28 January 2020

Dear colleagues and overseas agents,

As you are well aware that IMMI visa case officers assess the GTE criteria pertaining to Reg 500.212 of
Migration
Regulation 1994 against all the factors set out in Ministerial Direction No. 69 which must be taken into
account in
reaching decision on student visa applications.
To help the assessing officer in considering whether an applicant can meet the GTE criteria, IMMI
developed the
following factors for the assessing officer to regard to. The assessing officers usually quote these
factors as a
template in each and every visa decision record to back up their decision.
“In summary, these factors include:
1. the applicant’s circumstances in their home country, including
a. the applicant’s economic situation,
b. political and civil unrest in the applicant’s home country,
c. the extent of the applicant’s personal ties to their home country,
d. whether the applicant has sound reasons for not studying in their home country if a similar course is
available, and
e. military service commitments that would present as a significant incentive for the applicant not to
return to their home country
2. the applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia, including
a. the extent of the applicant’s ties with Australia that present as a strong incentive to remain in
Australia,
b. evidence that the student visa program may be used to circumvent the intention of the migration
program,
c. whether the Student visa or the Student Guardian is being used to maintain ongoing residence,
d. the applicant’s knowledge of living in Australia, and
e. whether the primary and secondary applicants have entered into a relationship of concern
3. the value of the course to the applicant’s future, including
a. the course’s consistency with the applicant’s current education level,
b. whether the course will assist the applicant to gain employment in their home country,
c. relevance of the course to the applicant’s past or future employment in their home country or a third
country, and
d. remuneration and career prospects in the applicant’s home country or a third country to be gained
from the course
4. the applicant's immigration history, including
a. visa and travel history for Australia and other countries,
b. previous visa applications for Australia or other countries, and
c. previous travels to Australia or other countries
5. if the applicant is a minor, the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the”
Because both IHNA and our major country of origins (including India and Nepal) are on risk level 3, it is
highly
recommended that each and every GTE factor listed above need to be carefully addressed and
elaborated in
extensive ways, in order to support the genuineness statement. We strongly suggest that subjective
statements
and explanations are evidenced by detailed supporting documents and comprehensive research
including but not
limited to official publications, statistics and information sources with reliable weblinks etc.
Please find below a model SOP submitted by a student whose visa application was successful. It has all
above
factors addressed in detail. Our comments to the right of each paragraph(s) are meant to be
corresponding to one
of the above GTE factors.
End of message
GENUINE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (SOP)
An inspiring quote -“A life not lived for others is not a life.” by honored Mother
Teresa, which I have been applying in my life. As medical sector is the only field I
have been craving since my childhood, I am glad for providing me this opportunity to
write my statement of purpose to pursue Certificate IV in Ageing Support and
Diploma of Nursing at Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA), Melbourne,
Australia starting from 3 rd February, 2020. All details that I have presented below are
genuine and I believe, it will make easier for you to take a final decision on my
Student Visa application.

INTRODUCTION

With my heartfelt gratitude and sheer delight, I would like to present myself as
xxxxxxxxxx, a permanent resident of xxxxxxxxxx, Nepal, an 18 years old aspirant as
a future Nurse. I was born on xxxxxxxxxx, 2001 and holding the Nepalese passport of
number xxxxxxxxxx. I have recently completed my secondary level in science with
biology in year 2019. I believe my determination and hard-working attitude would
definitely help me prosper and succeed in my further education and I am totally
confident about it.

REASONS FOR CHOOSING AUSTRALIA

Australia has become the most popular destination for further education in Nepal in
recent years. I had heard many seniors and friends pursuing their education in
Australia. Soon after completion of my Intermediate level, I have started investing my
time to figure out the study options and scopes in Australia. In addition, I started
attending educational fairs, and surfing the internets in the websites like
https://www.studiesinaustralia.com, https://www.border.gov.au,
https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au, https://www.internationalstudent.com and were
of great help in my search. I was fascinated by the fact that not only Nepal, the
endless academic opportunities in Australia has lured the students globally. The
country attracts hundreds and thousands of students every year mainly because of the
outstanding education system, friendly nature of the people, laid-back nature, unique
blend of cultures, relaxing atmosphere and high standard of livingavailable there.
Foreign Education in Australia is generally considered as golden opportunity because
students get the best courses according to their aim, interest and career objectives, out
of hundreds of various specializations provided by the world renowned Australian
universities.

