Thumbnail image for Immigration minister admits 457 visa abuse figures were estimated

Immigration minister admits 457 visa abuse figures were estimated

May 10, 2013 Australia Immigration

Australian Immigration and Citizenship minister Brendan O’Connor has been accused of exaggerating claims that 10% of the most popular visas used by foreign workers are obtained fraudulently. He has admitted that figures he has been using to justify changes to the 457 visa system were forecasts rather than actual. He had claimed that the system [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Australia sees fewer visitors arriving from overseas

Australia sees fewer visitors arriving from overseas

May 9, 2013 General Information

A higher Australian dollar and the continued weak global economic backdrop have resulted in fewer people from abroad visiting the country, it is claimed. The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that growth in tourism revenue has been mainly driven by solid growth in the domestic sector. There was slower growth in [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for No more automatic cancellation of Australian student visa for those who breach conditions

No more automatic cancellation of Australian student visa for those who breach conditions

May 8, 2013 Education in Australia

Changes have been made to the cancellation regime for student visa holders who breach their visa conditions in Australia. Automatic and mandatory cancellations no longer exist and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said that its officers now use a discretionary framework to consider breaches of visa conditions. Automatic and mandatory student visa cancellations were [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Australia government pledges more money to improving multiculturalism

Australia government pledges more money to improving multiculturalism

May 7, 2013 Australia Immigration

The Australian government has announced new measures to support the country’s diverse multicultural communities. A $15 million investment will be given to local communities to embrace the benefits of multiculturalism and maintain cohesive and socially inclusive neighbourhoods. Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Kate Lundy said that the measures reaffirm the government’s commitment to multiculturalism. ‘They will [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Australia’s first significant investor visa granted

Australia’s first significant investor visa granted

May 6, 2013 Australia Immigration

Almost 200 applications for Australia’s new significant investor visa have been received since it was introduced in November last year and the first one has been granted, officials have announced. The visa was introduced to attract potential migrants with a demonstrated history of success in business and investment and the first successful applicant is a [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for How far would you go if your partner’s Australian visa was turned down?

How far would you go if your partner’s Australian visa was turned down?

May 5, 2013 Australia Immigration

While the general press is very often full of financial news, economic data and many other reasons why expats are moving to countries such as Australia, the fact is that one of the more popular reasons is still good old-fashioned love. We are hearing more and more stories of people meeting up on holidays, study [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for How are British expats welcomed in Australia?

How are British expats welcomed in Australia?

May 4, 2013 Australia Immigration

While the number of Chinese expats moving to Australia continues to grow, and there is increased interest from India, it is Britain that has always seen a constant flow of expats to Australia. There is a history between the two countries which goes back hundreds of years and while looking at the mass media you [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Previously private paper reveals thinking behind ministerial changes to 457 visas

Previously private paper reveals thinking behind ministerial changes to 457 visas

May 3, 2013 Australia Immigration

Restrictions are needed on the number of overseas workers a company in Australia can nominate for employment because it is too easy to employ hundreds of workers without justification, it is claimed. The reasons are set out in detail in a discussion paper prepared by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for the Ministerial [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for New figures reveal Australia’s population growth hot spots

New figures reveal Australia’s population growth hot spots

May 2, 2013 Australia Immigration

Australia is a land of contrasts and those moving there can experience the hustle and bustle of inner city life or the wide open expanses of the wilderness. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal just where the population hot spots are. Inner Sydney is Australia’s most densely populated location. Indeed, the four [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Employers group hits out at misleading criticism of 457 visa programme

Employers group hits out at misleading criticism of 457 visa programme

May 1, 2013 Australia Immigration

Australia’s 457 visas and other skilled migration programmes play a small but critical role in meeting the resource industry’s workforce requirements and should be off limits to politically charged rhetoric and poll driven policy making, it is claimed. In its submission to the Senate Standing Committee Inquiry, the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) hits [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Number of low paid workers on 457 temporary visas almost doubles in a year

Number of low paid workers on 457 temporary visas almost doubles in a year

April 30, 2013 Australia Immigration

The number of the lowest paid 457 visa holders in Australia has almost doubled when compared to the same time last year, according to new figures from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). It highlights the need for proposed reforms to the 457 visa system announced in February which will tighten the programme, said [...]

Read the full article →