I was going through updates in this forum, when I read about the flagging of some occupations in the SOL. I visited the Skills Australia website and here is the exact text:
Skills Australia has flagged a number of occupations which were borderline in terms of their inclusion on the 2011 SOL.
These occupations may be removed in future years subject to monitoring of the labour market, education and migration data and evidence from stakeholders in relation to future oversupply issues, migration outcomes and areas of specific need.
Please check the Skills Australia website to view the list!
Cheers mate!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Website for Newly-Arrived Migrants
In response to my questions in my previous post, I received this message from Scott from the Australian Government Department of Human Services. I posted it here verbatim for the information of all...
" Hi there! I'm Scott and I work at the Australian Government Department of Human Services in a team responding to enquiries about our services, on social media sites like this one.
Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support are all services offered by the Department of Human Services. Our website has a lot of information for new arrivals to Australia that will answer most of your questions. You can find it at
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/new-arrivals-to-australia .
If you would like to discuss Centrelink payments and services, you can find contact details at humanservices.gov.au/contact. We will be able to discuss your personal circumstances and the Centrelink payments and services you may be eligible to receive.
You can read about Medicare eligibility here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/register/eligibility.jsp and what is covered by Medicare here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/claims/what-cover.jsp. If you would like to contact someone about services offered by Medicare, you can find the most convenient way for you at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/about/contact.jsp.
It’s also worth noting that we offer Online Services for people who want to manage their own business with the department online. You can read about Online Services and how to register at humanservices.gov.au/onlineservices.
I wish you all the best! "
Cheers Mate!
" Hi there! I'm Scott and I work at the Australian Government Department of Human Services in a team responding to enquiries about our services, on social media sites like this one.
Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support are all services offered by the Department of Human Services. Our website has a lot of information for new arrivals to Australia that will answer most of your questions. You can find it at
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/new-arrivals-to-australia .
If you would like to discuss Centrelink payments and services, you can find contact details at humanservices.gov.au/contact. We will be able to discuss your personal circumstances and the Centrelink payments and services you may be eligible to receive.
You can read about Medicare eligibility here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/register/eligibility.jsp and what is covered by Medicare here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/claims/what-cover.jsp. If you would like to contact someone about services offered by Medicare, you can find the most convenient way for you at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/about/contact.jsp.
It’s also worth noting that we offer Online Services for people who want to manage their own business with the department online. You can read about Online Services and how to register at humanservices.gov.au/onlineservices.
I wish you all the best! "
Cheers Mate!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Pre Departure Questions - part 1
Since Visa grant, We are now preparing for the big move to Melbourne on September this year. I have started researching online, and have a lot of queries and points of clarification.
There questions were already posted in http://www.philippines.com.au/ and garnered relevant answers from "finepix" - also a fellow forumer at http://www.philippines.com.au/. The answers are from finepix's point of view and not really final and executory, so to be really sure, you are free to conduct your own research and share with us your own perspective.
I would like to post these questions and answers for my and other would-be migrants information and reference.
QUESTION # 1. We will visit the centrelink office for registration within 2 days upon arrival in Melbourne. My husband and I are still unemployed, we have 2 children (ages 6 y.o. and 2 y.o.). Are we qualified to claim Family Tax Benefit A & B? If yes, how soon can we claim this? How about Rent Assistance, can we also avail?
ANSWER >>>> Open a bank account first then go to Centrelink. You should receive your FTB A&B benefit within 1-2 weeks. As for rent assistance, yes you can avail if you're a valid tenant (meaning, you have a legal landlord, you paid a security bond, etc.). you can't avail if you're staying with a friend or relative (even if you're paying a weekly rent).
QUESTION #2. When we register to the medicare, does this cover free consultations and medicines and procedures? Or is it like Philhealth where they just pay for a portion and we pay the excess? How about dental consultations, procedures (prophylaxis, extraction), medicines?
ANSWER >>>>> COnsultation is almost always free if you go to clinics who does bulk-billing. Discounts to medicines will be available especially if your family income falls under a limit (e.g. $50k/annum?)
QUESTION #3. Once employed, kagaya rin ba sa Phils where our employers prepare our income tax, or we do it personally? Meron din ba exemptions (like yung married with 2 kids, head of the family)? does all employers give supperanuation?
ANSWER >>>>> you'll file your own tax returns. employer will give you a summary. i highly recommend that you go to a tax agent. fee is reasonable and it's hassle free. sometimes, agents offer instant tax refunds. All employers are legally required to provide a minimum 9% super.
QUESTION #4. in renting a house, do we get the bond back if we move out?
ANSWER >>>>> yes unless you trash the place.
