IELTS and OET News: August 2022

Aug 15, 2022 | IELTS, IELTS News, IELTS Test

August is a busy month for IELTS as test candidates struggle to meet the score they need for emigrating and studying abroad. 

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The Latest IELTS News

The British Council have now officially launched IELTS online in select countries. 

At the moment the Speaking test is running every Wednesday for people residing in countries that qualify. It is not accepted for emigration — but can be used for academic purposes. 

It is expected that the frequency of the test and the number of countries it is available in will increase substantially in coming months.

Unlike IELTS Indicator this test is protected by multi-layered security features to ensure that the people taking the test are the who they are supposed to be. This means it is trusted by multiple universities around the world. 

The tests are conducted by trained examiners and the results are available within 3-6 days. 

International IELTS Job News

International Employment Opportunities

Australia 

In a contribution made in advance of next week’s jobs and skills summit, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) has also advocated for a two-year increase in the annual migrant intake to 220,000 per year.

After Australia’s Covid border closure, the BCA is advocating for a two-year “catchup” in migration, increasing migration by 60,000 spots over two years, with two-thirds of slots earmarked for qualified workers.

According to pre-pandemic plans, the permanent intake might decrease to 190,000 starting in 2025.

The BCA recommended making temporary skilled visas accessible for all employment paying more than $90,000, with a $100,000 cutoff for permanent migrants. Jobs below that level might still qualify for work visas, but they would be restricted by skill lists.

IELTS International Study

For new study visa applications to the UK, The Super Priority Visa (SPV) and Priority Visa (PV) services have reopened.

After a five-month hiatus, the services’ reintroduction provides a big boost to applications for international student visas.

Now, new applicants utilising these pathways can choose between PV and SPV appointments.

PV and SPV services must be purchased online during the appointment booking procedure and cannot be purchased at the Visa Application Center or retroactively.

There is no decrease in the number of PV and SPV appointments available.

Due to a large volume in applicants you are advised to gather all necessary paperwork as soon as possible.

Further Reading

If you want to keep abreast of the latest developments, follow our blogTwitter and LinkedIn accounts for up-to-the-minute news.

See you in September!

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