The Department of Home Affairs is strengthening security for ImmiAccount by introducing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), aligning with the Australian Government’s cyber security standards.From 18 June 2025, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be mandatory for all ImmiAccount users. This new login requirement provides stronger protection of sensitive visa and immigration data by adding an extra layer of security. Learn what steps you and your clients should take to prepare. What’s Changing? From 18 June 2025, all users – new and existing – must set up MFA to access or make changes to their ImmiAccount. MFA will: How to Prepare To ensure a smooth transition for you and your clients:✔ Download an authenticator app (e.g. Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator) on your mobile device or computer.✔ Log in and verify your email address, especially if you haven’t accessed ImmiAccount in the past 6 months. Step-by-step instructions will be available in ImmiAccount starting 18 June 2025. Why MFA? MFA adds an essential layer of protection to your account beyond your password, helping secure sensitive visa and immigration data. Click here: Multi-factor Authentication for ImmiAccount
Compilation of Migration (IMMI 18/085: Arrangements for Temporary Work and Temporary Activity Visa Applications) Instrument 2018, dated 5 March 2022, incorporates the amendments made migration (Arrangements for Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa applications) (LIN 22/009) Instrument 2022, specifying the requirements for making an application for a Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa. The instrument provides that for making an application for a Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa under the following streams: Form 1403 (Internet) must be used or, if a written notice has been received, Form 1403 can be used in accordance with instructions in that notice. The instrument also provides that for a primary or combined application for the following streams: Form 1403 (Internet) must be used or, if a written notice has been received, Form 1403 can be used in accordance with instructions in that notice. For all other applications, Form 1481 (Internet) must be used or, if a written notice has been received, Form 1481 can be used in accordance with instructions in that notice. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 18 March 2002 and commenced on 5 March 2022. It is currently in force. To access the instrument, click here.
We all want to work towards the success of the organisation but often, we fail to understand the route that we need to take to achieve the same. The Human Resources Manager plays a pivotal role in helping a new as well as an existing employee to understand what is expected of them in the organisation and about ways in which they can make themselves better. Therefore, the employers and the HR manager, in particular must strive to communicate and make the employees clear about what is expected of them and how they can fulfil such expectations. It is also, extremely important that communication with employees is a two-way process where the employee is explained the expectations but is also given the freedom to express his opinion and suggest ways to meet these expectations. A few benefits of effective communication of expectations to the employee are as follows: Clarity of directions: Communicating expectations lays down clear instructions and directions for the employee and the employee is able to understand the work that is required to be performed by him in the organisation. Employees do not end up wasting time in figuring out what they must do and what they must not. Generation of new ideas: When an employee is told about his role and what he is expected to do in the organisation, it enables him to understand his position and think of ways that would help him to make the maximum contribution to the organisation. It also helps the organisation to consider the ideas that are put forth by such employees. A sound employer-employee relationship: Effective communication is the key to success of any relationship and it also holds true in case of employers and employees. Communication of the expectations in a way that is easy to understand for the employee and working on ways to fulfil those expectations helps in maintaining the honesty and transparency between the employers and the employees. The other side of the coin: Communication of expectations between the employer and the employee also invites a feedback or an opinion from the employee and at times, it may prove to be a boon for the employer in certain decisions that he is required to take.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a concept that benefits those who are not willing to attend regular classes and acquire the qualifications pertaining to their field of work. There is a rise in the number of people who start work at earlier stages owing to their circumstances. However, many times with the competitive work environment and the challenges that come along with it, they need to have valid qualifications to go up on their career ladder. Recognition of Prior Learning comes to the rescue of such individuals. McKkr’s can help you by providing you an acknowledgement of the skills that you already possess. Individuals who have gained experience through work and have acquired all the necessary skills related to their field of work, but do not bear any qualification for the same benefit through the Recognition of Prior Learning programme in particular. You need not worry about attending lectures on something you already know or completing those assignments in order to go through the complete training program. McKkr’s shall assess the knowledge and skills that you possess and accredit your qualifications on the basis of what you have learnt already. The best part about the RPL programme is that it is not restricted to any particular age. It can be acquired by anyone at any stage of their lives. Recognition of Prior Learning is a fast-track way to climb up the ladder of success and a ray of hope for those who due to any circumstances, could not pursue the qualifications that were required to do the type of work that they wish to and can. There are standards set by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) that facilitate the process of Recognition of Prior Learning. McKkr’s Pty. Ltd., works as per the guidelines, standards and criterion laid down by AQF and ensures an ethical and transparency in the RPL assessment process. The process of assessment at McKkr’s includes a detailed analysis of the résumé, a complete assessment of work-related knowledge, job-related tasks and work references. After completion of the RPL programme, the student shall receive a proper qualification certificate on the basis of the assessment carried out.
