(Copyright
2007)
Edition
Number 111
Monday 17th
September 2007
Hiya all
Welcome to
the 111th edition of our monthly newsletter on news about
Well a
poor few weeks for WA footy. The mighty purple army (Fremantle Dockers) can
lick their wounds after the excitement of last years preliminary final turned
into a squib finish this season. Will have to pack all the purple away for
another year and will be difficult to explain to the kids that there is no
footy for a few months now. There will be a few tears …. and the kids may take
it hard as well J
On to the
newsletter ..
1)
Major changes to the TRA (Trades Recognition
The major
pathway for overseas skilled tradespeople (ie mechanics, electricians etc) has
been to obtain a skills assessment from the TRA based on just work experience
(pathway D). Typically a period of 6 or 7 years fulltime work in the trade has
been required to meet
However as
of the 5th September 2007 the TRA has temporarily suspended this
pathway due to the difficulties in verifying the work references supporting these
applications. That is, a substantial number of work references are found to be
incorrect (at best) and fraudulent (at worst).
It seems another
process may be established shortly, but when is not known at this stage. Here
is a statement from the TRA further to the flyer we sent all newsletter
subscribers 2 weeks ago ..
’.. TRA has recently experienced significant increases in the number of
applications where the only Pathway available to the applicant for skills
recognition is Pathway D such that it has been increasingly difficult to
independently verify the claims made in these applications. In response,
Pathway D has been removed from the UAC until further notice.
TRA is currently exploring options to strengthen our assessment criteria and
verification processes and note that a revised process will be re instated as
soon as practicable. TRA will, as part of this review be considering options
for recognising the skills of potential migrants who do not meet the
requirements of Pathway A, B,C or E..’
More
information will be provided as soon as we hear anything.
(Source:
Trades Recognition
2. DIAC statement on 457 sponsors
obligations
The
Department of Immigration have provided a document that they wish ALL companies
who currently sponsor workers on temporary 457 visas, to give to their affected
employees.
It
outlines the obligations that companies currently have in respect of a number
of work and cost related issues. Note these obligations may be expanded shortly
as legislation is currently in parliament to extend sponsors obligations
further.
The
information on this is at this link www.iscah.com/457rules2007.htm
(Source:
DIAC)
3.
New Citizenship Test introduced
For any
new applicants for Australian citizenship (note citizenship, not permanent
residence) a test was introduced on 12th September covering a person’s
commitment and knowledge of the laws and
values of
The
details of possible questions for this test are here ..
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/test/resource-booklet/citz-booklet-full-ver.pdf
Applicants
must pass at least 12 of a random sample of 20 questions in this test.
(Source:
DIAC)
4.
Onshore student graduates (50/60 pointers) can now apply for Permanent
Residence ONSHORE if on State shortage lists
Before 1st
September 2007 a student who wanted to apply under the STNI (State and
Territory Nominated Scheme) because their occupation was on the state shortage
list (as opposed to MODL) had to apply as an OVERSEAS applicant under subclass
137. This gave an opportunity for people to migrate who could not get to the
very high 120 passmark.
Now under
the new rules, such a student may be able to apply under subclass 886 as an
ONSHORE applicant if they can attain just 90 points in the points test and are
on the relevant state’s shortage list. The benefit being that they can stay
here throughout the processing of the visa application including visa grant.
And of course 90 points is easier to meet than 120 points.
For
example, “accountant” is on the state shortage list of a number of states
(including WA). And so a student who meets the 2 year study rule can apply for
an 886 by attaining just 90 points and is not so much disadvantaged by the new
harder criteria for claiming MODL (national demand list) points.
5.
New Assurance of Support Threshold from Centrelink for 2007/2008
The base threshold to be an assurer is currently $41 318
(taxable income). This covers the assurer, their spouse and their first
child, as well as the first adult assuree (migrant). This is increased
by:
+ $2500 for each dependant child (18 or older) of the assurer and for the
dependant adult assuree (if there is one),
+ $1250 for each dependant child (<18) of the assurer other than the
first one, and for each child assuree.
An adult is someone aged 18 years or over.
The above threshold also applies to organisations.
There is another base threshold of $21,996 which can only be applied in
discretionary AoS subclass cases, where the assurer is single with no
dependents. This threshold includes the first adult assuree, but can
increase according to the make-up of the migrating family.
(See above...+$2500 for an extra adult assuree, and +$1250 for any child
assurees).
