Not sure about the Rockhampton campus. CQU has a campus in Melbourne known to be a degree mill. I'd say avoid CQU like the plaque.

I agree that this is indeed tragic.

But I can't see how the absence of caning as a punishment in the Australian criminal justice system has anything to do with this case. Singapore has always using caning on rapists and sexual offenders, but there are still rapists and child molestors perpetuating against women and children in Singapore.

Originally posted by funnycar:

Ok, thanks for the heads up.

I was looking through the points system of Subclass 885 from the Aus Immgration website. There's this category, Australian Qualifications, that i don't quite understand. Base on my understanding, I will need to study a minimum of 3 years in Aus and  graduate with a Second Class honours in order to earn 15 points. Does that mean if I were to graduate within 2.5 years with a Second Class honours, I wouldn't be able to earn the 15 points?

And also, regarding English Language Ability, is IELTS really required to gain the 25 or 15 points? Is olvl english accepted?

I understand that their immigration policy is constantly changing and by the time i graduate and apply for PR status, it could be a whole set of different rules

Spot on.

Yes, you have to spend at least 3 years in your study if you want to get 15 points. If you only take 2.5 years, then you only get 5 points.

You have to take IELTS. Doesn't matter if you have O level, A level or a degree in English Language.

Originally posted by villan:

how does the relative sponsorship work?

If you have a relative who is a Aussie PR or citizen, he or she can sponsor you for PR. In that case, you only need 100 points rather than 120 points. The relative has to be a parent, sibling, uncle/aunt, or nephew/niece, I think. Check out the DIAC website for more info.

Originally posted by Agenda:

If I study in a University in Australia, how long does it take for me to become a PR or a naturalised Australian?

You need to nominate an occupation, meet the age and english requirements and pass the points test to apply for PR. Presuming you're enrolling into an undergrad course in an Aussie uni, you could only apply after you have completed your degree, i.e. 3-4 years. If you do not have a relative to sponsor you, you'd probably need to work another year on a temp visa before you could get your PR. Then again, the legislation might change in 4-5 years time.

The current requirement for citizenship is 4 years residency inclusive of at least 1 year on a PR visa.

Originally posted by BaByBoY:

hi everyone,

i`m looking forward to migrating to aussie too…
in fact i`ve been on the idea for sometime already..
recently pondered onto a website called migration experts..
i seemed eligible, but i stopped my application when then requested for a `registration` fee to be paid in order to proceed with further application status..

thinking that it might had been a scam, i stopped there.
until i chanced upon this thread and get to know that i can actually apply direct to the aussie govt..

can someone enlighten me on the appropiate steps and the fees involved? i`m looking forward to staying in melbourne or sydney doing engineering related job…
my status is:
Age: Under 30
Qualifications: B.Eng w minor in Biz ( Mech )
Marital: Single
Proficient in English as well…

any help plz?

 

Check out the website of the Australian Immigration Department www.diac.gov.au

All the information about skilled migration and application process are there. Application charge is about $2 - 2.5k. It goes up every year. Application can be DIY and online if mostly straightforward.

Sounds like you have the technical knowledge to do the job well. Have you thought about improving your grammar and writing skills? That could go a long way for you in your career.

Hi WoBuPaNi,

I would suggest you first look at applying for PR. It is not easy to get job without a PR or a visa with work conditions. Most job advertisments will specify that applicants must have work rights before they apply. Not to say it is impossible. There have been people who had employers sponsor their work visa, usually they are already here on some kind of visa, e.g. student visa and had worked for the company during the holidays, or are in certain occupations that are in severe shortage such that employers have to get them into Aus on 457 visas.

Look at the DIAC website for information about applying for skilled migration. What do you do for your job? The application process takes 8-15 months before your PR is approved, so do your planning with that timeframe in mind.

Originally posted by googoomuck:

Some may think that those who emigrated are the better educated ones.

However, they are those who had 'mediocre' exam results based on Singapore's meritocracy system.  They couldn't go further after their ITE education but they  are accepted by colleges and universities in other countries. They found jobs after graduation and eventually decided to settled overseas.

Had they stayed on in Singapore, they would have been branded as losers.

 

Not true. There are many who went to prestigious universities in the UK and US, and after having a taste of life there decided not to return. How about those who went to study overseas on government scholarships then decided to break their bond? Are they losers too? Sounds like 'sour grapes' syndrome to me.

The article rightly pointed out that many Singaporeans emigrate not just for economic reasons. I wonder what the migration push factors for a developed nation like Singaporea are? Are these same factors relevant to other developed nations like the US, UK or European nations??

Originally posted by angel7030:

In a social context, PAP survived base on one important factor. That is the ability to narrow the gap both in term of social status between the rich and poor, this set the condition for stability, equality and their votes.