The education system in Australia is quite praiseworthy and based on practical rather
than limiting
on theories and speeches. Australian education system offers variety of courses and
degrees with advance research and teaching technology. About 1100 education
institutes in Australia offer 2200 courses with well-educated tutors, well equipped
research and training facilities. Academic qualifications from Australian universities
and colleges are recognized all over the world. Thus, after successful completion of
study, students can easily get a job, due to the remarkable reputation of the Australian
education system all over the world. The country has well enhanced its resources
and provides courses which increases level of study from vocational placements,
training courses, undergraduate degree following to higher researching degrees
(Ph.Ds.). Australian government invest over $200,000,000 every year for international
scholarships. This makes studying in Australia more accessible for international
students (https://studylink.com/study-in-australia/).

Importantly, Australian government has also set the laws that safeguards the rights of
International students studying including The Education Services for Overseas
Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2007. The acts ensure that students
get current and accurate information about course contents, fee structures and modes
of study. Likewise, my rights to sign a written agreement with my institution before
paying fee, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable and information about
refund services is ensured by Tuition Protection Service (TPS) which is a placement
and refund service for international students, which is used in case my institution is
unable to teach the course I have applied for. Laws like these are enacted to preserve
the rights of international students like me.

Finally, Australia is a multicultural society with people from virtually all over the
world. With no major ethnic, social, political and economic difference so Australia is
safe place to be in. Hence, I will be able to explore a wealth of widely available
cuisines, where a taste of home will never be too far away and able to enjoy countless
festivals and events celebrating history, music, sports and religion.

Eventually, the nation’s high standard of teachings, advanced facilities, unmatched

student’s exposure, and worthy lifestyle makes it an obvious choice for me to study in
Australia.

WHY NOT OTHER COUNTRIES?

Apart from Australia, USA, UK and Canada are popular destination for international
students. USA has undoubtedly providing top education. However, USA is not safe
place to live in due to major ethnic social, political and economic differences. The
best reason for choosing Australia over US is because of security. People are legally
allowed to carry guns in public in US and we hear a lot of news where lot of shooting
happens in school (https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/02/us/school-shootings-2018-list-
trnd/index.html). So, lots of questions rise in my minds for security. Racism in US
done on the Blacks, the Mexicans, and the Asians and other international students is
suggesting something else rather than inviting to study in that country. But, Australia
is unlike the USA and a peaceful country like Nepal to live there.

On the other hand, UK also globally recognized degree with excellence in teaching
and great academic support to the students but the tax imposed, cost of living seems
too expensive in comparison to Australia. Further, with the frequent change in
government policies and number of blacklisted schools out there, I have doubt of
being lost there.
I am adapted to live in hot climate so Canada cuts off the list somewhere due to its
severe cold climate and Australia is supporting to the case with familiar climate as my
home country. Beside this countries, other countries like Germany, Norway, Japan
also provides the need of my career but their preliminary requirement is to pass in
their own language but it is very difficult to learn new language. I was subjected to
English language from the early age so I can easily understand and learn through
English.

WHY MELBOURNE?

Melbourne is the coastal capital and most populous city of the southeastern Australian
state of Victoria. Melbourne is repeatedly named among the world's most live able
cities. The title is awarded to the city with the highest score for stability, healthcare,
culture and environment, education and infrastructure
(https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au). It is the great place to
begin carrier pathway and make great connection. Along with the quality education,
students over there can also enjoy a lot in their spare time. Climate in Melbourne is
similar to Nepal so that will be easier for me to sustain there during my studies and
the good environment of Melbourne help students to remain active. Moreover, there
are some top universities in the Melbourne due to which their culture of providing top
notch education has been influenced to the colleges of Melbourne too. Melbourne,
being one of the top tourists destination and cultural cities in the world, has lots of
eye-catching centres like Royal Botanic Gardens. Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Cricket Ground, the National Sports Museum, Southbank and Arts Centre Melbourne,
National Gallery of Victoria and so on which could provide me fun and recreations
during my time in Melbourne. Importantly, many senior students residing there have
strongly recommended Melbourne as a lovely, peaceful, safe and affordable place to
study and stay. So, I found Melbourne as a suitable place to complete my degrees.

REASONS FOR CHOOSING AGEING SUPPORT

Aged care work is rewarding in itself and provides the opportunity to develop the
experience I need to help the aged live fulfilling their lives and have someone to lean
on, I believe. Leading the way in professional health care support, aged care workers
make a valuable contribution to the daily lives of many elderly living in residential
aged care facilities. The aged care industry offers secure employment in a growing
industry supported by both side of politics. Aged care employment offers a lot of
variety where we can work. Aged care services are provided in residential aged care
facilities, directly into people’s home and in respite and palliative care facilities.
Service like personal care, old age home, respite and social support can also include.

