In their latest initiative, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have taken to YouTube with 'ImmiTV'. With this new channel of communication, DIAC now have the perfect means to provide Australia visa information to thousands across the world but the videos they've released so far are of questionable value to the vast majority of Australian visa applicants.

ImmiTV "showcases the work undertaken by staff and highlights events celebrated around Australia". Unfortunately, it's hard to see what information anyone caught in the Australian skilled visa application process could take from the videos already uploaded.

While stories of successful migrants to Australia might provide a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, the videos seem to focus more on the Australian refugee program, as opposed to the skilled migration stream. The videos themselves are well put together, but I can't help but feel that DIAC's efforts would be better served by directly addressing such hot issues as visa processing times and the rise in Australian visa application fees coming on 1 July.

Below is an example of one of the ImmiTV videos, with approx. 20 more videos available on the ImmiTV YouTube channel. Have a look and feel free to tell us what you think, as well as the kind of issues you think DIAC should be focussing on in their online communications.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Is Tourism Australia starting to get desperate?  As reported yesterday on the Australian Visa Bureau, international tourists could be offered free flights to Australia in a bid to counter-act the downturn in Australian tourism.

Essentially, the proposed plan (titled the "Mayday Project") would involve visitors being given free return flights to Australia by Tourism Australia, with the proviso being that they promise to spend a certain amount of money within Australia while visiting.

Independent Tourism Holdings director Steve Cusworth is steering the project, but he won't meet with Australian government representatives and key tourism industry names until next week.  However, it's another example of the Australian tourism board looking to innovative new ways to combat the ever-newsworthy global economic crisis. 

After the roaring success of the 'best job in the world' promotion by Tourism Queensland, it seems that going beyond the usual tourism campaigns is the route to success for marketing the land Down Under.

However, that's not to say they don't face a challenge. International tourism to Australia saw a drop of 8.5 per cent in 2008, and even though the country routinely tops traveller's lists as the destination they're keenest to visit, it's far from the most economically friendly destination for Western tourists.  With subsidised airfares though, it's fair to say that Australia would be an awfully more attractive proposition. 

However, assuming that tourists taking advantage of the deal, they'll still be required to spend a certain amount while on their travels.  The current amount being bandied about is AUD $5,000.00 (approx. £2350.00), but what is there to spend it on?  

Assuming you don't have any interest in enjoying the too-many-to-list resorts, activities, tours, restaurants and shopping experiences that make Australia such a great place to visit on an Australian holiday visa, here's a quick guide to a few easy ways you could get that cash out your wallet and into the Australian economy!

Need to spend 5,000 Aussie dollars in a hurry?  Why not buy...

• 78,000 teabags;
  
• 13,390 eggs;
  
• 1,240 loaves of bread;
  
• 4,760 pints of milk;
  
• 1,450 Big Macs;
  
• 166 copies of Baz Luhrmann's 'Australia' on DVD; OR
  
• 760 pints of draught beer in an Aussie pub (or 970 shots of whiskey).

So, even though they've not kicked off the flights promotion yet, you'll be well prepared to meet the minimum spend requirement if and when they do. Just pace yourself if you take the pub option though, or distribute your hundreds of drinks amongst the rest of the pub's patrons; less risk of liver failure, and you're guaranteed to make a few friends!

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau 

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

While they were launched to much fanfare, there are signs that not everyone is entirely delighted by the results of Baz Luhrmann's series of ads promoting Australia (as covered in a previous blog post). In fact, some notable figures from the Australian tourism community are saying that many businesses have been forced to take matters into their own hands when it comes to attracting travellers.

Speaking on the situation forced upon a number of companies in the Australian tourism sector, Managing Director of the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), Matt Hingerty was quoted as saying "The industry is taking the response into their own hands. You would have seen a lot of retailing activity - cost cutting, advertising and so forth - because the big national branding exercise being conducted by Tourism Australia is just irrelevant to them at the moment. They're struggling for survival."