Don't you know the Gini coefficient in Singapore has been increasing over the years, and is worse than some of the less developed nations???

Originally posted by sirAdrian:

 

can i ask wat do u want beside food on table and and rook over our head tat would benefit most if not all singaporeans?

 

Isn't that the basic needs of every 1? Some countries doesn't even have a roof over their heads and food on their table.

 

Pap is not the only countries tat use economy as a retort, most or infact all countries do this. Once US economy has a slow down, the whole world follow.

Do you mean basic human rights and dignity, justice, equality are irrelevant to the people of Singapore. That the people in Singapore should be content with just having their stomach filled and a bed to lie down?

I observed many posers who support the PAP backed their choice by mainly using economic arguments. That is truly what the PAP wants the people to think, that the money is king, everything else is secondary. I don't dispute that Singapore has grown exponentially over 30 years to become the current state and achieve the current standard of living. However, not every issue can be solved by growing the economy, the usual PAP retort. If only life is that simple. Do values like justice, equality, human dignity, fairness, compassion mean nothing to Singapore and Singaporeans? Isn't it time to ask for more than food on the table and a roof over our head? 

Originally posted by 2oz:

I am also planning to be relocating to Sydney in end'09 too. Now trying to do homework on housing, jobs..etc.

Well Mid, my advice is not to start any big movement of bulky personal items yet. Settle down before you make the decision on shipping your TV, sofa etc. Its a bit of a culture shock initially for S'porean to relocate. Some just can't get over the differences is lifestyle and culture shock...(well just watch out for the drunks)

I suggest you get a course in TAFE before trying out for Plumber or Electrician. Its not the same content as those offered in ITE here.(being a plumber also cross my mind too...haha..i hear they pay a ton for plumber service there..\o/ )

Anyway, have fun..ps..admin & clerks are paid about 60K annual (b4 tax),accountants 120k .. i am sure we will find a job..finally a 9 to 5 job :DDDD

be positive!

 

Admin & clerks get 60k per year?? That's like wishful thinking. A graduate doing administrative duties will maybe get that annual income in a few years, but def not non-grad admin staff and clerks. 120k for accountants also apply only to those established professionals with years of experiences. Just don't want your hopes raised too high. It's one thing to think positive, another to be self-deceiving.

Originally posted by nooberish89:

hi there just wanna ask something related. i am starting my commerce course at uni melbourne nex year jan. after that i plan to stay on to work and eventually migrate to australia. is that feasible or very difficult to get? probably gonna work in the banking industry sector which i see from aussie immigration website is in a shortage of labour. all advice appreciated thanks. =)

As far as I know, it is not difficult to get a job with a Commerce degree in the accountancy-related industry. The profession is in high demand in Australia and you actucally get bonus points if you apply as an accountant.

Having said that, the migration program was tweaked beginning Sept last year to give preference to people who have working experience. While before PR was practically given on a silver platter to accounting graduates fresh out of school, now you have to get at least 12 months work experience before you can apply. You may get a temp graduate visa which allows you to work in Aus to get the necessary work experience to apply for PR. Of course, if you have relatives in Aus who could sponsor you and you meet the points test, you could still gun for the PR straightaway.

Under the skilled migration scheme to Aus, the age ceiling is 45, not 35. However, the older one gets the lesser the points awarded for age.

Originally posted by gigabyte14:

cos

 

most of the people who complain here are whiners, who 嘴 gong lampa song,

who will siam very fast when trouble comes

typical singaporeans

lack the balls

 

there are some parties who are lousier than PAP, and people chose PAP is because they are living well, and they dont mind remaining like this

and the whiners are living well also, but because they are greedy for riches, so they will never get enough

and then, some will often 嘴 gong lampa song again about migrating to aussie, or hong kong, saying other countries are better than sg

but eventually, they will remain in singapore, cos no balls again

standard of living increase, everything will auto increase, they dont know what is economy meh =_=

 

Welcome to Singapore

You forgot there is also another group who wants to leave Singapore but can't because they do not meet the immigration criteria of other 1st world nations. I'm not sure how easy it is to migrate to Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam, etc.

Agree with Jem777. Your academic ability has a lot to do with your posting. That's why a lot of RJ and other top JC guys got posted to OCS regardless of their leadership qualities, fitness or interest.

During my BMT time, a good platoon-mate who was from VJ, had good A level results, did not want to go to OCS,  told PC he's not interested in going to OCS, had average fitness, was still posted to OCS. In fact, he was shocked when the PS announced his posting. Of course, he managed to get himself OOC in the end. Didn't believed in the crap that SAF was and is. My co best trainee and best PT also didn't make it to OCS. The former went to signals, and the latter Sispec.

Peace 87,

You wrote " i love the field camp, the mission. i love outdoor."

