Illegal immigrants out to exploit easy entry during cricket comp! The visa arrangement was aimed at providing ease of movement for cricket fans. Travellers with no intention of attending Cricket World Cup games are taking advantage of a trans-tasman arrangement...
Overseas workers will be allowed to work for a year without applying for 457 visas
A new temporary-entry permit proposed by the Department of Immigration to allow overseas workers to stay in Australia for a year without a 457 visa would create "open slather" on the Australian labour market at the same time it faces growing unemployment, unions warn....
Govt to cash in on visas for foreign love
The Abbott government will increase the visa applications charges for partner visas by 50 per cent, raising $373.6 million for the budget repair job. The cost of a foreign affair is set to increase by several thousand dollars. Australians who fall in love with or...
Scammers taking advantage of Fiji work holiday visa program delays
Fiji has become the target of scammers including travel and recruitment agents who are taking people’s money with the promise of work visas into Australia. The Australian High Commission has warned that while Australia had invited Fiji to join the Seasonal Worker...
The end of IELTS monopoly!
Expanded English language proficiency and test scores for migration purposes have been recently announced. The changes apply to new applications only: Applications lodged before 1 July 2012 – no change, IELTS and OET Applications lodged after 1 July 2012 – no change,...
Highly specialised short term visa for Australia extended to six months
A visa for those wishing to work in Australia for a short period of time in a highly specialised job has been extended from three months to six months. The Temporary Work Short Stay activity Visa (Subclass 400) is a dedicated visa for those seeking to enter and stay...
Government delivers 2013-14 migration programme
The Australian Government's target of attracting 190 000 new migrants in the latest financial year has been achieved, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Scott Morrison said today. Australian industry benefited with the majority of the permanent...
New English language testing options for Australian visa applicants
Applicants for Australian visas will have more choice in English language testing with the addition of more test options, it has been announced. The increase of choice will affect applications for temporary graduate, skilled, work and holiday, and former resident...
English language standards challenged
The battleground in the government’s sc457 review has now become more defined with both unions and industry bodies targeting the English-language standard as the key question the panel must decide on: should the panel recommend that the standard be maintained, or...
Fast-tracked access to Australian visitor visas for 51 more nations
Fifty one countries and regions have been added to the eligibility list for electronic lodgement of Visitor visa (subclass 600) applications from 9 May 2014. Citizens from 124 countries can now benefit from lodging online to holiday in or visit Australia. For those...
