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Superannuation Explained to International Students

BEFORE WE START

What is Superannuation?

Superannuation (or super) is money set aside while you’re working in Australia, so you’ll have money to live off when you retire. An employer must pay the employee super to the nominated super account. Please note that you should make your regular super contributions to comply with the law if you are self-employed.

How does Superannuation work?

The super is a percentage of your salary paid into the nominated super account for every issued payment. Your super fund then invests this money intending to help your retirement savings grow and for you to get the best possible retirement outcome.

How do I know if my employer is paying my super?

If you are working and earning $450 or more per month, your employer is obligated to pay your super. You can verify your employers’ contributions and discriminate those payments between salary, taxes and Super on your Payslip. However, your employer should be paying 10% of your before-tax income to your super. 

How do I choose a Super fund?

If you do not have a super account, you have two options: allow your employer to open an account for you with the super fund of their preference. Otherwise, you can compare the available options and see which one is the one that performs better and has the most reasonable fees. The Australian Taxation Office has created a comparison tool to help all citizens with this process. To compare super funds, click here. 

Essential considerations for you to remember, 

Make sure you only have one super fund to avoid paying extra fees.

Monitor your Super fund's performance and fees to ensure they are investing your money wisely 

Cancel the insurance that you do not require. 

I do not know who my Super Fund is - how do I find out?

If you don’t know where your superannuation money is, contact your employer to find out what super fund they paid money into for you. You can also find your MyGov account and linking to the ATO: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/Keeping-track-of-your-super/#Checkyoursuper

What happens with my Super when I leave Australia? 

Once you have departed Australia, you can lodge a claim to receive the ‘Departing Australia Superannuation Payment’ or DASP. 

 

You may be eligible to claim your superannuation money only if:

You were on an eligible temporary resident visa (eg. overseas student visa), and your visa has expired or been cancelled.

What information do I need to receive the DASP?

Before you leave Australia, you need to collect enough information to make your claim. Please consider the following list as a starting point. Still, feel free to confirm the information provided with an accountant or directly with the Government to avoid any difficulties during the submission.

  • Your Superannuation provider’s Australian business number (ABN)
  • Superannuation product name
  • Superannuation fund number (SFN)
  • Your Member/Account number
  • Superannuation product identification number (SPIN)
  • Superannuation provider’s Client ID
  • Date you joined the superannuation fund
  • Your employer’s name
  • Your employer’s address
  • Your Employment dates (from/to)
  •  If you have more than $5000 in your super fund you must complete Form 1194 Certification of Immigration Status from the Department of Home Affairs (‘Immigration’) website: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1194.pdf

My visa is still active, but i left Australia and I do not intent to return. Can i claim my super?

In this case, you will need to ask the Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs to cancel your visa before you are eligible to lodge your application for DASP.

Important Disclaimer:

This information does not constitute legal advice. This information is primarily a summary of the information provided by the ATO and other available sources to help International Students solve their most common enquiries. 

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Benefits of studying in a Regional Area

Do you know that those who have graduated from a regional educational institution and have lived in regional Australia are eligible for a second Temporary Graduate Visa?

As defined by the Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs, the regional definition is comprised of 3 categories. However, additional incentives for skilled migrants are offered to those who migrate to locations classified as Category 2 or Category 3. Thus, the applicant who studies and lives in any of these regional locations is eligible for a second Temporary Graduate Visa. 

What are the conditions, 

  1. The applicant needs to remain in the regional area for the duration of their new visa, which could be a year-long or up to two years based on the regional location. 
  • If you study in a regional area – category 2, you may be eligible for an additional year on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
  • If you study in a regional area – Category 3, you may be eligible for an additional two years on a second Temporary Graduate Visa. 

What is the category of the city I am currently living in, or I am planning to live in? 

  • Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – Category 1 
  • Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart – Category 2 
  • ‘ Other Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’ – Category 3 

More details here on the immigration website.

Additional to this extension on the graduate stream, regional areas have, since November 2019, the skilled regional permanent resident visa or the skilled provisional visas (2), leading to Permanent Residency. Furthermore, those who have lived, studied, and worked in a regional area will receive additional points on their migration profile.

 

We have now discussed one of the main reasons for the rising number of international students who prefer regional areas to live, study and work in Australia. However, there are other great reasons for everyone to select regional areas as the primary destination

Tailored Courses

They are a vast range of quality courses and first-world education providers in all regional areas. However, although they have the same offerings as those in major cities, they also offer a more tailored portfolio to locally demanded skills and needs. 

Relaxing lifestyle with many pleasures

It is a more relaxing lifestyle where getting  involved in the host culture and new community is pretty easy. You can still also enjoy the pleasure of the big cities. 

Unique local experience

Regional Areas provide you with a unique experience at University, enjoying the natural scenery and increasing your opportunities to get a job in the first place due to lack of active workforce and skilled personnel.

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408 Temporary Activity Visa VS 500 Student Visa

PROS AND CONS

408 Temporary Activity Visa VS 500 Student Visa

In the last few days, there have been many headlines in the news attracting the attention of all temporary visa holders in Australia, such as:

  • The temporary relaxations of work restrictions for Student Visa Holders employed at aged-care facilities, disability programs, tourism, hospitality, health, and agriculture.
  • Re-opening of Australian borders to all temporary visa holders in mid-2022. Some reports state intentions to accelerate the process later this year, with the NSW Government planning to allow entry for international students in August this year.
  • Subclass 408 visa is now also available for those who are working in the hospitality or tourism industries.

