Visas that are no longer available are:

• Business (Short Stay) (subclass 456) visa
• Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) (subclass 459) visa
• Tourist visa (subclass 676) visa
• Sponsored Family Visitor (subclass 679) visa
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Business—Long Validity) (subclass 956) visa
• ETA (Business—Short Validity) (subclass 977) visa
• ETA (Visitor) (subclass 976) visa
• Medical Treatment visa (Short Stay) (subclass 675) visa
• Medical Treatment visa (Long Stay) (subclass 685) visa

New Australian Visitor Visas

As of the 23rd of March 2013, visitor visa applicants must now choose from the list of visas below.

• Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa
• Visitor (subclass 600) visa
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) visa
• Medical Treatment (subclass 602) visa
• eVisitor (subclass 651) visa

Pathways to visitor visas have been unaffected by the recent changes. If a visa applicant was eligible before the changes were implemented, they will still be eligible for a visa under the new structure.

Now that the changes have occurred, the difference between work and business visas is much clearer. The new Visitor (subclass 600) visa, the ETA (subclass 601) visa and the eVisitor (subclass 651) visa will not allow work to be undertaken, but will allow business activities to be conducted such as:

• making a general business or employment enquiry
• investigating, negotiating, entering into, or reviewing a business contract
• an activity carried out as part of an official government-to-government visit
• participating in a conference, trade fair or seminar in Australia unless the person is being paid by an organiser for participation

If you currently hold a valid visitor visa that was granted before the 23rd of March you do not need to do anything, your visa will remain valid until the expiration date. You can view the status of your visa by visiting the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

The post Australian Visitor Visas Simplified appeared first on Migration Angels.

A total of 1845 invitations were issued in March, a slight drop in comparison to February and the total number of invitation issued in 2012 – 2013 still stands at a seemingly low number of 15,660.

There hasn’t been an update on occupation ceilings this month, but we’ll keep a look out and update this post if any new information is released.

We have however noticed a trend forming over the last few months in relation to the number of invitations issued according the points scores in the points test. The vast majority of invitations are issues to applicants who have scored 60 points in the points test.

SkillSelect Processing Times

One of the main benefits of SkillSelect is the processing times. Once the applicant has lodged their Expression of Interest (EOI) it could only be a matter of months before their visa is approved. This is especially the case if you are considering moving to regional Australia where skilled workers are needed.

In some cases our clients have been offered a place within 2 months of lodging their EOI. Before SkillSelect this time-frame was usually more than double that. So this is a major improvement over the previous skilled migration systems.

Invitation Round (4th March 2013)

Invitation Round (18th March 2013)

Start Your Free Skilled Visa Assessment

2012 – 2013 SkillSelect Invitation Rounds Summary

Please use the links below to review previous/future SkillSelect invitation round articles.

• SkillSelect 2013 March Round
• SkillSelect 2013 February Round
• SkillSelect 2013 January Round
• SkillSelect 2012 December Round
• SkillSelect 2012 November Round
• SkillSelect 2012 October Round
• SkillSelect 2012 September Round

The table below contains a running tally of the total invitations issued each month in addition to the total amount of invitations issues for the 2012 – 2013 year. Please note these figures include only invitations issued for Skilled Independent and Skilled Regional Sponsored visas.

Occupation Ceilings

Annual occupation ceilings are set for each occupation, meaning once the limit has been reached no further invitations will be issued in the corresponding field until July 2013. Occupations that have reached their ceiling are listed below:

• Chemical and Materials Engineers
• ICT Business & System Analysts
• lectronic Engineers

For candidates who have completed their Expression Of Interest (EOI) in the above mentioned group(s), your EOI will remain valid for 2 years.

The following table indicates which occupations are reaching the occupation ceiling fastest. This information is updated as often as the Department of Immigration release their statistics.

Last update: 18th February 2013

If your occupation ceiling has been reached, there are numerous ways of strengthening your EOI. The Department of Immigration selects applicants based on the date their EOI was submitted and/or the score they have achieved in the points test. If you meet the points test, but your score is relatively low (i.e. 60 – 65 points) there are a number of things you can do to improve you chances of getting selected in the following year.

