Australia and New Zealand Cry Out for Skilled Migrant Workers

Australia and New Zealand Cry Out for Skilled Migrant Workers

Britain has always been a strong source of skilled migrants for companies ‘Down Under’, but today the need for overseas workers is reaching a peak. With more than 60% of its business accounted for by Australia and New Zealand, world mover Anglo Pacific is urging candidates to seize the moment.

Read More»

Federal Government to introduce changes to regulations for overseas adoptions

Federal Government to introduce changes to regulations for overseas adoptions

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will slash court processes for some Australian couples trying to adopt children from overseas, in the first of a potential series of changes aimed at making overseas adoptions faster and easier.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-04/federal-government-to-make-overseas-adoptions-easier/5296528
 

Read More»

Migration case law - application for a visa (Federal Court), Chen v Minister for Immigration & Border Protection

In Chen v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2013] FCA FC 133 (20 November 2013) a Full Court concluded an application for a visa was made when it was received by express post at the GPO box nominated by the Minister even though not collected until the following day.

Read More»

Labor's 457 changes under review

The Department of Immigration & Border Protection (DIBP) is to undertake a review of Australia's 457 visa program.

A four-member panel, led by former public servant John Azarias, will conduct the review,

It has a mid-year deadline for its final report.

Also on the panel, which the assistant minister described as independent, are Professor Peter McDonald and ACCI director Jenny Lambert.

The Coalition last year opposed the former Labor government's June amendments to the Migration Act 1958, which reintroduced labour market testing (LMT) requirements for employers seeking to sponsor 457 visa workers and gave compliance powers to Fair Work inspectors.

ACTU secretary Dave Oliver says the Coalition's review is about helping employers fill job vacancies with international workers, and came "in the same month that saw the release of the worst unemployment figures in over a decade".

"This is appalling policy that will make it more difficult for the growing number of Australians who have lost their jobs to find work," he says.

Read More»

Temporary visa extensions - Ukrainian nationals currently in Australia

Given the volatile situation in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison announced visa provisions to allow Ukrainian nationals in Australia to temporarily remain while their nation is under threat.

Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Australia on a visa due to expire and who may be affected by the unrest in Ukraine will be able to approach the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) to make an application and receive an extension of their visa for a temporary period.

Subsequent applications may also be made if the situation of unrest in Ukraine is further deemed by the Government at that time to warrant a further extension.

Read More»

NEW CRITERIA - Western Australia State nomination

The new criteria for State nomination were implemented from 1 March 2014. The Western Australia Government has advised that if candidates received an invitation to apply for State nomination after 1 March 2014, the new criteria would apply.

Those who had previously received an invitation for State nomination will not be affected.

Please contact Nevett Ford Lawyers (Melbourne) to speak to one of our 5 dedicated and experienced immigration lawyers if you require advice and assistance by telephone: 03 9614 7111 or by email at: rcurtisgriffiths@nevettford.com.au.

Legal advice and assistance is highly recommended.

Read More»

Business Visa update (New South Wales) - subclass 132 & subclass 405 visas

NSW Trade and Investment has updated the NSW guidelines for the State nominated Business Talent (Significant Business History) Subclass 132 and the Investor Retirement (Temporary) Subclass 405 to try and provide more streamlined processing, remove unnecessary restrictions and encourage investment in NSW. The application process will be going online from 1 July 2014.

Changes to the Subclass 132 include:

• Removing the requirement to visit NSW and be interviewed before applying;


• Reducing the four million dollar annual business turnover to three million; 


• Reducing the three million business investment to 1.5 million for Sydney and one million for regional areas;


• Lowering the transfer of funds requirement to three million for Sydney and two million for regional NSW areas.

Changes to the Subclass 405 include:

• Removal of requirement to provide evidence of successful business or investment career;


• Removal of commitment to invest in a NSW business;


• Removal of visit to NSW;


• Changes to working conditions to 40 hours per week;


• If applying for a further Investor retirement visa, evidence of investment activity in NSW during previous four years is required, but is no longer tied to the investment from the previous 405.

This visa can be used as an alternative to a Parent Visa where the balance of family test cannot be met.

Please contact Nevett Ford Lawyers (Melbourne) to speak to one of our 5 dedicated and experienced immigration lawyers if you require advice and assistance by telephone: 03 9614 7111 or by email at: rcurtisgriffiths@nevettford.com.au.

Legal advice and assistance is highly recommended.

Read More»