Category: News

It is an honour to be recognized among the Top 10 Global CXO Excellence Award winners—a milestone that highlights the journey of leadership, strategic vision, and dedication of an extraordinary team. This achievement reflects not just personal success but the powerful synergy that drives growth, innovation, and a commitment to impactful business leadership.  

For effective leadership, developing a culture that encourages creativity, resilience, and continuous improvement is essential. Over the years, Deepak Mandy has championed a business leadership development approach that emphasises adaptability, collaborative innovation, and transformative thinking. By focusing on innovative leadership qualities, the team has consistently navigated challenges and brought unique strategies to life, pushing boundaries and setting new industry standards. 

Leadership today requires more than setting goals; it involves creating an environment where individuals are motivated to contribute their best, knowing their work shapes collective success. At the core of effective leadership skills lies a dedication to nurturing talent and inspiring a shared vision. This recognition not only celebrates past achievements but also reminds us of the potential ahead. With a focus on business leadership strategies that balance growth and sustainability, we continue to shape a future where every milestone lays the foundation for even greater impact.

This award stands as a symbol of teamwork, dedication, and the enduring pursuit of excellence. Together, we wait for the next level in our mission, clearing the path to progressive leadership that is more defined and effective.

The CEO Magazine recently interviewed the founder of CBD Movers, Deepak Mandy, and here is an extract from his exclusive interview. Let’s dive into it and learn about his life story.

In the year 1979, the world got a dynamic leader, but the talent was yet to be unleashed. Yes! Mr. Deepak Mandy, born in 1979, was destined to become a dynamic entrepreneur and a great leader. He is a true example of “age is just a number.” At a very young age, with the spark and zeal to move the sky, he started his journey.

Mr. Mandy had very little money in his pocket when he left for Melbourne, Australia from India. But his heart was on fire to become successful. He started with the plan to start a taxi company. He had to battle a lot in the beginning and also took various odd jobs on his plate. He also invested his surplus money in a cab business. Young Mandy was determined to make it successful.

All his experience, knowledge, efforts, and perseverance were rewarded in 2009 when he started his moving and packing business. It started with a two-ton vehicle and a man. And today, his moving company has established a strong network worldwide. The brainchild of Deepak Mandy, CBD Movers is thriving as an international transport business and operates in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, the UAE, the Philippines, Canada, and India. This glorious success does not stop him, and he is further determined to come up with more branches.

Mr. Mandy has been very competitive since his early teens, and that serves as a major reason behind his success. He takes up challenging objectives head-on. In addition to logistics, moving, and packing, he utilizes his experience to offer business development and real estate services. He aims to take CBD Movers to even greater heights and make it a reputable company at a global level.

Talking about the success of his business, he reveals with a spark in his eyes that CBD Movers tops the moving and packing industry in Australia, with affiliates in Canada, the UAE, New Zealand, India, and the Philippines. The reason for this zenith success, he feels, is the dedication of his team to exceeding the expectations of the customers. CBD Movers has been setting new standards for commercial, residential, corporate, and international moves for over a decade now.

Furthermore, CBD Movers has always been appreciated for the pace at which it is expanding its horizontal and vertical growth. The company has built a strong network of like-minded people. The brand has made significant investments to strengthen the infrastructure, vehicle fleets, personnel, and all the other resources. All this has contributed to the worldwide establishment of the brand.

Most people relate success to earning profits only. But Mr. Mandy’s perspective on success is not the same. Though revenue is one of the important aspects of success for him, he also considers some other factors, like the firm’s expansion, customer satisfaction, and the networks he has built. The factors to achieve this are client focus, integrity, creativity, teamwork, innovation, growth, accountability, teamwork, respect, and ownership, as revealed by Mr. Mandy.

Being a visionary man, Mr. Mandy always has approachable plans for his future. He aims to nurture his team to the best of his abilities. And he has a specific plan for doing so. It will be done by putting systems in every organization, emphasizing well-organized and strong training programs. It will help in strengthening the roots of the organization and lay a solid foundation to achieve customer satisfaction.