Examples of what you can do to improve your score includes:

• IELTS English test (improve your score for additional points)
• Partner skill qualifications (skills assessment, English and age criteria)
• Credentialled community language qualifications
• Increase your education level
• Gain more work experience

State and Territory Government Nominations for 2012/13

Source: The Department of Immigration & Citizenship

The post SkillSelect March 2013 Invitation Rounds appeared first on Migration Angels.

For most people the thought of migrating to Australia comes paired with questions about visa options, shipping and the cost of living – to name a few.

It’s a time consuming endeavour and it certainly isn’t suitable for everyone, but for those who’d like to realise their dream of living in Australia, it also comes with big rewards.

If you’re considering a new start, a lifestyle change, a move to a warmer climate or if you’re in search for better opportunities – this article should provide you with an overview of what is required in order to make the move.

Visa options:

The first and most important step to take before relocating is determining whether you qualify for a visa, and which visa is most appropriate for your circumstances.

Australia has around 140 visas to choose from, so it wouldn’t make sense to cover them all in this article. Instead, we’ve listed some of the most common visa categories for temporary and permanent migrants.

Family stream:
The family migration stream facilitates sponsorship of family members who meet the requirements to apply for a family visa. The family visa category has been overhauled recently, mainly due to the growing number of parent visa applications, so the government has implemented a system where parent visa applications are placed in a queue. The current waiting time for (non-contributory) parent visa applicants is around 15 years.

There is of course an alternative solution to avoid the 15 year waiting period. It’s called the “contributory parent visa” program. The processing time for this category is reduced to 12 – 24 months, however, along with the reduced processing time comes an additional visa application charge of around $40,000 per applicant.

Visa options for family sponsorship:

• Child Visa (subclasses 101 & 102)
• Parent Visa (subclass 103)
• Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804)
• Contributory Parent Visa (subclasses 173 & 143)
• Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclasses 884 & 864)

Partner sponsorship:
The partner sponsorship program provides Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens with a means to sponsor their partner to join them in Australia.

Given the current economic down turn in many regions across the globe, partner visa applications have increased significantly as more Aussies sponsor their partners to migrate to Australia.

Visa options for partner sponsorship:

• Onshore Partner Visa (subclasses 820 & 801)
• Offshore Partner Visa (subclasses 309 & 100)
• Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300)

Skilled migration:
The skilled migration program has grown to be the most popular visa category in recent years. In 2011 – 2012 more than 120,000 skilled visas have been issued. The skilled migration program now accounts for more than two thirds of total net overseas migration (NOM).

The skilled migration scheme is pivotal to Australia’s economic success and is expected to continue its upward trend until the skill shortage issues are resolved. Numerous studies have indicated that the skill shortages are due to continue until at least 2036, so if you aren’t quite ready to make the move you’ve got some time to spare!

Visa options for skilled migration:

• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Sponsored or Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 489)

Employer sponsorship:
Employer sponsored visas are for businesses in Australia who would like to sponsor foreign skilled workers. In order to be an eligible sponsor, a business must first be approved by the government.

Individuals are free to approach businesses in Australia if they would like to be sponsored. If sponsorship cannot be attained, it’s advised to lodge and Expression of Interest (EOI) under the new SkillSelect migration program.

Visa options for employer sponsorship:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187)
• Temporary Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457)

For a complete overview of Australian visas see here: http://www.immi.gov.au/

Should I use a migration agent?

Using a migration agent to assist with the process of applying for a visa is very much a personal choice. It’s comparable to hiring an accountant to prepare and submit your tax returns. Some people feel comfortable doing it themselves, while others prefer to employ a specialist to carry out the work.

All the information you need to apply for a visa is made available by the Department of Immigration. If you feel confident that you are able to prepare and submit a successful visa application, you are free to do so.

If (like many of us these days) you don’t have the time to trawl through reams of paper work and spend hours researching Australian immigration requirements, for a relatively small fee you can hire an Australian migration agent to do the work for you.

If you’d prefer to appoint a migration agent, it’s highly recommended to use an agent who is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). The MARA is a government led organisation that regulates migration agents, and ensures that their knowledge of the latest immigration regulations is kept up to date by enforcing continuing professional development (CPD).

