Dear subscribers,

 

This time of year we know that immigration costs and charges will increase come the 1st of July. In recent years application fees have risen substantially. I remember when I started working in the migration area that the fee for a family of 4 to migrate to Australia was less than $1500.00 - fast forward to today, and it can cost in excess of $8000.00 for a family of 4, not including medicals, police clearances, English-language tests, skills assessments, translation costs or fees payable for professional assistance with the visa application process. Now more than ever it is vitally important to get professional guidance with an immigration application as there is so much to lose - it is important to remember that immigration application fees are non-refundable. 

 

The Australian permanent migration program will remain at 190,000 for the 2014/15 program year. The migration program runs in line with the Australian tax year, from the 1st of July to the 30th of June. This means that the skilled migration program and state sponsored programs will commence with a new intake from the 1st of July. Immigration SA have announced that changes to the State Nominated Occupation List the SNOL will be made - lets also hope they change the name of the program too. I have been advised that the eligibility criteria will be changed, hopefully these changes will see greater flexibility in the way that Immigration SA assess applications, making it easier for applicants to meet the State's eligibility list. I don't understand why their policy is so difficult, especially given the importance of increased migration and population growth in South Australia. I have seen four cases recently which will be highlighted in next month's newsletter where Immigration SA either refused applications incorrectly, or where their policy was so prohibitive that it is making it virtually impossible for the best and brightest international students to remain in South Australia. This is complicated further by limitations of the 485 Temporary Graduate program, and expiry dates for student visas. 

 

Something many people don't realise about the permanent migration program is that the 190,000 places offered for the coming year is actually the total number of visas available, not the total number of visa applications. For example, a family of four will take away four places from the permanent program. If we assume that the average application to the Immigration Department consists of approximately 2.5 people, only 76 000  permanent residency applications will be granted in the coming year, and a further 114 000 visas will be issued to family members included in these visa applications. 

 

South Australia averages around 5-6% of the total permanent migration program, which will result in approximately 3 800-4 560 applications being made by people wanting to live in South Australia, or approximately 9 500-11 400 total applicants. The skilled migration program is the biggest component of these applications, therefore in the 2014/15 program year I would estimate the the skilled migration program in South Australia will see approximately 2 500-3 000 primary applications made which is an exceptionally small number, and something I feel needs to be addressed. 

 

If you have not already done so, visit our Facebook page for up-to-date information and news regarding the latest immigration changes and be sure to look at our video collection on Youtube. 

 

Happy reading,

 

Mark Glazbrook

 

The Australian immigration process can be complex and unpredictable during even the most straightforward of cases, as was proved during Pat Leggett's Aged Parent visa application.

The mother of UK-born Australian permanent resident, Pauline Tuft, was nearly a casualty of the Department's abrupt family visa closures last month.

Fortunately their decision to use Migration Solutions meant that they were able to lodge their application before it was too late. 

 Click here to read about the case.  

Listed below are the top five immigration stories posted on the Migration Solutions social media platforms this month.

  

  

1.  'Coalition's new visa laws make family reunion a preserve of the rich'

 - The Sydney Morning Herald                                                     

  

2. 'More choice in English language tests'

- The Australian                                            

  

3. 'Bid to keep out dentists fails in visa shake up'          

 - The Australian

  

4. 'Business Higher Education Round Table'

  

5. 'Kidnap Immigration Laws'

  

                                                 

  

Our staff member of the month this month is Victoria Williams.

  

Victoria is our Client Service Coordinator at Migration Solutions, working as part of the administrative team to follow-up on matters discussed in consultations and establish positive relationships with clients. 

  

Victoria migrated from Ireland to Australia herself in 2012, where she worked within the hospitality industry for a number of years. It was this work that enabled her to develop her the personal and communication skills that are now directly transferable to her current work, and make her a professional and warm first point of contact for clients.   

Click here to visit Victoria's staff profile, and learn more about her experience and professional background.                                                  

If you are an employer sponsoring an international worker, you are legally required to comply with various sponsor obligations in order to be allowed to employ that worker. 

  

For details regarding these obligations, follow the links below.