457 program under review
Immigration Minister Chris Evans has released a discussion paper seeking stakeholder feedback on proposed reforms to the 457-visa program, which he says will help prevent the exploitation of temporary skilled foreign workers.
Date: Jul 02, 2008
A Guide on Getting your Permanent Residency (PR) for International Students in Australia
Many international students studying in Australia aspire to become a permanent resident and stay in Australia for good. The most common route to permanent residence is for students to apply for general skilled migration after completing their studies.
Date: Aug 03, 2009
Baird Review welcomed by Immigration Minister
On 9 March 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, welcomed the final report of the Baird Review on the legislation governing international education. It is titled “Stronger, Simpler, Smarter ESOS; A Review of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act. It was also greeted favourably by the Deputy Prime minister, Julia Gillard and comes in conjunction with the changes made to the skilled migration program in February, 2010.
Date: Apr 03, 2010
Changes to the Australian Working Holiday Visas commence from 1st July, 2008
On the 1st July, 2008 the Migration Regulations 1994 ("the Regulations") were amended to expand the concession for a second Working Holiday visa for those who undertake three months' work in regional Australia to include work in the construction industry in regional Australia.
Date: Aug 04, 2008
Detention Reforms
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship recently announced additional reforms to Australia’s immigration system. These reforms are in addition to the changes sought to be introduced by the Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2008 which is currently before Parliament. That Bill, among other things, would streamline tribunal procedures and amend time limits for applying to the court for judicial review of migration decisions.
Date: Sep 01, 2008
Family ties & Migrating to Australia
Under the Australian Migration Program, people can apply for visas under the family stream component
Date: Sep 02, 2009
Fraudulent Migration
In September 2008 Mr. George Ling, a Sydney businessman, was sentenced in the District Court to five years and five months imprisonment in relation to his involvement in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth. The charges related to an immigration conspiracy which resulted in 110 foreign nationals being granted Australian citizenship where they did not meet the criteria.
Date: Oct 02, 2008
Government Introduces Changes to the Skilled Migration Program
As of 1 January 2009, the Commonwealth Government made changes to the skilled migration program. The new measures were the result of Australia's changing economic needs, including forecasts for higher unemployment, and were designed to ensure that the skilled migration stream continued to meet the needs of industry in the new economic climate.
Date: Apr 02, 2009
How to board the Australia Citizen Ship
There are many vessels in which you can become an Australian citizen. Your rite of passage to either apply or be automatically granted citizenship depends on your circumstances. So which option applies to you?
Date: Jul 02, 2009
Immigration Update
Over the past few months the Commonwealth Government has made a number of amendments to the migration legislation. These changes impact a wide range of visas and highlight the need to keep abreast of changes to immigration law.
Date: Jan 03, 2009
Immigration Update: General Skilled Migration
In 2010, the Commonwealth Government announced significant changes impacting general skilled migration, with further changes taking place later this year. If you have applied for or are thinking of applying for general skilled migration, it is imperative to seek advice and understand how the changes may impact your application.
Date: May 02, 2010
International Students and Permanent Residency
In 2008-08, the Commonwealth Government granted a total of 320,368 student visas. Many of these international students are interested in becoming permanent residents in Australia. In most cases, students apply for general skilled migration upon the completion of their studies. In 2008-09, the Commonwealth Government granted 69,153 permanent resident visas through the general skilled migration program.
Date: Dec 02, 2009
Maintain your status quo
Visa status is hard to maintain, especially when travelling in and out of several countries. If you’re an Australian permanent resident who wants to travel, and wish to keep your status, you should consider a Five Year Resident Return Visa (subclass 155).
Date: Mar 01, 2010
Migrant intake cut
Due to the global financial crisis and amid fears the economy will slow, Australia’s intake of migrants will be significantly cut next year.
Date: Nov 02, 2008
More Changes for Skilled Workers on The 457 Visa
The 457 temporary business (long stay) visa plays an important role in the Australian economy. This visa enables employers to fill skilled positions with an overseas worker where they have been unable to find a local candidate. The program allows overseas workers to remain in Australia for a period between three months and four years.
Date: May 02, 2009
More to be done on skills crisis, says Evans
Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, has welcomed an interim report from a group of industry experts on Australia's temporary skilled migration program, which coincided with figures that showed record arrivals of skilled workers helped immigration become the leading element in Australian population growth last year.
Date: Apr 04, 2008
New Priority Processing Arrangements for General Skilled Migration Applications
The Migration Act 1958 (Cth) provides the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship with the authority to set the order of priority for considering and finalising visa applications. The Minister recently set new priority processing arrangements for certain skilled migration visas.
Date: Nov 01, 2009
Partner Visa Options
There are a number of visa options for partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to enter and/or permanently remain in Australia. The specific subclass of visa is dependent upon the nature of the relationship and whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia.
Date: May 06, 2008
Population Flows – A Statistical Overview of Australian Migration
In March 2008, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship released Population Flows: Immigration Aspects. This report provides an array of information about Australian migration in the 2006-07 fiscal year.
Date: Jun 01, 2008
Report commissions new Immigration Policy
The Human Rights Commission slammed the Government's immigration detention policy last week, following the release of the Commission's 2008 immigration detention report.
Date: Mar 02, 2009
Report commissions new Immigration Policy
The Human Rights Commission slammed the Government's immigration detention policy last week, following the release of the Commission's 2008 immigration detention report.
Date: Feb 02, 2009
Skills Assessment for Migrants
The most common form of migration to Australia is the General Skilled Migration program. The aim of the program is to attract skilled, experienced and therefore employable people for migration to Australia.
Date: Feb 02, 2010
Sponsoring a Partner and Domestic Violence
Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens may sponsor their partner to enter and/or remain permanently in Australia. Different visa categories apply, depending upon whether the visa applicant is overseas or already in Australia.
Date: Dec 03, 2008
Staying on After your Working Holiday
Are you in Australia on a working holiday visa and interested in staying on after your visa expires? There are a few different visa options if you would like to extend your stay.
Date: Jan 02, 2010
Sweeping Changes to 457 Program Effective 14 September 2009
The Commonwealth Government introduced a number of changes to the sponsorship regime for temporary workers in Australia on subclass 457 visas. These changes came into effect on 14 September 2009.
Date: Oct 03, 2009
Using a Migration Agent
A migration agent is a person registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), who offers to assist people with applying for visas and citizenship in Australia. This article examines some important considerations in using the services of a migration agent and what you should expect to receive for their assistance.
Date: Jul 02, 2010
Who is a Refugee?
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Who is a Refugee?
The legal status of refugees in Australia is a contentious and frequently misunderstood matter. Unlike many developing countries, where the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will make a determination of a person's refugee status, Australia has a formal administrative process for assessing refugee claims.
Date: Jun 04, 2010
Your strength of character in Immigration
Australian migration laws require all applicants to satisfy a "character test" before approving a visa. This is known as the public interest criteria, and it can be difficult to understand its requirements.
Date: Jun 02, 2009
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