Businessmen are often believed to be money-minded and focus on achieving profits only. Mr. Deepak Mandy, on the other hand, is known for his constant desire to give back to the social institutions in which we live. He has the desire to feed 1,200 families, offer free tuition to his employees’ families, and offer a considerable amount of his profits to charity.

Through CEO Magazine, Mr. Mandy advised his readers to “remain consistent and never give up.” He believes that everyone has challenges initially, but it is with perseverance that you can overcome these challenges and become a great businessperson. Do not give up on maintaining relationships and gaining knowledge.

By now, one thing is for sure: the reason for the success of CBD Movers is the zeal that CEO Mr. Mandy has to make his team learn through several initiatives like development programs, professional training, focusing on their communication skills, and nurturing the leadership and managerial skills of the organization. Apart from learning, the primary focus of the organization is the health, well-being, and happiness of its employees.

You must be thinking that CBD Movers must be very monotonous to work for because of the regular training programs that the company hosts. But the fun part is that the brand leaves no chance to create a social and enjoyable work culture for the employees. There are regular business outings, sports leagues, and holiday get-togethers, which ensure that the employees gel well together and strengthen the team bonds.

By now, you must be thinking that it was all a fairy tale success for CBD Movers. But as everyone has to face challenges, even Mr. Mandy had to take his brainchild through difficult times. He was able to do this because he tried his best to not dwell on his mistakes. He is an optimist and tries his best to take advantage of every situation by learning and developing from his mistakes. He accepts the fact that failures are unpredictable and can arise at any time and never fears facing them with his well-trained crisis management team.

Today, the CBD Movers franchise model serves as a distinctive strategy for its success. Many small and medium-scale businesses rely on CBD Movers to handle the relocation part. It is because the brand supports businesses requiring guidance and assistance to those who do not have enough resources to expand their personnel and lack proper guidance. By owning this franchise, people can live their dream of owning a successful brand that has surpassed the initial days of struggle and has a worldwide presence.

After this glorious success, Mr. Mandy has even higher aspirations for CBD Movers. The brand is heading towards achieving the goal of becoming the best at offering personalised and unique services. It further helps in achieving the ultimate goal of maintaining client loyalty. The goal is to grow not only vertically but horizontally too. The inner management tries its best to create an enjoyable, stimulating, and enriching work environment for the employees. The vision is to shine as the go-to movers and packers of the era, as shared by the founder and CEO of CBD Movers, Deepak Mandy.

As Mr. Mandy has built this empire from scratch, he understands the initial daily struggles. Thus, he wants to help all small and midsize business owners by providing them with the tools and resources that they cannot afford.

So, these were some of the insights from Mr. Deepak Mandy’s interview with The CEO Magazine. It reveals what makes him a dynamic leader and the secret sausage of CBD Movers’ success.

It is always a delight to read inspiring stories and get motivated to overcome all the obstacles and reach new heights. Intending to inspire passionate individuals, IT Firms publish stories of inspiring leaders in the industry.

Here is an extract from IT Firms on one such influential personality interview, Deepak Mandy.

Read below to learn about his insights on technology trends.

Deepak Mandy shared that Work4you is a dynamic IT company that changes as per a customer’s requirements. He further shared that it is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Work4you also facilitates customer support, KPOs, and BPOs.

Those who have ever encountered Mr. Mandy know how passionate he is about society and wants to help everyone to tap their innermost potential. His vision is to help people achieve their personal growth. He is the one who takes challenges head-on and never fears risks.

Mr. Mandy not only leads Work4you but is also a business consultant. He has set up strong businesses in various countries like Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, UAE, Philippines, and India. His passion to help others roars, and he is all set to expand the horizontal and vertical structure of his business even more.

Unexpected challenges are part of business, and recently, during the pandemic, we have seen how badly businesses were knocked down. Speaking about the same, Mr. Deepak Mandy explained how he managed to run his business during the tough times and how everyone else could prepare. He revealed that he motivated his team to take it as a challenge and restructure the functions in a streamlined manner. Being an IT company, it was easy to figure out ways to carry out operations online. Everyone realized the importance of going digital and abandoned traditional ways of marketing. Thus, Work4you was able to help many small and large-scale businesses. Mr. Mandy and his team’s greatest accomplishment was to be in sync with what the rest of the world is going through and to be able to assist everyone in progressing their businesses during difficult times.

