Ferntree Migration

Ferntree Migration Strategic immigration advice from Registered Migration Agents that maximises your chance of a successful migration outcome. MARN: 0324641

18/08/2026

EP 2 · Student Visa 101 — The Genuine Student Test

On 23 March 2024 the GTE test was replaced. Every student visa lodged since is assessed against the Genuine Student criterion under clause 500.212 — guided by Ministerial Direction 106.

The 5 things decision-makers must consider:

1. Your circumstances (home + Australia)

2. Value of the course to your future

3. Your immigration history

4. If you’re a minor — parent/guardian intentions

5. Your intention to comply with visa conditions

Critical point — Direction 106 says this is NOT a checklist. Your statement must weave the factors into a specific narrative about YOU. Templates fail. Specifics survive.

If your application was lodged BEFORE 23 March 2024 and is still pending, Direction 108 applies to you instead (different criterion). Watch the bonus episode.

Save this. Send to anyone about to lodge.

Cathrine Burnett · Principal Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

General information only.

14/08/2026

EP 1 · Student Visa 101 — Pick Your Course Carefully

Your course decides your visas. Not the other way around.

Three things to check BEFORE you enrol:

✅ Is the course on CRICOS? (If not — no student visa)

✅ AQF level: VET (Cert IV — Adv Dip) vs Higher Ed (Bachelor+)

✅ Which 485 stream it unlocks:

• Post-Vocational Education Work = 18 months

• Post-Higher Education Work = 2–3 years

• Regional bonus = +1–2 years and 5 skilled migration points

The BIG question — will the occupation your course leads to actually appear on the Core Skills Occupation List? Because that’s what decides whether you get PR at the end.

A Diploma of Beauty Therapy won’t get you there. A Bachelor of Nursing likely will. Get advice BEFORE you enrol, not after.

Save this. Send to anyone still deciding.

Cathrine Burnett · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

General information only — not personal migration advice.

🇦🇺

10/08/2026

🚨 The cost of returning to Australia has more than TRIPLED for many permanent residents.

If you’re an Australian permanent resident and your travel facility has expired after travelling overseas, you may now need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia.

💰 1 July 2025: $490
💰 1 July 2026: $1,475

That’s more than three times the previous fee in just 12 months.

For many permanent residents, Australia is home. They’ve built their lives, families and careers here. This significant increase has sparked debate about whether the fee is proportionate.

Do you think a fee increase of this size is justified?

Share your thoughts in the comments. 👇

07/08/2026

BONUS · Partner Visa 101

The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is often confused with the standard partner visa — and the confusion costs couples $11,710 or the wrong pathway entirely.

When PMV 300 is right for you:
✅ You’re engaged but not yet married
✅ You cannot yet show 12 months of de facto living together
✅ You want to marry in Australia within 9 months
✅ You’ve met your partner in person (video calls don’t count)

When PMV 300 is NOT right for you:
❌ You’re already living together in Australia (go straight to 820)
❌ Your state has a relationship register you can use (VIC, NSW, QLD, TAS, ACT — no 12-month wait)
❌ You want to remain overseas long-term (consider 309 offshore)

Cost structure:
Stage 1 (PMV 300 — before marriage): $11,710
Stage 2 (820 partner visa — after marriage): ~$1,955 discounted rate for PMV holders
Total: ~$13,665 in government fees

The 9-month window is not flexible. Miss it and you lose both the visa and the second-stage discount.

Save this for anyone planning an Australian wedding to their overseas partner.

Cathrine Burnett · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration
General information only — not personal migration advice.

05/08/2026

EP 8 · Partner Visa 101 (FINAL) — When It Goes Wrong

The episode for the people who need it most when things don’t go as planned. Refusals, ART reviews, and the Family Violence Provision.

🟠 Refused? 28 days to lodge review with the ART.

🟠 Relationship ended during the wait? Three exceptions preserve your PR: family violence, death of sponsor, shared child.

🟠 In danger? Family Violence Provision is real. Confidential support 24/7: 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732.

That’s the series. 8 episodes. Watch in any order. Send to anyone who needs it.