Being a small developing country in south Asia, many citizens young or old are prone
to complications related to physical health and mental health. Where health awareness
is low and general health reach is quite difficult, I realized that people had poor access
to the most important things in the health sector. So, I am choosing nursing field to
support poor people, old, women in various remote areas of Nepal and provide equal
opportunity in health sector. Nepalese people need more health education from well -
educated people to make positive changes in their health status.

I have decided to study Aged care course in Australia because in Nepal there are
different Aged care Center but the old age people are not getting better facilities of
health services, food, clothes etc. So, I want to provide them all the facilities. I want
to provide them love, care and affection which they need in old aged. There are
different care centre in Nepal such as Orchid Home Care Pvt. Ltd., Heal Home care,
National Aged Care and Community Care Nepal etc. After the completion of my
course, I will return back to my home country and do job in these care centers.

REASONS FOR CHOOSING NURSING

Health is the only sector which increases with the increase in population and so does
the demands for the health personnel. There is high demand of quality nurses around
the world these days. In the context of my home country, the health status is very low
due to the lack of implementation of preventive, primitive and curative health
programs up to the grass root label. So that, Nepalese people have poor access to the
most important things in health sector. Due to this we have a severe mortality rate of
29%. Due to unavailability of proper health care and proper health education, the
minor diseases also have become life-threatening. Thus, the need of the skilled nurses
is very much higher in our country. So, Nursing has always been influencing factor
for my career plan as it promotes the status of people, prevent illness and care people
in need. Despite of the fact having different old aged care centers, old aged people are
not getting proper health services and have poor health condition. So, I really want to
help them to get the services what they actually need. To me, providing health
facilities, caring, being a nurse to the needy people, poor ones is purely the
satisfaction of my heart and mind. I have not found any other profession more
demanding, and noble than being nurse. Therefore, I have decided to pursue my
career on such a sublime path and want to dedicate my nursing degree for the human
well-being. So, in order to achieve my dream to become a skilled nurse I decided to
pursue my nursing studies at IHNA, Australia. Firstly for my pathway to Diploma, I
selected a course on Certificate IV in ageing support which gives me an opportunity
to learn taking care of elderly people which I am totally passionate about and after
that Diploma in Nursing.

WHY VET COURSE?

As per the research and suggestions from my seniors, Diploma seems much beneficial
for me. Diploma concentrations on the vocational expertise of a student from basic
level. VET courses provide students with the practical and technical skills needed in
the real life workplace. I have chosen to study Certificate IV in Ageing Support and
Diploma of Nursing in IHNA. These courses are called Vocational Education and
Training (VET) course, which is very effective form of learning as compared to other
usual degree, as it completes in less time and makes one job ready. These courses are
for the individual that are career minded. These courses are mixed learning with
real world experience through supervised practical and unpaid internships provided by
the college either within the college or off the college. Vocational courses provided by
Registered Training Organization and is also regulated by Australian Skills Quality
Authority. These courses are highly practical based and are course centric that creates
work force that can fit the labor shortage in the economy. While millions of jobs
couldn't be filled, youth unemployment is always high year to year. This is a notion
resulted from the skills shortages of workforce all over the globe. The courses
that I intend to take are taught by industry expert with many years of experience.
Furthermore, these courses are convenient for international students like me due to
frequent intakes at the most affordable tuition fees. As it is a course that prioritizes in
skill development, it is most suitable for an individual with an enthusiasm and
intention of entrepreneurship. Recent research has proven that 78% of VET graduates
are employed after training and were able to find work after their studies exceeded the
number of jobs found by Bachelor degree graduates. Therefore, I believe I will be
benefited from a lot of aspects after I complete the diploma course because it is course
centric. These are the reasons why I am choosing to study VET Course.

WHY IHNA?

There are more than 1100 institutions in Australia teaching different courses, each
claiming that they are the best education provider. So, finding the best institution was
challenging for me as the country offers the numerous prestigious colleges for further
education. I believe choosing right college and course is most important step for my
future career. I had to shortlist the colleges based on the courses it provided, location,
quality of education, affordability and so on. Hence, After attending numerous
education fairs, visiting consultants and also researching on different colleges in
Melbourne that offer nursing courses like INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND
NURSING AUSTRALIA (IHNA), BOX HILL INSTITUTE, JOB TRAINING
INSTITUTE, RGIT and so on. I made a comparative study of the facilities for
international students, fee structure, location, course length, rating of colleges and
universities in different sector.