In an exclusive interview with IT Firms, Mr. Mandy not only shared his highs but shed some light on his disappointments too. As he keeps traveling and visiting his teams in various nations, he does not like to stay away from his teammates. The lack of physical contact with his teammates is something that Mr. Mandy never wants to experience again. But as shared already, he is an optimist and figured out this positive thing about the entire situation: isolation was somewhat beneficial as it helped people figure things out about life and learn about themselves.

Now, comes the most awaited part of the story, which is the functioning of the company from scratch, i.e., from the moment a client walks into the time the product is developed. Mr. Mandy is the preacher of the agile model of business. The moment the client walks in, his team maintains a back-and-forth relationship with the customer. And he revealed that the secret sauce of his success is the art of conducting several interactions and moving in chronological order. He stresses the importance of understanding the requirements of the clients completely and then entering the development stage. Furthermore, it makes the functioning of the organization much more transparent and, thus, increases the authenticity of the company.

Now comes the engagement model. It is delivery and partner-oriented. When offering services to customers, the aim is to stick to quality and cater to the customer’s requirements. Looking closely at the models:

Delivery-oriented: Here the focus is to examine the client’s requirements, put across the information about the deliverable to the client, and offer effective price ranges. Once the client is on board, the hardworking team of Work4you offers the services and gets into regular feedback sessions with the customers.

Partner-oriented: Work4you is expanding both horizontally and vertically. It also readily collaborates with individuals or organizations with similar ideologies. The vision behind this is to benefit both parties. As discussed above, Mr. Mandy is concerned about society too, and aims to nurture every business. His model also focuses on nurturing upcoming entrepreneurs and constructing a conducive business environment for growth.

As companies are switching to hybrid or online mode, Work4you is committed to making this transition smooth for customers. It provides the best solutions for the market. With the upgraded technology and processes, Work4you can deliver it. The team is dedicated to gaining more popularity on a global level without compromising the quality of work. “Our approach is customer-oriented, as our name “Work4you” implies,” Mr. Mandy stated.

In conversations with IT Firms, Mr. Mandy also shared some traits that are useful in an app development firm. He shared how essential working on the design is. Quoting the example of “Apple”, he stresses the fact that its pioneer, Steve Jobs, gave most of his time to design in the nascent stages. He believes that marketing design is crucial for success. Thus, he concludes that apart from the technicalities like website interface and programming language, it is important to focus on marketing and design.

He was also asked how he views the role of research agencies that bridge the gap between clients and service providers, as IT Firms did. Commenting on this, he expresses his admiration for the idea of cultivating a community of progressive and like-minded individuals and expresses gratitude to IT Firms for doing so. He also stresses that the bi-directional flow of communication between the customer and the organization is important.

Further, he comments that IT Firms is an amazing platform, which is fun like social media. It provides a chance for entrepreneurs and businesses to keep themselves updated.

So, this was an extract from Mr. Deepak Mandy’s interview at IT Firms. It reveals how he climbed the ladder of becoming a successful entrepreneur. But he knows how to secure his work-life balance apart from the “n” number of tasks that are lined up for him. Giving time to loved ones and yourself is also important, he concluded.

This was an extract from Deepak Mandy’s interview with IT Firms.

Over a decade ago, when people were hunting for the right professional services, the advocate of automation, “Deepak Mandy,” came up with an idea. The idea is to bridge the gap between organisations seeking professional services and the experts offering these services. As automation has always fascinated Mr. Deepak Mandy, he has been keen to utilise technology right from the time he tried his hand on MS paint. Obviously! He just could not wait to give wings to his idea. This is how his brainchild, Work4you, came into the picture. Soon, the idea became a game changer in the industry as all the small and mid-level organisations benefited from its technological services.

