The Turnbull Government today introduced legislation to the Parliament to make it a criminal offence for a sponsor to be paid by a visa applicant in return for securing a migration outcome. Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon...
Australian announces more measures to help working visa holders
The Australian Government has announced further measures to help protect vulnerable workers by providing additional information and resources to visa holders so they understand their workplace rights. Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash said it is rolling...
Looming trades skills shortages
Australia’s trades are suffering a mid-life crisis, as half the nation’s young apprentices drop out of their training. NSW Skills Minister John Barilaro said with the average age of a tradesperson being 40, there was a looming shortage of plumbers, electricians and...
Better Compliance, Not More Laws, Needed To Protect Integrity Of Working Visa Program
Reports that some temporary visa workers are not being treated in accordance with Australian laws demonstrate the case for improved enforcement rather than new laws, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today. Kate Carnell AO, CEO of the ACCI, said:...
Citizenship for sale: government explores price-based immigration system
The scheme could help the government rein in the budget deficit by bringing in tens of billions of dollars in extra revenue. The Australian government would sell the right to immigrate to Australia - with migrants no longer accepted based on their skills or family...
Liberals tighten checks on 457 visas
INTEGRITY checks on the 457 skilled visa program will be strengthened, including by sharing data with the Australian Taxation Office, to ensure overseas workers receive their nominated salary and are not undercutting Australian jobs. A new penalty will also be...
Australia Needs More Overseas Workers to Boost Economy
Australia should welcome more migrants and will need more than 250,000 a year by 2050 to raise living standards and boost the economy, according to a new analysis report. Such a policy would add $1.6 trillion to the economy and should be regarded as a positive move at...
Australia remains a top destination for UK emigration
Australia remains a top emigration destination for UK residents, the latest Office for National Statistics migration figures show. The February 2015 quarterly statistics show that 137,000 UK Citizens emigrated from the UK in the year ending September 2014. Australia...
Australia needs resources, not more laws, to beat migration fraud
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has asked for an urgent review into the circumstances of two Sydney men, Omar Al-Kutobi and Mohammad Kiad, who are accused of plotting a terrorist attack on Australian soil. It is suspected that one of those men may have come to...
Big companies not playing by the same 457 visa program rules
Questions are being raised about the visa activities of some of Australia’s biggest infrastructure and mining players amid a probe into working visas. The latest investigation centres around allegations that Irish workers have fraudulently obtained 457 visas to work...
