Applying for Australian Citizenship

Applying for Australian Citizenship (version español) Australian Flag - image from Wikipedia There are some requirements in order you can apply for Australian Citizenship, some of them are your current residence status, the time you has been in the country, how long was your visa approved, when was your first entry to Australia and in what condition for instance, as student, with working visa (457) or as a permanent resident etc. For our particular case, as permanent residents, we should have spend the last four years in the country and not been away for more than 3 months in the last year, so because it has been 4 years since we arrived, we decided to apply. Documents required? Passport you used when entered the country (normally this will have attached your permanent visa) Previous or new passport (in case you have change passport), for example in my case, my old passport where the PR visa is, it expired so I have to renew it and I took the opportunity to visit my country and did it. Documents that prove your current residence address, It can be the driver license, Medicare card, any utility bills like telephone, electricity, gas, energy and others. Birth certificate. 2 photographs. You need to generate an application for each member of your family who is 18 year or older and for those who are younger than 18 you can include them in your own application. The cost for each application is 260 AUD. All documents that are not in English must be translated by a NAATI or a certified translator. Normally you will have all those documents already translated because they are just a subset of the ones you presented when applying for your permanent residency. How to Apply You just need to go to www.immi.gov.au and start the process online, after you have launch your application, they will give you a username and password so you can attached all the scanned documents later. Additionally at the documents mention before, you need to fill out the form 1135 and attach 2 recent photographs, scan that document and attach it online as well. One important thing with this form is that it has to be signed not only by you but also from someone that can prove the photograph attached belongs to you, that person needs to be in one of the listed professions. For our particular case, I just asked my daughter's teacher who willingly help us with that. Two weeks later or so, you will receive by email an appointment to present the Citizenship test, by the way, all the questions in the test comes from a book that you can find here: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond The test is just a formality to make sure at least you understand English, it has 20 question and you have to get at least 15 right. When all of these have been done, you will receive a letter by mail saying that your Citizenship application has been approved and you just have to wait to receive an invitation from the council informing you where and when the Australian citizenship ceremony will be celebrated. We are still waiting for the council to send us the letter, by the way, not all councils have the same number of ceremonies at year, in our case, our council has ceremonies every 3 months, so we hope the waiting won’t be long.   When you got your Australian citizenship, you can apply for an Australian passport, apply for jobs within the government, by elected (if you like or pursue politics) and also you will have the duty to vote.

Aplicando por la ciudadania Australiana  Australian coat arms - Image from Wikipedia Hay algunos requisitos para aplicar por la ciudadania Australiana, algunos de ellos como su actual estatus de residencia, el tiempo que ha estado en el pais, hace cuanto fue aprobada su visa, cuando fue la primera vez que entro a Australia y en que condiciones,por ejemplo: como estudiante, con visa de trabajo (457), como residente permanente etc. En nuestro caso en particular, como residentes permanentes, debimos pasar los ultimos 4 años en el pais y no haber estado por fuera por mas de 3 meses en el ultimo año, asi que como han sido 4 años desde que llegamos, decidimos applicar. Documentos solicitados? Pasaporte usado cuando entro al pais (normalmente este tiene adjunta la visa) Pasaporte anterior (En caso de que haya cambiado), por ejemplo en mi caso, el pasaporte viejo donde esta la visa expiro asi que tome la oportunidad para visitar mi pais y renovarlo. Documentos que prueben la direccion de su casa, puede ser la licencia de conduccion, la tarjeta de salud, cualquier recibo de servicios como telefono, electricidad, gas, energia u otros. Registro civil. 2 fotografias. Usted necesita generar una aplicacion por cada miembro de su familia que sea mayor de 18 años y por aquellos menores de 18 puede incluirlos en su propia aplicacion. El costo de cada aplicacion is de 260 dolares Australianos. Todos los documentos que no esten en Ingles deben ser traducidos por un traductor certificado o NAATI certificado. Normalmente usted tendra esos documentos ya trasladados por que son solamente un subconjunto de los que presento cuando aplico por su residencia permanente. Como Aplicar Solo necesita ir a www.immi.gov.au y empezar el proceso en linea, despues de lanzada la aplicacion usted recibira su usuario y contraseña para adjuntar los documentos digitalizados luego. Adicional a todos los documentos mencionados anteriormente, usted necesita llenar el formulario 1135 y adjuntar dos fotos recientes, digitalizar esos documents y adjuntarlos a la aplicacion en linea. Una cosa importante con este formulario es que necesita ser firmado por usted y por alguien que pruebe que la persona de la foto es usted, esa persona debe tener una de las profesiones listadas. Para nuestro caso en particular, Le pedi a la profesora de mi hija y ello muy amablemente nos ayudo con eso. Dos semanas despues, usted recibira por correo electronico la cita para presentar el examen de residencia, a proposito, todas las preguntas vienen de un libro que puede encontrar aqui: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond El examen es simplemente una formalidad para asegurarse de que usted entiende Ingles, el examen tiene 20 preguntas y tienes que responder por lo menos 15 correctas. Una vez todo esto se haya hecho, recibiras una carta por correo deciendo que tu aplicacion ha sido aprobada y solo tienes que esperar a recibir informacion del council (ente del gobierno como comuna o alcaldia local)  informandote cuando y donde sera celebrada la ceremonia de ciudadania. Nosotros aun estamos esperando que el council nos envie la carta, a proposito, no todos los council tiene el mismo numero de ceremonias al año, en nuestro caso nuestro council tiene ceremonias cada 3 meses asi que esperamos que la espera no sea muy larga. Una vez obtengas la ciudadania Australiana, puedes aplicar por el pasaporte Australiano, aplicar por trabajos con el gobierno, ser elegido (si te gusta la politica) y tambien tendras el deber de votar.

Dumb , Drunk and Racist

Last week ABC channel presented the TV program Dumb, Drunk and racist.

The host Joe, tries to persuade 4 Indian people that Australian stereotype is wrong.

If you are interested, you can watch the full documentary from the ABC website: ABC

but hold on, that only works if you are in Australia, so the other option is watch it from Youtube:

 Dumb, drunk and racist

I hope you enjoy it.

The list: Melbourne suburbs' liveability ranking revealed

 

I found this news in the Age, Its an old article but I think it could be interesting for some people.

You can read it from here or from the Age (The Age)

 

• 1. Overall rank
• + Suburb has risen in rank since 2005 (number indicates how many places)
• - Suburb has dropped in rank since 2005 (number indicates how many places)\
• = No change since last survey
• $$$$$ Median house price above $1.2 million
• $$$$ Median house price $800k-$1.2 million
• $$$ Median house price $600k-$800k
• $$ Median house price $400k-$600k
• $$$$$ Median house price below $400k

1. South Yarra = $$$$$

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Despite six years passing and our methodology somewhat changing since our last survey, South Yarra retains top spot, achieving a perfect score on nine out of 14 indicators, including provision of cafes/restaurants, shopping, schools and culture. Close to the city and coast, it also excels in areas where inner suburbs traditionally struggle — namely, it has plenty of open space and trees, aided by Fawkner Park and the Botanic Gardens. It is also hilly, has great public transport, and falls down only on crime rates and clogged main roads. Hard to budge.

2. East Melbourne = $$$$$

Home to Yarra Park, Treasury Gardens, the MCG and Parliament House, East Melbourne holds its ground in the 2011 survey with top marks in eight categories, also improving its score for shopping after changes to the “Eastbourne” retail strip on Wellington Parade. Not exactly in the belly of the bustle, what it lacks in urgency it makes up in proximity to dynamism — cross a boundary and you enter the CBD (26), Carlton (12), Fitzroy (70), Collingwood (31), Abbotsford (53) or Richmond (51).

