Nearly a million people have been left out of work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The Government is facing increasing pressure to reduce Australia’s migration intake to allow Australian citizens and permanent residents regain their place in the workforce. The Labor party has called for a…
Australia has introduced a streamlined, priority visa pathway for highly skilled and talented individuals to work and live permanently in Australia. The Government and industry has recognised there is growing competition for talent around the globe and to compete we must have a pathway that leads to certainty for people…
In my experience of practising migration law, I have been approached by clients who would like to apply for Partner visa but they are still legally married to someone and they cannot obtain a divorce. Most of these clients are usually from countries where divorce is still illegal, namely the…
A great article in the Australian newspaper today dispels the myth that skilled migrants are taking Australian jobs. One of Australia’s leading demographers Professor Peter McDonald from Melbourne University who is presenting later this week at ‘The Australian Economic and Social Outlook’ conference will tell attendees that without migration there…
Hungary has become the latest country to sign a reciprocal arrangement with Australia, allowing young people from both countries to visit each other’s nations under the Australian Government’s work and holiday visas arrangement. On 24 February 2016, Australia and Hungary signed a Work and Holiday Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a…
On July 1 2015 Australian Customs and Border Protection Service was officially disestablished, and together with the pre-existing Department, the new Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) was created. The DIBP will still be responsible for visa applications, while the Australian Border Force will be the operational arm…
If you are a 457 visa holder and have had a baby since your visa was granted – your child is eligible to be added onto your current visa. In order to have your child added, you will need to provide the Department of Immigration and Border Protection with identity…
Recently, Premier Campbell Newman has suggested that a new immigration strategy should be implemented in Queensland to allow more people to come to the state if they settle in regional areas. This strategy was raised as a possible avenue to achieve the goal of boosting Queensland’s regional population. If this…
When you lodge a visa application with the Department of Immigration & Citizenship, it is usual practise for an Immigration officer to request further information from you if they are not satisfied that you have met the visa requirements. However, it has come to our attention recently that Immigration officers…
The main purpose of the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) is to allow you to come to Australia and then marry your future spouse and live as husband and wife. Your marriage must take place within the visa’s nine month validity period and after that time you can apply for…
As of 1 July 2013 there are changes to the occupations on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL). If you are nominated by a State or Territory Government, a direct entry Employer Nomination Scheme visa, a 457 visa or a 402 visa you must nominate an occupation from this list.…
Here is an overview of the General Skilled Migration process and its impacts on applicants If you are looking to migrate to Australia and have skills that are in demand in Australia, you may be able to gain permanent residency through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. The GSM program…