Bob Tonnor

Hi all

I just had a quick look through some of the PDF's contained under this link http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-aus...ts/english.htm maybe worth a look.

Bob

DeadVim

Highlights ...

"Most Australians blow their noses into handkerchiefs or tissues, not onto the pavement. This is also true for spitting."

"Clubs, movie theatres and other places may require patrons to be in neat, clean clothing and appropriate footwear."

"You may find some clothing styles confronting or offensive. For example, some women wear clothes that reveal a lot of their body. You should not judge them by the standards of your previous country. In Australia, no matter what a woman’s style of dress might be, you must not interpret it to mean they have low morals or that they wish to attract men’s interest."

asprilla

I will admit, this is one of the more favourable australian customs.

Burbage

Depends on the woman.

DeadVim

As is the aftermath of Melbourne Cup Day ... never has so much make-up been so smeared ... some of the women too ...

Burbage

And if it rains the Yarra runs brown with fake tan.

moneypenny20

I have to query this bit: Communicating in English is very important and the key to your successful settlement. If you cannot speak English we strongly encourage you to learn as soon as practical after you arrive.

English language courses for new arrivals in Australia are provided under the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). As a new resident, you may be entitled to receive free English language tuition of up to 510 hours. The AMEP offers a number of options so you can still learn English if you have work, family or other commitments.

How the hell did people get their visas if they can't speak English? What happened to the IELTS? That really pisses me off more than I can explain.

NickyC

From the tone and content of the advice, it sounds like it's more geared for refugee/humanitarian visa holders than your average highly-skilled 175/176 migrant.

Don't think refugees from Somalia/Ethiopia and the like have the same language requirements for their visas.

caliburn

The boat people are not required to take IELTS... Neither are family migrants, I guess. There could also be a chinese version of IELTS (perhaps ICLTS?) out there, otherwise how on earth they will ever.....

scrudu

There is a choice for spouses of 175 visa holders that if their level of English is not enough and they don't pass the IELTS exam, they can pay a pretty hefty fee and do IELTS training upon arrival. Nothing free about it.
It makes sense as the visa is intended to get skilled migrants into the country to start filling gaps in employment. If their spouse doesn't have English currently, should that really prevent them coming? It makes sense that there's an option for people to do their English training upon arrival.

moneypenny20

Yeah, alright, alright so I have no idea what I'm talking about it. Don't need to labour the point

DownUnderPaddy

You do have to understand that for Chinese, this fact is very, very surprising as blowing noses onto the pavement or spitting is quite acceptable where they come from.
Spitting in China is as common as breathing !

These booklets are written to address the huge cultural divides that exist for some nationalities that move to Australia.

DeadVim

Ah, thanks for the clarification, it was just me being a narrow-minded pom and poking some fun at Johnny Foreigner's expense, I don't get out much. <end heavy irony>

If the next door neighbours decide to BBQ me dog then I'll point them to the appropriate paragraph

MartinLuther

The spouse/children of the main visa holder may not speak good English.

DownUnderPaddy