3. Armadale +2 $$$$$

Hemmed in on the north, south, east and west by (respectively) Malvern, Dandenong, Glenferrie and Orrong roads, Armadale is perhaps bigger than you think. Toorak Park and Toorak Railway Station, for instance, are both inside its western edge. Train, tram and bus are never far away, shopping is plentiful, and crime rates and congestion on its main roads are not as big a problem as in most other suburbs close to the CBD — the only thing preventing Armadale from a higher ranking is its almost total lack of open spaces.

4. Hawthorn East -1 $$$$$

Unlike those neighbourhoods ranked above it, Hawthorn East can boast only two perfect scores across all indicators — one of those courtesy of its low crime rate. A thin, vertical strip of land between Hawthorn (11) and Camberwell (84), it is rich in historic mansions and stately homes, but the survey doesn’t take architectural aesthetics into account — Hawthorn East simply performs well by every measure, even more so than notable neighbours Kooyong (23), Kew (35) and Canterbury (48).

5. Toorak +1 $$$$$

High congestion, virtually no bus services and basically no open space — these are the things that drag Toorak down to fifth place in our rankings. One of Australia’s most expensive suburbs, with a median house price of $2.274 million, its curving northern boundary is formed by the steep slopes along the Yarra, where Melbourne’s largest homes were initially perched so that wealthy industrialists might keep an eye on their factories in flat “struggletown” suburbs to the north such as Burnley (16) and Richmond (51).

6. Clifton Hill -2 $$$

With a median house price of $766,000 and a ranking solidly in the top 10, Clifton Hill — a leafy oasis of Victorian homes and Yarra parkland amid the traffic of Hoddle Street and the Eastern Freeway — is arguably the best-value suburb in Melbourne: you’ll have to drop down to 20th place (Hampton East) to find somewhere cheaper that’s even close in terms of liveability. So why is it so much higher than its immediate (and pricier) neighbour Fitzroy North (28)? It has marginally better access to the train, it’s a bit hillier, and it has a bit more open space. What’s not to like? Crime levels aren’t great.

7. Parkville +12 $$$$$

A new arrival in the top 10, Parkville, another green oasis in the inner north, scores highly on open space (take a bow, Royal Park), and improved slightly on the last survey with schools and shopping to jump 12 places. What cost it ranking points? Crime, poor access to bus routes and, when you venture onto the main roads, traffic flow is lousy.

8. Ormond +10 $$$$

If you live in Ormond and always wished you could have afforded neighbouring Brighton East (50) or even Brighton (27) proper, here’s solace: your suburb is nicer than both. And cheaper. And, depending on your address, gets you into one of the best schools in Melbourne for free: savvy families know that parts of Ormond (below North Road) fall within the zone for McKinnon Secondary College. Crime is relatively low, there’s a train line and you’re well served by several good Indian restaurants. The only major negatives, at least in terms of how this study works, are small amounts of open space and a flat landscape.

9. Fairfield +1 $$$$

Bordering Clifton Hill (6), it’s not surprising that Fairfield scores highly too: again, access to Yarra Bend parklands means it fares well on open space, with high marks, too, for shopping and cafes. Only less-than-stellar proximity to schools and congested main roads costs it ranking points.

10. Hampton +36 $$$$$

So why did Hampton fare better than neighbouring, and ritzier, Brighton (languishing in 27th spot)? Less congested main roads (none to speak of, really, except Beach Road), slightly more (and hillier) open space, better bus routes and slightly better crime levels. Brighton has better shopping though.

11. Hawthorn -3 $$$$$

12. Carlton +5 $$$$

13. Carlton North = $$$$

14. Aberfeldie +28 $$$$

15. Mont Albert North +1 $$$$

The big performer in the east, Mont Albert North is strong on all indicators. Crossing the Eastern Freeway to the north, however, direct neighbour Doncaster (158) finds itself 143 places further down — the main differences being lack of proximity to schools, congested main roads and crime rates.

16. Burnley +20 $$$$

17. Ripponlea +73 $$$$

When proximity to train, tram and bus are combined, Ripponlea is the best suburb in the city for public transport. What about Melbourne (26), you ask? The CBD scores well, too, but is let down by parkland stretching to Cremorne (74), where there are less bus stops.

18. Windsor -9 $$$$

19. St Kilda East +51 $$$$

20. Hampton East +56 $$$

21. Caulfield South +10 $$$$

22. Balaclava +3 $$$$

23. Kooyong +4 $$$$$

24. Elsternwick = $$$$$

25. Parkdale +3 $$$

26. Melbourne +7 $$$

The Melbourne CBD scores highest for restaurants and cafes. It is also the worst suburb for crime (per capita), but this is because it has so many visitors and so few residents. For instance, many of the violent crimes committed here are “outsider on outsider” offences.

27. Brighton -12 $$$$$

28. Fitzroy North -7 $$$$

29. Albert Park -3 $$$$$

30. Elwood +44 $$$$$

31. Collingwood -9 $$$

32. Ivanhoe -25 $$$$

Ranked seven in the 2005 study, Ivanhoe has dropped 25 spots since then and is a lesson in how a few points can make a big difference. Ivanhoe suffered marginal losses in a few indicators, but the drop is largely attributed to the relative rise of other suburbs.

33. Sandringham -21 $$$$$

34. Prahran -4 $$$$

35. Kew +10 $$$$$

36. Northcote +20 $$$$

37. Footscray +7 $$

The most affordable suburb in the top 50 (by a mile), Footscray rates higher than many traditionally more highly regarded suburbs including blue‑blooded Canterbury (48), super-expensive Middle Park (61) and the middle-class heartland Malvern East (62).

38. Mont Albert = $$$$

39. St Kilda +1 $$$$

40. Williamstown -12 $$$$

41. Brunswick West = $$$

42. Newport +12 $$$

Closing the gap on its desirable neighbour Williamstown (40), Newport is close to the coast and city, scores high on culture and cafes and restaurants, has low congestion on main roads, good proximity to trains and open spaces.

43. Gardenvale +26 *

Melbourne’s smallest suburb, at just under a third of a hectare, Gardenvale - a tiny wedge near Caulfield South (21) and Elsternwick (24) - flies under the radar but is close to the coast and city and has great public transport and roads, overcoming its lack of open space and hills.

44. Flemington +29 $$$

45. Essendon +2 $$$$

46. Kew East -35 $$$$

47. South Melbourne -11 $$$$

48. Canterbury -34 $$$$$

49. Seddon +62 $$$

Twenty years ago, who would have thought that Seddon would be ranked just one spot below Canterbury (48)? The inner-western suburb has risen 62 places since 2005, scoring better in cafes and restaurants thanks to the evolving Victoria Street area, among other factors.

50. Brighton East +3 $$$$

51. Richmond -17 $$$$

With Swan Street, Bridge Road, Victoria Street, Church Street and Victoria Gardens, Richmond is the top suburb for shopping facilities. Its popular cafe and restaurant strips and train and tram services also score highly (although it loses points for traffic congestion).

52. Travancore +40 $$$

53. Abbotsford -18 $$$

54. Black Rock -34 $$$$$

55. Footscray West +34 $$

56. North Melbourne -8 $$$

57. Caulfield +6 $$$$

The established south-east suburb of Caulfield is actually the worst suburb in the city for open space, with relatively few parks, the bigger Caulfield Park falling within Caulfield North (63) and Princes Park in Caulfield South (21).

58. Yarraville +30 $$$

Up-and-coming Yarraville is one suburb closer to the city than Brooklyn (269), yet sits 211 places above it on the list, the disparity pinned down to differences in culture, cafes, schools and open space.