The journey of Work4you started back then when it provided backend support to its Australian client, CBD Movers, which has now grown to have a worldwide presence. After this glorified success, there was no looking back. Work4you has today become a leading organization that runs processes in virtual assistance, lead generation, sales, enterprise-level solutions, customer support, website design and development, digital marketing, app development, and various other niches all over the world.

You must be wondering why Mr. Deepak Mandy chose this difficult and competitive niche of the industry. Well, commenting on this, Mr. Mandy shared his thoughts that he knew that the strong value system and deep-rooted thoughts he had behind launching Work4you would help him surpass all the competitors in the industry.

In conversation with Firmfinder, Mr. Mandy shared his secret sausage of success in the initial days. He shared three key points:

1. Engagement

“We at Work4you have always been open to suggestions and deliver the best to our clients. Since our initial days, we have followed the strategy of engaging with our clients.” Our approach has always been feedback-centric,” shared Mr. Mandy.

2. Tapping “The” Right Niche

He also shared another crucial thing, which was to recognise their forte and work hard to improve it. And today, Work4you is leading the virtual assistance and digital marketing industry. They recognised their hook and worked for it.

3. Setting goals

We also figured out that Work4you, since it was a baby, has kept a goal-centric approach. They set measurable, small goals and worked to achieve those goals. The team also ensured that the process of reaching that goal was realistic and smooth.

The ladder to success was not easy for Work4you. Even this industry-leading brand had to overcome many initial challenges, such as finding the right skill set, acquiring resources, and gaining societal trust. Throwing some light on the initial days’ setbacks, the CEO of Work4you shared that his team was in the process of taking a very influential client on board. He quoted, “We worked hard on the project in making the strategies, hiring more people with the required skill set, and providing the best services. But this very client, for no good reason, went silent just a week before the kick-off was scheduled.

We also discovered that Work4you’s monetization model has a two-pronged model and has further subdivisions. The first model is delivery-oriented. It focuses on understanding the requirements of the customer and delivering on their demands. Another model is partner-oriented. The goal here is to expand the network and add more to the skill set by collaborating with the companies and individuals. This approach is majorly contract-based. The collaboration is structured in a way that benefits both parties.

Work4you follows 5 key points, which are based on a design thinking model that has led it to create successful apps or SaaS.

  • The first approach revolves around the customer’s demand. It is the customer-centric approach. The idea behind this approach is to satisfy the demands of the clients and make their experience worthwhile. An example of this is Mate4trade. It is a customer relationship management app. It was developed to help tradies manage their team and work. It has helped tradies to abandon the stressful process of managing the leads manually.
  • Next, the brand uses a “lean approach.” It uses the art of optimising resources efficiently. The idea is to do smart work and save time and effort.
  • The third approach that we discovered, which Work4you uses, is agile methodology. As Work4you has always believed in the engagement approach and satisfying customers’ requirements. It sticks by it at every step. The customer’s feedback is taken at every step to make sure that the results satisfy their requirements.
  • Another approach that Work4you is appreciated for is its “after-sales” support. It maximises customer satisfaction completely. Providing maintenance after delivering the service or product is very important to maintain the authenticity of the product.
  • Another very evident approach that Mr. Deepak Mandy swears by is valuing relationships more than monetary benefits. Work4you has gained popularity for serving the community and giving affordable services that actually help brands achieve their goals.  

We know that by now you are all influenced by the charm that Mr. Deepak Mandy has spread in the industry. Since you are all influenced by him, let us tell you a good deed that is on his mind. If you are idealising him, then you must approach him and give him ideas to actualize it. So, being a visionary man, he has the vision to begin a movement that provides a platform for the masses to show their talent to the world. That will further aid them in earning their living. Hardworking and deserving people should be able to make their name as experts in the niche that they are proficient in. Helping people realise and tap into their inner potential and grow in life is his aim.

It was the support of his parents, wife, children, and employees, whom he chooses to call his own family, that led him to the point where he is today. Yes, this is what he shares whenever he is asked about the strengths that made him a successful entrepreneur.