Cathrine Burnett · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

Want this written down? Comment “PARTNER101” and the free 50-page handbook is yours. Follow along for weekly partner visa breakdowns. General information only, not personal migration advice.

03/08/2026

EP 7 · Partner Visa 101 — The 2-Year Wait from 820/309 to 801/100

Most people don’t realise: the partner visa is a two-stage grant. First the 820 (or 309 offshore), then the 801 (or 100). Two years apart.

What kills the 801/100? Complacency. Couples who stop building evidence, split accounts, drift.

What preserves it — three legal exceptions if the relationship ends: family violence, death of sponsor, shared children of the relationship.

Keep proving. Until the permanent grant lands.

Eight episodes in total. Watch the full series
Cathrine Burnett · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

Want this written down? Comment ”PARTNER101“ and the free 50-page handbook is yours. Follow along for weekly partner visa breakdowns.

General information only, not personal migration advice.

30/07/2026

EP 6 · Partner Visa 101 — Lodging Day & Bridging Visas

The moment you press submit on your partner visa, three things happen — and one thing DOESN’T happen for a very long time.

🟢 Bridging Visa A is granted (onshore) — full work rights (if you already hold a visa)
🟢 An acknowledgement email lands within minutes
🔴 Then silence — sometimes 12+ months. This is normal.

Need to travel? Bridging Visa B is now $575 and doesn‘t grant faster processing.
Contacted by Home Affairs? Respond fast. Silence = refusal.

Eight episodes in total. Watch the full series
Cathrine Burnett · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

The free Partner Visa 101 Handbook covers this and everything else you‘ll need. Comment “PARTNER101“ 👇 to get it sent through.

General information only, not personal migration advice.

28/07/2026

EP 5 · Partner Visa 101 — Form 888 & Your Relationship Statement

The two written documents most partner visa applicants get wrong.

Form 888: statutory declarations. Don’t get 4 friends. Get one friend, one family member, one work colleague, one neighbour. Different roles, different perspectives.

Your relationship statement: chronological, detailed, specific. Never write ”obviously,“ ”clearly,“ or ”we deserve.“ Show, don‘t tell.

Case officers grant applications they can defend. Your job is to give them the words.

Eight episodes in total. Watch the full series
Cathrine Burnett · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

Want this written down? Comment ”PARTNER101“ and the free 50-page handbook is yours. Follow along for weekly partner visa breakdowns.

General information only, not personal migration advice.

28/07/2026

EP 5 · Partner Visa 101 — Form 888 & Your Relationship Statement

The two written documents most partner visa applicants get wrong.

Form 888: statutory declarations. Don’t get 4 friends. Get one friend, one family member, one work colleague, one neighbour. Different roles, different perspectives.

Your relationship statement: chronological, detailed, specific. Never write ”obviously,“ ”clearly,“ or ”we deserve.“ Show, don‘t tell.

Case officers grant applications they can defend. Your job is to give them the words.

Eight episodes in total. Watch the full series
Cathrine Burnett · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

Want this written down? Comment ”PARTNER101“ and the free 50-page handbook is yours. Follow along for weekly partner visa breakdowns.

General information only, not personal migration advice.

23/07/2026

EP 4 · Partner Visa 101 — The Sponsor Chapter

If you’re an Australian about to sponsor a partner, know these 3 rules BEFORE you say yes:

1. You can only sponsor 2 partner visas in your lifetime.
2. There’s a 5-year wait between sponsorships.
3. Character convictions can refuse the sponsorship — and are disclosed to the applicant.

This isn’t in the marketing. It’s in the Migration Regulations.

Tag any Aussie thinking about sponsoring.

Eight episodes in total. Watch the full series
Cathrine Burnett · MARN 0324641 · Ferntree Migration

Comment ”PARTNER101“ 👇 and I‘ll DM you the free Partner Visa 101 Handbook. Follow for more from a former AAT Tribunal Member. General information only, not personal migration advice.

Address

Tecoma, VIC

Telephone

+61390887400

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ferntree Migration posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Ferntree Migration:

Shortcuts

Share

Category