16 April 2012 | Volume 7, No. 4

Streamlined Visa Processing

Many agents are asking what they need to do differently now that Streamlined Visa Processing is here. Agents in former AL 3 and AL 4 regions should still check financial evidence as they have done in the past. We will still require applicants to provide evidence of financials and evidence of source of income to agents, and we may request to see that evidence for particular applicants. We rely on our agents to assist the University to identify genuine students, and to notify the University if they have any doubts.

In this way, agents can safeguard themselves against getting a record of poor visa outcomes in the longer term. The University of Adelaide wants agents to continue to process our applications as though there had been no change to the visa assessment levels. In the longer term, we will be evaluating agent performance against visa outcomes and this will be a factor in determining whether agent contracts should be renewed.

Canadian Marine Expert wins Adelaide Fellowship

Canadian marine conservationist Sabine Jessen will spend six months at the University of Adelaide from this May after being awarded a 2012 Endeavour Research Fellowship to investigate new strategies to protect the ocean's ecosystem.

Ms Jessen, who has an international reputation in marine conservation, will work alongside social scientist Dr Melissa Nursey-Bray from the University of Adelaide's Discipline of Geography, Environment and Population.

The pair will compare marine conservation strategies in Australia, Canada and New Zealand by analysing governance arrangements, including the roles of politics, science and stakeholders.

"Ocean ecosystems are increasingly stressed by human exploitation and climate change, and strategies are urgently required to ensure marine ecosystem resilience," Ms Jessen said.

Her research will look at existing governance arrangements and how they affect Indigenous rights and aspirations and the emerging issues of climate change. [Full Story]

International Office Staff Profile

Tom Gifford joins the International Office on a three year contract as Regional Coordinator (Middle East, South Asia / India and Australia).

Tom has a vast range of experience and was previously employed at the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR) in a business development role. The role involved working with mining companies, businesses and Aboriginal communities to develop educational, training and employment projects in regional and remote South Australia.

Tom also worked for Immigration SA in a marketing role - promoting South Australia to skilled migrants in India, China and the UK. Tom has a passion for education and promoting Australia to people from overseas.
Tom has a Marketing degree and is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Australian migration law.

Win a trip to the University of Adelaide

With the introduction of the University's new international online application system Apply By Web - ABW  there will be a few changes to the way agents submit applications.

We know that changing to a new application system does have an impact on our agents, so we would like to reward your efforts in using the online ABW system.  The University will award five (5) return trips to Adelaide to visit the University of Adelaide, just by using the ABW system as the only way you submit your applications.

Download the Agent update and find out how your office can win a trip for a counsellor to the University of Adelaide.