3-month iron! i applied at murdoch already so in case nbv will be late in giving be the eligibility and i won't make it to the june and august intake in latrobe and ballarat, i will just go for the 1-year in perth :)
hi, wahine888, thanks for replying. i take it that you received your letter of eligibility from nmbwa already? good for you:yeah: i am waiting for my nbv assessment result also. i filed my application last december 2009, still no word until now.
however, just like you, i also applied at nmbwa and they told me that they have mailed my letter of eligibility already. i guess that's positive, huh? :up:
i guess i will just have to wait and see where all these will lead me...
hey, who's taking their bridging at Western Australia? :sofahider is it true that all bridging course providers there have one year duration?
me.. got my letter of offer from curtin uni.. i was not able to make it for feb(sem1) intake which is only 6mos. duration.. they offered sem2 which is 1year in duration.. dunno why...
however, just like you, i also applied at nmbwa and they told me that they have mailed my letter of eligibility already. i guess that's positive, huh? :up:
nmbwa also told me that my letter of eligibility will be sent to me within this week (since last last last week).. hmmmmmmmm.... im afraid to get them annoyed that's why i email them atleast once a week for an update.. i hope to get it in few days coz im badly waiting to see it before i accept my offer in curtin.. dont want to waste money..needs assurance first..
Hi can u guys enlighten me regarding NMBWA. I applied with NBV so I have no idea with NMBWA. Upon acceptance do you take the same IRON program wherein you have to study for about 12-13 weeks? So meaning if they say that you will have your eligibility does that mean it's already the approval letter so you can undergo the BP? I'm asking because I want to know if they process applications faster than NBV and if you guys are going to take the same IRON course after assessment.
I asked earlier someone from the migration agency about EEN and according to them, you can work as EN and basically you are a nurse also but under the supervision of an RN and your salary is just almost the same as with an RN just a few dollars less. And with regard to PR, you can get PR also if your employer sponsors you unlike with RN you can apply for PR without the need of a sponsor. But most probably your employer will sponsor you anyway...
Hi can u guys enlighten me regarding NMBWA. I applied with NBV so I have no idea with NMBWA. Upon acceptance do you take the same IRON program wherein you have to study for about 12-13 weeks? So meaning if they say that you will have your eligibility does that mean it's already the approval letter so you can undergo the BP? I'm asking because I want to know if they process applications faster than NBV and if you guys are going to take the same IRON course after assessment.
Thanks.
hi.. NMBWA is western australia's nurses and midwives board.. they will give u a list of education provider wherein you can take BP/conversion courses.. im not sure if it is same with IRON. google NMBWA to clear things up... HTH :)
The ESOS Act (requires providers of courses to international students) to register their institution and the courses they offer with the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) through the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
This register is called the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
VRQA approve registration before a code is allocated and the details recorded on the CRICOS register. Providers and their agents (must not promote) a course to (overseas students unless it is registered on CRICOS.)
The Migration Regulations require international students to show evidence of funds to contribute to the cost of living and studying in Australia. This helps to ensure students are better able to make the most of their studies and have a safe and enjoyable experience in Australia.
While international students are able to supplement their income with money earned through part-time work in Australia, the 'living costs' requirement helps to support the success of students in their studies by ensuring that they do not to rely on such work to meet all their expenses.
From 1 January 2010, the basic rate of living costs under the Migration Regulations increased from the previous rate of $12 000 per year. Under these regulations prospective Student visa applicants and their family members must have access to the following funds to meet the living costs requirements:
*$18 000 per year for the main student
*$6300 per year for the student's partner
*$3600 per year for the student's first child
*$2700 per year for every other child; and where required
*demonstrate that the funds they are relying upon to meet the costs of studying in Australia will be genuinely available to them during their stay in Australia.
Why has the Government increased the living costs requirement?
The living cost requirement of $12 000 per year was first introduced in 2001. While this amount was an immigration integrity measure and was not intended to be indicative of the real cost of living in Australia, concerns have been expressed that this figure did not adequately prepare students for the realities of moving to Australia to study. By increasing the living costs requirement students will be better prepared to live and study in Australia.
The support that is currently available in Australia to domestic students and estimates made by Australian Education International (AEI), suggest $18 000 per year more accurately reflects the real costs of living in Australia. However, international students are encouraged to undertake their own research into the cost of living in Australia, taking into consideration their own circumstances before making a decision on whether to study in Australia. Prospective students should refer to the AEI 'Study in Australia' website for more information on the cost of living in Australia.
What must students do to show that the funds are genuinely available?
From 1 January 2010, officers of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) assessing Student visa applications have the discretion to consider a Student visa applicant's circumstances to determine if the student genuinely holds the funds to which they claim to have access. This includes checking:
*a prospective student's previous financial and immigration history
*the employment history of the student or the person providing the student with financial support
*the source of the income used (for example, cash assets or a bank loan).