Australia has emerged as the hub for generation of employment opportunities. But, what is being observed over time is the rising competition for occupying jobs and the shortage of skilled manpower. So it has become increasingly important for candidates looking for jobs to be skilled and perfect in their respective fields. Skills can be acquired through TAFE- which is the largest provider of Vocational Educational and Training (VET). Sills add value to an individual’s personality, help in personal growth and give you an edge over the rest. It is important to work on one’s skills because of the following reasons: IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY: Skills help workers to work with efficiency and thereby, yield more productivity to the given task. You become well aware of working styles, environment and are able to put in more efforts to the given task. ELIMINATING UNEMPLOYMENT: Skill development is unavoidable if we wish to achieve full employment in the economy because to be employed, it is imperative to be skilled. SAVES TIME: Acquiring skills guarantees saving of time because skilled personnel have complete knowledge about the job-process and they work effectively to complete their job in the stipulated time. ENHANCES OVERALL PERSONALITY: The process of acquiring skills is not restricted to job-related activities, it also extends to overall development in personality, enhancing communication skills, work-related behaviour, etc. SPECIFIC AREA OF WORK: Undergoing Vocational Training and other similar processes can help one to define a limited area of work. They are able to pursue a career in a field that interests them. EASIER TO FIND JOBS: Candidates may find it easier to look for work according to their defined area of specialisation, instead of scanning all the available jobs in a broad undefined manner. COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE: Possessing skills boosts an individual’s confidence as they have overall knowledge about the field in which they specialise. Therefore, it distinguishes their identity. ADDRESSING THE REQUIREMENT FOR SKILLED LABOUR: Recently, there has been a fall in the skilled labour available in Australia and so, in order to help the nation to prosper and tread on a successful path, the workers have to be skilled. In order to develop a harmonious work environment and better citizens of the country, development of skilled personal is extremely important.
Every employer is searching for the right candidate who fulfils all the requirements of the employer. But, how would an employee make out what the prospective employer wants? We try to bridge the gap between candidates looking for jobs in Australia and the prospective employers. We give you an idea of how to prepare yourself for the next job interview so that you crack it: Résumé The most important document that you need to prepare for your interview is your résumé. The résumé should act as a mirror of your personality, your achievements and it should bear all the necessary information related to you. Also, before you go for the interview with the employer, whether online, over the phone or on-site, you need to familiarise yourself with every single word that you have put down on your résumé. You need to have a justification for everything that you have written there. Read about the company The next thing that impresses the employer is the fact that the employee is aware of the company, what it works for and other related information before joining the company. It depicts that you are genuinely interested in the job. Also, understand the role that you are being hired for and know how you would contribute to the organisation. Establish a professional connection Set up a professional background before you apply for work, or at least before you go for the interview. Employers like to know about the applicants and their professional background through portals like LinkedIn. Punctuality Reaching the venue of the interview in time helps you to build a good impression on the employer. You can prepare yourself well mentally if you reach before time. Confidence When the employer puts any questions before you, the tough ones in particular, they are basically observing the amount of confidence you project while answering them. They may not be interested in your answers but want to be sure that you can take on challenges. Formal Dress code and posture It goes without saying that prospective employers expect a certain degree of professionalism and seriousness towards the job. So, a well-dressed candidate earns some bonus points at the time of selection. The employee must also maintain a good body-language and avoid giving any wrong or misleading signs.
The OET and IELTS test English language skills very differently. It is important to note that OET is not any easier than IELTS, but it requires a different knowledge of English. The OET tries to imitate the target workplace and was designed by both health professionals and language experts together. In comparison, IELTS was developed at Cambridge University as a tool for testing English language proficiency for a wide range of purposes (i.e. entry to universities and various professions). It requires a very high level of English and has been termed as the “gold standard” because those who pass must be extremely proficient. However, there is an argument that this type of proficiency is not necessarily relevant to nursing. Patsy Deverall, an examiner for both OET and IELTS, states, “There is a huge intersection between language, culture and communication. IELTS is measure of English proficiency but doesn’t have a cultural component that can assess relationships between people or the cultural mores at play in particular situations with patients.” On the other hand, the OET tests English in a medical context, so it can be said to be of greater benefit to the candidate in their future employment. It is important to remember however, that regardless of whether a candidate sits the OET or IELTS, the Nursing Council may also require a Competency Assessment Programme to be undertaken so that overseas nurses are fully prepared to work. There are other small differences between the two tests: IELTS is substantially cheaper than the OET and is offered more often. This, combined with its established reputation, makes IELTS the more popular choice for most candidates. The OET also has its benefits – if a candidate does not gain a ‘B’ pass in one or more skill areas, they are only required to re-sit those areas (at a lower price depending on how many skill areas need to be tested). Whereas students sitting IELTS must re-sit the entire test if any section is failed. Both tests have their various strong points – IELTS is instantly recognisable worldwide, and the OET can be helpful due to its healthcare context – and passing either of these leads on to medical registration in Australia. Sydney College of English offers preparation courses for both tests and is able to support students in whichever path they choose to gain medical registration in Australia. Want to know more about the OET for Healthcare Professionals? Click here.