Shipping

Taking your household and personal effects with you shouldn’t cause too much trouble, but there are a few things you should be aware of.

Anything you ship to Australia (household goods etc.) qualifies as Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs). Concessions for duty free items such as alcohol and tobacco do not apply to unaccompanied goods – these items will be subject to a Goods and Services Tax (GST) which currently stands at 10%.

Furthermore, goods that have been owned for less than 12 months may be subject to a GST assessment. This includes furniture, electronics and appliances.

Motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and commercial goods are not qualified as Unaccompanied Personal Effects.

The Australian Border and Customs Protection Services take their role of protecting Australia from pests and diseases very seriously. Items such as timber goods, food and plants may be subject to quarantine inspection and/or fumigation. In some cases where items are deemed to be high risk, you will be informed and your goods may be destroyed.

For a full list of what you can and can’t import into Australia, please visit this website: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import

Cost of living

The cost of living in Australia is one thing that surprises many people. Food, energy bills, house prices and the cost of day-to-day activities seem higher in this part of the world. Partly to blame is the Mining Boom Mark II which has resulted in Australia fairing quite well during uncertain economic circumstances in other parts of the world.

We’ve pulled together a few statistics, which should be used as guidelines only, but they should give you a general indication of the cost of living in Australia.

The figures below are based on an average family of four (2 adults and 2 children) living on the Gold Coast.

Living costs will of course vary quite significantly, but to get a general indication of what you can expect, the next table includes salary ranges from $120,000 to $150,000 as total income for a typical family based on the figures from the table above.

Summary

Moving abroad brings with it a number of challenges. It’s a daunting prospect for most people and it’s very much a personal choice, but if you’ve had enough of the daily grind or you just need a lifestyle change, a new life in Australia could be just the thing you need.

The post Migrating to Australia – A Quick Guide To Help You Get Started appeared first on Migration Angels.

Unfortunately, the immigration industry often gets a bad name. The reason being, there are people and/or businesses out there that simply do not put their clients’ needs first.

We operate in a service driven environment and we cannot understand why individuals and/or businesses choose to treat their clients disrespectfully. Not only is it bad practice, in some cases it’s immoral and causes unnecessary stress, tension and anxiety for the client.

In our personal lives, we are consumers too. We know how if feels to be disappointed with services or products and we despise businesses who purposely “cheat” their clients. Inspired by the feedback we recently heard from our clients we thought it would be appropriate to put together a guide to help you along during your immigration endeavours.

1. Target driven migration agents / sales teams

The first signal that should start the alarm bells ringing is when you feel pressured into signing up with a particular company or agent. There are businesses out there that employ specialist sales personnel simply to sign you up, instead of giving you the time to choose a suitable migration representative.

We’ve heard of cases where clients did not even qualify for a visa at the time they entered an agreement (and paid the fee).

If a prospective visa applicant doesn’t qualify for a visa at the time the agreement is presented, there are no grounds for entering a contract. It’s that simple. In fact, taking money from a client who isn’t eligible for a visa is no different to theft. The worst thing about it is, most of the time they get away with it!

Luckily, migration agents operating in Australia must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, so this won’t happen often, but outside Australia it’s a whole different ball game. Unregistered agents operating outside Australia aren’t regulated, and therefore they cannot be reported to a regulating body.

2. False or misleading immigration information

It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint when you are given false or misleading information, so it’s advised to stay alert and verify the information that you are given. If it sounds wrong, or you don’t believe what you’ve been told, try asking more than one agent. Often times you will get a completely different response.

There are agents out there who will give misleading or inaccurate advice for numerous reasons. Here are a few examples:

• Inexperience – green agents sometimes prefer to make up an answer just to look more professional *
• Over complication – complicating things can lead to the client feeling vulnerable and may therefore entice them to sign up with that particular agent
• Scaremongering – creating an element of fear may cause a client to act on impulse and enter an agreement without considering the consequences

* In reality it’s better to admit when we don’t know something, than to give incorrect advice. Each case is individual and should be treated that way. If a migration agent doesn’t immediately know the answer to your question, don’t be deterred by it. It simply means they are being honest.