There is no success story without mistakes. Every human being makes mistakes, and so did Deepak Mandy in his initial days. But he believes that it is important to make mistakes and learn from them. Do not be knocked down by them, but rather persevere each day to reach the point of victory.

He has built a strong international brand, but the key to his heart will always be a simple Indian milk tea. Deepak Mandy believes in constructing a strong path for himself and others through his vision. Having made his name in the industry, he is now focused on helping others build theirs. These are the highlights from the interview of Mr. Deepak Mandy, conducted by firmsfinder.

International students interested in obtaining permanent residence in Australia may have better prospects in the future. A federal parliamentary committee on migration is examining measures to make the route to permanent residence in Australia more transparent for skilled workers.

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration released a report on Australia’s skilled migration programme, which included numerous suggestions. Australia has lost more than half a million temporary migrants, according to Liberal Party MP, since the country’s border was closed last year.

The committee had received compelling evidence of major skill shortages that had developed throughout the epidemic. Moreover, it found that skilled migrants play a critical role in generating more employment for Australians, which was one of the main reasons for the proposal. Migrants who are competent and committed should be provided with clear pathways to PR, but their pathway length and conditions should differ based on their skill level.

We have proposed additional incentives for migrants to move to regional Australia, as well as encouraging the best international students to stay in order to address continuing skill shortages, and simplifying and improving procedures at the Department of Home Affairs.

Recommendations To Obtain Permanent Residence in Australia

The committee recommended modifying post-study employment arrangements for international students who met specific requirements, such as graduating in the top 10% of their course and meeting appropriate English language standards.

Under the employer-nominated system, these graduates would be eligible for a discount in the work experience component for permanent residence from three to two years. Additional points may be given to graduates who fulfil the following requirements when applying for a points-based visa, according to the committee. The government could also consider three-year temporary graduate visas to provide graduates more time and flexibility in their job search.

The committee further recommends that the Department of Home Affairs modify the visa requirements for the Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482) short-term stream in order to offer a path to permanent residence for temporary migrants.

All visas sponsored by an employer should offer a path to permanent residency. The time needed to get permanent residence and the criteria associated with it may vary depending on the visa, for example, with applicants in lower-skilled professions taking longer to obtain permanent residence than visa holders with higher levels of education.

Permanent residency requirements should continue to include a good command of the English language and candidates must be under the age of 45.

Reference

Visa application costs for permanent and temporary residents have been raised by the federal government from July 1.

 This is close to a hike in the cost of citizenship applications from $285 to $490. 

The fee for the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which hears appeals on visa-related issues, has increased dramatically, from roughly $1,800 to $3,000.

According to the most recent data from the Department of Home Affairs, the cost for the Business Innovation and Investment (Significant Investor stream) visa has increased by the greatest amount. The price has increased from $7,880 in 2020-21 to $8,925 in 2021-22, representing a 13.2 percent increase.

The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is a general taxation charge imposed by the government in accordance with policy goals.

Along with the CPI [Consumer Price Index] adjustment in accordance with the 2020-21 Budget, the VACs for the majority of Business Innovation and Investment Program visas were raised by 11.3 percent on 1 July.

For example, the fees for Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme visa), Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa), Subclass 189 (Skilled independent visa), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa), and Subclass 489 (Skilled Regional (Provisional)) have increased by 1.7 percent from $4,045 to $4,115 in the current financial year.

For the current financial year, the initial visa application fee for Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent visa) has increased from $4,155 to $4,255. However, the overall cost is about $48,000.

Individuals seeking for a partner visa (onshore or offshore) will now have to pay an additional $135.

A migration agent in Perth said the increase in visa fees is minimal and is based on the current Consumer Price Index (CPI), a statistical tool that measures inflation.

The Australian government raises visa costs on an annual basis, and the increases are usually modest. We are more worried about the significant increase in AAT fees. There has been an increase in the price from $1,800 to $3,000. It seems that this was caused by an increase in the number of visa applications being rejected, he added.

Reference

The Skilled Migration Program for 2021-22 will start accepting new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on July, 7 2021. The Department of Home Affairs has allocated 3,500 subclass 190 places and 500 subclass 491 places to Victoria.

