From 3 September 2012, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will change the delivery of immigration services in China. Two Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) will be introduced in Beijing and Shanghai. There will also be changes to the locations where certain visa applications are processed in China.
SkillSelect is an online service that enables skilled workers and business people interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI). From 1 July 2012, all intending migrants interested in the points based skilled migration or business investment and innovation visa programs will be required to submit an EOI and receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.
According to DIAC’s Migration Blog over 5000 expressions of interest (EOIs) have been successfully submitted in SkillSelect since 1 July 2012.
According to the recently published report on the migration program 2011-12, the 2011-12 permanent migration program was delivered on target to the planning level of 185 000. The skilled stream outcome was 125 755 places. There were 16 471 places delivered under the highest priority Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, with Western Australia accounting for 23.2 per cent of the outcome. State and territory sponsored visa classes were also delivered in record numbers, with the 22 247 places marking a 37.5 per cent increase on the previous year.
Seven of the top 10 source countries in Australia’s 2011-12 migration program are from Asia: India, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam. The family stream had a final outcome of 58 604 places, representing 31.7 per cent of the total migration program. The family stream allows Australians to unite with their close family and particularly with their partners and children.
19 July 2012 Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship
The Federal Magistrates Court has handed down a decision against a Victorian 457 visa sponsor who underpaid a worker by $10 000. According to DIAC, this is the first time an action had been brought before the courts under the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008.
The 457 sponsor had failed two of the sponsorship obligations: the obligation to pay equivalent terms and conditions, and the obligation to keep appropriate pay records. The court issued a pecuniary penalty of $35 000 plus costs of almost $11 000.