Where there is doubt about the student's ability to access their claimed funds in Australia, the prospective student may be requested to provide further information in support of their application. For example, students relying upon a bank loan may need to show that these funds have been deposited into a bank account to which they have unrestricted access, and that they have the financial capacity to service the loan both before they depart for Australia and once they arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Do people applying for a Student visa before 1 January 2010 need to meet the new living costs amounts?
No. Only people making an application for a Student visa on or after 1 January 2010 need to meet the new living costs requirements. However, as part of their application all international students are required to declare that they have sufficient funds for their entire stay in Australia and they should be mindful that the living costs requirements may more closely reflect the minimum costs of living in Australia.
What options are available for students who have a savings history based on a living costs requirement of $12 000 rather than $18 000?
The money a student must have access to as part of their visa application can come from a number of acceptable sources of income. Students do not need to solely rely on funds held in bank accounts or money deposits with financial institutions. Where a student or their financial sponsor is unable to demonstrate the required savings history they may be able to top-up their available funds via another source such as an education loan from an acceptable financial institution.
Note: Non-cash assets such as property and shares are not acceptable sources of income. However, non-cash assets may be liquidated or used as collateral on a loan, if they are provided by an acceptable source. In these circumstances, prospective students may also be required to demonstrate that they will genuinely hold the funds to which they claim to have access.
Will the living costs increase again in the future?
The costs will be subject to review and over time may be indexed to match increases in the cost of living in Australia.
Do Student visa holders making a new Student visa application have to meet the new living costs amount?
Yes. All students must declare on their visa application that they can meet the financial requirements for the remainder of their stay in Australia. However, a savings history is not required where a student is subject to assessment level three or four, has completed 75 per cent of their course and is applying for a further Student visa to complete the remainder of the course.
Are the school costs for dependants of international students increasing?
Not for the purposes of obtaining Student visas for dependents. The student will continue to need an additional $8000 per year to meet Student visa requirements in relation to school costs for each dependant child.
Note: The school costs for Student visa purposes are a fixed amount specified in migration legislation and may not be indicative of the real costs of school tuition in Australia. School costs may vary between each Australian state/territory and students should check with the relevant state or territory government where their dependants intend to study to determine the real costs of children attending school in their local area.
Will students be able to continue to work part-time in Australia to supplement the cost of living in Australia?
Yes. Work rights for Student visa holders have not changed. Students can work up to 20 hours a week while their course is in session (excluding any work undertaken as a registered component of their course of study or training) and can work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Students are not allowed to work until commencing their course.
On 20 August 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced the strengthening of checks on student visa applications to prevent fraud and ensure students have the financial capacity to live and study in Australia.
Australia’s student visa program supports the entry of genuine international students, for whom the department provides a convenient, efficient service. The targeted measures will address concerns around some elements within the student case load relating to document fraud, financial capacity and student bona fides.
What are these measures?
The measures implemented with immediate effect include:
upgrading the interview program to confirm the genuineness of the applicant and to check financial capacity
removing or restricting eVisa access for some agents where there is evidence of fraud or inactivity
restricting access to eVisa for some segments of the case load if analysis demonstrates restricted access would allow for better control.
When will this happen?
The measures come into immediate effect.
Why is Australia strengthening its checking for certain student applicants?
The purpose of undertaking these measures is to ensure genuine students receive high quality education and enjoy their experience in Australia. These measures build on work already conducted across the Student visa program to combat fraud.
This approach is consistent with other countries that receive large numbers of student visa applications.
If I apply for a Student visa, will I be subject to these checks?
All Student visa applicants are subject to standard immigration checks which include health, character and security checks. In addition, all applicants for a Student visa must show that they have a genuine intention to enter Australia for the purpose of study. The evidence required to meet this requirement varies according to the level of immigration risk of the visa applicant, which is determined based on objective data. All Student visa applicants must meet certain financial, English language proficiency and other requirements (including educational attainment).
The department routinely seeks further information to verify the evidence provided with visa applications. The precise checks to be undertaken will be determined on a case by case basis. This will include face to face, or phone interviews for some applicants.
Will these checks lead to processing delays?
Prospective students are encouraged to apply well before their intended course commences in Australia and to ensure their application is complete. Incomplete applications without all relevant documents can cause delays in processing an application. For students applying through eVisa from outside Australia, they can lodge their application up to three months before their course commences. For students lodging paper visa applications, they can lodge up to four months before their course commences.
Where additional checks are required, the application may take longer. However, every effort will be made to process complete applications within published service standards.
Sorry for the multiple posting, was just browsing for infos and I just thought some of you might be interested with what I found. There are other Visa options that allows you to study but perhaps for a shorter period of less than 3 months. I'm really not very familiar as I opt to take the Non-award Students Visa option.
:up:
drednag
223 Posts
hi, wahine888, thanks for replying. i take it that you received your letter of eligibility from nmbwa already? good for you:yeah: i am waiting for my nbv assessment result also. i filed my application last december 2009, still no word until now.
however, just like you, i also applied at nmbwa and they told me that they have mailed my letter of eligibility already. i guess that's positive, huh?
:up:
i guess i will just have to wait and see where all these will lead me...