In the media

Skilled occupation list updated
Panelbeaters and cabinet makers will be added to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for independent skilled migration applicants. The SOL applies to independent points based skilled migration (skilled migrants not nominated by State or Territory Governments), Family Sponsored visa applications and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa applicants in the Graduate Work stream (30 June 2015). More...

ACTU: Sacked and exploited workers call for action over 457 visa abuse
A NSW miner who was sacked and then made to train up temporary workers on 457 visas to replace him will give evidence to a Senate Inquiry investigating the abuse of Australia's temporary visa system in Sydney (26 June 2015). More...

Minister Cash to visit China
The Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash will travel to China on Sunday 28 June to promote recent immigration policies aimed at capitalising on our important and growing links with our largest trading partner (26 June 2015). More...

New visa measures generate international buzz
Announcements made last week as part of the historic China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, recent significant immigration policy reforms and initiatives revealed in the Northern Australia White Paper are already generating positive feedback in international target markets (24 June 2015). More...

Australian Immigration and Customs departments to merge in July
From the beginning of July 2015 the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) is combining with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, creating the new Australian Border Force. It means that information will be available on a new website and email addresses will also be changed. The new site will be located at www.border.gov.au. The new Australia Border Force will come into being as of July 2015. From 01 July internet searches for immi.gov.au and customs.gov.au will redirect to the new address and the new website will combine information from the Department and ACBPS websites and include new information about the ABF. More...

Investing in Australia's future – Changes to business and investment migration
The Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) was created to attract high quality investors and entrepreneurs to Australia. It currently includes the Investor visa, the Business Innovation visa, and the Significant Investor visa (SIV). From 1 July 2015 it will also include the Premium Investor visa (PIV). Note: Along with the new complying investment framework, the government intends to make a number of changes to the BIIP from 1 July 2015. More... More...

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