In Australia, migration agents must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

As an official immigration agency (see the badge on our synch1 homepage), Synch1 is bound by a Code of Conduct and are required to have an in-depth knowledge of Australian migration law and procedure and meet high professional and ethical standards.

The departmental spokesoman said: “…migration agents must be registered to ensure they have the requisite qualifications and undertake professional development to maintain their knowledge of migration law and procedure”.

As an immigration candidate, we urge you not to take shortcuts that might put your chances at risks. The visa process is to delicate to be treated poorly, so start your visa journey on the right foot, only with official and registered agency.

As many of us may be aware the latest changes in the Australian immigration policy center around the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program of Australian immigration. This program holds the key to providing employment opportunities to several skilled employees all over the world in certain occupations that are of great demand in the country. The most important change that has been effected in February 2010 is the withdrawal of the MODL (migration occupations in Demand for Australia). The points systems under the MODL is no longer applicable for those who are applying for an Australian visa on after 8^th February 2010.

It is important to note that the MODL is different from the SOL (Skilled Occupations List). The SOL lists out the skilled occupations that may be in demand in the country. IF your occupation is listed you may apply for an Australian Visa. However the MODL is the migration on demand list. This lists out the occupations that are currently being sought after in Australia. This list is periodically review by the DIAC and makes amendments according to the changing market demands.

As per the latest modification a new list of migration occupations on demand has been formulated that provides information about the latest occupations that are in demand in Australia. It has been decided that the Skilled Occupations List will be replaced by the middle of 2010. The new SOL will be formulated by an independent body called “Skills Australia”. The new inclusions to the MODL have been made in accordance with the new and growing needs of the Australian employee market. This change however will not be applicable to those who possess a Skilled-Graduate visa or who have a GSM visa application in pending.

The changes effected in the Australian immigration policy aim at being more responsive to the country’s growing market needs. The government plans at focusing on occupations like health care, mining, engineering and some other skilled occupations that may be in demand in the country.

Since the new Skilled Occupations List for those applying for an Australian Visa is aimed to be all-inclusive the Critical Skills List that is currently in vogue is going to be revoked. As we all know the CSL provides a list of occupations that are in great demand in Australia. This list is applicable only to those who want an Australian visa under the Skilled Migration Program and who have not received any kind of sponsorship from an Australian employer.

All the changes effected in the policy of Australian immigration aim at providing better occupational options to those applying for an Australian visa and thereby contributing to the healthy development of the Australian economy.

The General Skills Program, as we all know, is the main key for skilled workers from all around the world to fulfill their dream of Australian immigration. According to the basic guidelines of the GSM Program, candidates who possess specialized training in any of the occupations that feature in the Skilled Occupations List can apply for an Australian Visa. Their applications will be scrutinized and selection will be done on the basis of their age, qualification, work experience, proficiency of English language and skill competency levels. They must score a minimum pass mark in the Points based evaluation system (judged on the basic criteria mentioned earlier) to qualify for an Australian visa. In case the candidate is observed to possess some additional qualification pertaining to occupational skills, family connections in Australia, educational experience in Australia, spouse qualifications then the possibility of he/she scoring some additional points is high. The GSM Program has been highly successful in tapping the skilled labor talent from all over the world that is capable of contributing to the development of the Australian economy. This Program has been instrumental in changing the complexion of Australian immigration and has brought about some significant changes in the country’s economy.

On February 8, 2010 the policy of Australian immigration witnessed an important change when the results of the review of the Migration occupations in Demand List were announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. An important inference made by this review was the need to replace the current MODL by a new and more target-oriented occupations list that is better equipped to cater to the constantly changing labor requirements of the Australian market. The Australian immigration policy has undergone some important alterations following this review.

An important change made in the Skilled Migration Program with regard to Australian immigration was the creation of a Critical Skills List (CSL) that laid emphasis on providing work opportunities to Information Technology Professionals, engineering and medical experts. In March 2009 the number of visas granted under the GSM Program were brought down to 115,000 per year and several occupations were eliminated from the CSL. This change was effected keeping in mind the growing needs of the Australian economy. In May 2009 the visas under the GSM Program came down to 108,000.

Even the application form for an Australian visa under the GSM Program has gone through certain modifications and includes new question pertaining to health and character.