There are so many variables in a person’s life so it’s nearly impossible to have the answer to every scenario. So bear in mind that an agent who is willing to research your case, is probably the agent who will get you over the line.

3. Relevant experience

Just like every other industry, experience counts for a large part of a migration agent’s professional capacity. If you would like to appoint a migration representative, look for an agent who has at least 3 years practical experience in the industry.

In many cases, the more experience an agent has, the more they are likely to charge so be wary of inexperienced agents who charge more than experienced agents.

Australian immigration laws and requirements are updated frequently. Experienced agents will generally have a better grasp of what the requirements are, and how to interpret them.

Government caseworkers don’t leave much room for error and will sometimes make a decision without requesting further information from the client. In order to strengthen your application, an experienced agent will know exactly what a caseworker will look for in your application. Generally speaking, an inexperienced agent will not.

4. User / client feedback

These days consumers are happy to share their experience with others online – even more so if they’ve had a bad experience. Researching customer feedback is therefore high on our recommendation list if you are looking for an immigration representative.

Fortunately, finding relevant information is fairly straightforward. The internet is your friend. It’s abundant with resources to help you along the way.

The first place to look is on the company or agent’s website. Most companies have a testimonials or reviews section on their site.

Another way of referencing a company’s business history is by frequenting immigration forums. Most will have a built-in search function which you can use to target specific search terms i.e. the company or agent in question.

And last, but not least, have you tried searching Google? In not, you could start by using the following keyword phrase: “company/migration agent name reviews” or “company/migration agent name complaints”. More often than not, you will find some relevant information about the company or agent you are searching for. Repeat offenders are bound to have left a trail of some sort, so if you don’t find much using these terms, it’s usually a good thing.

5. Make sure your Australian migration agent is registered

One of the key benefits of appointing a registered migration agent is that every registered agent is monitored and regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).

In addition to paying an annual registration fee, registered migration agents must take part in continuing professional development (CPD) courses to keep their knowledge of immigration rules and regulations up to date.

How do I know if a migration agent is actively registered? Your first port of call should be the MARA’s agent finder. A MARA registration is valid for one year only. Once you’ve found an agent, it’s just a matter of verifying the most recent registration.

6. Agency fees

This is a tricky one because migration agency fees vary quite drastically, but there are a few things you should bear in mind before making your decision.

Most immigration agencies will provide you with a fee structure so that you know what you are paying for. The key here is to assess (or try to assess) value for money.

Things you should take into account:

Consultation charges
It’s common for migration agencies to charge a consultation fee to assess or discuss visa options with prospective clients. While this is acceptable, we believe that it should also be refundable if a client proceeds with that particular company.

Most companies will charge a consultation fee in the range of $50 – $300.

Services offered
This is generally where the bulk of the cost is incurred. Assisting with and preparing a visa application is a very time consuming task. It requires a considerable amount of due diligence on behalf of the agent carrying out the work.

Common tasks include:

• Providing detailed instructions
• Reviewing and scanning documents
• Providing feedback and advice
• Preparing and submitting the visa application
• Liaising with case-workers
• Responding to emails and telephone calls

Experience
Experience accounts for a large part of a migration agent’s competence to provide professional services, and should therefore also be taken into consideration when comparing quotes or fees.

Company size / structure
Sometimes bigger isn’t always better. While large organisations generally have more resources available, they will not necessarily provide better services. We know of a number of large organisations who provide very sloppy services in exchange for a significant service fees. Why do they do it? We don’t know, but we assume that all they care about is revenue.

Large companies often incur hefty overheads, which are generally passed on to the consumer – so bear that in mind before signing on the dotted line.

7. Response times

The Code of Conduct stipulates that migration agents are obliged to respond to clients in a timely and efficient manner. During the enquiry stage you aren’t technically a client yet, but you can use this time to gauge how responsive your chosen migration agent is.

There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting to get on with your visa application, but instead having to wait for your agent to get back to you.