The above news has created some excitement and confusion for those who are on temporary visas right now. Hence, we asked our partner migration agency Astute Immigration Advisory shed some light on the pros and cons of choosing either of the above options. 

 

408 TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA

 

Tourism and hospitality have been added to the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, and childcare for eligibility for the Subclass 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa. Temporary visa holders employed in the tourism and hospitality sector can now access this SC 408 stream for 12 months.

 

Temporary visa holders working in or intending to work in tourism and hospitality will be able to apply for the SC 408 COVID-19 Visa up to 90 days before their existing visa expires and then remain in Australia for up to 12 additional months.

 

However, it is not as easy as it sounds. The application must be supported by detailed evidence that you are working in a critical sector and that the employer could not employ an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to fill your position. 

 

Furthermore, this visa requires you to work for a critical sector and does not provide you with a pathway to Permanent Residency. It is important to note that the Delegate may grant this visa for you only for the duration of 3 months.

 

500 STUDENT VISA

 

The previous 40-hour fortnightly limit applied during study periods will not be enforced for student visa holders who are working in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The Department is taking a flexible approach to students working beyond the usual work limitations in the following industries:

  • employed in the health sector, enrolled in a health-related course (such as nursing or medicine) and are directed by a health official to assist in the effort against COVID‑19
  • employed in aged care by an Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider before 8 September 2020
  • employed by a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider before 23 April 2020
  • employed in the agriculture sector
  • employed in the tourism and hospitality sector

To work in the aged care, disability, agriculture, or hospitality and tourism sectors, you do not need to study in the same field. Hence, you should pursue studies that will provide you with better chances to stay in Australia permanently. Remember – this is a temporary arrangement only and will be reverted once the economy bounces back from COVID-19.

 

The additional work experience during your studies may assist you if you are pursuing the occupation of Chef. However, you must have post-graduate experience in all other fields to meet further skilled or employer-sponsored visa requirements. 

 

Accordingly, Astute Immigration Advisory recommends sticking with a student visa if you plan to stay in Australia permanently. 

 

*As per our partners’ Astute Migration Advice

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July Intake – All you need to know and do!

July is the second major intake In Australia after February. It has a limited number of Universities and colleagues offering a significant number of courses to choose from.

Despite all education providers have different deadlines, most enrolment processes take place in April and May. Application procedures should be planned accordingly as students require to successfully meet English scores and any other requirement based on the selected course, provider, and territory.

If you are planning to Study in July Intake, these 6-steps are just right for you! Remember this process can be overwhelming, but you are not alone – LinAs would be happy to assist you FREE of Charge! 

6-Steps process to start your course in July Intake
1. Shortlist the courses and providers – make sure your preferences match your interest, academic needs, or personal motives. 2. Find out application deadlines for each of your selected courses, along with all requirements you need to fulfil in each of them. 3. Have your English evidence ready if that's required. 4. Apply to the college or University. 5. Make a payment for studies and receive an enrolment offer (COE) which will be an official document proving that you were accepted by the college/university. 6. Once you are all set up, you will need to apply for the Student Visa to ensure you are allowed to study, live and work in Australia. Don't worry, LinAs will do that for you.

If you would like to receive a free consultation, please send us a message and someone from our team would get back to you as soon as possible. 

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Internationally approved English Language tests

English test for Migration

Internationally approved English Language Proficiency test is required for study, work and migration purposes. In Australia, PTE, IELTS, TOFEL, OET and Cambridge are recognised for further education and immigration processes. However, the preferable and most taken exams are PTE and IELTS, respectively. 

Deciding what exam is best for you, its simply a personal decision that relies on the exam fees, delivery form or the overall sentiment around its difficulty levels. Despite all this exam assess the same 4-components, listening, reading, speaking, and writing; the way you approach responses vary between them. Therefore, exam preparation is crucial!

Academic exams might not provide accurate scores on a person’s proficiency in English as some multiple settings and factors that might affect a student´s performance. Native English speakers have failed these tests and many internationals have presented them more than once. However, attending preparation courses and training exams could boost your scores to achieve your goals sooner. 

PTE has gained popularity in the last three years. The usage of earphones, the private space in which you fill your exam and the fact that it relies on computer-based technology have contributed to its rising preference. Students seem to get better scores through this assessment than others, such as IELTS – as they are not exposed to big stress levels and crowded rooms. Attendees seem to have better time management skills as they always have a clock in their visual range (screen).  

Why PTE?
1. PTE is equally accepted worldwide for study abroad and immigration ( It is an IELTS´ substitute) 2. It helps you with all your visa processes, including Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. 3. It Facilitates your enrolment processes at any University around the globe – English is the most spoken language and the majority of universities are English language-based

After having listened to our members’ experiences and understood their needs. We have partnered up with the only PTE centre in Australia to ensure our members have access to affordable PTE training. We aim to help LinAs’ members to achieve their English requirements and goals. 

Get in touch today if you want to access this exclusive opportunity that has been made available to LinAs´ members!

Boost your English Score

What’s the deal? 

The Ultimate PTE Academic Test Camp

  1. Delivered by the only PTE centre in Australia – Native English Teachers that advice students individually.
  2. Classes of 12-18 people 
  3. No lock-in contracts + No setup classes = Be part of the course as long as you need it too and schedule your classes as it suits your lifestyle. 
  4. 20 hours per week at the lowest Market price – $4,75 per hour 
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