We all know that the IELTS is not the easiest English test out there. It is used by governments and academic institutions to prove your English proficiency so you can be sure that the standards are high. Many people repeatedly fail at IELTS exams because they usually underestimate the test and many times overestimate their knowledge. Use the following five signs for yourself or your client to know if there is a need to take a preparation course before taking the IELTS test. Sign # 1 Context: During the listening module, you’ll have to provide answers to 40 questions throughout four recordings. The recordings will be played only once, and you’ll be required to answer those questions on-the-fly. Typical questions include sentence completion, summary completion, form completion and multiple choice. Sign: If you feel that you lack the necessary speed, accuracy and focus when multitasking in English, you need an IELTS preparation course. How a course can help: Before each recording, you will have some time to read the questions. You need to know in advance what information you are expected to supply depending upon the question. Is it a number, a name, an address? You will learn this in the course. Also, it is not surprising to get lost during a conversation, but you need to recover fast or you will miss all the questions of that task afterwards. This would be a disaster. In the course, you will be taught how to follow a conversation even if you miss something and how you can recover to continue answering the next questions. Sign # 2 Context: The reading module consists of 40 questions (both academic and general training) spread across three sections. The purpose of this module is to test a wide range of reading skills such as reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, and recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose. Test takers have to provide short answers, match information, complete sentences, match headings or complete diagram labels. Sign: If you are not familiar with these types of questions, or if you are trying to read these texts as you normally read a book, an IELTS course will definitely help you get a higher score in this band. How the course can help: You don’t have the time to go through the texts several times. There are strategies to help you to avoid this situation. You will learn, for example, how to skim the text and on what kind of information you need to focus. Additionally, in the course you will practice a lot the different types of questions and you will get used to them. This will save you a lot of time. I personally found to be very difficult the type of questions that are True/False/Not given; but after doing many teacher-assisted exercises, the difference became much clearer. Sign # 3 Context: The writing module is perhaps the one that most people struggle with. It has two tasks: in the first (academic training), you will be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process and how something works or describe an object or event. You need to do this in 150 words. In the second task, you will be asked to write an essay (250 words) in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Both tasks in the academic training must be written in a formal style. Sign: If you don’t know what a formal style is like, or if you feel like you know the answer but struggle to find appropriate and assertive English terms, you will benefit from taking an IELTS preparation course. How the course can help: Describing and explaining data requires practice. Even if you are an expert at doing this, you may struggle when trying to do it in English. In the IELTS course, you will learn the most appropriate language to do it. You will also practice the different types of charts (line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, multiple data sources, processes, diagrams) so that you get used to them and will not, therefore, be surprised in the test. Truth must be told. Writing Task 2 is not easy at all. First, because the topic given can be hard to develop if you are not familiar with it. You might have an idea but remember, you need to develop it in 250 words and you only have 40 minutes. Second, because the essay must have a proper structure, you cannot write everything that comes to mind. In an IELTS course, you will learn what the structure of an essay is, how to develop it, how to write the introduction and conclusion, and so on. You will also learn how to connect your ideas using proper English. Additionally, you will practice writing about topics that are common on the IELTS so you become familiar with them. Moreover, you will learn and practice the different types of essays that commonly come up on IELTS: Agree or Disagree, Discuss two Opposing Opinions, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problems and Solutions, Causes and Solutions, Causes and Effects. Last but not least, the main advantage of the course is that a teacher will correct your mistakes and will show you how to improve your writing. Sign # 4 Context: The fourth and final module is there to assess your speaking skills. This test is less than 15 minutes long and is split into three parts. The first five minutes are reserved for introduction and general topics between the test taker and the examiner. The second part assesses the test taker’s ability to speak about a random topic given on a task card. The last part merely adds complexity to the second. At this stage, the examiner will also pay attention to pronunciation, lexical resource and fluency. Sign: If you lack fluency or coherence in direct communication, you need some practice. This module is all about repetition. Repetition, repetition, repetition! How the course can help: In an IELTS course, your pronunciation will be improved with the