Maybe what you're looking for is a career in the outdooor adventure field, maybe a camping instructor, expedition leader, etc. Maybe the army may not be for you. Have you ask the question, do you truly believe in what the SAF stands for, in its integrity (or rather lack of) and vision?

It is also a sad truth that there are many Singaporeans out there who are deluded and think the PAP is doing great things for the country. In fact, many of these are middle-income educated people who are having a good life in Singapore. Unfortunately these people who can't see or don't care about the difficulties the lowest 20-30% of the population are experiencing. They are brainwashed by the PAP into thinking no one owes them a living, that these people are poor because of laziness. Probably they are too kiasi to risk their career, income, HDB flat/condo/house, and every other wealth for justice, equality, and human rights.

"Are you ready to be hated by the public for your role as a government?"

In true democracies, governments hated by the public do not usually get the votes of the people in election. Of course not so in authoritarian Singapore.

"Are you able to ensure that singapore can be well off even if a global recession ( or in the worse case scenario, a global depression)?"

Is/Was Singapore well off even in a global recession? In the Asian financial crisis 10 years ago, I'm not so sure that Singapore rode it well though the PAP claimed they did.

"Are you able to ensure that you can manage singapore well enough even if you are faced with matters BEYOND your control?"

Can the PAP govt do that???

Hi desperatelyextreme

I am a Singaporean psychologist who now works in Australia.

Been a long time since I ORD, and I'm not too familiar with how the SAF Counselling Centre works. Seems like you feel that talking to your officers or MO is not going to work. Likely because they are 'part of the problem' (Just my postulation, but I believe most of the forummers here would agree some officers can be a pain in the arse). One option available is to go see a private counsellor on weekends when you book out. I don't think you need to see a psychiatrist at this stage. There are counsellors in non-profit agencies, e.g family service centres, or those in private practices. Every one has his own unique experience undergoing NS. Sometimes it is not just about gritting your teeth and getting through it like how 'the others' did. Each of us carry our own past experiences in life, and these can have profound impact on the way we cope with NS. Also, I understand not everyone have a supportive family they can turn to. As for confidentiality, don't worry. Counsellors are bounded by their professional ethics to keep your information private. Of course there are exceptions. In your case given you mentioned suicide ideation there is a duty of care to break that confidentiality if necessary to ensure your physical and emotional safety. Without your permission, and if not in contrary to duty of care, the private counsellor you see do not have to and can not inform your officers you've been to see him/her. I cringed when I read that the person you spoke to on the SAF Hotline behaved so unprofessionally. I am sure you will get better service and understanding from counsellors outside SAF.

Life is more than money, and the value of a person is not determined by the size of the paycheck. Unfortunately in Singapore the reality is people judge you by your income. I'm sad to hear such competition and jealousy happen even between siblings. That is why the Singapore ministers have to give themselves fat paycheck to get the 'respect' of Singaporeans.

Lionnoisy,

It is not sound to compare the two statistics because

1. we do not know how 'permanent departure from Australia' is classified (left more than 3, , or 5 or 10 years?),

2. given that Australia permits multiple citizenships, Australians are therefore more likely to take on citizenship of another country,

3. we know that most Singaporeans who migrated permanently do not give up their citizenship. 

Between 70,000 - 90,000 Singapore residents are away from the island-state for more than 12 months according to a report in Feb 08 in the ST. Of course not all of these 70,000 would have migrated, as many would just be working overseas. Even if we take half of this number, i.e. 35,000, compared to the approx 30,000 Australia-born residents who 'departed permanently', the rate of migration out of Singapore is way higher than Australia!!

However, I agree that migration is a personal decision. Anyone thinking of doing so should weigh the pros and cons himself, decide for himself what he wants in his life, and what he is willing to forgo in Singapore for what he could potentially get in a new country. Australia is not perfect. You gain some, you definitely lose some. It is just a matter of personal preference. It is not about cheaper cars and bigger house (for the same price in Singapore) in Australia (an argument often bandied about). It is a total change in lifestyle.

What qualifies LHL to say the SAF is a stronger organization? Has Singapore ever been in war or fought any battle to show that it actually is effective? Probably they based their assessment on those wayang exercises (I remembered it is called ATEC?). Ha ha!! It is like a student being asked to grade his own exam!!!

Hi,

You coould try applying for an uni scholarship. Heard from a friend who is doing a postgraduate degree in Melbourne Uni that another girl who is a Singaporean doing the same course was offered two scholarships (first for $5000, then $10,000) without even applying for it. So it seems some unis are desperate to give scholarships to international students. However she got the scholarship only after accepting the course. It is nevertheless worth exploring that option.

Also, when on a student visa you are legally only allowed to work 20 hours per week during semester, no restriction during the holidays. This will impact on the potential income you could get from working while studying. Then again you have a first degree, so depending on the profession you're in, you might still be able to get a decent income from part-time work.