59. Glen Iris +1 $$$$$

60. Montmorency +7 $$

61. Middle Park -2 $$$$$

62. Malvern East -13 $$$$

63. Caulfield North +2 $$$$$

64. Box Hill -3 $$$$

65. Malvern -26 $$$$$

66. Surrey Hills -34 $$$$

67. Alphington -16 $$$$

68. Ashburton -25 $$$$

69. Southbank +12 $$$

As might be expected, Southbank’s proximity to the Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria in St Kilda Road sees it ranked as the top suburb in Melbourne by size of cultural sector.

70. Fitzroy -15 $$$$

71. McKinnon +41 $$$$

72. St Kilda West +34 $$$$$

Any rank inside the top 75 is upper echelon but St Kilda West, with a median housing price of $2.273 million, might expect a higher ranking. Its downsides are busy main roads, flatness and crime.

73. Belgrave -1 $

Also inside the top 75, with a median house price of $370k, Belgrave is the success story of the survey, shattering the trend of outer areas ranking low. If proximity to city and coast are left out, this gem shoots to number two.

74. Cremorne +36 $$$

75. Burwood -52 $$$

One of a wide band of middle-eastern suburbs that have dropped in rank marginally since 2005 — not unlike Blackburn (89) and Bulleen (140) — Burwood fell 52 places in 2011, despite remaining stable in liveability. Its drop is relative to the rise of other suburbs.

76. Glen Huntly -26 $$$$

77. Caulfield East +44 $$$$

78. Brunswick East -10 $$$

79. Murrumbeena = $$$$

80. Ascot Vale +3 $$$

81. Beaumaris -4 $$$$

82. Moonee Ponds +3 $$$$

Outscored by neighbouring Aberfeldie (14), Moonee Ponds has great public transport and is close to the city, schools, shopping and cafes, but its roads are congested, its crime rates are high and it has limited open space.

83. Thornbury +25 $$$

84. Camberwell +7 $$$$$

85. Templestowe Lower -28 $$$

86. Carnegie -11 $$$$

87. Ashwood  -7 $$$

88. Kensington -24 $$$

89. Blackburn -31 $$$$

90. Brunswick -6 $$$

91. Kingsville +27 $$$

92. Princes Hill +34 $$$$

Tiny Princes Hill is the best suburb in Melbourne for proximity to schools, meaning residents on average have less distance to travel to reach a kindergarten, primary, secondary or special needs school — public or private — than anywhere else.

93. Ivanhoe East -22 $$$$$

94. Heidelberg -42 $$$

95. Braybrook -17 $$

This maligned inner-western suburb has limited open space and tree cover, plus high crime, but these are offset by low congestion, great proximity to schools, shopping facilities, cafes and restaurants. Braybrook is also (relatively) close to the city and the beach.

96. South Kingsville +46 *

This little suburb you might not have heard of sneaks into the top 100. South Kingsville sits just underneath Spotswood (157), scores high for cafes, restaurants and culture, is near both the bay and the bridge and is relatively low in crime.

97. Tecoma +6 $

98. Hughesdale -16 $$$

99. Essendon West +2 $$$

100. Highett -34 $$$

101. Sassafras -4 $$

102. Balwyn +5 $$$$$

103. Oakleigh -4 $$$

104. Bentleigh +52 $$$$

Another of the biggest movers, the rise of Bentleigh is probably more a reflection of its relatively low result last time than any major change in the suburb since then.

105. Upwey -19 $$

106. Eltham North +53 $$$

107. Balwyn North -9 $$$$

108. Ringwood East +9 $$

109. Essendon North  -9 $$$$

110. Oak Park -1 $$$

111. Box Hill North -6 $$$

112. Coburg +63 $$$

One of the big improvers since 2005, Coburg rose 63 places (from 175), attributable to a notable increase in score on the size of the cultural sector, following a general inner-northern trend towards renewal and gentrification.

113. Heathmont -18 $$

114. Pascoe Vale South +65 $$$

Cross Moreland Road from Brunswick West (41) and you enter Pascoe Vale South. A big improver since 2005, the suburb rises 65 places, due to nothing dramatic but a series of small gains in half a dozen liveability indicators including shopping services.

115. Ferny Creek +13 *

Topographical mapping reveals that Ferny Creek, perched on the edge of Mount Dandenong, is officially Melbourne’s hilliest suburb. It can also boast, according to per capita measures, the lowest crime rate in Melbourne.

116. Seaholme -2 $$$

117. Macleod -1 $$$

118. Selby -37 $$$

119. Maribyrnong +27 $$$$

120. Kallista -7 $$

121. Mount Waverley -34 $$$

An interesting example of the difference a boundary line can make, stable Mount Waverley is 151 spots above Clayton (272), but the only sizeable difference between the two is Mount Waverley’s good rating on crime.

122. Chadstone -60 $$$

123. Huntingdale +6 $$$

124. Kingsbury -28 $$

125. Briar Hill +67 $$

Adjoining Greensborough (162) and Montmorency (60), Briar Hill has risen 67 places in the rankings since 2005 with improved scores on a range of indicators including cafes and restaurants, proximity to bus lines, size of the local cultural sector and crime.

126. Warrandyte -33 $$$

127. Saint Helena +60 $$$

128. Mount Dandenong +2 $$

The number one suburb for tree density in Melbourne, and, naturally, one of the hilliest, Mount Dandenong sits 152 places higher than its neighbour Kilsyth (280), which has less open space and a less dramatic landscape.

129. Docklands +78 $$$$

Docklands is improving, tram extensions and better shopping contributing to a 78-place rise in ranking since the 2005 study. The waterfront neighbourhood is also a great reflection of how liveability is difficult to define, sitting on virtually equal footing with leafy Eltham (130).

130. Eltham -5 $$$

131. Watsonia -37 $$

132. Port Melbourne -13 $$$$

133. Moorabbin -31 $$$

134. Wattle Glen +9 $$

In the far east, north of Diamond Creek (205), Wattle Glen is a low-density suburb that ranks on the bottom for shopping facilities yet very well for its low levels of road congestion, its open space, tree cover and proximity to trains.

135. Cheltenham -15 $$$

136. Bellfield +1 $$

137. Box Hill South -14 $$$

138. Lower Plenty +11 $$$

139. Pascoe Vale +25 $$$

140. Bulleen -37 $$$

141. Ringwood North +3 $$

142. Vermont -4 $$

143. Mitcham -16 $$$

144. Edithvale +23 $$

The corridor along the coast between Aspendale (266) and Frankston (193) does not fare well. Except for Edithvale, which is better on trains, congestion, tree cover and schools, outranking nearby Chelsea Heights (290) by 146 places.

145. Preston -12 $$$

146. Mordialloc-24 $$$

147. Dingley Village +4 $$

148. Springvale South -8 $$

149. Strathmore Heights +46 $$$

150. Blackburn South +21 $$$

151. Beaconsfield +10 $$

152. Olinda -8 $$

153. Maidstone +109 $$

A big part of the inner-west resurgence, Maidstone has risen 109 places (more than any other suburb) since 2005. Another great example of the variable nature of liveability, it is ranked alongside the tourist village of Olinda (152).

154. Coburg North +55 $$

155. Glen Waverley +58 $$$

156. Nunawading -41 $$$

157. Spotswood +20 $$$

158. Doncaster -34 $$$

159. Yallambie +4 $$

160. Park Orchards -24 $$$$

161. Noble Park +22 $$

162. Greensborough -15 $$

163. Seabrook +68 $$

Improved open space and provision of cafes and restaurants has helped outer south-western Seabrook rise 68 places since the 2005 Liveable Melbourne survey, although the greatest change was an increase in proximity to bus lines. It scores well on congestion, open space and proximity to coast.

