The initial uptake for a much heralded new visa pathway for New Zealanders in Australia has been slower than some expected, with under 1000 applying in first month. Thousands of Kiwis living across the Tasman become eligible for permanent residency in Australia Since...
Australia ranked among world’s best countries to be an immigrant
Australia is ranked in the top four countries to be an immigrant, according to a new global study. The nation polled highly in measures such as economic stability, income equality and job markets, which were used to create the list complied by ranking company US News...
CEOs, university lecturers among those now able to apply for skilled worker visa
A refined list of occupations eligible to apply for a skilled worker visa comes into effect today, after the Federal Government made a number of concessions. The changes will see people with some occupations such as chief executives or university lecturers now able to...
Skilled Independent SC189 visa age being lowered to 45 years
The Australian Government is making changes to the Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa from the 1st of July 2017: Two separate pathways or "streams" will be available: a Points Tested Stream, and a New Zealand Citizen Stream. The maximum age permitted to apply for a...
CSL confident of rethink for ‘devastating’ 457 changes
Blood products giant CSL is confident the federal government will modify changes to 457 visas for foreign workers that in their current form would be "devastating" for the company and other biotech firms, a senior executive said. A CSL vice-president, Andrea Douglas,...
Australian visas to cost more from 1 July 2017
All the Australian visas will be more expensive from 1 July this year. Treasurer Scott Morrison, in his budget speech, announced that visa fees will be indexed in line with inflation to generate $410 million over the next four years. This means, from 1 July 2017, the...
$20,000 visa allows parents of migrants in Australia for 10 years
New visa for migrant parents allows them to stay for up to ten years in Australia, but are barred from settling in the country and need to pay $20,000. Their children are required to pay for their private health Malcolm Turnbull government pledged the parent visas on...
Nursing 457s on the decline as health sector chases workforce renewal
The number of nurses in Australia on 457 visas has dropped dramatically in recent years, but ongoing staffing challenges mean foreign workers will continue to be an essential part of the Australian health system. Hospitals have slashed the recruitment of nurses on 457...
New sponsor requirements for Partner and Prospective Marriage visa applications
The Australian government take the safety and security of visa applicants very seriously. To help keep visa applicants safe, new requirements have been introduced for Partner and Prospective Marriage visas. From 18 November 2016, sponsors of these visa applications...
In defence of the 457 visa program
The Australian Government recently introduced changes into the 457 Visa Program, which means that when employment ceases, a person on a 457 Visa will only be allowed to remain in the country for 60 days, as opposed to the 90 days that it was previously. If a person is...