Only 6 visas have been granted under the new SIV 2 framework
Since July, 2015 Significant Investor Visa (SIV) applicants must invest 40% of their complying investment into risky Venture Capital (VC) and small public company shares. Only 6 visas have been granted under the new SIV
New Zealander’s new pathway for Permanent Residence in Australia
New Zealand citizens living in Australia will have a new pathway from 1 July 2017. The conditions are (in general): arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001; arrived before 19 February 2016. living in Australia
Visa Cancellation Numbers for Criminals Growing
The Immigration Department now have greater powers to cancel visas of non-citizens. 580 people had their visas cancelled on character grounds in 2015. Approximately 60 per cent were New Zealand citizens. Under the new law of
Engineers Migration
Engineers Australia have modernised their assessment process to recognise people as Engineers when they obtain an Australian Master’s Engineering degree (after a non-engineering Bachelor’s degree overseas). Previously Engineers Australia would only recognise people with a
Work and Holiday
The Minister for Immigration has announced that the Slovak Republic and Slovenia are the latest countries to have a work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia, joining a number of other countries including Argentina, Bangladesh,
Australia – quality of life
Australia has been ranked as the second-best country in the world for its quality of life by a UN report that assessed economic, education and life-expectancy data. The top three rankings, Norway, Australia and Switzerland,
This is the Best time to be an Australian
In 2016, the Government will introduce a new Entrepreneur visa to attract innovators to Australia. The new visa assists highly educated and talented foreign students to remain in Australia. Graduates with science, technology, engineering, ICT, and
Paying for Sponsorship
The Migration Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Act 2015 recently received Royal Assent. This law introduces criminal and civil penalties for a person to ask for, receive, offer, or provide payment in return
Cap and Cease Challenge
There are enough people adversely affected by the Government's Cap-and-Cease determination to cause some Government MPs concern. Many of those affected are Australian Citizens whose relative's rights have been trashed by the former Assistant Minister
Cap and Cease Disgrace
This week the Federal Government announced they have deemed thousands of skilled migration applications "not to have been made". Most of these applicants have been waiting seven years for their applications to be decided. These applicants
English level for 457 visas
The current 457 English test requirements are: IELTS – overall 5 (minimum 4.5 in each component) – single sitting; CAE – overall 154 (minimum 147 in each component) – single sitting – test taken on
Important Migrant Statistics
According to the Migration Council of Australia (paper 1 2015) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics , 6.6 million Australians are migrants (28 per cent). The education of migrants since year 2000, is on average
Visa Labels
As from 1 September 2015, the Australian government will no longer issue any visa labels. All visa will be issued and recorded electronically. All visa records are stored on a central database in Australia which
New Tribunal will work more effectively with better primary decisions
On 1 July 2015, the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT), Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) and Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) merged with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This move is the most significant re-organisation since the
New Skilled Occupations List for Australia
Urban- Regional planners, Dentists, and Dental Specialists are removed from the updated Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as of 1 July 2015. Panel-beaters and Cabinet-makers have been added. The number of application invitations for Accountants may be
Defacto Couples
Defacto couples do not necessarily have to live together in order to meet the Migration definition of a partner couple. Defacto couples living apart may be able to meet the migration partner criteria as defined by
Subclass 886 Applications Processing
It appears that many of the old subclass 886 applications have started re-processing. This is very welcome news for those applicants that have had their permanent residency applications on hold by the Immigration Department for
Australian Boarder Force
As from 1 July 2015, the Immigration department will be known as Australian Boarder Force. The legislation to effect this change was passed by Parliament on 14 May 2015. The new department combines the Department
Worker Exploitation Crackdown
The Assistant Minister for Immigration has reported the following statements with respect to cracking down on worker exploitation: A Darwin-based company has been fined over $175,000 for breaching sponsorship obligations under the subclass 457
Government application Fee increase for Offshore Partners
From 1 July 2015, the Department of Immigration will increase offshore partner visa application fees by approximately $2250. The fee increase is part of the recent Government’s revenue raising moves. It is therefore advisable
Good news for overseas students
Instrument IMMI 15 / 062, commencing 18 April 2015 provides that Immigration have lowered the minimum English language test scores for the Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas. Applicants
Lower English language test scores to be specified for the subclass 485 Temporary visas
Select Legislative Instrument No. 34, 2015 specifies that as from 18 April 2015, the Department will be able to set the required level of English skill (IELTS or equivalent) lower than the current Competent English
Paper Visa labels to be phased out in 2015
The Australian Government does not require holders of Australian visas to have a visa label in their passport. Visa holders can travel to and reside in Australia without a visa label – this is known
Department statement about skilled migration
The Migration Programme planning level for the Skilled Nominated category now has limited number of places left for the 2014-15 programme year. This means processing times will be longer and that once the remaining places
Sponsored 457 Visa Review
The Federal Government will reduce regulation and strengthen integrity of Australia's 457 sponsored worker program. "For example, in relation to the integrity of the 457 program [they] will increase[e] focus on, and resourcing for monitoring