As part of our selection process this year, we will be looking for individuals who are presently living and working in Victoria and who are using their STEMM skills in a targeted industry. Health, life sciences, digital, medical research, agri-food, advanced manufacturing and New energy, emissions reduction, and circular economy are some of the sectors that we are focusing on.

For further information on eligibility criteria, kindly look below:

Skilled Nomination Visa (Subclass 190)

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for skilled migrants who have advanced talent and are presently employed in Victoria as STEMM professionals with advanced skills. Before you may apply for the visa, you must first obtain a nomination from Victoria.

Who can apply?

To qualify for a Victorian Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa nomination, you must:

●have been selected for Registration of Interest (ROI)
●live and work in rural Victoria
●be working as a STEMM professional in a target industry in Victoria
●must be under the age of 45
●possess adequate English proficiency and a valid Skills Assessment
●Have obtained a minimum of 65 points

How to apply?

To apply for a Victorian skilled visa nomination (subclass 190), you must:

●Make an Expression of Interest (EOI) using SkillSelect
●Fill out a Registration of Interest Form (ROI)
●Have your ROI chosen and receive an invitation to apply
●Prepare your supporting evidence to submit with your application
●Submit an application for nomination

What you will need?

You must provide the following documents with your application to show that you fulfill the requirements:

●Passport
●English language proficiency exam
●Assessment of skills
●Contract of employment
●Payslips
●Superannuation
●Description of the position
●Enrollment (if required, e.g. AHPRA)
●Form of Victorian declaration
●Form for appointing an agent (if required)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) enables skilled migrants to live, study, and work in specified regional areas for a term of five years. Before you can apply for the visa, you must first obtain Victoria’s nomination.

Who can apply?

To qualify for a Victorian Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa nomination, you must:

●have been selected for Registration of Interest (ROI)
●live and work in rural Victoria
●Be working as a STEMM professional in a target industry in Victoria
●must be under the age of 45
●possess adequate English proficiency and a valid Skills Assessment
●Have obtained a minimum score point

How to apply?

To apply for a Victorian skilled visa nomination (subclass 190), you must:

●Make an Expression of Interest (EOI) using SkillSelect
●Fill out a Registration of Interest Form (ROI)
●Have your ROI chosen and receive an invitation to apply
●Prepare your supporting evidence to submit with your application
●Submit an application for nomination

What you will need?

You must provide the following documents with your application to show that you fulfill the requirements:

●Passport
●English language proficiency exam
●Assessment of skills
●Contract of employment
●Payslips
●Superannuation
●Description of the position
●Enrollment (if required, e.g. AHPRA)
●Form of Victorian declaration
●Form for appointing an agent (if required)

The following are the most significant changes to the 2021-22 program:

●The requirement for minimum experience and hours worked is eliminated.
●Incremented in the targeted industries.
●Applicants must have STEMM abilities and be employed in a Skill Level 1 or 2 profession.
●Subclass 491 nomination applicants may additionally have a Skill Level 3 occupation using their STEMM skills.

Reference

As the situation in New South Wales continues to worsen, the ACT Government will make the wearing of face masks when out in the community mandatory.
In the ACT, there are no active cases. However, since the safety of our community is important, we are bringing this requirement as a preventative measure to support the strengthened travel restrictions we have implemented.
This new rule requires individuals to wear a face mask while they are with people they do not normally live or work with, or when they are on public transportation.

For Example, Masks Must Be Worn in:

● supermarkets, shopping malls, and retail,
● hospitality establishments such as restaurants, cafés and other licensed establishments,
● other restricted business activities that come into close contact with the public, such as hairdressers, beauty and tanning salons, and gyms
● high-risk environments, such as hospitals and old age homes

For hospitality venues, mask requirements will be consistent with those presently in effect in regional NSW, which means that workers who come into contact with customers must always wear a mask. While customers are highly urged to wear masks while inside the venue, they may remove them to eat and drink.

Along with wearing a face mask, the community reminds of all the other important steps they can take to be COVID-free.