QUESTION #5. how much is average child care fees? my younger son is already 2 years old and will turn 3 on october, should i register him with child care or pwede nang preschool? if preschool, how much is average preschool tuition? from what i read kasi, parang walang public preschool, only private, so may fee.
ANSWER >>>>> average child care fee is $85/day. depending on income, it's refundable up to 50%. most childcare centres have preschool programs.
Cheers mate!
There questions were already posted in http://www.philippines.com.au/ and garnered relevant answers from "finepix" - also a fellow forumer at http://www.philippines.com.au/. The answers are from finepix's point of view and not really final and executory, so to be really sure, you are free to conduct your own research and share with us your own perspective.
I would like to post these questions and answers for my and other would-be migrants information and reference.
QUESTION # 1. We will visit the centrelink office for registration within 2 days upon arrival in Melbourne. My husband and I are still unemployed, we have 2 children (ages 6 y.o. and 2 y.o.). Are we qualified to claim Family Tax Benefit A & B? If yes, how soon can we claim this? How about Rent Assistance, can we also avail?
ANSWER >>>> Open a bank account first then go to Centrelink. You should receive your FTB A&B benefit within 1-2 weeks. As for rent assistance, yes you can avail if you're a valid tenant (meaning, you have a legal landlord, you paid a security bond, etc.). you can't avail if you're staying with a friend or relative (even if you're paying a weekly rent).
QUESTION #2. When we register to the medicare, does this cover free consultations and medicines and procedures? Or is it like Philhealth where they just pay for a portion and we pay the excess? How about dental consultations, procedures (prophylaxis, extraction), medicines?
ANSWER >>>>> COnsultation is almost always free if you go to clinics who does bulk-billing. Discounts to medicines will be available especially if your family income falls under a limit (e.g. $50k/annum?)
QUESTION #3. Once employed, kagaya rin ba sa Phils where our employers prepare our income tax, or we do it personally? Meron din ba exemptions (like yung married with 2 kids, head of the family)? does all employers give supperanuation?
ANSWER >>>>> you'll file your own tax returns. employer will give you a summary. i highly recommend that you go to a tax agent. fee is reasonable and it's hassle free. sometimes, agents offer instant tax refunds. All employers are legally required to provide a minimum 9% super.
QUESTION #4. in renting a house, do we get the bond back if we move out?
ANSWER >>>>> yes unless you trash the place.
QUESTION #5. how much is average child care fees? my younger son is already 2 years old and will turn 3 on october, should i register him with child care or pwede nang preschool? if preschool, how much is average preschool tuition? from what i read kasi, parang walang public preschool, only private, so may fee.
ANSWER >>>>> average child care fee is $85/day. depending on income, it's refundable up to 50%. most childcare centres have preschool programs.
Cheers mate!
Visa Labelling
Once you received the Visa grant, the next steps to accomplish are:
1. Visa Labelling; and
2. the CFO Seminar
For Visa Labelling, here is what I was instructed to do:
1. I called up the VIA center hotline and arranged pick-up of our passports.
Their contact numbers are listed below.
Please be mindful that this call will cost you PhP 32.00/min
so for prepaid mobile phones, you must have at least PhP 1,000.00 loaded
into your account, especially if you are a big family unit.
PLDT / SMART - 1909 3622 779
GLOBE - 1900 3622 779
Bayantel - 1903 3622 779
2. Prepare the following information per applicant / passport:
- full name
- passport number
- visa grant number
- mailing address
- contact number
3. You will be instructed by the callcenter agent to place each passport inside
a brown envelope together with the Visa grant notice.
One passport = One brown envelope.
4. You need to label the front side of the brown envelope with:
AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY
Applicants Name
Transaction Reference #
5. Prepare your envelope(s) on the agreed date of pick-up and hand over
to the AIR 21 messenger. Payment per passport is PhP 320.00
(inlusive of roundtrip pick-up / delivery).
6. Our passports were picked-up Monday afternoon and was delivered
back to me on Wednesday afternoon of the same week,
so approx 2 days only.
So this is just to give you an idea on how to go about
the visa evidencing / labelling.
VIA Centre locations in the Philippines:
VIA Centre - Makati
9/F One Corporate Plaza
845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave
Makati City
VIA Centre - Cebu
Unit 1004-B
10/F Keppel Center
Samar Loop corner Cardinal Rosales Ave.
Cebu Business Park
Cebu City
(032) 412 7447
(032) 232 7233
Cheers mate!
1. Visa Labelling; and
2. the CFO Seminar
For Visa Labelling, here is what I was instructed to do:
1. I called up the VIA center hotline and arranged pick-up of our passports.
Their contact numbers are listed below.
Please be mindful that this call will cost you PhP 32.00/min
so for prepaid mobile phones, you must have at least PhP 1,000.00 loaded
into your account, especially if you are a big family unit.
