Moving House

Moving House

Please be informed that Bro. Zulkefli Shamsudin, Sis. Fadilah Supaat & family will be shifting home. In the spirit of "gotong-royong" (helping one another), all those families, which are free this weekend, please come and offer your helping hands.

Date: Saturday 1st October 2011

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (3-hours)

Venues: From 4 Chubut Way, Roxburgh Park, VIC 3064, to 18 Freshwater Drive, Craigieburn, VIC 3064

For further clarification, please contact Bro. Zulkefli Shamsudin at 04 2527 4484 (Mobile).

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The Australian-Malay Diaspora: Prospects & Challenges

An open invitation to all Muslims & Non-Muslims, Malays & Non-Malays alike...

The Organising Committee of Kampung Utara Melbourne (KUM) proudly presents...

An Informal Sharing Session

Topic: The Australian-Malay Diaspora: Prospects & Challenges (English/Malay)

Presenter: Dr. Syed Md. Khairudin Aljunied, Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS)

Date: Friday 30th September 2011

Time: 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM (Isya' Prayer will commence at 7:30 PM)

Venue: Broadmeadows Youth Central, 33-37 Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows, VIC 3047 (Opp. Safeway Petrol Station) (Nearest Train Station: Broadmeadows)

Admission is FREE! However, if you wish, please bring along a gold coin.

Abstract: 

Dr. Syed Md. Khairudin Aljunied, Department of
Malay Studies, National University of Singapore

The history of Malay migration from Southeast Asia to Australia can be traced back to the late 19th century. It first began with the arrival of Malay indentured labourers in Thursday Island, Queensland; Darwin, Northern Territory and Broome, Western Australia. Bounded by contract to their White Masters, these Malays worked as divers, cooks, pump hands and crewmen in Australia's then flourishing pearl-shelling industry.

However, over the decades and especially in recent years, the profile of Malay migrants in Australia has evolved into one that is more economically driven. Many of them today, are entering Australia as skilled tradesmen or professionals. In this talk, Dr. Khairudin will discuss some of the challenges faced by minority-migrant communities in their host countries. He will also share with the audience, some insights on what the Australian-Malay community can do to strengthen themselves, thus, becoming "power minorities" and value-add to the Australian society at large.

This talk will be presented in English and Malay. To learn more about the presenter's background, visit http://profile.nus.edu.sg/fass/mlsasmk/

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3 Separate Bedrooms Available for Rent

Address: 29 Forum Place, Tullamarine, VIC 3043.


3 separate bedrooms now available for rent.

Each room: $600/month per person or $850/month for 2-persons

• Monthly rent includes water, gas, electricity and broadband Internet access.

• Each room is also equipped with a mini fridge/freezer and a built-in robe.

• Home-cooked lunch and dinner also provided at extra charges.

• 10-minute bus ride to Broadmeadows Train Station via Bus Service No. 902, followed by 30-minute train ride to University of Melbourne, RMIT or the CBD.

For enquiries, contact Mr Shaik Nu’man at 04 2358 3901 (Mobile).

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A Warning to All Malay/Muslim Singaporeans

It has been observed recently that many Malay/Muslim families here in Melbourne are subtly, albeit increasingly, encouraging their friends and relatives back in Singapore, to take that huge leap of faith and migrate to Australia.

That great 'Australian Dream', which you seek after,
may turn into your worst nightmare.

This may seem to be a positive trend because it will contribute to the ever expanding Malay diaspora here in the Land of the Kangaroos and Koalas.

On the contrary, all prospecting families in Singapore must take heed of this important caveat. Make sure that you acquire a Permanent Resident (PR) visa first before boarding that flight to Down Under.


Without any careful planning, logistical preparation and proper travel documents, that great 'Australian Dream', which you seek after, may turn into your worst nightmare.

Do not consider coming here, without having that glossy sticker labelled, "Permanent Resident," pasted on the page of your little red passport.

Certain skeptics here in Melbourne may disagree with this view and simply brush aside this warning.

However, be forewarned that without a PR visa, you will be subjecting yourself and your family, including your children, to unnecessary risks.

