AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Australia’s Citizenship Day takes place each September 17, with ceremonies across the country to celebrate the sense of pride surrounding Australian citizenship.

Monday, 17 September 2007

A recent construction industry survey in Australian identifies that the skills shortage could hamper construction projects in Australia, with spillover into other economic sectors.

Friday, 14 September 2007

Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has addressed Australia’s government - where he outlined shared challenges and opportunities that the two countries face.

Tuesday, 11 September 2007

Trades Recogniton Australia (TRA) have announced that they will no longer accept applications that predominantly rely on evidence of work experience.

Thursday, 6 September 2007

Australia's General Skilled Migration Programme (GSM) has undergone a significant overhaul which takes effect today.

Saturday, 1 September 2007

According to the Office of National Statistics, a record number of people are emigrating from the United Kingdom for greener, and sunnier, pastures abroad.

Friday, 24 August 2007

According to American IT Guru Prof. Larry Smarr, Australia's universities will be key to maintaining it’s high-tech knowledge based economy.

Monday, 20 August 2007

Experts in Australian migration expect that next month’s changes to the Australian Skilled Migration System could open the door for more Britons to migrate to Australia.

Friday, 17 August 2007

The 2007-2008 Australian Federal Budget earmarks $123.6 million (AUD) for a new Citizenship test for prospective Australian citizens.

Wednesday, 8 August 2007

With effect from 30 July 2007, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced a revised Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL). The changes have resulted in one occupation being removed from the MODL and a further nine occupations being added.

Wednesday, 1 August 2007

A new Government study, Social Costs & Benefits of Migration into Australia, finds that immigrants to Australia are generally better educated, more willing to participate in society and less dependent on social assistance that their Australian-born peers. Newcomers from around the world provide valuable human capital to the Australian economy.

Friday, 27 July 2007

According to the Department of Immigration, Australia granted a record number of visas to Backpackers in 2006 and 2007, with 102,966 visas granted representing an increase of 15% over the previous year.

Thursday, 26 July 2007

Demand for housing in Australia is expected to grow significantly due to the influx of migrants to Australia.

Monday, 23 July 2007

The Australian economy has shown another quarter of strong fiscal growth - growing 3.8% compared to the first quarter last year.

Monday, 9 July 2007

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has instituted new application forms for most Australian visa types.

Wednesday, 4 July 2007

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews has announced the launch of an industry working group to investigate and provide recommendations on the Australian trucking industry skills shortage.

Monday, 18 June 2007

The Assistant Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Teresa Gambaro has congratulated the Limestone Coast of South Australia for their commitment to refugee settlement.

Thursday, 14 June 2007

Brisbane has celebrated its annual 'Queensland Citizenship Day' by welcoming 561 new citizens.

Wednesday, 13 June 2007

Australia has committed $32 million to services aimed at helping refugees and other new migrants to integrate into the mainstream community, an increase from last year's $31 million.

Wednesday, 13 June 2007

According to the preliminary results of the 2006 Census, Australia’s population increased by 1.4% during the 12 months up to December, 2006.

Thursday, 7 June 2007

Queensland is well on the road to economic success following a recent study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Tuesday, 5 June 2007

The Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews and the Minister of Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, have announced a number of dramatic changes to the current General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme.

Friday, 1 June 2007

The Australian tourism market reached a high point last week by welcoming its 300,000th Chinese visitor under the Approved Destination Scheme.

Monday, 28 May 2007

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) have lifted a ban on recruiting Zimbabwean Nurses, providing a fresh start and significant career opportunities for many Zimbabwean nursing professionals in Australia.

Friday, 25 May 2007

Potential Australian citizens will soon be quizzed in the form of a multiple choice citizenship test about Australia’s values, political affairs and sporting preferences. The test will consist of 20 questions drawn from a pool of 200.

Monday, 21 May 2007

Recently arrived skilled migrants are enjoying strong employment outcomes and job satisfaction, according to preliminary results of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) third longitudinal survey of immigrants.

Friday, 18 May 2007

Kevin Andrews, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and Margaret Quirk, West Australian Minister for Small Business, have finalised a three-year labour agreement for the temporary entry of skilled meatworkers to Western Australia.

Thursday, 17 May 2007

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have released details of the 2007-08 Migration Programme intake with a planning level set at 152,800 places.

Friday, 11 May 2007

The Australian Government has hinted at introducing extensive changes to the current General Skilled Migration Programme.

Monday, 7 May 2007

Changes to the controversial Skilled Temporary Visa (subclass 457) which will protect and strengthen the integrity of the 457 visa scheme, have been formally announced by the Australian Government.

Monday, 30 April 2007

Details of reforms to Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme have been announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP and Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP.

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

The Australian Labour Party (ALP) plans to stop unions from making decisions on whether a business should be allowed to recruit temporary skilled migrants. The plan comes as a bid by the ALP to show that the party recognises the need for employer sponsored visas, despite continuous campaigns against their abuse.

Thursday, 29 March 2007

The increasing number of newborn babies and migrants have driven Australia’s population growth to its highest level in five years, fuelling economic growth and generating expansion in Australia’s research-rich states.

Wednesday, 28 March 2007

The Australian Government encouraged its citizens and residents to get together on 21 March 2007 and acknowledge the nation’s cultural diversity.

Thursday, 22 March 2007

The Australian government is being urged to respond to employer groups calling for a serious increase to the size and scope of the 2007-8 migration program.

Thursday, 15 March 2007

New immigration legislation designed to strengthen Australian security was passed through the Senate on 25 February 2007.

Tuesday, 13 March 2007

More than 600 new Australian citizens from 50 difference countries were given a ‘home town welcome’ last night at a Citizenship Ceremony held in Brisbane.

Thursday, 8 March 2007

Latin America has opened its door to Australian students and professionals to work and holiday in Chile. The renewed arrangement for the ‘Work and Holiday’ visa will allow up to 500 visas per year for both Australia and Chile.

Thursday, 22 February 2007

According to a recent media release, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Teresa Gambaro has reinforced the government’s commitment to a strong and cohesive Australia through effective integration.

Thursday, 22 February 2007

Thousands of young Germans and Australians will have the opportunity to enjoy a working holiday in each other's countries following a renewed agreement in Berlin.

Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Changes to the controversial subclass 457 visa were unveiled this week by new Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews. The adjustments will introduce harsh penalties for those in breach of the sponsorship conditions and reward those who adhere to the rules.

Thursday, 8 February 2007

Australia’s unemployment rate hit an unexpected dip in figures last month sparking discussions that a lack of suitable labors will eventually generate wage and price pressures.

Thursday, 8 February 2007

Following the ceremony swearing in the new Minister and Parliamentary Secretary on Tuesday, 30th January, The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has officially changed its name to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

The Australian Government's Migration Programme has released details of the highest skill stream intake on record. These figures are illustrated in DIAC’s annual publication “Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, 2007”, which details statistics for 2005-2006.

Tuesday, 30 January 2007

In a reshuffling of the Australian federal parliament, Australian PM John Howard has identified new immigration, environment and employment ministers ahead of federal elections later this year.

Monday, 29 January 2007

Australia Day, January 26, is the biggest day of celebration in Australia and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories.

Monday, 29 January 2007

The Greek authorities have announced that as of January 1st 2007, Greek passports issued prior to January 1st 2006 will no longer be considered valid for travel.

Monday, 29 January 2007

Our UK office has relocated to vibrant "Regent Street" in central London!

Saturday, 5 August 2006

A recent poll in the UK suggests that more Britons than ever before want to make their dreams of migrating to another country a reality - with Australia as the top choice!

Friday, 4 August 2006