PLDT / SMART - 1909 3622 779
GLOBE - 1900 3622 779
Bayantel - 1903 3622 779
2. Prepare the following information per applicant / passport:
- full name
- passport number
- visa grant number
- mailing address
- contact number
3. You will be instructed by the callcenter agent to place each passport inside
a brown envelope together with the Visa grant notice.
One passport = One brown envelope.
4. You need to label the front side of the brown envelope with:
AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY
Applicants Name
Transaction Reference #
5. Prepare your envelope(s) on the agreed date of pick-up and hand over
to the AIR 21 messenger. Payment per passport is PhP 320.00
(inlusive of roundtrip pick-up / delivery).
6. Our passports were picked-up Monday afternoon and was delivered
back to me on Wednesday afternoon of the same week,
so approx 2 days only.
So this is just to give you an idea on how to go about
the visa evidencing / labelling.
VIA Centre locations in the Philippines:
VIA Centre - Makati
9/F One Corporate Plaza
845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave
Makati City
VIA Centre - Cebu
Unit 1004-B
10/F Keppel Center
Samar Loop corner Cardinal Rosales Ave.
Cebu Business Park
Cebu City
(032) 412 7447
(032) 232 7233
Cheers mate!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Medical Exams at Nationwide Davao
We had our medical exams done at Nationwide Davao. It is located at the
back of the Davao Doctors Hospital.
Their contact details and address:
Nationwide Health Systems, Inc. - Davao
Room JC-01, Second Floor, Jesusa Complex
Mt. Apo corner Malvar Street, Davao
(0932) 671 0260
(082) 282 2419
Email Add: nationwidedavao@yahoo.com
https://sites.google.com/site/nationwidehealthsystemsinc/home/branches/nhsi%20davao%20tag.jpg?attredirects=0
Fees:
15 years old up = PhP 3,200.00 + PhP 315.00 (XRay film)
14 years old down = PhP 2,100.00
Courier Fee starts at PhP 1,700.00
Procedure:
1. Bring the following documents for each applicant:
- filled-up DIAC Form 26
- filled-up DIAC Form 160
- Photocopy of Passport
- 4 pcs passport picture (image must no be smiling, does not show teeth,
ears must be visible, not too close, not too far)
- Newborn screening result (for child/baby applicant; if any)
- Child's Vaccination summary (for child/baby applicant; if any)
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate (for child/baby applicant; if any)
- If has undergone appendectomy, bring operative record and biopsy report
- Contact Lens, Eyeglasses (if any)
2. Bring PASSPORT of all applicants.
3. Go to Nationwide receptionist and submit all documents. Fill-up Forms.
4. Receptionist will provide you payment details, go to Metrobank to
pay the total fees.
5. Proceed to Davao Doctors hospital for urinalysis, labs and xray.
6. Medicals completed. Go home.
7. Within the week, wait for text/call from Nationwide should there be a need
for re-tests, furthers interviews etc. If no text/call, then medical results are
clear and are forwarded to nationwide Makati for checking before forwarding
to Global Health Office in Sidney, Australia. This will take 1-2 weeks.
8. After 2-3 weeks, you may check progress of application at the
http://www.immi.gov.au/.
Important reminders:
1. Drink plenty of water before the medical exams.
2. Refrain from drinking sweet drinks, alcoholic beverage, coffee, tea etc.
3. Eat healthy to attain desired weight and to prevent high blood pressure.
Good luck and hope this helps!
Cheers mate!
back of the Davao Doctors Hospital.
Their contact details and address:
Nationwide Health Systems, Inc. - Davao
Room JC-01, Second Floor, Jesusa Complex
Mt. Apo corner Malvar Street, Davao
(0932) 671 0260
(082) 282 2419
Email Add: nationwidedavao@yahoo.com
https://sites.google.com/site/nationwidehealthsystemsinc/home/branches/nhsi%20davao%20tag.jpg?attredirects=0
Fees:
15 years old up = PhP 3,200.00 + PhP 315.00 (XRay film)
14 years old down = PhP 2,100.00
Courier Fee starts at PhP 1,700.00
Procedure:
1. Bring the following documents for each applicant:
- filled-up DIAC Form 26
- filled-up DIAC Form 160
- Photocopy of Passport
- 4 pcs passport picture (image must no be smiling, does not show teeth,
ears must be visible, not too close, not too far)
- Newborn screening result (for child/baby applicant; if any)
- Child's Vaccination summary (for child/baby applicant; if any)
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate (for child/baby applicant; if any)
- If has undergone appendectomy, bring operative record and biopsy report
- Contact Lens, Eyeglasses (if any)
2. Bring PASSPORT of all applicants.
3. Go to Nationwide receptionist and submit all documents. Fill-up Forms.
4. Receptionist will provide you payment details, go to Metrobank to
pay the total fees.