It might be worthwhile contacting the agent (if you have their contact details) before signing up, by calling or emailing just to get an indication of availability/response times. If you are not able to contact the agent directly before signing up, you should be given a legitimate reason. If there is red tape before signing up, imagine what it will be like after they have your money!

8. General attitude / interpersonal skills

Bearing in mind that it could take at least a few months for your visa application to processed and approved, you should feel comfortable with the person you appoint as your migration agent.

It makes a huge difference when you work alongside somebody who actually cares about your situation and your individual circumstances. Migrating to another country is difficult enough as it is. You definitely don’t want it to be made harder by working with an agent and/or company who don’t have your priorities aligned with theirs.

It can sometimes be difficult to judge what you’ll be faced with further down the line, so all you can do is go with your gut feeling. If it feels a bit iffy to start with, keep looking until you find someone you feel comfortable with.

The post 8 Tips to Help You Choose a Suitable Australian Migration Agent appeared first on Migration Angels.

In a statement released by the government it was said that plans are in place to crackdown on the 457 visa program in order to stop abuse.

There hasn’t been much evidence to support claims that the program is being misused on a large scale. So, why the crackdown on 457 visas, and what happens to businesses that cannot source the skilled workers they need? Are they supposed to employ substandard workers just to satisfy the government’s local employment policy?

The argument surrounding the 457 visa program seems disingenuous. According to the Australian Labor Party, the program is too lenient and businesses in Australia are exploiting the 457 visa program in order to source cheap labour.

457 visas should only be granted if an employer can prove that a particular vacancy cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Another requirement states that foreigners are paid the same as local workers.

In an interview, the new Minister for Immigration, Brendan O’Conner indicated that the demand for 457 has outstripped national employment growth and has directly correlated this with abuse of the 457 visa program.

In his opinion we are putting temporary migrants in front of Australian citizens and permanent residents. These statistics, however, aren’t clear evidence that the 457 visa scheme is being “rorted”.

It could imply that workers in Australia aren’t sufficiently skilled or experienced to take up the positions which are instead offered to migrants.

Julia Gillard went as far as to say that the 457 visa program inherited from the Howard government is “out of control”. Lest we forget, the Labor Party has been in government for over 6 years. Why wait so long to point out such an “obvious” flaw in the 457 visa program?

As a result Ms. Gillard has now been accused of “desperate vote-mongering” – a tactic used to artificially inflate the number of votes gained, in this case by workers who feel their jobs are at risk to foreign workers.

Later, the Prime Minister defended her crackdown on foreign workers, in a move supported by concerns, rather than evidence.

In an interview by Sky News, Julia Gillard said: “I and members of parliament in the labour team do hear concerns from people about them being ready to take a job, with the appropriate qualifications, and not getting a go.”

“We make policy based on evidence, but community concern is there. People have raised examples and of course, when we get that kind of feedback, we should respond.”

It’s disconcerting to say the least, when a government party takes into account subjective “community feedback”, as opposed to cold, hard evidence when publicly arguing national immigration policy.

What’s even more frustrating is when members of parliament don’t practice what they preach. When it was revealed that John McTernan, the PM’s communication chief is on a 457 visa, many started questioning Ms. Gillard’s motives on the matter. It’s okay for her to hire foreign workers, but it’s not okay for businesses to hire skilled workers when they cannot be sourced locally?

Industries under the heaviest scrutiny are the IT and health sectors. Migration Alliance has published an interesting article about it here: IT sector fires up over PM’s 457 immigration visa crackdown

457 Visa Eligibility Criteria

Back in 1996 the Howard government identified a need for temporary workers to supplement the demand for skilled labour in Australia. Since it was implemented, the program has been overhauled a number of times – resulting in its continuing success.

The 457 visa program currently includes a variety of specific mechanisms that have been put in place to limit abuse of the program. In its current form, to be an eligible 457 visa sponsor a business must:

• be approved by the government before they are able to sponsor skilled workers
• prove a strong record of employing local labour
• demonstrate non-discriminatory work practices
• offer identical income packages to foreign and local workers
• demonstrate a commitment to training Australian citizen and Australian permanent resident employees

Employees must:

• meet education requirements
• meet professional requirements i.e. work experience
• prove their English language capabilities

In addition, employees can only work within their nominated occupation once they are in Australia and cannot transfer to a different company, unless that company is also an approved 457 sponsor.

