Hi, for the 885 visa everything definately had to be front loaded, absolutely no alternative, and had to have letter of completion from uni before it could be lodged.
Would be good if DIAC realised this.
Not sure if the same applies for the 886.
Wonder how much money is involved that has been paid by International students for their PR visas, and who are now kept waiting and waiting with no apparent movement in the issue of these visas?

It is the same with the 886, the only difference is that it is a sponsored visa so you only need the 100 points rather than the 120. It seems crazy that DIAC don't know their own rules

Sorry to hear of the problems Indian International students are having.
It is interesting that it was mentioned that the huge amount of revenue that International students bring to Oz, could be affected if there is a down turn of students.
Wonder how or if all affected by the lack of visas being issued could capitalise on the potential extra possible loss of revenue, if word really gets out how badly all potential PR applicants are being treated after completing their studies here. Could impact on lecturers loosing jobs, and funding to colleges cut.
Just a thought. Definately think that all relevant colleges/tafes/unis should be made aware of the problem.

I looked up the Annual Report and it says that between 2007-2008 as of 30th June 317,897 visa's were issued, this is broken down into different subclasses of student visas. Out of this whopping amount 68,382 visas were for 'Vocational Education and Training', which is what a lot of us have done.

So, if you look at the Migration Program Statistics you can see that there are only the following numbers of Visas being issued in 2008/2009...

That totals only 69,100 visas for onshore AND offshore applicants.

I don't know how all these International Colleges can keep taking so many Students now when honestly, there are nowhere near enough GSM visa's to be issued out.

Am I looking at the figures wrong or am I right, it's crazy!

Hi all,
Sorry to hijack, I am doing cert3 hairdressing at Gordon tafe Geelong, and i keep hearing different things about the 900hrs, does it have to be paid or unpaid? Some of the girls on my course are doing placements for a nominal $5 a day! Which i wont mind doing as long as can count toward my 900hrs required for tra, I only started in Feb, but would obviously like to start clocking up hrs as soon as. Any info gratefully recieved!!
And to all those doing the student route, good on ya! It aint easy but it will be so worth it in the end!!
Michele

I started cert III at Wide Bay Tafe in March. We have a salon at the TAFE. I also have to do a day at a salon in town for vocational placement. Those hours are part of the course so cannot count towards 900 hrs. Vocational placement hours are 240 for 1st year and 140 for 2nd year. Your 900 hrs is on top of that. Anything we do in the college salon (practical not theory)is counted towards the 900hrs. We fill in time sheets and account for every task we do in the salon so TRA will know what we have spent 900 hrs doing. When you have finished the 240 hrs in your placement you can continue working there to put hours on your 900. Obviously this is all unpaid as they know we need the hours.

I'm sorry if that doesn't make much sense!!

Tracy

As it stands at the moment. . .the 900 hours needed for TRA can be unpaid.

They do want to change this however and it nearly came into effect at the end of last year. When it nearly came in last year, it would have ment that students about to finish their courses, who had already clocked up 900 hours unpaid, would have not passed the TRA. I haven't heard anymore about this but it may be where the confusion is coming from.

So just be warned. . .this COULD come into effect at anytime. . .

Good luck!!
Cheers
Mandy

Re. problems Indian students have been having, bit embarrassing for me as an Australian, and even worse the absolute lack of response from the education industry....walls of silence...

Education sector, both state and private needs a shakeout of present international admin and marketing personnel.....

Industry still seems to view international candidates as a lucrative nuisance to be tolerated.

Most Australians seems more concerned about their mythical self stereotype i.e. friendly, welcoming, generous, tolerant, egalitarian etc. but obviously often not true...

Thankyou for your replys, Mandy and Tasmas!!
I really appreciate it, will keep in mind that it can change at anytime,and get all hrs in tafe salon are recorded, think i will try to land a paid placement as soon as to clock hrs up, good luck to all us crazy people doing the student route!!
Michele

Yeah.. it is all a huge risk but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!!

Good luck Michele, and to everyone else!!

Cheers
Mandy