Coming to Australia without a PR visa will render yourself and your dependents out of reach of Australia's welfare system. You will not be entitled to the fortnightly cash payments from Centrelink. You will not be entitled to a Healthcare Card nor a Medicare Card.

Hence, you shall have to bear the full cost of all medical expenses that you or any of your family members may incur in the course of your stay here in Australia. There is no healthcare subsidy for you nor your family members.

This financial nightmare does not end here. Things will only get worse when it comes to enrolling your children in government schools. Without Permanent Residency (PR), your children will be considered as 'International Students', not 'Domestic Students.'

Henceforth, non-PR parents are expected to pay premium tuition fees, just like any other foreign students as opposed to the heavily subsidised tuition fees that 'Domestic Students' are entitled to. Imagine what the annual education bill will look like for a typical Malay/Muslim family with 3 to 4 school-age children.

Of course, this amount will only get higher as the child progresses from primary to secondary school and eventually to Year-12 VCE!

On the bright side of things, to those Malay/Muslim families, who have already submitted their PR visa applications with the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC), well, you are still not off the hook.

You have been forewarned by DIAC to observe the following things, while awaiting for your PR visa to be processed and approved: -

1. You must have been awarded a post secondary qualification which is at least equivalent to an Australian Bachelors degree (or higher), diploma or trade qualification (AQF Certificate III or IV). You also need to have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for working in your nominated occupation. (Department of Immigration and Citizenship, March 2009: Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration, p. 7)

2.Payment must accompany your application and is generally not refunded if the application is unsuccessful. (Department of Immigration and Citizenship, March 2009: Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration, p. 17)

3. While you may be asked to complete a number of steps during the processing of your application, it does not mean your application will be successful. Do not anticipate a successful outcome and sell your house or other property until you have been advised in writing that you have been granted a visa. (Department of Immigration and Citizenship, March 2009: Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration, p. 37)

4. You can withdraw your application by advising the ASPC in writing at any time before a decision is made. Charges that you paid at the time of application are not usually refunded. (Department of Immigration and Citizenship, March 2009: Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration, p. 40) 

In conclusion and as a gentle reminder to all Malay/Muslim families here in Australia, please tell your friends and/or relatives in Singapore to read this article first before allowing them to proceed with their intention.


To download the entire booklet, go to http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/1119.pdf

Students and General Skilled Migration

This is an important advice from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) for all Singaporeans, who enter Australia using a student visa, but wish to extend their stay after completing their studies for the purpose of migration.

Extending Your Stay

You may want to extend your stay in Australia for further study, graduation, a holiday, work or migration.

A new visa will generally cancel (or cease) any other visa held and come into effect as soon as it is granted. You should contact your nearest Australian visa office before lodging a visa application if you have questions about how a new visa would affect your existing visa.

Reasons for extending your stay

You can only extend your stay in Australia if you do not have a 'No Further Stay' condition on your current student visa.

If you wish to extend your stay in Australia after completing your studies for the purpose of migration, you need to apply to become a Permanent Resident under the General Skilled Migration program.

Students and General Skilled Migration

Australia has a well-deserved reputation for high-quality education and training. It continues to welcome overseas students, and appreciate the contribution they make to both academic life and the communities in which they live.

People who want to study in Australia may be granted a Student visa that entitles them to come to Australia on a temporary basis for a specified period to undertake study at an Australian educational institution. While many overseas students make a decision to apply for permanent residence upon completing their studies, this is an entirely separate process and there is no guarantee that, on the basis of having held a student visa, a person will meet the requirements to be granted permanent residence.

It is important to note that student visas are aimed at achieving an educational outcome. General Skilled Migration (GSM) on the other hand is predominantly driven by the labour market needs of Australia.

The criteria for grant of GSM visas can change in response to the changing economic circumstances of Australia. All applicants seeking to be granted a permanent GSM visa must meet the relevant criteria set out in the Migration legislation, regardless of whether or not they have previously been in Australia. It is important for student visa holders to note that any changes to the criteria for the grant of a GSM visa would not affect their Student visa conditions.

Students should not make educational choices solely on the basis of hoping to achieve a particular migration outcome, as the GSM program will continue to change and adapt to Australia’s economic needs.

Information about migrating to Australia as a skilled worker is available on the department’s website.