5. Proceed to Davao Doctors hospital for urinalysis, labs and xray.
6. Medicals completed. Go home.
7. Within the week, wait for text/call from Nationwide should there be a need
for re-tests, furthers interviews etc. If no text/call, then medical results are
clear and are forwarded to nationwide Makati for checking before forwarding
to Global Health Office in Sidney, Australia. This will take 1-2 weeks.
8. After 2-3 weeks, you may check progress of application at the
http://www.immi.gov.au/.
Important reminders:
1. Drink plenty of water before the medical exams.
2. Refrain from drinking sweet drinks, alcoholic beverage, coffee, tea etc.
3. Eat healthy to attain desired weight and to prevent high blood pressure.
Good luck and hope this helps!
Cheers mate!
Our PR 176 Visa was Granted!!
At long last, we have reached the finished line..
Our PR 176 visa was granted last week (09 February 2012).
Words cannot express the joy, fulfillment and excitement that we felt while reading the grant notification from the Case Officer. We offer this victory to the Lord Almighty who have been with us through this journey.
Here is our updated timeline:
September 3, 2011 - IELTS Retake
September 16, 2011 - IELTS Result (R-6, W-6.5, L-6.5, S-7)
October 6, 2011 - Victoria Sponsorship Application (2nd try)
November 23, 2011 - Received Approved Victoria Sponsorship Application
December 6, 2011 - Lodged 176 Visa Application
December 28, 2011 - Frontloaded NBI Clearances
January 4, 2012 - CO Allocation;
- Request for Medical Results and wife's
english capability proof
January 4, 2012 - Uploaded wife's University Certification stating English as
medium of instruction, transcript of records and diploma;
duly received and acknowledged by CO on the same day,
and status was changed to MET
January 16, 2012 - Medical Examination in Nationwide Davao
February 9, 2012 - VISA grant
I hope this timeline would give you a picture of what to expect and possible
timeline for PR 176 applicants. Although each applicant's timeline would always
be on a case-to-case basis...
Cheers mate!
Our PR 176 visa was granted last week (09 February 2012).
Words cannot express the joy, fulfillment and excitement that we felt while reading the grant notification from the Case Officer. We offer this victory to the Lord Almighty who have been with us through this journey.
Here is our updated timeline:
September 3, 2011 - IELTS Retake
September 16, 2011 - IELTS Result (R-6, W-6.5, L-6.5, S-7)
October 6, 2011 - Victoria Sponsorship Application (2nd try)
November 23, 2011 - Received Approved Victoria Sponsorship Application
December 6, 2011 - Lodged 176 Visa Application
December 28, 2011 - Frontloaded NBI Clearances
January 4, 2012 - CO Allocation;
- Request for Medical Results and wife's
english capability proof
January 4, 2012 - Uploaded wife's University Certification stating English as
medium of instruction, transcript of records and diploma;
duly received and acknowledged by CO on the same day,
and status was changed to MET
January 16, 2012 - Medical Examination in Nationwide Davao
February 9, 2012 - VISA grant
I hope this timeline would give you a picture of what to expect and possible
timeline for PR 176 applicants. Although each applicant's timeline would always
be on a case-to-case basis...
Cheers mate!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thank God, We have finally Lodged our Application!
I am very sorry for the long hiatus.
After receiving my husband's sponsorship refusal from Victoria last June 2011, I was truly discouraged and at loss... But Thank You Lord, we were finally able to lodge our 176 Visa application last December 6, 2011.
Here is our updated timeline:
September 3, 2011 - IELTS Retake
September 16, 2011 - IELTS Result (R-6, W-6.5, L-6.5, S-7)
October 6, 2011 - Victoria Sponsorship Application (2nd try)
November 23, 2011 - Received Approved Victoria Sponsorship Application
December 6, 2011 - Lodged 176 Visa Application
Still waiting for updates from DIAC, hopefully will be CO allocated by January 2012.
Merry Christmas to all :)
Cheers mate!
After receiving my husband's sponsorship refusal from Victoria last June 2011, I was truly discouraged and at loss... But Thank You Lord, we were finally able to lodge our 176 Visa application last December 6, 2011.
Here is our updated timeline:
September 3, 2011 - IELTS Retake
September 16, 2011 - IELTS Result (R-6, W-6.5, L-6.5, S-7)
October 6, 2011 - Victoria Sponsorship Application (2nd try)
November 23, 2011 - Received Approved Victoria Sponsorship Application
December 6, 2011 - Lodged 176 Visa Application
Still waiting for updates from DIAC, hopefully will be CO allocated by January 2012.
Merry Christmas to all :)
Cheers mate!
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