164. Jacana +5 $

With a median house price of $385,000, one of the lowest in the survey, Jacana, near Broadmeadows, is relatively good value, perched midway in our table above many much pricier suburbs.

165. Blackburn North +13 $$$

166. Burwood East -35 $$$

167. Research +22 $$$

168. Clayton South -34 $$

169. Viewbank -21 $$$

170. Kalorama = $$

171. Belgrave South +17 $$$

172. West Melbourne +36 $$$$

173. Donvale +33 $$$

174. Doncaster East -16 $$$

175. Upper Ferntree Gully +27 $$

176. Reservoir -44 $$

Located just north of Preston (145), Reservoir is Melbourne’s most populous suburb, home to more than 45,000 residents. A slight decline in a few indicators caused the suburb to drop 44 ranking spots since 2005.

177. Rosanna -27 $$$

178. Mentone -4 $$$

In many ways, Mentone is an ideal bayside suburb, and it does score highly for shopping, cafes and coastal proximity, but it is dragged out of the top half of the rankings by low scores on public transport, open space, and lack of hilliness and tree cover.

179. Oakleigh East +42 $$$

180. Williamstown North +9 *

181. Niddrie +18 $$$

182. Oakleigh South -30 $$$

183. Belgrave Heights +43 $$

184. Altona +12 $$$

185. Montrose -25 $$

186. Wheelers Hill +52 $$$

One of the highest risers in our list since the last survey, the south-eastern suburb of Wheelers Hill jumps up 52 places. A major attraction is the vast Jells Park, which has nine kilometres of bike paths.

187. Templestowe -6 $$$$

188. Clarinda -53 $$

189. Avondale Heights -4 $$

190. Heatherton +33 $$$

191. Keysborough +46 $$

192. Ringwood -27 $$

193. Frankston -25 $

194. North Warrandyte +42 $$$

195. Monbulk -15 $$

196. Glenroy -14 $$

197. Dallas +1 $

198. Fawkner +3 $$

199. Eaglemont -37 $$$$$

Dropping 37 places since our last survey in 2005, leafy Eaglemont, proud custodian of a group of homes designed around parkland by Walter Burley Griffin, ranks as the lowest-placed suburb with a median house price over $1.2 million — two spots below Dallas, where the median house price is just $320,000.

200. Plenty +28 $$$$

201. Boronia -61 $$

202. Seaford -49 $$

203. Bentleigh East +51 $$$

204. The Basin +14 $$

205. Diamond Creek +18 $$

206. Dandenong -34 $$

207. Watsonia North +3 $$

208. Sunshine -8 $$

209. Vermont South -33 $$$

210. The Patch +25 $$

211. Carrum -58 $$

212. Frankston North -39 $

The cheapest suburb in Melbourne is Frankston North, with a median house price of $288,000 - yet it's a long way from being the least liveable. A bargain.

213. Gladstone Park +21 $$

214. Mount Evelyn -10 $$

215. Sherbrooke -58 *

216. Heidelberg West -30 $$

217. Laverton +30 $

218. Albion -5 $$

219. Broadmeadows -28 $

220. Ferntree Gully +7 $$

221. Mooroolbark -38 $$

222. Forest Hill -25 $$

223. Meadow Heights -19 $

224. Truganina -14 $

225. Lalor -1 $

226. Croydon -33 $$

227. Keilor East -15 $$$

228. Airport West -26 $$

A small suburb south of Tullamarine (289) and north of Niddrie (181), Airport West has the lowest ranking for cultural sector but has excellent shopping facilities and low congestion on its arterial roads.

229. Bonbeach -13 $$

230. Mill Park -8 $$

231. Frankston South -1  $$

232. Wonga Park  +18 $$$

233. Sunshine West +39 $$

234. Westmeadows -40 $$

235. Bundoora -16 $$

236. Altona Meadows -21 $$

237. Wantirna +2 $$

238. Heidelberg Heights +3 $$

239. Strathmore +5 $$$

240. Eumemmerring +6 *

241. Doveton +1 $

242. Lilydale +6 $$

243. Notting Hill -104 $$

The greatest decline in ranking since 2005, Notting Hill plummeted 104 places, mostly after a drop in score on schools due to the closure of Monash Primary School, Monash Secondary School and Westerfield Preschool between 2006 and 2009.

244. Ardeer -79 $

Between Sunshine West (233) and St Albans (282) — both geographically and in our rankings — Ardeer scores well on open space, thanks to parkland around Kororoit Creek, but has dropped 79 places since 2005 on the back of an increase in crime.

245. Point Cook -13 $$

246. Lysterfield South +7 *

The top suburb for open space, more than 50 per cent of Lysterfield South is made up of Lysterfield Park, with a swimmable lake and extensive trails; it was the venue for mountain biking events at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

247. Harkaway +2 $$

248. Altona North +8 $$

249. Wantirna South -24 $$

250. Springvale -5 $$

251. Coolaroo -31  $

252. Croydon Hills +15  $$

253. Hadfield +16  $$

254. Croydon North -4 $$

255. Croydon South +2 $$

256. Roxburgh Park -16 $

257. Gowanbrae +38 $$

Up 38 places (from 295 in 2005), Gowanbrea, between Glenroy (196) and Gladstone Park (213), climbs the list thanks to its greatly improved proximity to bus services, including the opening of bus route 490 in 2008.

258. Kealba = $

259. Langwarrin -16 $$

260. Albanvale -1 $

261. Wandin North +12 $$

262. Patterson Lakes -1 $$

Just up the road from Frankston (193), Patterson Lakes is a short walk from the coast with loads of open space and uncluttered roads but it lacks tree cover, proximity to schools and scores low on all forms of public transport.

263. Cranbourne = $

264. Taylors Lakes +12 $$

A gain of 12 places since 2005 (when it ranked 276) in Taylors Lakes can be put down to a higher rating on shopping facilities following the expansion of Watergardens Town Centre in 2007.

265. Warranwood +10 $$$

266. Aspendale +4  $$$

267. Hoppers Crossing -7  $

268. Mulgrave +12 $$

269. Brooklyn +12 $$

270. Chelsea +12 $$

271. Kings Park +16 $

272. Clayton -55 $$$

273. Keilor Downs +4 $$

274. Berwick +12 $$

275. Baxter -42 $

276. Werribee -5 $

277. Dandenong North -9 $$

278. Bayswater -12 $$

279. Endeavour Hills = $$

280. Kilsyth -25 $$

281. Delahey +23 $

282. St Albans -19 $$

283. Greenvale -9 $$

A developing suburb on the edge of Roxburgh Park (256) and Meadow Heights (223), Greenvale is the worst-ranked suburb for cafes and restaurants, although developments are planned.

284. Carrum Downs -19 $

285. Narre Warren South +5 $$

286. Aspendale Gardens +23  $$

287. Narre Warren -4 $

288. Hampton Park +1 $

289. Tullamarine -4 $$

290. Chelsea Heights +4 $$

291. Epping +1 $

292. Lysterfield +11 $$$

293. Thomastown -5 $$

294. Scoresby -10  $$

295. Knoxfield -4 $$

296. Junction Village +16 $

297. Keilor +2 $$

298. Attwood -46 $$$

299. Cranbourne North +8 $

300. Chirnside Park -22 $$

At just over 32 hectares, outer-northeast Chirnside Park is by far our largest suburb. An area of small farms and some houses, it is ranked worst for proximity to schools in part because of its sheer size.

301. Rowville -8 $$

302. Keilor Park -2 $$

303. Narre Warren North -3 $$$$

304. Deer Park -8 $

305. Dandenong South +3 *

306. Craigieburn -9 $

307. Sydenham -1 $$

308. Kilsyth South +2 $$

309. Wandin -7 *

Just past Mount Evelyn (214), Wandin is the worst suburb in Melbourne for proximity to public transport, although that proximity is measured by distance, not travel time: on Wandin’s uncongested roads, the drive to Lilydale Station typically takes less than 10 minutes.

