Category: Blog

  • State sponsorship options are limited right now…

    At this stage in the year, its becoming apparent that state sponsorship options for anyone looking to apply for a state sponsored skilled migration visa subclass 190  is limited and some of the state’s requirements for sponsorship are becoming unbelievable in their scope for potential visa application/migrants. NSW has closed its application system for the…

  • Paying tax in Australia

    If you’re living in Australia and earning money, you may have to pay tax to the Australian Government. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) collects tax for the government. Generally you must pay tax on your income you get from the following sources: working as a wage or salary earner, running or owning a business, receiving…

  • Regional Certifying Bodies for the RSMS visa – What’s the dealio?

    I’ve spent the last few days reviewing various regional certification bodies and their requirements and it’s exhausting. RCBS as they are commonly referred to. Who are these bodies you ask…well if you are a person getting sponsored by an Australian employer based in regional Australia for the regional sponsored migration visa subclass 187, then you…

  • Victorian Government launches new online Overseas Skills Registry

    The Victorian Government announced the launch of a new online Overseas Skills Registry, where newly arrived skilled migrants to the state would be able to seek occupations that are currently in demand. Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher said the online service would be a major benefit to skilled migrants and overseas…

  • DIAC Places Increases on Visa Application Charge

     The Australian Government announced last week, that the Department of Immigration visa application fees will increase across the board by 15% from September 1st onwards. The only visa types exempt from these price increases are the Student visas and Tourist visas. The Government made the announcement about the increases in the Visa Application Charges (VAC) in their…

  • 457 Visa Education Charge introduced to keep up with demand on WA Schools

    The Western Australia state government announced last week that they will be introducing new education charges for families on 457 visas, from next year onwards. The new fees are based on a individual charge for the children of 457 visa holders to attend Western Australia state schools and will in turn cost parents each year,…

  • Australian Election Candidates Campaign for Economic Growth

    Prime minister, Kevin Rudd finally announced last week that the Australian election will be taking place on September 7th. Campaigning has gotten well underway in Australia with main candidates, Australian prime minister and Labor leader Kevin Rudd and Coalition party leader Tony Abbott both vying for the parliamentary win in September. Since former prime minister…

  • Employer Nomination Scheme – The Employer Sponsored Permanent Residency Visa

    The Temporary Employer Sponsored (subclass 457) visa has been the most popular skilled visa for some time. During the 2011-12 financial year over 125,000 were granted. The 457 visa’s advantages are manifold:

  • Visa Changes Introduced to Keep Up with Growth in Applications

    The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship has implemented changes today, as part of their year-long review of the Australian visa application process. The main changes that visa applicants need to be aware of are the increase of nomination fees and the restructuring of requirements for the temporary employer sponsored visa (subclass 457), but there…

  • Australian Skilled Occupation List Changes

    The Australian Department of Immigration announced changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), effective July 1st 2013. Nothing too drastic, with the removal of only five occupations from the current list, so you could still be swimming with the dolphins. Here are the occupations that have been removed:-  – Hospital pharmacists –  Retail pharmacists –…