Concessional Competent English
Concessional Competent English
There is provision for Concessional Competent English under the Offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) Visa and the Onshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) Visa. Please check our policy regarding eligibility.
The Northern Territory Government participates in the concessional competent English arrangements for sponsorship.Northern Territory sponsorship is based on a number of factors that include, but is not limited to: the applicant's English language ability; connections to the Northern Territory; likelihood of gaining skilled employment; and financial resources.Each sponsorship application is assessed on the benefit to the Northern Territory.
For the Offshore Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 475) visa from 1 July 2009, and the Onshore Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa from 1 January 2010
the threshold English language standard will be raised from an average score of IELTS 5.5 to an average score of IELTS 6.0 for those applicants claiming Concessional Competent English. All new applications for the offshore Subclass 475 visa lodged from 1 July 2009 will be affected. The onshore Subclass 487 visa will be changed from 1 January 2010.
If Northern Territory Government sponsorship is granted, if the visa application is for a Subclass 475 visa lodged to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) prior 1 July 2009 or a Subclass 487 visa application lodged prior 1 January 2010 you will need to provide advice and evidence regarding registration in an approved English Language Training course to DIAC when you lodge your visa application. From the 1 July 2009 applicants for the Subclass 475 visa will not be required to enrol in an English language training course if they are claiming Concessional Competent English. From 1 January 2010, Subclass 487 applicants will not be required to enrol in an English language training course if they are claiming Concessional Competent English.
To be eligible for Concessional Competent English you must have:
- obtained an overall score of at least 6.0 in the IELTS test (or an overall score of at least 5.5 in the IELTS test for Subclass 475 visa applications lodged to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship prior to 1 July 2009 or a Subclass 487 visa applications lodged prior to 1 January 2010); and
- already paid the fee for one of the two suitable English language training courses in the Northern Territory (only applies to Subclass 475 visa applications lodged to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship prior to 1 July 2009 or a Subclass 487 visa applications lodged prior to 1 January 2010).
It is expected that on the completion of the English language training course, that the student will have improved their English Language Ability to at least Competent English and be able to achieve an IELTS test band score of at least six (6) on each of the four (4) components: speaking, reading, listening and writing.
Step 1
Submit a completed application for Northern Territory Government sponsorship under the Offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) Visa or the Onshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) Visa to the Department of Business and Employment (DBE).
Step 2
If Northern Territory Government sponsorship is granted, then register for one of the approved English Language Training Courses, if required..
- Certificate IV in English Language Proficiency at Charles Darwin University (CDU). For further information contact Course Coordinator, Mary Wignell via e-mail: mary.wignell@cdu.edu.au ; or the
- IELTS Preparation Course at the ACL Darwin English Centre (DEC). Contact the ACL DEC via e-mail: darwin@acl.edu.au for course information and an application form.
Step 3
Obtain a letter of offer from either CDU or ACL - DEC confirming course payment. Lodge your completed visa application together with supporting documentation, which includes the letter of offer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). If the evidence of course payment is not provided together with your visa application the application will be declared invalid by DIAC.
English Language Training Courses
Certificate IV in English Proficiency
This advanced English course is designed for mature age students from a non-English speaking background wishing to improve their employment opportunities and for those wanting to do a course in Vocational Education Training or Higher Education.
Course Structure
Students must complete 180 hours of core modules plus a minimum of 220 hours of elective modules.
Duration
Estimated completion time: 20 weeks
Course Offerings
The course is offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students can start at the beginning of each term (January, April, July and October) subject to availability.
Course Fee:
For further information regarding terms and conditions contact Mary Wignell via e-mail: mary.wignell@cdu.edu.au
Enrolment Information
For enrolment information contact:
Michael Opie
Manager, International Students
International Office
Charles Darwin University
Email: michael.opie@cdu.edu.au
Fax: + 61 8 8946 7706
Web: www.cdu.edu.au
Course Information
For course information contact
Mary Wignell
Course Coordinator
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Charles Darwin University
Email: mary.wignell@cdu.edu.au
Tel: +61 8 8946 6714
Fax: + 61 8 8946 7144
Web: www.cdu.edu.au
To find out more about the course, where and when it is offered, or any other issue please contact:
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Charles Darwin University
Tel: + 61 8 8946 7518
Email: migrantesl@cdu.edu.au
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IELTS Preparation Course
This course helps students to communicate in everyday situations. Students will focus on improving their speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar.
Course Structure
Students must complete 4 modules. Each module is of 4 weeks duration.
Duration
Estimated completion time: 16 weeks
Course Offerings
The course is offered each week subject to availability.
Course Fee:
For further information regarding terms and conditions contact via e-mail: enquiry@acl.edu.au
Enrolment
- Contact the ACL - Darwin English Centre (DEC) via e-mail: darwin@acl.edu.au for course information and an application form.
- Complete the enrolment form and submit either via fax or post to:
Post: Admissions Office, ACL
PO Box N556
Grosvenor Place
Sydney
NSW 1220
Australia
Fax: + 61 2 9252 3799
If you are unable to start the course on the set date, contact ACL - DEC via e-mail: darwin@acl.edu.au to request deferment to a later date. Ensure that you give sufficient notice prior to the course commencement.
Enrolment Information
For enrolment information contact
ACL - Darwin English Centre
Email: darwin@acl.edu.au
Course Information
For course information contact:
Tatiana Porter
Centre Manager
ACL Darwin English Centre
Charles Darwin University
Email: tatianap@acl.edu.au
Fax: + 61 8 8946 6628
Web: www.acl.edu.au
Last updated on the Wednesday 06 May 2009