However, Mr Hingerty's comments come amidst contradicting reports that interest in Australia has never been higher; in a recent poll of over 5,500 people, Australia has been voted the most desired destination by travellers. Unfortunately, the poll also revealed that two-thirds of these potential Australia holiday visa travellers are being forced to rethink their holiday plans as a result of the global economic crisis; indicative that the lack of a tourism boom might not be poor old Baz' fault after all.

What's more, it'd be unfair to say that Luhrmann's recent efforts haven't proved inspirational to at least two individuals out there; namely Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish of BBC 6 Music's Saturday morning radio show. As part of their regular 'Song Wars' feature, both Adam and Joe wrote and recorded an original song inspired by their experiences watching 'Australia'.

They might not be exactly the kind of response Mr Luhrmann was hoping for, but they're still definitely worth a listen (especially if you weren't able to spare the three hours to see the film). Check them out below.

Adam Buxton's 'Australia' song

Joe Cornish's 'Australia' song

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

It's a monumental month for migrants in Australia, with February 2009 marking 60 years of Australian citizenship. First introduced in 1949 through the enactment of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, it marked the shift from Australian residents being regarded as British subjects to being fully acknowledged citizens of Australia.

It's interesting to look back at those early days of Australian citizenship and see how they contrast to today. For example, at the first citizenship ceremony on 3 February 1949, seven men were chosen to represent each state and the ACT. As a representation of the diversity of the migration population of Australia at that time, each came from a different country; Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Spain and Yugoslavia.

Were the same symbolic ceremony to take place today, it'd be a very different (and certainly less Eurocentric) group of residents on Australia visas taking part. According to the 2007-08 DIAC report, the top countries for citizenship applicants to come from today are the UK, India, China, South Africa, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia.

Additionally, 1949's Australian citizenship applicants didn't have to face the same hurdles as today's, with the Australian citizenship test probably the most obvious difference. While it was designed to "play a valuable role in both encouraging people to find out more about Australia, as well as understanding the responsibilities and privileges being an Australian citizen brings", the test has faced some stern criticism since its introduction on 1 October 2007.

For example, knowing the answer to "who is Australia's greatest cricketer?" (a question rumoured to have been personally implemented by former Australian prime minister and cricket fanatic, John Howard) seems like a curious way to gauge whether an applicant is worth of being granted Australian citizenship.

However, regardless of the various foibles and quirks of the process, the history of Australian citizenship still stands as something to be celebrated (regardless of whether you're already Down Under or just thinking of emigrating to Australia). While the government has the usual formalities set in place (commemorative coins and anniversary-themed conferral ceremonies ahoy!), we can't think of a better way to mark the occasion than by cracking open a cold one and raising a toast to the 4 million migrants who've been successful in gaining citizenship over the past 60 years. Join us, won't you?

Cheers!

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

In the 6 months between July and December 2008, over 20,800 Australian working holiday visas were granted to UK citizens; a boost of over 3,000 when compared to the same period of time in 2007. The reason for this dramatic increase?  Social networking.

These vibrant online worlds of blogging, photo-adding and kudos-giving might seem far removed from the somewhat drier culture of visa processing to the casual observer. However, Tourism Australia and the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have made a decent effort of combining the two with their working holidaymaker-targeted pages on MySpace and Bebo. 

Speaking of the success of the social networking initiatives, Tourism Australia's General Manager for the UK and Europe, Rodney Harrex said: “These campaigns are getting cut through with our target audience and the results are showing in the increased applications for, and grants of, the Australian Working Holiday Visa.”

However, isn't there something missing? While MySpace and Bebo might still have their loyal followers, it's Facebook that has been firmly established as the dominant social network. Bewilderingly, Tourism Australia has yet to establish a presence on Facebook for any keen potential working holidaymakers... which is where we've stepped in.

