Australia

New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) Announced

DIAC has announced a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for General Skilled Migration (GSM). The new SOL does apply for non-GSM visas, such as ENS, RSMS or Subclass 457.

Australia: Temporary suspension of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) applications – 7 May

The Australian Government has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications. This temporary measure will begin on 8 May 2010 and is expected to remain in effect until the end of 30 June 2010.

Australia: Update on announcement of New Skilled Occupations List

The Government is considering the report from Skills Australia containing their Skilled Occupation List.

Australia: Waiting for Skilled Occupation List

If the Commonwealth's forecast is met, we should see an announcement on changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) by Friday 30 April 2010, to come into effect "mid-2010".

Australia: Legislative Changes Effective 27 March 2010

 

Australia - house prices are safe says Reserve Bank of Australia

Australia's house prices will hold up better than those overseas, despite the slumping economy, the Reserve Bank said, largely because of the quality of the loans underpinning the market.

Australia - "House prices will drop 10%" in Western Australia

WA homeowners should brace for a house price fall of up to 10 per cent as the state bears the brunt of an economic slowdown, one of the country's leading economists has warned.

Australia - Inflation slides to lowest since 2005

A private gauge of Australian inflation fell for a third straight month in December, dragging annual inflation to its lowest since 2005 and suggesting there was scope for further cuts in interest rates.

Australia - Immigration demonstrates commitment to IT careers

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has launched a recruitment drive in a bid to secure more than 60 permanent information technology specialists to rebalance its workforce with a greater proportion of staff rather than relying on contractors.

Australia - ANZ data shows job ads at recession level

The number of jobs advertised dropped by nearly a third last year, putting the number of new positions added by businesses at "recession levels.''

Australia - Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed.

The Rudd Government will revise the migration program for the second half of 2008-09 so that skilled migrants who have a confirmed job, or have skills in critical need will be given priority for a permanent visa to come to Australia.

Australia - New laws to protect overseas workers pass Parliament

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today welcomed the passage through Parliament with bipartisan support of new laws to better protect temporary overseas workers in Australia.

Australia - Integrity review of temporary overseas worker scheme released.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today released the report of the Visa Subclass 457 Integrity Review conducted by industrial relations expert Barbara Deegan.

New Zealand - New Zealanders living longer

Life expectancy of New Zealanders is continuing to rise, according to Statistics New Zealand figures released today.

Australia - Wages grow allays inflation fears

The growth in the cost of labour eased in the September quarter, suggesting inflation may be peaking as the country faces down fears of a recession.

Australia - Government gives assurances on measures to protect overseas workers

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today met with trade union representatives to provide assurances about steps the Rudd Government is taking to prevent the exploitation of temporary skilled overseas workers.

Australian apprentices gain from skilled migrants

An Australian recruitment firm will fund a new scholarship program at Swan TAFE as part of an on-hire labour agreement for the recruitment of overseas skilled workers, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said today.

Australia - Qantas cuts fuel surcharges and fares

Qantas Airways will reduce fuel surcharges on its international fares from tomorrow due to recent falls in world oil and jet fuel prices.

Australia - Australia's brain drain biggest on record

 

Australia - Joint Agreement to protect overseas workers in NSW