Migration News, Views and Clues - April 2010
It is no secret that in the last six months it has become much more difficult for many legitimate applicants to obtain a visa to live and work in Australia. This impact has been significant in particular with:-
- Changes to the 457 Temporary (up to 4 years) Work Visa with the complete elimination of the Regional Certified Visa Classification and the removal of some concessions in relation to skills and salaries that applied in regional areas. Also the English requirement was increased to IELTS Level 5 in each of the four bands. The approved job list was reduced very significantly.
- For Students particularly the General Skilled Migration Pathway was decimated with long waiting lead times possibly to 2012 or 2013 or beyond. Many changes, and proposed changes that have still to be defined, a change in priorities for applicants, and new requirements such as the job ready test and others. Our education sector has been devastated by the drop in enrolments, particularly from some sectors, and as you would have read in the press numerous colleges have closed or fallen into financial difficulties.
- For permanent residents under the ENS/RSMS and other classes all applications are being scrutinised and if they can be failed on any particular point they will be, in other words it does appear that the approach is to find reasons to refuse applications not reasons to allow them.
Skills Shortage
We still, as a country and as a region, are experiencing a skill shortage and a declining potential work force over the next 20 years. Who is going to be here to do the work, pay the taxes, keep production up and the economy alive and vibrant? Sometimes I think that we forget that, apart from the Traditional "Owners" of the country, we are all migrants over the last couple of hundred years!!
In the Global Village we all live in now we also depend on the economies and trade of the world for the living standards that we have or aspire to. Tourism is one of our major industries, as is education, and if we cannot staff those areas with the right people, with the right skills now and in the future we will suffer economically for it.
New Business Sponsors
Now more than ever new business sponsors are finding it difficult to get their sponsorships approved as all applications are being scrutinised with requests to provide additional information such as proof of going concern, proof of capital investment, very detailed and auditable training plans for the future, and proof of capital or funds in an account to meet wages and business expenses in the future. Even if you are a longer term established business with a sound financial and trading record and substantial profits your application needs to be well developed and to cover off on all these issues. Our understanding and particular knowledge of business can help in this regard.
Citizenship Rule Changes Effective 1st July, 2010
Some Citizenship transitional rules allowing for Citizenship after two years residence conclude on 30th June 2010 and all applicants will require four years residence from 1st July, 2010. If you are interested in Citizenship and have been here for two years you should check with us to see whether you may be able to come within these transitional rules and apply before 30th June 2010!
Seoul, Korea - Education and Migration Expo in March 2010
The writer attended an Education and Migration Expo in Seoul at the end of last month. It was interesting to see how UNDER-represented Australia was at this expo with countries like the US, Canada and the UK having significant areas to market their educational products and services but with little representation from Australia. This was mainly from Tasmania and South Australia and a handful of private providers. No wonder Australia is no longer on the short list or the flavour of the month with international students!
The Dive Industry and Tourism
We are currently waiting on a policy ruling from DIAC in relation to Divers operating within the Diver Instructor Industry and the Tourism Industry. It seems that because they are operating in the tourism and leisure industry DIAC, from late last year, started to treat them as "non commercial". They are paid commercially to provide services to the tourism and leisure industries and do closely meet the ASCO definition for Divers. We are waiting on a policy ruling to determine whether this will be reviewed or to find out the basis for the unannounced change in policy.
The Migration Occupation in Demand or MODL Listing
DIAC previously had a Migration Occupation in Demand Listing which provided a list of occupations in which there were skill shortages. This then supported priority for applications for occupants who could fill those positions. This list was scrapped earlier this year. A Critical Skills List was introduced late last year. A new list is due to be released later this month - we will be watching with interest!
Application Refused? - What can you do?
If your application is refused you may have certain rights of appeal but the timing of lodging the appropriate paperwork is CRITICAL. If you have an application that is refused it is recommended that you contact ourselves, or an agent competent with appeals to the Migration Review Tribunal IMMEDIATELY, to determine what action if any should be taken, to make the appropriate lodgements and then to pursue the case. It is imperative that a professional and complete submission be made to the MRT before the hearing. Representation at the MRT can also be very beneficial. However all rights can be be lost if certain time lines are not met!
Our Team
Our team consists of several Registered Migration Agents and a number of Migration Assistants and support personnel. We all undertake ongoing professional development regularly and our most recent agents have all completed the Graduate Certificate in Migration from the Australian National University. Chris White also teaches this course at the Australian National University. Our agents offer a variety of languages and backgrounds. Having a number of Registered Agents in the office ensures we always have an agent available to assist with our cases and provide advice - only Registered Migration Agents can provide Migration Advice. It also enables us to internally workshop difficult cases and to look at issues from all angles that surround it. Our clients benefit from this approach and collective experience and knowledge.
Good News!
We have had great news this week with approvals for spouses and prospective spouses that can now live in the same country, Australia, together, and also for some offshore applicants that previously lived in Australia and can now return.
Quotes
"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world" Helen Keller
"We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden" Johann Wofgan Von Goethe - the Migration Agent needs to follow this!
and what we are all about:
"We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals, and we find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve (for you)" - Maxwell Maltz
'Till next month!
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Chris Dr Christopher R White DBA, MBA, B.Bus, ALGA CA, FCPA,CFP, JP Migration Plus Network Pty Ltd : ABN 45136723987 Education Counsellor Q006 Level 15, Cairns Corporate Tower, 15 Lake Street, Cairns Qld 4870 Australia |
Communications:
Telephone: 07 4041 2620 Fax: 07 4041 5011 Email: visa@migrationplus.com.au
Post: PO Box 1477 Cairns Qld 4870 Australia Skype: vzn6971 |
Helping YOU, Helping OTHERS
Migration Plus adds value to the community in which it works. At least 5% of our profit goes towards our charitable fund Step Up and Reach Out which assists selected young people from around the world who choose to improve their position in life through education and learning. Particular emphasis is given to those at potential risk and those who will assist other young people in a variety of ways eg: teaching and mentoring, and thereby improve their lives and that of others. Assistance is given to young people who choose to step up and reach out in return for a commitment that they will help others in some way in the future. This accords with our philosophy of putting a little back to the global community in an outreach of commitment. Our partners and clients are of course invited to contribute to this gift deductible fund.
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Helping You, Helping OTHERS
Migration Plus adds value to the community in which it works. At least 5% of our profit goes towards our charitable fund Step Up and Reach Out which assists selected young people from around the world who choose to improve their position in life through education and learning. Particular emphasis is given to those at potential risk and those who will assist other young people in a variety of ways eg: teaching and mentoring, and thereby improve their lives and that of others. Assistance is given to young people who choose to step up and reach out in return for a commitment that they will help others in some way in the future. This accords with our philosophy of putting a little back to the global community in an outreach of commitment. Our partners and clients are of course invited to contribute to this gift deductible fund.
Chinese - Hindi - Japanese - Korean