457 Visa History

Since the program was launched in 1996, the number of skilled migrants who are granted 457 visas has fluctuated on an annual basis.

It’s a dynamic visa program which reflects the needs of the Australian labour force on a yearly basis. This is one of the reasons why the 457 visa program is so successful. When unemployment in Australia is high, demand for 457 visas is low and vice-versa.

Following the economic struggles in 2008, 457 visa grants in 2009 – 2010 were much lower than the year before. A clear indication of how responsive and adaptive the 457 program is. It’s a solid immigration strategy, and like any other good strategy out there, it offers flexibility.

457 Visa Program Going Forward

As it happens, a recent report has indicated a decline in 457 visa abuse cases. With that in mind, the crackdown Ms. Gillard is referring to seems rather disconnected from what is needed to benefit Australia as a whole.

Immigration has played a large role in Australia’s recent economic success. Therefore it would seem contradictory to condemn a visa program which has helped many businesses in sourcing the workers they need to continue growth and investment.

Summary

It’s fascinating that alleged rorts in the 457 visa program are made out to be conducted by individual businesses, when in fact it’s the government’s duty to approve businesses as eligible sponsors.

There have been cases where local employees have lost their jobs to foreign workers, and we agree that this needs to be stopped if businesses cannot provide legitimate grounds for employing foreign labour. Australian workers should always be put in front of foreign workers where possible – not many will disagree with that.

But instead of cracking down on the 457 visa program as a whole, a better solution would be to raise policing and evaluation standards. It’s easy to point the finger at previous governments – unfortunately nothing is gained in passing the blame.

The post Australia’s 457 Visa Program – Truths and Revelations appeared first on Migration Angels.

That’s why we’re offering Group Discounts for Indian Migrants.

The cost of migrating to Australia has become more expensive as visa processing fees are increased each year. So, with this in mind we decided to launch a special offer to cater specifically for Indian migrants.

How to Take Advantage of this Offer:

This promotion is available to Indian migrants – who register in groups of 2 or more. As per normal, applicants are required to complete the skilled visa assessment. You will be asked if you are interested in signing up for the group discount. Here you will be able to provide further information i.e. if you know someone who would like to take up the offer, you will be asked to provide further details. Otherwise you will be entered onto our database for possible future grouping deals.

Note: In order to be eligible for this offer you must hold an Indian passport and you must be a resident of India at the time of processing.

Requirements

The offer is only applicable to applicants who satisfy the requirements for a skilled visa to Australia. All parties (within a given group) must be ready to proceed with the application and must enter the agreement prior to works commencing.

What’s the Catch?

There is no catch! We are an independent immigration consultancy firm. We provide high quality immigration services to those interested in migrating to Australia. We are registered with the Office of the MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) and we have a 100% success record with skilled visa applications. If we feel that you do not have a good chance of obtaining a visa, we will not enter an agreement with you.

Questions: If you have any questions about this promotion, please feel free to get in touch.

The post Special Offer: Group Discounts for Indian Migrants appeared first on Migration Angels.

In this post we’re going to take a look at occupation ceilings, and more importantly the ones which are starting to fill up for this year. We’ll also provide you with a summary of the number of invitations issued this month and the total number of invitations issued this year.

Is your occupation getting close to the occupation ceiling? Not all is lost! We’ll provide you with a few hints and tips to help you secure your visa place

Looking back at the past few months there has been a slight drop of invitations issued in February. According to the statistics published by the department, there were 3,000 invitations issued in November and December. In January that figure dropped to 2,667 and in February there have only been 2,048 invitations issued.

Invitation Round (4th February 2013)

Invitation Round (18th February 2013)

Start Your Free Skilled Visa Assessment

2012 – 2013 SkillSelect Invitation Rounds Summary

Please use the links below to review previous/future SkillSelect invitation round articles.