As you can see from the screenshot above, we've established the Australian Working Holiday Facebook page. What's more, and as testament to the social spirit of working holidaymakers, we've already gained almost 70 fans without even officially announcing the page (many of whom have already begun chatting about their plans Down Under).

The Facebook page will act as an accompaniment of sorts to our Platinum Card website, which was established as an exclusive hub of information and offers for Australian Visa Bureau working holiday clients. However, with the Facebook page, we'll be able to reach a new level of interactivity with the many working holidaymakers we help on the road to Oz. We'be be updating our Facebook page on a regular basis, and will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, feel free to add us to your Facebook and join in the conversation!

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The first steps are being made to transforming the monitoring process for the entry and exit of visitors to and from the UK, through the launch of the new e-Borders travel database programme. However, while the government is resolute in its position that the database is essential in the fight against crime and illegal immigration, others are claiming that it represents a compromise of personal freedoms.

The e-Borders programme will track and store the international travel records of anyone passing through UK immigration, with these computerised records set to then be stored for up to 10 years in a database. Early 2009 saw a National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC) begin operation as a hub for e-Borders, allowing the government to begin compiling travel histories for passengers.

It's a move that hasn't been without its detractors, as members of both opposition parties have been quick to judge e-Borders as another example of governmental intrusion. Shadow Home Secretary for the Conservatives, Chris Grayling, was particularly scathing in his comments that: "The government seems to be building databases to track more and more of our lives....the truth is that we have a government that just can't be trusted over these highly sensitive issues. We must not allow ourselves to become a Big Brother society."

Shadow Home Secretary for the Liberal Democrats, Chris Huhne, joined Mr Grayling in drawing Orwellian allusions, stating: "We are sleepwalking into a surveillance state and should remember that George Orwell’s 1984 was a warning, not a blueprint."

While these comments might be a little too dramatic in tone, it's certainly true that the UK Borders Agency have done little to sway the public's fears that e-Borders will be used as a tool of security, rather than intrusion. Although some figures have been released as proof of e-Borders use in tracking dangerous criminals, most other information provided has dealt in rather broader terms, with the liberal use of buzzwords such as 'security' and 'border control' given as justification to what seems like such a drastic new introduction.

However, it should be remembered that the e-Borders programme isn't a trail-blazer by any means; countries like Australia have had similar methods of monitoring the entrants to their respective countries for some time, with the Australian ETA visa system commonly regarded as one of the most efficient short-term visa systems in the world.

The USA has also taken steps to provide a more defined structure to their already tough stance on immigration, with the recently introduced ESTA now mandatory for all entrants to the United States.

So, could it be that e-Borders is just the UK bringing its migration security up to standard with the rest of the world? Perhaps, but a definitive answer could take as long as 5 years to arrive - the e-Borders programme is only set to be fully established in monitoring the departures and arrivals of all UK travellers by 2014, meaning the debate of what it truly represents could continue for some time.

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the UK Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

In a campaign that's garnering its fair share of media attention, Tourism Queensland have launched a new campaign to find a suitable 'Island Caretaker' for Hamilton Island. Situated in the Great Barrier Reef, the island requires one worker to take on the 'best job in the world', with the only 'duties' being to report on their experience through regular blog, photo and video updates, along with feeding the fish, cleaning the pool and collecting the mail as they see fit!

What's more, the salary is a little more competitive than the usual caretaking rates; the lucky applicant who lands the six month contract will be reimbursed with a wage of AUD $150,000 - not to mention return airfares and free accommodation in a luxury apartment on the island. Check out the promotional video below for a taster of the paradise you could be enjoying:

So, what's the catch? Well, aside from being Tourism Queensland's own performing monkey for six months, that's it! Think of it as appearing in your own series of Big Brother, except you're not stuck in some miserable house surrounded by idiots, and you can choose whether or not to let people watch you in the shower and you've already won.

