The Department of Immigration and Border Protection didn’t make many friends amongst Registered Migration Agents or visa applicants last week, after shutting down a number of Family visa types with scarcely 12 hours’ notice. Among those axed were the Non-Contributory Parent visa, Aged Parent visa, Aged Dependent Relative visa, Remaining Relative visa and Carer visa, […]
Government abruptly closes Family visas Read More »
A number of legislative changes to Australian Immigration policy have recently been announced by the Department of Immigration, set to be introduced from 1 July 2014. Among them include the additions of Chefs, Bricklayers and Wall Tilers to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), as was reported in our last newsletter. Some of the other most
3 Key Changes to Immigration Law Read More »
Chefs, bricklayers and wall tilers will be added to the Federal Skilled Occupation List (SOL) from July 1 to help meet the skills needs of the Australian economy, according to an announcement from Senator Michaelia Cash and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb. The additions are a result of advice provided by the Australian
New additions, no removals to SOL Read More »
Whilst the recent removal of a number of Australian visa categories may have dented the permanent residency ambitions of many migrants, there may be a silver lining according to former State President of the Migration Institute of Australia, Mark Glazbrook. Mr Glazbrook, a registered migration agent and Managing Director of Migration Solutions, says he
Parent ‘super visas’ a viable option for Australia Read More »
Visa applicants will have two new English language assessment tests to choose from when applying for temporary graduate, skilled, work and holiday and former resident visas from November 2014. The Test of English Language as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of English Academia (PTE Academic) are set to join
New English tests to be introduced for Australian visa applicants Read More »
Up to 3 500 skilled vacancies are expected to exist in South Australia’s northern suburbs by the end of this year according to a recent Adelaide University study published in The Advertiser. The information is of particular concern to local employers; the study revealing one in five companies saying that technicians and tradespeople are particularly
Massive skill shortages predicted for Adelaide’s northern suburbs Read More »
Young Australian and Greek citizens will soon be able to visit and work in each other’s countries, as Greece becomes the latest country to sign a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, said the signing of the agreement was testament to the close and positive
Greece latest addition to Australian Work and Holiday arrangement Read More »
Skilled migrants are at the top of Australia’s wish list according to the new Federal Budget, with almost 70 per cent of migration program visas allocated to addressing skill shortages. The 2014-15 migration program will continue to be dominated by the Skilled Stream, with 128 550 visas reserved for skilled migrants, 60 885 places for
Skilled migration tops priority list in new Budget Read More »
Recently, South Australia added a number of new occupations to its Skilled Nominated Occupation List (SNOL) – a list designed to help address skill shortages within South Australia by supplementing the affected industries with greater access to skilled migrants. Among the additions was cookery, a profession which has been in dire shortage across the state
How changes to the 457 visa program can benefit us all Read More »
The latest union concerns of declining workplace safety standards should the English-language requirements be lowered are baseless and a blatant example of unfounded claims, according to former Migration Institute of Australia State President Mark Glazbrook. The response comes after the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union’s (CFMEU) claims that 457 workers that attained a visa
Union demonisation of 457 program must end Read More »
Immigration SA has announced a trial program which allows holders of a South Australian state nominated provisional visa (subclass 489, 475, 487 and 495) and that are living and working in South Australia to apply for a subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Permanent visa. The offer allows applicants to forego the traditional 887 pathway, and is only
New permanent residency pathway announced for South Australian applicants Read More »
International graduates who have completed their study in South Australia and narrowly missed out on fulfilling the necessary criteria could still be eligible for state nomination thanks to new exemption considerations. Immigration SA announced the news recently, claiming factors that would be taken into account would include: Commitment to South Australia Length of employment and
Exemptions announced for International Graduates Read More »
The return of cooking, hairdressing and sixteen other occupations to the State Skilled Nomination Occupations List (SNOL) earlier this month came as welcome news to many prospective visa applicants. The two popular trade-based occupations were stricken from the list in 2010, after a government crackdown on the high level of program rorting that was present
Changes to work experience requirements spoils return of occupations to SNOL Read More »
At first glance, the release of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s annual Migration Program Report for 2012-13 paints a positive picture for the health of Australia’s migration program. Total immigration outcomes are on the rise, targets are being met, and with a healthy majority of these new arrivals belonging to the skilled category,
The state of our State – immigration outcomes to South Australia Read More »
Details regarding the new Government-imposed credit card surcharge for Visa Application Charges (VACs) have been released on the department website. Visa and Mastercard – 1.08% American Express and JCB – 1.99% Diners Club International – 2.91% The surcharge commenced from 19 April 2014. The Migration Institute of Australia reports that the DIBP website’s ‘How to
Update on new credit card surcharge for Visa Application Charges Read More »
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection is following through on its promise to cut red tape within the migration sector, according to a recent statement by the department. Around 1000 regulatory changes have been, or are in the process of being, made in an effort to reduce time and financial pressure on businesses and
Immigration Department continues slashing red tape Read More »
Australia and Poland have taken their relationship to the next level, with the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement earlier this month. Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Michaelia Cash said that the arrangement, which was signed in Warsaw, will enable up to 200 young people from the two countries to
Poland signs Work and Holiday visa arrangement Read More »
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has expressed interest in expanding the Australian Work and Holiday Visa programme after speaking at a Transport and Tourism Forum in Canberra recently. ‘My department is currently in the process of negotiating new and more liberalised Working Holiday Maker visa arrangements with thirteen new partner countries,’ the Minister said. ‘These include
More countries being considered for Work and Holiday visa arrangements Read More »
