Darwin named among the world's best cities to visit in 2012 in Lonely Planet list

DARWIN has been named as one of the best cities in the world to visit in 2012 by Lonely Planet. Famous for its monster crocodiles, the Northern Territory capital has a lot more to offer, the travel guide says. Read more: Click here

Important student visa changes announced

CDU welcomes the announcement today in regards to the Knight Student Visa Review 2011.

As a result of the Knight Review, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP today announced new changes to "streamline visa processing arrangements for a range of Australian University bachelors, masters and research courses for faster, easier visa access for prospective students in time for second semester next year".

The significant changes are:

• 1. Students applying to bachelors, masters and research courses will be treated in the lowest risk category (Assessment Level 1) regardless of their country of origin.
• 2. Students applying for ELICOS and/or Diploma packaged with a bachelors course will be assessed at Assessment Level 1.
• 3. Assessment Level 1 applicants must meet the financial requirements which are to “give a declaration that they have access to funds for the full period of their study to cover course fees, living costs, dependent costs and travel". For many students this is a significant easing of the current evidenciary fund requirement.
• 4. Assessment Level 1 applicants must satisfy the Universities’ English language entry requirements, but not DIAC's current English language requirements
• 5. Study work rights: Coursework students are permitted to work 40 hours per fortnight; Research higher degree students have unlimited work rights.
• 6. Post study work rights: Bachelor degree graduates who have studied for at least two years and completed the degree in Australia will get two years post study work rights.
• 7. Post study work rights: Masters by Coursework graduates who have studied and completed that degree in Australia will have two years post study work rights.
• 8. Post study work rights: Master by Research graduates will have three years post study work rights; PhD graduates will have four year post study work rights.
• 9. Post study work rights apply irrespective of the nature of the course completed and are not tied to working in any profession.

 The full review is available for download at: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/_pdf/2011-knight-review.pdf

Free Migration Information Sessions held on campus

On 27 and 28 July 2011, Mary Martin, Director of Business & Skilled Migration NT presented information sessions about the NT Government Sponsorship Schemes and General Skilled Migration.
If you have missed the session, you can now download the presentation here

CDU Research - Ranked 4th in Australia

A recent report by UK Thomson Reuters has confirmed CDU as number 4 in Australia and 123 in the world for research in environmental sciences and ecology. This is evidence of the high quality of environmental researchers at CDU. The ranking reflects the distinctive species, ecosystems and landscapes that CDU researchers engage with. CDU offers PhD and Masters programs for international students wanting to further develop their career with the guidance of CDU's world class researchers.

International Student wins Notebook

As part of the International Student Survey, students were given the chance to go into the draw to win an EEE PC Notebook. The lucky winner was Karen Kristine Kampana, who was randomly selected from over 450 students who participated in the survey.

Online applications for Semester 1 2011 still open!

If you are in Australia, have all your documents ready, there is still time to apply online for Semester 1 2011 courses. Higher Education courses and VET Retail Baking course are still open for admissions.

Online applications are free

Online applications are now free! This is only one of the many advantages of applying online. CDU's online application system is free, easy and secure to use. When you apply online you can:

- save and change your application easily and as often as you like before submitting it.

- be sure we have received your application.

- track the status of your application.

- save and print your application.

- save generic information about yourself and your qualifications, which saves you time if you want to apply for more than one programme.


Apply online, it will save you time and money!

NT State Migration Plan Skilled Occupation list announced

The NT Government released the Skilled Occupation list for the State Migration Plan on the 23 November. Students wanting to find out more about the migration sponsorship options available to them as CDU graduates should visit www.migration.nt.gov.au

Australian New Skilled Migration Points Test

The Australian Government released its new skilled migration points test on Thursday 11 November, http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.htm#h) The new pass mark is 65. A critical emphasis in on high level English language proficiency, with 10 points now awarded for IELTS 7. CDU graduates who have studied for at least 2 years to complete their degree still have the most chance of achieving 65 points, because:

1. its easier for them to get one year employment in their profession in the Northern Territory due to the fastest growing economy in Australia and the acute shortage of skilled labour - 5 points

2. they get 5 points for regional study

3. they are guaranteed 10 points from Northern Territory Government sponsorship.

CDU offers the best investment for international students for career, employment and migration opportunities. In addition, the following Masters degrees provide students with an invaluable 12 weeks work placement as part of their degree, to develop invaluable work ready skills: Masters of Accounting (Professional Practice, Masters of Business Administration (Professional Practice), Masters of Engineering (Professional Practice.

International Student Barometer Results

Earlier in the year more than 75% of CDU's international students participated in the International Student Barometer, conducted by i-Graduate. The results showed that CDU students are more satisfied on average than students at the other 29 Australian Universities that participated.

See www.cdu.edu.au/international/rankings.html for more information.

International Student wins Aus TAFE Competition

On Tuesday 28 September, Genevie Reyno won the Aus TAFE Cooking competition. Miss Reyno beat 7 other students to win her section. 3 other international students won a bronze medal each. Senior VET Commercial Cookery Lecturer Ty LEE will accompany Ms Reyno and 3 other students representing the NT at the NT National Apprentice Competition on the Sunshine Coast in November.

Student wins new notebook

As part of the International Student Survey, students were given the chance to go into the draw to win an EEE PC Notebook. The lucky winner was Kyaw Aung, who was randomly selected from the 401 students who participated in the survey.

2010 International Student Survey

International students were recently asked to participate in the International Student Barometer, conducted by i-Graduate. Over 70% of students took the opportunity to provide feedback to the University. Students will be informed of the results in the coming months. Thank you to all students who participated.

Semester 1 International Student Lunch

Student Square at Charles Darwin University′s Casuarina campus was packed to the rafters recently for the Semester 1 International Student Lunch. Hosted every semester by CDU′s Office of International Services for both current and new students, the lunch provided a chance for almost 150 students to make new friends and chat with staff.