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Sky News AU
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Albanese government under fire for dropping English language requirements amid high migration numbers
The Albanese government is facing renewed scrutiny over its immigration approach after quietly lowering the English language threshold for visa applicants, a move the Opposition says will deepen Australia's migration crisis. In a change revealed on Tuesday, Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite signed off on new rules reducing the minimum English test scores required to demonstrate 'functional' proficiency - a key requirement for several visa categories, including the training and work and holiday visas. It's the first revision to the scoring standards in a decade and affects several major testing systems used by prospective migrants. Assistant Minister Matt Thistlethwaite igned off on new rules reducing the minimum English test scores to demonstrate a functional level of English. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short For the widely used Pearson Test of English (PTE), the pass mark has dropped from 30 out of 90 to 24. Meanwhile, the minimum score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) was lowered from 32 out of 120 to just 26. According to Pearson's own criteria, the lower score reflects a significant shift in ability from someone who 'can understand sentences and frequently used expressions' to a person who can only 'understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases'. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire Only the benchmark for the most popular test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), remains unchanged at 4.5 out of 9. Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie slammed the move as reckless and out of touch with the pressures facing Australians. 'The Albanese Labor government brought in a million migrants in its first two years, 70 per cent higher than in any previous two-year period,' Mr Hastie said. 'A new person is migrating to Australia every 54 seconds. "This is unsustainable. Instead of moderating immigration, the minister is lowering minimum English proficiency standards. 'Under (Home Affairs Minister) Tony Burke, our migration system is out of control, and it's only going to get worse. Australians are worse off under Labor's immigration policy. "Our infrastructure is under pressure, essential services are stretched thin, and young Australians are locked out of the housing market. Social cohesion is fraying.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Mr Burke rejected the claims and accused the Opposition of playing politics with multicultural communities. However, he did not clarify the reasons behind the decision. 'Net overseas migration has fallen, as we said it would,' Mr Burke said. 'I'd been told the opposition wanted to have a reset with multicultural communities. It appears with Mr Hastie nothing has changed, no message has been received.' The Coalition, which had promised to cap migration at 160,000 per year during the last election campaign, has so far kept relatively quiet on the issue post-defeat, but these latest changes appear to have reignited the debate over Australia's immigration settings.
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GMA Network
07-08-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Ex-DICT exec warns vs ‘oversimplified' Konektadong Pinoy Bill provisions
A former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) official issued a warning of what he said are 'oversimplified' provisions of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which was passed in the 19th Congress. In a statement provided to GMA News Online on Thursday, former DICT undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the proposed measure to improve its provisions by the 20th Congress. Dy said Section 16 of the proposed measure left out some details concerning the data transmission supply chain and overlooked the market dynamics of the industry. He pointed out that the bill regulates Data Transmission Industry Players (DTIP) and forces them to share infrastructure with other players but does not mandate telecommunications facilities used by malls, subdivisions, and real estate developers to do the same. 'For example, it would have been easier for PTEs to provide service if all malls are required to put in neutral access points and pico cell sites, which can be used by any internet service provider (ISP) or PTE (Public Telecommunications Entity),' Dy said. He added that the bill did not tackle the cause of high internet costs in the country despite malls and some real estate developers charging costly fees for constructing telco infrastructures. Dy further noted that the penal provisions of the bill are against DTIPs and not against 'lessors, real estate developers, and landlords who refuse to implement technologically neutral co-shared data transmission facilities.' 'There is no mandate for use of a co-shared active and passive data infrastructure,' the former DICT official said. He also raised a question on how Section 16 of the bill will deal with international consortia, as all submarine cables in the US are prohibited from transporting data to China, for example. 'These international consortia usually have a local PTE as partners. But the local partners do not usually dictate the price, terms of interconnection, or internet traffic sharing rules,' he said. Further, Dy raised concerns over the country's national security and the problem of satellite operators. Citing a Chinese company's 15,000 km fiber network in northern Luzon, Dy said it cannot be denied that it will connect and supply internet to households in the area once the bill passes. 'Yes, it could offer cheaper internet, but perhaps at the cost of National Security. North Luzon is important to our national defense as it has direct access and view to two major bodies of sea, which are potential flashpoints of conflict in this Region,' he said. 'The Philippines cannot, at the moment, independently verify and control satellite operations operating above Philippine airspace,' he added. GMA Integrated News has reached out to DICT for comment. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda had expressed support for the bill, saying that the 'increased competition will be good for the industry,' as they could divert revenues from end-users to wholesale, as new entrants could tap into their existing internet infrastructure. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Time of India
Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Study Destinations & Future AI Trends for Indian Students
Thinking of studying abroad? It's no longer just about the US or UK. In this exclusive session, Ms. Ambika Kaul, College Access Program, DPS Society reveals:Lesser-known destinations gaining popularity with Indian studentsAffordable US universities (like University of Arizona) & how to position themHidden costs of 'no-fee' public universities in EuropeHow to evaluate smaller cities & public universities without sacrificing academic rigorEvolution of English language testing (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE etc., insights)What top universities really want—beyond grades & scoresIndia's future policy on outbound educationAligning college applications with ethical AI, sustainability, and climate actionPacked with insights for parents, students, and counselors navigating global education choices, you will surely get glued to. Read More
News18
17-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Pearson Enhances PTE Academic With New Speaking Tasks, Fairer AI Scoring System
Last Updated: Pearson has updated PTE Academic with real-life speaking tasks, improved AI scoring, and new prep tools to help Indian students prepare for overseas study and migration. Pearson, a global leader in lifelong learning, has announced significant updates to its Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, enhancing its relevance and value for Indian students aiming to study or migrate abroad. These changes reaffirm Pearson's commitment to offering secure, AI-powered English proficiency tests that reflect the real-world communication skills essential for academic and professional success worldwide. Beginning August 2025, PTE Academic will introduce two new speaking tasks: 'Respond to a Situation" and 'Summarize a Group Discussion." These tasks are designed to assess a test taker's ability to communicate effectively in practical academic and professional settings. Alongside this, Pearson is also upgrading its AI-driven scoring system to better identify copied or unoriginal responses, ensuring a more accurate and fair evaluation process for all candidates. As part of its global growth strategy, Pearson has expanded its secure test centre network to over 500 locations globally. New centres have been launched across Southeast Asia to improve accessibility and boost testing capacity in key urban areas. Despite these updates, the core features of PTE Academic remain the same. It continues to be fully computer-based, scored predominantly by AI, and delivers results typically within 48 hours. PTE is accepted by over 3,500 institutions worldwide and recognised by the governments of Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. It continues to be one of the most trusted English proficiency tests for Indian students and professionals looking to build their future overseas. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time Business News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Questions to Ask Overseas Education Consultants in Hyderabad
Are you thinking about going abroad for your studies? With many overseas education consultants in Hyderabad, it could be difficult to make the right choice and ensure you ask relevant questions concerning your goals. Here are 10 questions you can ask before proceeding with any overseas education consultant in Hyderabad. Make sure you choose a consultancy that specialises in your preferred country and university. For instance, Fateh Education is primarily focused on the UK and Ireland and is tied to over 120 universities in both countries. Always prefer consultancy with the highest approval rate; for instance, Fateh Education boasts a 99% success rate for Ireland. True feedback counts; not just generic testimonials, but genuine feedback from past students provides you with insights, sharing the full extent of their experiences. You should always ask whether they will help you with preparation for IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE is supported; here, Fateh Education offers customised preparation in all formats (live, recorded, booster courses), so it's a big bonus! Good consultants will match you with universities based on your academic strengths, career goals, budget, and personal preferences. Fateh Education claims it as 'meticulous matching.' More than just filling forms, consultants should be assisting you with drafting your SOP, mock interviews, and submission to VFS. Not everyone offers pre-departure and post-departure orientation. Fateh supports you from acceptance to accommodation, culture orientation, and taking small steps into the new country Always look for official links such as the British Council, ICEF, or recognition from Cambridge. Fateh Education mentions Cambridge ESOL certification and Irish university awards, which could be a bonus point for you as a student. The Timeframe of the matters. For example, the visa processing for Ireland takes about four weeks from the time of application. A competent consultant should provide you with deadlines and milestones to work toward. It is always beneficial to find out whether they can guide you with scholarships, financial support for a visa, or help you create your budget. Fateh Education gives a perceived hint to financial guidance in search of courses. Question Why it matters 1 Country/uni specialisation Ensures relevant expertise 2 Visa approval rate Shows trust in track record 3 Student Connect Access Validates reputation 4 Test prep details Reduces outside dependencies 5 University matching approach Focuses on personalised outcomes 6 Visa process support Helps avoid delays 7 Pre-/post-departure guidance Makes the transition seamless 8 Official partnerships Boosts credibility 9 Timeline clarity Keeps you on track 10 Scholarship help Lightens financial limitation An ideal overseas study consultant does all to make the journey of study abroad very simple. If one poses the right questions, it becomes easy to determine that genuine guidance, proper university ties, and full support, will be rendered throughout the process. You can move with assurance and make informed decisions concerning your future, being clear about the consultant's expertise, processes, and success rate. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
