Entries by

New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL)

On July 1, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) released the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) for the skilled migration programme. The following occupations have been removed from the SOL: Urban and Regional Planner (ANZSCO 232611) Dental Specialist (ANZSCO 252311) Dentist (ANZSCO 252312) These occupations remain on […]

Premium Investor Visa (PIV) Legislation Released

The new Premium Investor Visa (PIV) was released today, under the Subclass 188/888 Business Innovation and Investment Visa. This visa will offer high net worth individuals an accelerated 12 month pathway to permanent residency if they invest at least $15 million into complying premium investments. Under the new framework, a complying premium investment may include: […]

Review to Cut Occupations from the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL)

The Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration (MACSM) last week began its review into the skilled migration programme, with a view to removing specific occupations from the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). The MACSM primarily advises the government on visa and policy settings to optimise skilled migration to Australia, and improve Australia’s productivity while boosting […]

Crack-down on Conditions for Foreign Workers

A string of recent cases demonstrate the Fair Work Ombudsman’s (FWO) heightened focus on compliance with employment and visa conditions for foreign workers. Most significantly, in the largest-ever court-imposed fine for a breach of 457 visa sponsorship obligations, the Federal Court handed down a pecuniary penalty of $175,000 to Choong Enterprises Pty Ltd, for systematic […]

New Panel to Address Issues Surrounding Australian Visa Changes

A new nine member panel has been appointed as the next Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration (MACSM), comprised of both new and returning members. The Council’s role is to advise the government on visa and policy issues to enhance the function of Australia’s skilled migration program, and its contribution to Australia’s productivity and economy. […]

Data Matching Programme to be Introduced

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) will soon provide Centrelink with the details of visa applicants and sponsors of the onshore partner visa programme (Subclass 820/801) for the years 2012/13 and 2013/14. The aim of this is to identify instances of migration and social security fraud. DIBP will release the information under the […]

Announcement on the Significant and Premium Investor Visas

The government has today released the new complying investment framework for the Significant Investor Visa (SIV) and the Premium Investor Visa (PIV). The new framework will be implemented from 1 July 2015 and will encourage investment into Australian innovation, and emerging companies. Austrade, along with the State and Territory Governments, will become nominators for the […]

The Federal Budget 2015: Implications for Immigration

The newly released Federal Budget 2015 has brought with it some significant changes to many areas, including much of immigration and border protection. One of the most significant changes affecting potential visa applicants is the increase in Visa Application Charges (VAC) for a range of visas. The aim of these price increases is to raise […]

Government Productivity Commission Investigates a Price-based Model of Immigration for Australia

The Australian Government’s Productivity Commission has been tasked with identifying options for Australia’s future intake of migrants in order to improve the wealth and living standards of Australians, assist the budgets of the Government, and minimise the costs associated with immigration. The inquiry will primarily focus on the greater use of charges to determine the […]