• SkillSelect 2013 March Round
• SkillSelect 2013 February Round
• SkillSelect 2013 January Round
• SkillSelect 2012 December Round
• SkillSelect 2012 November Round
• SkillSelect 2012 October Round
• SkillSelect 2012 September Round

The table below contains a running tally of the total invitations issued each month in addition to the total amount of invitations issues for the 2012 – 2013 year. Please note these figures include only invitations issued for Skilled Independent and Skilled Regional Sponsored visas.

Occupation Ceilings

Annual occupation ceilings are set for each occupation, meaning once the limit has been reached no further invitations will be issued in the corresponding field until July 2013. Occupations that have reached their ceiling are listed below:

• Chemical and Materials Engineers
• ICT Business & System Analysts
• lectronic Engineers

For candidates who have completed their Expression Of Interest (EOI) in the above mentioned group(s), your EOI will remain valid for 2 years.

The following table indicates which occupations are reaching the occupation ceiling fastest. This information is updated as often as the Department of Immigration release their statistics.

Last update: 18th February 2013

If your occupation ceiling has been reached, there are numerous ways of strengthening your EOI. The Department of Immigration selects applicants based on the date their EOI was submitted and/or the score they have achieved in the points test. If you meet the points test, but your score is relatively low (i.e. 60 – 65 points) there are a number of things you can do to improve you chances of getting selected in the following year.

Examples of what you can do to improve your score includes:

• IELTS English test (improve your score for additional points)
• Partner skill qualifications (skills assessment, English and age criteria)
• Credentialled community language qualifications
• Increase your education level
• Gain more work experience

State and Territory Government Nominations for 2012/13

Source: The Department of Immigration & Citizenship

The post SkillSelect February 2013 Invitation Rounds appeared first on Migration Angels.

Quiet before the storm – as cyclone Oswald approaches (taken from Burleigh Heads)

In January tropical cyclone Oswald triggered flash flooding across the East Coast of Australia, causing significant damage to shops, residential areas and even the Q1 Building. As cyclone Oswald swept across the Gold Coast, news teams reported a window falling out of the Q1 Building as the torrential rains and cyclonic winds started to take their toll on the region.

The Gold Coast city council has announced plans to commence restoration work along the stretches of beach where heavy erosion has left walkways and access areas severely damaged, but with heavy rains persisting, the restoration plans have been put on hold for at least another month.

Sand erosion cause for concern – council beach restoration program delayed by more rain

Mayor Defends Gold Coast Erosion Restoration Delay

Mayor Tom Tate defended the council’s plan to delay the Gold Coast erosion restoration works: “Timing is crucial and everyone knows that there was no point in doing this earlier as the money spent would have been washed into the ocean.”

“Creating safe beach access, re-establishing damaged lifeguard towers and reducing scarping is the first priority and maintenance crews are already visible on our beaches making this happen.”

Martin Winter, chief executive of Gold Coast Tourism was confident that visitors would return soon: “This has come during an off-peak period and after an excellent summer holiday season, with both weather and visitors performing well for the Gold Coast.”

“With a return to good weather and still a medium lead period into the important Easter holiday season, we expect the current impact on the Gold Coast’s $4.5 billion tourism economy to be noticeable, but minimal.”

Some Gold Coast inhabitants clearly undeterred by the goings-on!

The post Gold Coast Erosion: Restoration Plan Delayed appeared first on Migration Angels.

How to Maximise Your Australian Dollar Total

Do you plan to relocate to Australia? If so, then you may need to transfer money from your home bank account to an Australian one when you do so.

This could be to have your savings in Australia, to tide you over until your first pay cheque, or perhaps to pay for schooling for your children.

In any case, it’s vital when you transfer money to Australia to ensure you get the best exchange rate.

This is because, if you’re transferring a significant sum, the difference between a good exchange rate and a bad one can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Clearly, that’s quite significant.

Given that then, when I want to do in this post is give you some tips for when you transfer money to Australia.

Keep them in mind, and you can enjoy a higher Australian dollar total in your bank account, to get your new life Down Under off to the right start!

1. Research the exchange rates in advance.

By this I mean, as soon as you know you’re going to relocate to Australia, get in touch with your bank or foreign exchange broker to find out what’s happening with the exchange rates.