First and foremost, if you are sick, stay at home and get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms. When you’re out in Canberra, make sure you’re checking in with the CBR app. Maintain a safe distance from others in busy areas.

New Advice For Northern Territory

Travel directions between sections of the Northern Territory (NT) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are being established in response to the COVID-19 situation in the NT and to coincide with the NT Government’s stay-at-home directives.

Travel instructions will complement the NT Government’s efforts to end the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory.

Residents of the ACT returning from the City of Darwin, City of Palmerston, and Litchfield LGAs in the Northern Territory, including the Darwin rural region, will be subject to a stay-at-home order in the ACT.

Reference

Many Indian international students who stayed in Australia during the pandemic to complete their studies faced difficulties, including living alone and losing jobs due to COVID-related lockdowns.

A number of students lost their jobs due to COVID. They felt alone and vulnerable but they chose to remain in the country since they were concerned that returning would entail an endless wait to return to Australian shores due to the continued closure of borders.

An organization AISECS (Australian-Indian Sports Educational and Cultural Society) has come up to assist Indian students in New South Wales, they claim that there is an urgent need to assist Indian students, many of whom are experiencing mental health problems as a result of continuing border restrictions.

On 3 June, they co-hosted an event called ‘Care, Connection, and Community’ exclusively for Indian international students in NSW, in collaboration with Study NSW and the Consulate General of India, Sydney (CGI Sydney).

They said they were inspired to organise this event because they thought that many international Indian students who lost loved ones in India’s second devastating COVID wave were unable to return home and were forced to mourn alone in Australia’s lack of a support structure. They wanted to demonstrate to them via this event that they are not alone.

The event was attended by about 75 Indian international students. It was also attended by the Consul General of India, the Consul General of Nepal, Superintendent NSW Police, CEO of Cricket Australia, and a mental health speaker from Headspace.

Additionally, they have developed a unique program to assist students with start-up business ideas in Australia. Those with feasible ideas will be coached, guided, and provided with financial assistance to help them get their ventures off the ground.

AISECS recognizes and thanks the Indian Consulate General for organizing this event, as well as the NSW Government’s assistance in initiating and making this event possible.

They also stated that they are in frequent contact with the NSW and federal governments, pleading with them to return foreign students from countries like India, where huge numbers of students are stranded. According to sources, the NSW Cabinet has authorized such a proposal to fly students home as early as August.

South Australia’s government has also contacted the federal government with a proposal for student return. If approved, the plan would bring in 160 kids at a time for two weeks of quarantine at a facility near Parafield Airport in Adelaide’s north, which is now under construction.

Reference

The New South Wales government announced the pilot plan on 10 June, stating that its administration intends to bring back 250 foreign students each week from abroad to Sydney, a number that is expected to grow to 500 students by the end of the year.

This proposal is now awaiting approval from the federal government, and it may take another eight weeks before the first group of international students may return to New South Wales.

The New South Wales government’s finance spokesman said that the program’s launch would be dependent on the federal government’s evaluation. It would take a minimum of six to eight weeks from the time NSW has told us that we may continue and operationalize the plan until the first student batch returns to the state.

When asked whether Indian students will be included in the return plan, the spokesman said that they will be brought back from a variety of important source countries that have not yet been named.

The New South Wales government has also announced that in the first phase of the transfer, the state would prioritize the return of continuing higher education students from the state’s institutions and five major independent education providers. Other industries and suppliers will quickly follow suit.

India will be added to the list if the country’s public health condition improves

Kaplan Business School (KBS) is one of five private education providers that have been selected to participate in the return plan. In its statement, KBS says that “for the time being, passport holders from the following countries will be eligible for the NSW Student Arrivals Plan: China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.”

Once the public health situation in India improves, the nation will be included in this list. At a later point, it is anticipated that more nations would be included on the list.

According to the New South Wales government, the list of source countries was determined based on a number of factors, including “the number of overseas students enrolled in an institution, the public health situation in that country, and whether or not those nationalities are permitted to transit through Singapore.”

Reference