I'm looking for a housemate if you study in University of Melbourne or RMIT, fully furnished apartment only 3 minutes away from University of Melbourne. If interested sms me at 012-9031162. If you're a new study I'm glad to explain everything in detail to you.

anyone consider doing Honours in Finance in University of Melbourne? I am in a big dilemma on whether to continue honours next year or to go back Malaysia and start working.

an honours year is practically worthless in msia.....most potential employers will NOT know the implication of having an honours in the oz context...

Anyone heading to UTAS next year?>

offers will only become confirmed after the year 12 results are released, which should be sometime next week.....

yeah, i totally agree. I will be receiving full scholarship for the honours year though, hence im still deciding on whether i should accept it and spend another year here to learn more, given my free education.

you can still get full offers even before that, for non-critical courses at least if you applied using something other than year 12.

I've been checking on the critical skills list for Australia, namely Perth, WA and amongst the most prized skills are mechanics, nurses, welders, bricklayers, and such in the construction arena.

Anybody here doing such courses? These courses I heard are easiest to gain employment in OZ.

if the intention is to gain right to stay and work in oz, and NOT an education, then there would be indeed good professions to get trained in.....

don't laugh....many international students, particularly those from prc, purposely take up nursing because that is one profession that almost guarantees a job.....their problem is getting the ielts band 8 to qualify for a pr visa, as the rules have changed......

I've received news that a lawyer took up hairdressing to obtain a PR.

Should take it since its paid for. You might want to study further at the end of it. Or it might give a nice boost to your academic qualifications.

Band 8 for extra marks or is it a compulsory thing? Cos I think RN are in a special category like doctors. But if Dipl holders, then I think they need a band 8 for sure.

I think lawyers are back in the SOL list. Most of my friends takes a DD in law and Accounting, finish up their accounting degree, and use that to apply for PR first. I have no idea how but I had a friend who did that. But that was around 6-7 years ago. things might had changed.

I recall from the link someone posted, the highest tier (points) would require a score of 8 and above in each of the four sections... so according to that document, no, 8 in everything is not required, unless the outcome of the application depends entirely on the points from that English part.

lawyers, as are pharmacists are back.....and they took off optometry.....

it's all about getting enough points to be eligible.....as fresh graduates, you do not have experience, so zero points there....so you need the full 20 points from ielts band 8 to qualify......of course if you have points from other categories (eg experience, family sponsorship, study in low population region etc), you do not need band 8.....

as I recall, SOL has an extra 10 points, so goes to RN and doctors. I haven't really looked into the point system for PR eligibility yet.

Hmm, interesting they took off optometry. I think OZ only has like 3-4 unis providing optometry, wouldn't they be in shortage of them? Unless they've been mass importing them from other countries.

hey guys.. got a question here for those studying in UQ.. i have submitted my application form to the UQ representative since August and i havent gotten any news abt my application status so far.. is it normal for them to take this long or something's not right for example im not eligible/too many applicants... im super super worried thx in advance

hmm, it shouldn't take that long, not that I can remember. Unless you're applying for med dent. Other faculties should be sending out their offers/COE so long you meet their requirements. Even if they reject you you'll still get a letter. I think you should just call them/ check online the application status (if there is any) or check with your agent if you have one.

the new points system does not allocate any points for being in the sol.....but if your profession is not in the list, you cannot apply at all.....

there is a change in the format, and eventual responsibility of an australian optometrist, and hence optometrist trained in another country (the sol equally apply for all graduates from within and without oz) will not be able to fit into this new responsibility....what leeway there exists then for international students graduating from the new format 3+2 programme in unclear......

there are currently only 3 unis conducting optometry, and the entry cutoff is higher than medicine in some instances.....

hey guys, i need to book my flights to Sydney. So i read through the information given and I have chosen MAS since SIA and Qantas need to travel to SG. I have booked a oneway flight with the price of 1.5k. Issit expensive or cheap? apparently i have checked through but only 20kg baggage allowance but i always heard friends said there will be 40kg baggage allowance? anyone can giv me advice on this?

When are you flying exactly?

RM1500 one way KUL-SYD for the late Jan/early Feb sounds right for MH. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about price if you want to start your journey in Malaysia.

The default baggage allowance is 20KG for international flights on legacy carriers. If you want more luggage allowance call up MAS and ask if they can do something for student. Read the front page for further information.