310. Campbellfield -5 $

311. Keilor Lodge  +3 *

312. Sunshine North -14 $$

313. Bayswater North -2 $$

314. Hallam -1 $

Somebody has to be on the bottom of the list, and it's Hallam, which is relatively hilly, has good proximity to trains plus moderate open space, but which falls down most notably on culture, schools, shopping and tree cover.

 

IELTS Material Preparation

Very useful material for IELTS preparation.

Australian Network

Melbourne job losses

Desafortunadamente esto se esta volviendo normal en Melbourne (este tipo de noticias) muchas enpresas estan cerrando y otras outsourcing en paises como India, Filipinas o Singapure.

La noticia completa Aqui: Ford Australia Cerrara dos plantas


Unfortunately this is becoming normal in Melbourne (this kind of news) many companies are closing and others are outsourcing to India, Phillipines or Singapore.


Ford Australia to close Broadmeadows and Geelong 

For those who are studing english in order to present the IELTS, I found this video with the transtript that is very interesting.

The revange of the Nerds



By the way I am studing for the IELTS, this time academic version....

Writing a Resume

This is an example of a resume that I created and you can use it as a template if you want.


Este es un ejemplo de la hoja de vida que cree y puedes usarlo como plantilla si quieres.


_____________________________________________________________________


#Name

Place and date of birth: #ABC - #Department – #Country – #dateofbrith
Passport Number: #XXX
E-mail: #abc@abc.com



EDUCATION

#Year University Name City - Country
#Career_Name

#Year University Name City - Country
#Career_Name

INTRODUCTION

At the moment I work for “Company Name” in City - Country, where I am a Database Programmer; Since 100 years ago, I had been in charge of design and modification of database structure according to changes in law and keep the user’s information up to date, create and modify packages in PL/SQL Oracle 11g through Oracle Developer tool.

Prior to this position, I worked in the company "ABC" for 100 years as Analyst Programmer. My roles in several projects which I was participating were: gather requirements from users to accomplish new business rules, programming using Oracle PL/SQL, PHP, and JavaScript for the ERP Company Name software called “XYZ” and programming using NetBeans Ide 6.9.1 for the payroll software called “ABC”.

Prior to this role I worked in Deparment Name of Company Name as a Help Desk Agent. During 100 years, my role was: Attend system’s requirements like software and hardware installation, setup Pc’s, Printers or email accounts.

I would categorize my major skills and experience as follows:

- Knowledge and experience of several languages programs like VB.NET, C, PHP, and PLSQL.
- Experience with different type of databases like FoxPro, MySQL, Postgress, MS Access, SQL Server and Oracle.
- Experience with the use of patters like MVC, Singleton and Factory.
- Knowledge of UML methodology.
- Experience with different kind of O.S. like Linux, Windows and Unix.
- Able to participate in a programmer’s team.
- Experience in writing reports.
- Some experience in scripting language: UNIX, Linux, and Shell Scripts.
- Able to work under pressure.

BACKGROUND

Date1 – Today Company Name City - Country

Company Description ….

Position : Database Programmer

I am in charge to keep up to date the user’s information and present the information updates to governmental entities. Also I’m in charge to design and modify database structure according to change in law.

Duties:

• Developing and enhancing stored procedures for database application (Oracle 11gi).
• Design, develop and maintain application program in VB .NET, PHP and PLSQL.
• Designing and optimizing database schema and queries.
• Consulting with internal customers to design and code to meet their requirements.
• Data analysis, extracting and reporting.

Date1 – Date2 Company Name. City - Country

Company Description ….

Position : Analyst Programmer

I was in charge to give maintenance the payroll software built it on Java called “ABC”, later I was assigned to the project “Project Name” which is the software to manage all the user’s information joined to Company Name, which was elaborated in PHP and Oracle 11g and JavaScript.
Duties:

• Design, test and deployment structure and database objects using Oracle 11g.
• Implementation store procedures’ tuning using PLSQL and Oracle Developer.
• Implementation of different financial reports.
• Development and system modules update using VB .NET, PHP and PLSQL.


Date 1 – Date2 Company Name City - Country

Position : Help Desk Agent


Company Description ….

I was in charge to attend system’s requirements like software and hardware installation.

Duties:

• Desktop Windows PC installation and setup.
• Printer installation and setup.
• Microsoft Exchange mail setup.
• Find solutions to Technologies problems like virus and others.
• Customer services by phone, email and personal.


TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Oracle 11g Administration Databases
Oracle PL/SQL 8i,9i,10g and 11g
PHP 5.2 and previous versions
JavaScript
Java
Visual Basic .NET






Name
Passport: XXX

Writing an employer reference

This is a little example of an employer reference that I wrote when I was getting all the documentation required for the Australian visa application, I hope it would be useful for the people who wants to use it as a template, for me it was very effective and I hope It would be for you.

Este es un pequeño ejemplo de una carta de referencia que escribí cuando estaba reuniendo toda la documentación requerida para aplicar por la visa Australiana, Espero que sea util para las personas que quieran usarla como plantilla, para mi fue efectiva y espero que lo sea para ustedes.


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Date, City - Country


TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN


Name identified by Passport Number, has been working in Company Name since Date1 to current as a full time employee, during the period from Date2 to Date3, the position he hold is XYZ.

He was in charge to Description of the Job.

His principals’ duties were:


• Design and modify database objects (Oracle 11gi) according to changes in law.
• Create and update store procedures(Oracle 11g) which manage affiliate’s information
• Create and update Software XYZ modules (ERP Company Software) both in presentation and data tier (PHP and Oracle 11g).
• Tuning to procedures and queries using PLSQL.

Name is extremely organized; he can work independently and is able to follow through to ensure that the job gets done. He is flexible and willing to work on any project that is assigned to him. He has my highest recommendation.

If you would have any further questions with regard to his background or qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely,


Boss Name
Position in the Company
Company Name
Tel. 12345647 Mobile : 311-11111111
City, Country
Mail : mailAddress@gmail.com

Colombia Panel Doctors

In this link you can find which Clinics and doctors are allow to take medical examinations for Australia Immigration purposes. Panel Doctors - Colombia

In our particular case we took the medical examinations with the first one and it was because when we call the attention was excellent and they already knew which documents are required.


Spanish Version.

En este link puedes encontar que clinicas y doctores son permitidos para tomar los examenes medicos para propositos de migracion a Australia.
Panel Doctors - Colombia

En nuestro caso particular tomamos los examenes medicos con el primero de la lista por que cuando llamamos por telefono la atencion fue excelente y ellos ya sabian que documentos se requieren.

Melbourne, Australia

English Version
I had started this post 3 times before, actually sometimes I finished it but just only now I published reasons?
I could say so many but the true is that the laziness and be learning new things in a new country and a radical change make you be focusing all the time.
The flight was excellent, of course very long and many flight hours (6 hours from Bogota to Santiago Chile, 12 from Santiago to Auckland, 3 from Auckland to Sydney and 1 from Sydney to Melbourne).
Since the first moment the change is amazing, in the Airport didn’t check us the baggage (11 Suitcases), we only said that we bring some powder milk for our daughter and some basic medicines like pain killer and pills against cold. Imagine how difficult is to push two trolleys at the same time with all the suitcases, but the Melbourne people kindness shows up since the first time, an airport employee helped us with one of the trolleys some part of the journey and later a common Melbourne citizen helped us to get to airport counter.
Then in Melbourne we took a taxi to the place we previously rented by internet and we immediately settled there, the people who rented that apartment are very nice and we recommended widely. (If there is someone interested in that place, the link is: Glenmore)
The next step was to look for a house to rent and fortunately that only last two weekends, we applied for two houses and both were assigned to us then we decided for one of them. That is a good thing here in Melbourne because you can apply for several houses and you don’t have to pay anything to do it. When we settled down in the house then I start to find a job and only it took me 3 weeks, during that time I applied about 20 job offers and I had 3 interviews and now I am working with one of those companies, the funny thing is about three weeks later to be working I received a call from one of the other companies which a presented interview and they offer me to have a final interview but I had to tell them that I already was working and thanks them for the opportunity.
The fist week my wife and daughter got out to play at the park and they found a community hall and in that place they found a playgroup for our daughter, my wife enrolled her straight away.
Now because of that playgroup we had met a lot of Australian families and some of them had invited us to have dinner, BBQ’s and some other activities, in that group only are 3 immigrant families included us so we had been learning about the Australian life style.
I don’t want to make this post too long so I am going to finish here and later on I will write about Internet, buying car, buying furniture, arrange bills etc.


Spanish Version

He empezado este post más de 3 veces, de hecho algunas veces lo he terminado pero solo hasta ahora lo vengo a publicar, cuales son las razones?
Podría decir muchas pero la verdad es que solo se trata de pereza y de estar enfocado en las nuevas cosas que un país Nuevo y un cambio tan radical lo llevan a uno a descubrir.
El vuelo fue excelente, por supuesto muchas horas de vuelo (6 de Bogotá a Santiago de Chile, 12 de Santiago de Chile a Auckland, 3 de Aukcland a Sydney y finalmente 1 hora de Sydney a Melbourne).
Es impactante el cambio desde el primer momento, en el Aeropuerto no nos revisaron las maletas (11 en Total), solo dijimos que traíamos leche para la bebe y la formula del médico, así como medicamentos comunes para la gripa y Dolores de cabeza. Ya se imaginaran lo difícil manejar dos carritos con todas las maletas, pero la amabilidad de la gente se dejo ver desde el primer momento pues los encargados del Aeropuerto nos ayudaron hasta cierto punto y luego un ciudadano cualquiera nos ayudo el resto del trayecto.
En Melbourne tomamos un Taxi hasta el sitio que habíamos alquilado y nos instalamos inmediatamente, las personas que nos alquilaron, súper amables, ampliamente recomendados. (El link, por si alguien está interesado es: Glenmore )
Luego empezamos con la búsqueda de vivienda la cual afortunadamente solo nos tomo 2 fines de semana, aplicamos a 2 casas y las dos nos las asignaron, luego decidimos por una de ellas. Esa es la ventaja de Melbourne, tu puedes aplicar a cuantas casas quieras pues no debes pagar nada para poder aplicar, una vez instalados en la casa empezamos con la búsqueda de empleo la cual solo tomo 3 semanas, durante esas 3 semanas apliqué como a 20 empleos de los cuales tuve 3 entrevistas y en una de ellas quede y empecé a trabajar, como 3 semanas después de estar trabajando me llamaron de una de las empresas que había presentado entrevista para una entrevista final pero les comente que ya estaba trabajando que estaba muy agradecido por la oportunidad.
Mi esposa la primer semana salió con la niña a un parque cerca de la casa y en el centro comunitario encontró un grupo de juegos para los niños y se inscribió inmediatamente, ahora gracias a ese grupo hemos conocido a varias familias las cuales no han hecho invitaciones a comer, salidas a parques y otras actividades. La mayoría de esas familias son australianas y solo 3 familias del grupo somos inmigrantes, lo cual ha hecho que vayamos aprendiendo el estilo de vida australiano.
Para no hacer este post tan largo lo dejare allí y luego escribiré sobre el internet, compra de vehículo, compra de artículos para el hogar, servicios públicos etc.

Useful Links

Browsing through internet I found this list and I think is very useful for any who is interested in the Australian visa process.

Navegando por internet encontré esta lista y pienso que es muy útil para cualquiera que esté interesado en el proceso de visa Australiana.


http://www.gettingdownunder.com
http://www.pomsinoz.com/
http://aussieneighbor.freeforums.org
http://www.immi.gov.au
http://www.citizenship.gov.au
http://www.passports.gov.au
http://www.mrt.gov.au (Migration Review Tribunal)
http://www.nz-oz.gov.au (for Kiwis heading to Australia)

MIGRATION AGENCIES
http://www.themara.com.au
http://www.mia.org.au

COMMUNITY MIGRATION ADVICE in AUSTRALIA
http://www.iarc.asn.au (Sydney)
http://www.rilc.org.au (Melbourne)
If elsewhere in Australia, IARC or RILC may be able to refer you

STATE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES
http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au
http://www.immigration.sa.gov.au


IMMIGRATION FAQs
http://www.ptlabs.com.au/visas/faq.php
http://www.austimeline.com (Timelines)
http://www.richw.org/dualcit/ (for US citizens in Australia)

SKILL ASSESSING AUTHORITIES
http://www.ieaust.org.au (Engineers)
http://www.aaca.org.au (Architects)
http://www.icaa.org.au (Accountants)
http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au (Accountants)
http://www.nia.org.au (Accountants)
http://www.aps.psychsociety.com.au (Psychology)
http://www.acs.org.au (IT)
http://www.anmc.org.au (Nurses)
http://www.naati.com.au (Translators)
http://www.detya.gov.au/noosr/ (Teachers, plus general information)
http://www.workplace.gov.au/TRA/ (Tradesmen)
http://www.vetassess.com.au (Most 50 + 40 point occupations)
A full listing can be found on form 1121i (Skilled Occupations List)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING
http://www.ielts.org
http://www.oet.com.au

GOVERNMENT PORTALS
http://www.fed.gov.au
http://www.nsw.gov.au
http://www.vic.gov.au
http://www.qld.gov.au
http://www.sa.gov.au
http://www.wa.gov.au
http://www.tas.gov.au
http://www.act.gov.au
http://www.nt.gov.au

DRIVING LICENCE
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Other authorities can be found through the state government portal.

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSIES
http://www.australia.org.uk (London)
http://www.ahc-ottawa.org (Ottawa)
http://www.austemb.org (Washington DC)
http://www.australian-embassy.de (Berlin)
(All overseas DIMIA offices)
http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/ (All overseas Australian missions)
Not every Australian mission has a DIMIA presence.

FOREIGN EMBASSIES in the AUSTRALIA
http://www.info.dfat.gov.au/protocol (Full listing)
http://www.britaus.net
http://canberra.usembassy.gov
http://www.canada.org.au
http://www.nzembassy.com/home.cfm?c=18

BANKING
http://www.commbank.com.au
http://www.anz.com.au
http://www.stgeorge.com.au
http://www.national.com.au
http://www.westpac.com.au
http://www.australiancu.com.au
http://www.bankwest.com.au
http://www.banksa.com.au
http://www.hsbc.com.au
http://www.citibank.com.au
http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk (Commonwealth Bank, London branch)
http://www.americanexpress.com.au

REAL ESTATE
http://www.property.com.au
http://www.realestate.com.au
http://www.domain.com.au
http://www.tenants.org.au (Tenants rights)

HIGHER EDUCATION
http://www.go8.edu.au
http://www.hecs.gov.au

DISTANCE LEARNING
http://www.une.edu.au
http://www.deakin.edu.au
http://www.monash.edu.au
http://www.usq.edu.au
http://www.ola.edu.au
http://www.oli.tafe.net
http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk

NEWS and MEDIA
http://www.abc.net.au
http://www.ninemsn.com.au
http://www.seven.com.au
http://www.theaustralian.com.au (National)
http://www.smh.com.au (Sydney)
http://www.theage.com.au (Melbourne)
http://www.afr.com.au (Australian Financial Review)
http://www.crikey.com.au
http://www.mikesradioworld.com/oceania.html (Radio stations online)

SHOPPING & RETAIL
http://www.angusrobertson.com.au (Books)
http://www.binglee.com.au (Electrical)
http://www.dse.com.au (Electrical)
http://www.coles.com.au (Supermarket)
http://www.dymocks.com.au (Books)
http://www.retravision.com.au (Electrical)
http://www.westfield.com.au (Shopping Malls)
http://www.woolworths.com.au (Supermarkets)

EMPLOYMENT
http://www.seek.com.au
http://www.hays.com.au
http://www.careerone.com.au
http://www.mycareer.com.au
http://www.jobsearch.gov.au

HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE
http://www.centrelink.gov.au (Social security)
http://www.hic.gov.au (Health Insurance Commission, incl Medicare)
http://www.mbf.com.au (Health insurance)
http://www.medibank.com.au (health insurance)
http://www.hcf.com.au (health insurance)

TRAVEL & MOTORING
http://www.flightcentre.com.au
http://www.trailfinders.com.au
http://www.qantas.com
http://www.virginblue.com.au (Main competitor to Qantas)
http://www.sydneyairport.com.au
http://www.melbourneairport.com.au
http://www.greyhound.com.au (Bus)
http://www.drive.com.au (Car prices)
http://www.nrma.com.au (Insurance, Roadside assistance)
http://www.avis.com.au
http://www.hertz.com.au
http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au (Car rental, Sydney and Perth)
http://www.airlinequality.com (Airline reviews)

TOURISM
http://www.australia.com
http://www.yha.org.au (Budget accommodation)

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS
http://www.australia.anglican.org
http://www.uca.org.au (Uniting Church - Methodist/Presbyterian)

WEATHER
http://www.bom.gov.au
http://www.australianweathernews.com
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~jamestorm/bristorm.html (Brisbane)
http://members.iinet.net.au/~jacob/weather.html (Perth)
http://www.dropbears.com/brough (Morning Glory cloud waves)
http://www.realsurf.com.au/ (Surf reports)

WEBCAMS
http://perthcam.bankwest.com.au
http://webcam.omni.net.au (Melbourne)

POLITICAL
http://www.liberal.org.au
http://www.alp.org.au
http://www.aph.gov.au (Parliament)
http://www.aec.gov.au (Elections)
http://www.whitlamdismissal.com (Political history)
http://www.australianpolitics.com

POSTAL & TELECOM
http://www.auspost.com.au
http://www.telstra.com.au
http://www.optus.com.au
http://www.vodafone.com.au
http://www.virginmobile.com.au

UTILITY PROVIDERS (SYDNEY)
http://www.agl.com.au
http://www.energy.com.au

INTERNET
http://www.ozemail.com.au
http://www.pacific.net.au
http://www.ihug.com.au
http://www.iprimus.com.au
http://www.iinet.net.au
http://www.aunic.net (Naming)

DIRECTORIES & SEARCH ENGINES
http://www.yahoo.com.au
http://www.google.com.au
http://www.whitepages.com.au (Online Directory)
http://www.yellowpages.com.au

OTHER GOVERNMENT SITES
http://www.abs.gov.au (National Statistics)
http://www.rba.gov.au (Central Bank)
http://scaleplus.law.gov.au (Legislation Information)
http://www.casa.gov.au (Civil Aviation Safety Authority)
http://www.ato.gov.au (Taxation)
http://www.aqis.gov.au (Quarantine)
http://www.customs.gov.au (Customs)
http://www.firb.gov.au (Foreign Investment Review Board)
http://www.familycourt.gov.au (Family Court, includes divorce information)
(Administrative Appeals Tribunal)


OTHER AUSTRALIA SITES
http://www.austlii.edu.au (Legal Database)
http://www.melbourne2006.com.au (Commonwealth Games)
http://www.taxpayer.com.au (Taxpayers Australia)
http://www.bpay.com.au (Bill payment)
http://www.slsa.asn.au (Surf life saving)
http://www.australianflag.org.au (Australian National Flag Association)
http://www.southern-cross-group.org (Expatriate Australians)
http://www.hea.asn.au (Home-education)
http://www.rfds.org.au (Royal Flying Doctor Service)
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fireants (Brisbane Fire Ant infestation)
http://www.ntf.flinders.edu.au (National Tidal Facility)
http://www.ga.gov.au/nmd/geodesy/astro/ (Sunrise / Sunset times)
http://www.whereis.com.au (online maps)

Visa Approved

A Great News

Visa Aprobada ,Visa Approved,visum goedgekeur,Visa miratuar,تأشيرة وافقت
VISA ЗАЦВЕРДЖАНА,VISA ОДОБРЕНИ,VISA APROVADA, 簽證認可,VISA ODOBRENO,VISA SCHVÁLENO,VISA GODKENDT,VISA GOEDGEKEURD,VISA HEAKSKIIDETUD,VISA inaprubahan,Visa päätti,VISA APPROUVÉ,VISA APROVADOS,VISA APPROVED,VISA ΕΓΚΡΙΘΗΚΑΝ,Visa APWOUVE,A VISA JÓVÁHAGYOTT

Thanks God!!!

Taking Medical Examinations

We woke up early because our appointment was settled at 7 AM and we live far away from the medical center; it took us 1 hour to get there. When we arrived the medical center was still closed but 5 minutes later the first employee arrived.

She asks us about what embassy was the documentation for, because they make medical examinations not only for Australia but also for Canada, New Zealand and I don’t know what others countries.

Later she asks about the File reference number which arrived in the email that the case officer sent us and we showed her the original passport because we forgot the photocopy. At that time the office was with 7 people more taking the same medical examinations for the same and/or different countries.

Then the secretary took us a picture to each one with a digital camera and fill out the information in a template form for the medical and RX exam and we pay 680.000 Colombian pesos (340 dollars approximately). After that we were called for another employee who took us the blood test and gave us a little plastic can for the urine test.

Afterwards the first secretary gave us the medical order to take the chest RX in other clinic called IDIME, that clinic center was at 10 minutes by car and we arrived there at 10 minutes to 9 am and the attention was really quick but the result took 1 hour to be ready. At that place we didn’t pay anything because the previous money we pay in the doctor’s office include the RX too.
With the chest RX result in a sealed envelope we come back to take the general examination with the doctor but at that time (10 AM) our daughter was sleeping in my arms and was necessary to wake her up, thing no easy to do because at that time is her usual nap time.
Finally we woke up our daughter and the doctor only heard her heart and her lungs and during the entire interview he was watching her and taking notes on her movements and her general behavior.

The interview was really fast; only the doctor takes your blood pressure, hear your breath and your heart, some regular questions and no more. Before noon we had finished all the medical requirements and the doctor told us that everything was ok, very normal.

The medical center is in charge to send the documents to the corresponding office, in our case that office was Sydney because we are applying for a General skill independent visa (175).
We wait 7 days before call the medical center ask them for the tracking number for our documents and there they gave us that number and also informed us that the documents already arrived to Sydney on February 23.

That day (Feb 23) we checked through the evisa system and the medical examinations looked “Received” and 3 days later the status had changed to “Referred” and the March 03 they seem Finalized.

Taking PCC

That was easier, only we needed to call the DAS and ask for an appointment for the next day, and the day of the appointment we carried the national ID, a photo and 15.000 (8 US$ approximately) and half our later we had our Police clearance certificate.

Those paper (PCC) we uploaded for the e-visa system on March 03, 2010 because we had to wait for the translations.

I want to add the Attention in the medical center was excellent and reliable, they know all the procedure and they have software where there is the template for every form you need in this case 26EH and 160EH.

Case Officer Assigned

A week ago, I was working on my computer at 11 PM when I decided to open my email account just to check if some email had arrived, when I saw a new email with the subject Adelaide Office, at the beginning I didn’t understand what was it about but when I started to read the body of the email a big wave of emotions fill my body. The message was from our case officer who is requesting that we take the medical examinations and send the police clearance certification (PCC).
Also in the email there is a statement that says: “Timeframe for response
You must respond to this request within 28 days after you are taken to have received this letter”. So, taking that in count tomorrow we’ll take the medical examination and the PCC on the weekend.
Despite the new regulations DIAC issued last February 8th, our case in going really fast because only took 92 days since we apply for the PR to have case officer assigned.
Thanks God!!!.

Funcionario del caso Asignado

Hace una semana, estaba trabajando en mi computador como a las 11PM cuando decidí abrir el correo solo para revisar si había llegado algún email, cuando vi un nuevo correo con el título Oficina Adelaide, al principio no entendía de que se trataba pero cuando empecé a leer el mensaje del correo una gran ola de emociones invadió my cuerpo. El mensaje era de nuestro funcionario del caso quien está solicitando que nos tomemos los exámenes médicos y enviemos los certificados judiciales.
En el correo también hay una oración que dice: “Plazo para responder Usted debe responder esta solicitud dentro de los 28 días después de haber recibido este correo”. Así que tomando eso en cuenta mañana nos tomaremos los exámenes médicos y el fin de semana los pasados judiciales.
A pesar de las nuevas regulaciones que DIAC publicó el pasado 8 de Febrero, nuestro caso está yendo bien rápido porque solamente tomó 92 días desde que aplicamos por la PR hasta tener funcionario del caso asignado.

Gracias Dios!!!.

Applying for a PR

There are two ways to apply for a PR Visa, one is paper base and the other one is online, according to my research is better to apply online because you can track your application 24 hours at day, another good reason is that you send your documents through the system in digital form, the only thing you need to do is scan your documents and upload them to the Evisa System. Of course if your documentation is in another language than English, you need to attach the translation made it for an official accredited translator and every document has to be certified by a notary or another official entity.

When you apply through the paper base method, you need to send the physical documents through a courier or post company and they (DIAC) send you an acknowledge letter by post whence you receive the notification one or two weeks later but with the online method the acknowledge letter arrive the same day by email.

We were in that dilemma because although we wanted to apply online, we hadn’t credit card, then we decided to apply for a credit card in the bank where we have our savings but when we were gathering the necessary documentation, one day my wife was talking with one of her old university classmate and the subject pop out and she offered her credit card so we apply online the last November 10.

Those are the documents we sent with our application:

1. Certified photocopy of National Id (Principal and secondary applicant).
2. Certified photocopy of Passports (Every applicant).
3. Photo passport type. (Every applicant).
4. IETLS score (Principal and secondary applicant).
a. Our daughter didn’t need to show English proficiency because her age.
5. Certified photocopy of Birth certificate (Every applicant).
6. Certified photocopy of Baptism certificate (Principal applicant)
a. We decided to send this document just in case because the birth certificate is very old and it doesn’t see very clear.
7. Certified photocopies of overseas qualifications (Principal applicant).
8. Certified photocopies of employer references (Principal applicant).
9. Certified letter of human resources current employer. (Principal applicant).
10. Certified photocopies of Pay Slips 2005-2009 (Principal applicant).
11. Certified photocopies of Income certificates 1998-2009 (Principal applicant).
12. Certified photocopy of marriage certificate.
13. Skill Assessment (Principal applicant).
14. Resume (Principal applicant).
15. Prove of community language (Spanish) (Principal applicant).
16. Form 80 (Principal and secondary applicant).
a. We decided to send this document although it hasn’t required yet.

The Evisa system has some constraints like the size of the file attached (1 MB max), the maximum number of files you can upload (60 files) and the types of files; then you need to be aware how to attach the documentation.
We decided to group similar documents in one PDF file and in the same file we included the official translation.

Now we are waiting the case officer’s assignation and according to some forums and some web sites where you can see some statistics that can occur in 6 or 12 months so we have to have a lot of patience.

Spanish Version

Hay dos formas de aplicar por una visa de residencia permanente, una es en papel y la otra es en línea, de acuerdo a mi investigación es mejor aplicar en línea por que tu puedes consultar el estado de tu aplicación las 24 horas del día, otra buena razón es que envías los documentos a través del sistema en forma digital, lo único que debes hacer es escanear tus documentos y cargarlos en el Sistema de visa Electrónico (Evisa System). Por supuesto si tu documentación esta en un lenguaje diferente al ingles, necesitas anexar la traducción hecha por un traductor oficial certificado y cada documento debe estar certificado por notaría u otra entidad oficial.

Cuando aplicar por el método de aplicación en papel, necesitas enviar los documentos físicos a través de mensajería o correo y ellos (DIAC departamento de inmigración Australiano) te envía una carta de acuse de recibo por correo por lo cual tu recibes la notificación una o dos semanas después pero con el sistema en línea el acuse de recibo llega el mismo día por correo electrónico.

Nosotros estábamos en ese dilema por que aunque queríamos aplicar en línea, no teníamos tarjeta de crédito, entonces decidimos aplicar por una tarjeta de crédito en el banco donde tenemos nuestros ahorros pero cuando estábamos reuniendo la documentación necesaria, un día mi esposa estaba hablando con una vieja compañera de la universidad y el tema salió de pronto y ella ofreció su tarjeta de crédito entonces aplicamos en línea el pasado 10 de Noviembre.

Estos son los documentos que enviamos con nuestra aplicación:

1. Fotocopia certificada del la cédula (Aplicante principal y secundario).
2. Fotocopia certificada del pasaporte (Aplicante principal y secundario).
3. Foto tipo pasaporte (Cada aplicante).
4. Puntaje del IELTS (Aplicante principal y secundario).
a. Nuestra hija no necesita demostrar habilidad en ingles por su edad.
5. Fotocopia certificada del registro civil (cada aplicante).
6. Fotocopia certificada del certificado de bautismo (aplicante principal)
a. Decidimos enviar este documento por si acaso ya que el registro civil esta muy viejo y no se ve claramente.
7. Fotocopia certificada de estudios en el exterior (Aplicante principal).
8. Fotocopia certificada de referencias laborales (aplicante principal).
9. Carta certificada de recursos humanos del actual empleador (Aplicante principal).
10. Fotocopia certificada de recibos de pago 2005-2009 (aplicante principal).
11. Fotocopia certificada de certificados de ingresos 1998-2009 (aplicante principal).
12. Fotocopia certificada del certificado de matrimonio.
13. Revalidación profesional (aplicante principal).
14. Hoja de Vida (aplicante principal).
15. Prueba de Habilidad en otro lenguaje (español) (aplicante principal).
16. Forma 80 (Aplicante principal y secundario).
a. Decidimos enviar este documento aunque no lo han solicitado aun.

El sistema de visa electrónico tiene algunas restricciones como el tamaño del archivo anexado (1 MB máximo), el número máximo de archivos que puedes subir (60 archivos) y los tipos de archivos; entonces debes estar pendiente de cómo anexar la documentación. Nosotros decidimos agrupar documentos similares en un archivo PDF y en el mismo archivo incluimos la traducción oficial.

Ahora estamos esperando la asignación del funcionario encargado de nuestro caso y de acuerdo a algunos foros y sitios webs donde se pueden ver algunas estadísticas dicha asignación puede ocurrir en 6 0 12 meses así que tenemos que tener mucha paciencia.