What's more, the criteria for applicants seems even less demanding than Big Brother; apparently, all you need are great communication skills, a willingness to try new things and good swimming skills (which might be the most essential, considering your main source of fun for six months is going to be exploring the surrounding reef).

So, think you stand a chance? If so, all you have to do is knock together a 60-second video application of why you're the ideal candidate and also complete the online application at www.islandreefjob.com. The application deadline is February 22, but with thousands estimated to enter, the odds might be against you winning what's being termed as the 'best job in the world'.

So, for a better bet of getting Down Under for a year of work and play , why not apply for a working holiday visa? Provided you're aged between 18-30 and meet the eligibility requirements, you'll be guaranteed the opportunity to experience Australia on your own terms. The rent might not be included, but hey, the sun, sea and surf are still 100% gratis!

--

Update!

It turns out, the intersest in the Dream Job from all over the world is so high, it actually crashed the server!

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

In a surprising case of real-life cheats seemingly inspired by fictional spy thrillers, we've seen reports of cheats trying to scam UK immigration officials by helping migrants pass the Life in the UK test, using state-of-the-art spy gadgets that Q would be proud of.

Designed to test applicants on both their English language skills and UK-specific knowledge, the Life in the UK test is a set of 24 questions that must be completed according to strict exam conditions at an official testing centre. Most of the test questions are about life in the UK, as described in the 'Life in the United Kingdom' handbook, with a number of questions specific to which part of the UK an applicant lives in (i.e. England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).

Typically, concentrated study and preparation is what's key to passing the test.  However, two individuals have been caught illicitly trying to help some migrants take a shortcut to UK residency, using James Bond-esque surveillance gadgets. 

By equipping UK immigration applicants with hidden communication devices, Steven Lee and Rong Yang would help migrants pass the test, even though many of the fraudulent applicants had little to no comprehension of English. 

Using a buttonhole camera secreted on the applicant, Lee and Yang were able to view the test questions on a laptop screen outside the testing centre, before passing the correct answers back to the applicant through a hidden earpiece.

Unfortunately for Mr Lee and Ms Yang, it seems unlikely that they'll find a quantum of solace as a result of their illicit actions; both individuals have been convicted of breaching immigration law and will be jailed for eight months.

Of course, for those willing to take an honest approach to their test preparations, there are a number of options available, such as the Visa Bureau Life in the UK Test Preparation site. With over 1,000 test questions, accurate simulations of the official timed test and an online version of the handbook, it gives you everything you need be prepared, all in one place.

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the UK Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

- Tom Blackett is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The long-awaited new Baz Luhrmann-helmed Australian tourism campaign has finally launched! With the backing of AU $40 million, the 'Come Walkabout' series of ads has started to hit TV screens in 22 countries across the world, with the UK the first to see Luhrmann's mini-masterpiece.

As a director, Baz Luhrmann rarely travels the beaten path, and the ads certainly take a different approach to Aussie tourism campaigns of previous years. Rather than providing a breezy montage of clichéd Aussie scenes (i.e. sunny beaches, Sydney harbour, shrimps on barbies, ice-cold beers from a friendly barman), it takes a more narrative approach, telling the story of a stressed-out office worker in a bleak, rainy city and her escape to an idyllic Australian landscape after a magical encounter with a tiny Aboriginal child.

Sure, it's a little more conceptual than the Paul Hogan ads of the '80s, but it's certainly something different! Check it out below:

Fortunately, if you fancy a trip to Oz yourself, having magic dirt sprinkled into your hand by a member of the country's indigenous people isn't a pre-requisite. In fact, there's no mud involved whatsoever; provided you hold a passport from one of the eligible countries, just apply for an Australian ETA visa before you leave.

As one of the world's most efficient visa processes, most applicants will have their ETA visa application approved instantly, meaning you'll be able to book your flights and find a billabong of your own in no time!

- He arrived as Tom Blackett, Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.  He departed as Tom.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.