The government of Australia has brought about certain amendments to its Immigration Policy in an attempt to being down the immigration to Australia of poorly-skilled laborers. The changes have been brought about to improve the entire process of selecting the best candidates for Australian immigration that would best suit the market requirements in the country.

This ‘Take 5 Tour’ gives you a look at Cottesloe Beach on a nice June (winter’s) day. Cottesloe is on the coast 15 minutes west of Perth and probably the most popular beach area.

Every year an increasing number of people immigrate to Australia for better prospects. Australia’s economic growth is phenomenal. It needs skilled migrants to fill skill shortages and boost development

There are different visa categories for non-Australian citizens to enter into Australia. These being for: skilled immigration, family, business, visitors, humanitarian (refugee) purposes, retirement visas and student visas.

Australia grants many Skilled–Independent Regional (SIR) Visas (Provisional) to attract and retain, skilled migrants who are willing to live and work in a low population growth metropolitan area for at least 2 years before they can apply for permanent residence. These visas are processed ahead of other applications for general skilled migration.

All State and Territory Governments like New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory with the exception of Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory participate in the SIR visa program. These visa holders can live anywhere in Australia except in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the Australian Capital Territory.

National Visas registered migration agents (MARA – Migration Agents Registration Authority – is the only body that licenses and supervises migration agents and migration lawyers or migration or immigration agents in Australia) can help you during the immigration process. Immigration assessment of your visa category is essential before you seek an Australian visa. Each category has special rules that must be satisfied before a visa can be obtained.

If you are looking to live and work in Australia, this is the time! Employment opportunities have never been better. It is estimated that currently there are more than 100,000 skilled jobs and permanent residences to Australia on offer per year.

With your talents and determination and our comprehensive immigration experience and knowledge, we can together maximize your immigration success.

Our services at Synch1 are very affordable – our primary aim is to help you immigrate to Australia easily without unnecessary loss of money or time. We understand that people sometimes want to do it all by themselves to save some money – more often than not, it does not work out in their favor and they feel let down.

Synch1 advices people to opt for a professional to handle their immigration to Australia – see it as an investment in your secure personal and economic future. IMMIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA

Australia is suddenly the new El Dorado for migrants, skilled professionals as well as experienced business people and investors hoping to explore the new world emerging in Australia.

The world today is a global village and people want to explore new territories and new lifestyles – a different and more exciting way of life. This is one of the major factors driving successful people from all over the globe to Australia along with other factors like space, a quiet life and the ability to fulfill ones fantasies and desires in the land of opportunities that is Australia.

At Synch1 we would rather use the words relocation than migration / emigration / immigration – all words that are part of the old way of thinking about exploring new paths in life and new territories and opportunities.

Acquiring an Australian passport has become a new status symbol among the upwardly mobile, young, skilled migrants and also for others aspiring for a better life.

Australian authorities now adopt a carefully controlled migration system, based on a series of quotas to facilitate easy migration to Australia and yet deter illegal activities.

The new next-generation biometric “ePassport” has an embedded RFID microchip in the center page that stores the passport holder’s digitized photograph, name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and the passport expiry date. Facial recognition technology is being added to the ePassport to improve identity verification efficiency and curb illegal activities.

Earlier every child born got an Australian passport by right of birth. However, now a child born in Australia gets Australian citizenship and passport issued only if at least one of the parents is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

A migrant who has proof of at least four years of residence in Australia is eligible to apply for an Australian passport. Passport applicants will however have to provide the originals of all the relevant documents and may have to appear for an interview in some cases with prior appointment.

Every year there is an increasing number of Australian passport seekers and thousands of passport applications get rejected. It is sad to see so many dreams destroyed that could have been approved if your application was handled the right way.

Getting an Australian passport will not be a daunting and complicated task with the right professional help. You can also save your precious money and time. We at Synch1 can help you make the right moves. As professionals in this field with experience and a proven track record, we can help you achieve your dreams.

With Synch1 handling your application, getting an Australian passport is easy and hassle-free! Of course, we will have to go through the right channels for application to first get the status of resident in Australia before an application for an Australian citizenship can be made. Australian Visa

If you are looking for a bargain work package for a gap year in Australia but don’t want all the trips and activities that are included in our other Aussie packages then Work Down Under may be just…

Video guide for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants from the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia.