Glossary

       

AAT - Administrative Appeals Tribunal

ABN - Australian Business Number

ABS - Australian Bureau of Statistics

ACN - Australian Company Number

AMEP - Adult Migrant English Program

AP - Australian Passport

AQF - Australian Qualifications Framework

ASCO - Australian Standard Classification of Occupations

ASPC - Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre

ATO - Australian Taxation Office

AUD$ - Australian Dollar = EUR 0.50 = Ł 0.48 (valid on 01. 01. 2009)

Australian Embassy - provides consular and other services for Australian Citizens

Australian Registered Migration Agent - Migration Agent registered by MARA

Baby Bonus - helps with the costs associated with the birth or adoption of a child

BV - Bridging Visa - a temporary visa granted to provide lawful status

CEP - Country Education Profile

Child Care Benefit - helps with the costs of approved and registered care

Child Care Tax Rebate - helps working families with the costs of child care

COE - Confirmation of Enrolment

Dependent, dependant - generally, a person wholly or substantially reliant on another person for financial, psychological or physical support - other conditions do apply

Designated Investment - defined in Migration Law for investment linked visas

DEST - Department of Education, Science and Training

DEWR - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

DIAC - Department of Immigration and Citizenship; previously DIMA

Eligible Business - defined in Migration Law for investment linked visas

Eligible Investment - defined in Migration Law for investment linked visas

ENS - Employer Nomination Scheme

ENSOL - Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List

ESM - Employer Sponsored Migration

Family Tax Benefit Part A - assists families with the costs of raising children and is paid per child

Family Tax Benefit Part B - assists families with one main income, including single parents

FHOG - First Home Owner Grant scheme

Financial Year - a financial year in Australia begins on 1 July in any year, and ends on 30 June of the following year

GMU - Global Medical Unit - is responsible for managing Panel doctors and radiologists

GSM - General Skilled Migration - Skilled Visa

HAS - Health Assessment Service - processes offshore medicals and assists Posts/embassies/consulates and services in Australia

Health Care Card - holders receive concessions and benefits related to their medical expenses

HECS - Higher Education Contribution Scheme

HELP - Higher Education Learning Program

IELTS - International English Language Testing System

Interdependent Relationship - generally, the same sexes partners relationship - other conditions do apply

IRIS - Immigration Records Information System

LCU - Local Clearance Unit - is responsible for the health assessment for offshore visa applications

Main Business - defined in Migration Law for investment linked visas

Major Business - defined in Migration Law for investment linked visas

MARA - Migration Agents Registration Authority

MARN - Migration Agent Registration Number - Migration Licence

Maternity Payment - assists with the costs of a new baby

Medicare - access to free or low-cost medical and hospital care

MIA - Migration Institute of Australia

MOC - Medical Officers of the Commonwealth - determine whether visa applicants meet health criteria, based on reports provided by Panel doctors

MODL - Migration Occupations in Demand List

MRC - Migrant Resource Centre

MRT - Migration Review Tribunal

MSI - Migration Series Instructions

MSL - Minimum Salary Level - minimum salary level which employer must pay when sponsoring 457 Business Visa employee

NOOSR - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (till 01.07.2006)

OET - Occupational English Test

PAM - Procedures Advice Manual

PASA - Pre-application Skills Assessment

Pass Mark - the total points a migrant needs to score to be eligible for a points–tested General Skilled Migration visa

PELS - Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme

Permanent Resident Visa - permanent entry permit, to remain in Australia legally, indefinitely and with unlimited work permission, Permanent Residency

Points System - system of assessment under Australian Migration Act

Pool Mark - the total points a migrant needs to score to be held in the pool of applicants waiting for a points–tested General Skilled Migration visa

PR - legal Permanent Resident

PTW - Permission to Work

Qualifying Business - defined in Migration Law for investment linked visas

Rent Assistance - helps with rental expenses

RSMS - Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme

SLE - Student Learning Entitlement

SOL - Skilled Occupation List

Sponsor of an applicant for a visa - a person who undertakes all obligations stated in Migration Regulations in relation to the applicant

Spouse - generally, husband, wife, de facto partner, opposite sexes partners relationship - other conditions do apply

SSASSL - Sydney and Selected Areas Skill Shortage List

STNI - State or Territory Nominated Independent

Student Visa - one of the several Student Visa classes and subclasses

Temporary Resident Visa - temporary entry permit

TFN - Tax File Number