(Source: Centrelink)
6. Update on ASPC Receipting
We received the following message from the office that
processes skilled points test applications to
General Skilled
Migration - applicants who applied on or before 31 August 2007
If your client lodged an
application on or before 31 August 2007, the application will be assessed
against the requirements in place at that time.
Due to a large increase in visa
applications received during August 2007, the department is experiencing delays
in its application registration process. Every effort is being made to register
applications as quickly as possible but there are currently delays of around 4
weeks for onshore applications and 12 weeks for offshore applications.
DIAC Compliance areas have been
informed of these delays.
If a credit card payment has been
authorised for the application, please ensure that sufficient funds are
maintained in the account to cover the application fee. When payment is
receipted you will be advised immediately by email.
(Source: DIAC)
7. Review of Migration Agent Industry
The following article appeared in the press last week. …
Migration agents will come under
the spotlight in a federal government review considering tougher professional
guidelines for the industry.
A discussion paper released by
Assistant Immigration Minister Teresa Gambaro looks at options for guiding the
conduct of agents who provide advice to people seeking residency and/or entry
to
The review will examine whether
existing regulations on migration agents are sufficient, the adequacy of
registration and complaints procedures, and whether the industry should move
towards self-regulation.
It also will canvass whether
priority visa processing should be introduced in some circumstances for
applications lodged through migration agents.
Ms Gambaro said she wanted to
ensure high professional standards and reputations among migration agents as
the industry continued to grow.
"Migration agents are now
used by over 70 per cent of applicants in some visa classes," she said in
a statement.
"The government believes
that consumers have a right to expect that they will be provided with advice
from migration agents which is accurate, timely, and lawful, and which
demonstrates high standards of professional conduct."
Submissions to the review close
on October 26.
(Source:
8.
As of 14 September 2007 the ASPC admin section is processing
as follows:
Onshore Applications: receipting applications received on 24 August 2007
and acknowledging applications received on 24 August 2007.
Offshore Applications: receipting applications received on 23 July 2007 and
acknowledging applications received on 14 June 2007.
Applicants and representatives who have not authorised e-mail communication
will not receive separate advice that the ASPC has received and receipted
an application and will receive the standard acknowledgement letter and
receipt details in due course.
Please note that any delay in acknowledging an application does not
affect
the date on which a valid application is recorded as having been received
and does not delay processing of the application.
Once an application has been acknowledged a case officer is appointed to
assess each application as soon as possible, however, the ASPC receives a
large number of applications and you will not be contacted immediately.
Processing and Allocation Information - For the week of 18 September 2007
Applications lodged on or before the dates shown below have been allocated
to case officers for further processing.
ONSHORE APPLICATIONS
Student/Graduate
Paper based applications: 13 March 2007 (subclass 880), 21
February 2007
(subclass 881) and 21 February 2007 (subclass 882)
E-lodged (on-line) applications: 23 May 2007 (subclass 880) and 9 April
2007 (subclass 881) and 10 April 2007 (subclass 882)
Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)
Paper based applications: 31 July 2007
E-lodged (on-line) applications: 13 February 2007
New Zealand
All applications: 28 May 2007 (all subclasses)
OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS
All paper based applications for Classes BN, BQ, BR, UX and UZ (subclasses
134, 136, 137, 138, 139, 495 and 496)
Priority Applications: 22 November 2006
Non-Priority Applications: 15 November 2006
Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (eSIR visa applications)
E-lodged (on-line) applications: 26 March 2007
9. Two Trades positions available with
One of our
clients requires a couple of positions to be filled. If you are interested,
please contact them direct below ..
FIRST JOB :
Job Cabinet Maker
Details
Leading Commercial Furniture Manufacturer is seeking experienced cabinet
makers/joiners to join their busy and growing team in
Working
conditions and wages are excellent and assistance in settling into Australian
life will be offered. Concept Office Solutions is located 8 Klms from the Perth
CBD and only a 10 minute walk from the picturesque
To Apply Send
your CV to geoffrey@conceptos.com.au
or call +61 8 9377 0644
SECOND JOB :
Job AutoCad Operator
Details
Leading Commercial Furniture Manufacturer is seeking an experienced AutoCad
Operator to join their busy and growing team in
To Apply Send
your CV to geoffrey@conceptos.com.au
or call +61 8 9377 0644
Okay
folks, that is all for another month. Catchya on Monday 15th
October. Keep well.
Cheers
Steven
O’Neil
Iscah
Migration