This is because, it gives you a window in which to decide whether you like the current exchange rate, of if you prefer to wait. If you wish to wait, then you’ve given yourself breathing space.

By comparison, if you delay until the last minute to find out where the exchange rate is, you’ll have to accept the rate available, regardless of if it’s good or bad.

2. Set a reasonable target exchange rate.

You probably have an idea of what exchange rate you want to get. However, it’s important to make sure this is reasonable.

By this I mean, call your bank or currency dealer to find out where the exchange rate’s been in the last three to six months.

This will give you an immediate idea of how strong the Australian dollar is, and what exchange rate you can expect. It frames your expectations.

By comparison, if you set your heart on an unrealistic exchange rate, you may be left waiting for a rate you’re unlikely to ever get, or be disappointed with what you end up with.

3. Don’t get greedy.

When people transfer money, it’s very common practice for their target exchange rate to arrive and, instead of accepting the rate, wait to see how high it goes.

However, the trouble with this is that the foreign exchange market is volatile, and the exchange rate just as liable to go down as up.

Given this, if you decide to wait to see how high the exchange rate goes, the next time you look, you might already have lost out.

Hence, it’s better to accept your target rate as soon as it becomes available, and not gamble.

4. Consider a forward contract.

If you’re especially concerned about the exchange rate fluctuating, you may wish to set up what’s called a forward contract.

A forward contract allows you to lock in the exchange rate where it is, without needing to transfer your money abroad.

What you do is pay an initial 10.0% of the total sum you wish to transfer, and you can move your money whenever you like in the next two years.

The advantage of a forward contract is that it enables you to freeze the exchange rate at a point you like, meaning you’re not subject to future fluctuations. In short, it reduces your risk.

5. Compare the available exchange rates.

Last of all, before you transfer your money, compare the exchange rate available from your bank with that from a foreign exchange broker.

This is important because, frequently, banks offer exchange rates up to 4.0% worse than those from currency dealers.

For example, you may wish to exchange, US dollars for Australian dollars.

For this, a bank may give you an exchange rate of 1 US dollar to 0.92 Australian dollars (based on current rates.)

By comparison, a foreign exchange broker might offer a rate as high as 0.9560.

Clearly, that’s gives you three and a half cents more for each Australian dollar you buy, and will quickly add up to a higher Australian dollar total. It’s therefore very much worth comparing.

Conclusion

In brief then, keep these tips in mind when you relocate to Australia, and getting a great Australian dollar total won’t be a problem for you. Good luck!

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Chris Bowen resigns: Image source

After taking over the immigration portfolio from Chris Evans in September 2010 from, Chris Bowen has officially resigned from his position as minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Taking on a new position as minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, and Small Business Chris Bowen will no take on an entirely new role within the Australian labour party.

It has been a great honour to serve as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for the last two-and-a-half years.

The portfolio has been a challenging and rewarding experience, and I have been fortunate to work with and alongside some very knowledgeable, passionate and caring people at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. I thank them all for their advice, dedication and hard work.

I take pride in our substantial reforms to skilled migration and the increase in our humanitarian intake to 20 000 places. We’ve also made progress on important regional agreements to break the people smuggling trade.

I wish Brendan O’Connor, whom I worked closely with in his time as Home Affairs Minister, all the very best in his new role.

It is with excitement that I look forward to the new opportunities and challenges of Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, and Small Business.

Labor has a lot to be proud of in delivering outstanding reforms in these areas, especially in skills training and higher education, that have delivered more opportunities for Australians to earn the qualifications and skills to make a valuable contribution.

It is vital that we continue to equip our young people with the tools to get higher skilled and higher paid jobs – a key focus of any Labor government. This is a challenge I look forward to taking on, especially as it applies to Western Sydney.

Small business is an important priority for the Prime Minister and the government. I have previously enjoyed working to reduce regulatory and tax burdens on small business, including establishing a Small Business Superannuation Clearing House.

I look forward to working with these important sectors and continuing the achievements of recent years.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the contribution and achievements of my Ministerial and Cabinet colleagues Senator Chris Evans and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon. I wish them all the very best for the future.

Source: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb193079.htm

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