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permanent residence

5 Trends in Australian Permanent Residence Migrants Need to Know

Australia’s permanent migration intake has fallen to its lowest level since 2008 with only 160,323 permanent residence visas granted in 2018-19, according to recent Department of Home Affairs statistics. In 2019/20 and over the next four years, we can expect this figure to plateau with Australia’s new planning cap formally set at 160,000 permanent visas...

regional visas

New Regional Visas To require A Three Year Stay Before Permanent Residence

The Government has introduced legislation for Australia’s new Skilled Regional Visa options, which will require migrants to work for three years in regional areas before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 18 April, 2019 Currently, migrants can directly apply for permanent residence in regional areas through the Subclass 187...

parent visas

Election Promises For Cheaper And More Accessible Parent Visas

Parent visas, which allow parents to join their permanently resident child or children to join them in Australia are in great demand but they have been subject to long wait times and high costs. This is now an issue getting attention in Australian politics. Interstaff set out the current political developments. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff...

immigration plans

Australia’s Immigration Plans For The Next Three Years – Post Election

Australia’s immigration plans have been subject to uncertainty but the plans for the next three years are now clearer following the 2019 election. Interstaff set out the expectations. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 30 May, 2019 Following the 2019 Federal Election, there is now greater certainty of Australia’s immigration policy directions over the next three-year...

skilled migration visas

General Skilled Migration Visas To Become More Competitive in 2019-20

Fewer General Skilled Migration Visas are due to be issued in 2019-20 and with a strong pipeline already in place the number of invitations likely to be issued will drop and Interstaff advise how to increase your chances of a successful application. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 30 May, 2019 The Department of Home Affairs...

new visa

New Visa To Bring Your Parents To Australia

A new Parent Visa option is opening for eligible Australian citizens or permanent residents to bring their parents to Australia temporarily for up to ten years. The new visa will however be capped to only 15,000 people per year. Read on to discover more and find out if you could be eligible to sponsor your...

Permanent Residence

New Pathways To Permanent Residence In Regional Australia

Businesses have long been advocating for more flexible migration laws to accommodate for labour shortages in regional areas – and it looks like the Government is listening. As part of its focus on alleviating population pressures in Sydney and Melbourne, various regional migration agreements are being fast-tracked across the country. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 19...

holiday visa

Australia Relaxes Working Holiday Visa Program Restrictions

Interstaff provide an update on the relaxation of the Working Holiday Visa, which enables young people to work while they travel in Australia and to extend their stay if they are eligible. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 7th November, 2018 The Government has announced it will relax Working Holiday Visa program restrictions relating to age...

regional areas

Migrants To Live In Regional Areas: Government Plans

Interstaff have outlined the latest on plans for Australia’s new migrants to live in regional areas to reduce the impact on the main cities in Australia. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 9 October, 2018 Australia’s Population and Urban Infrastructure Minister, Alan Tudge today confirmed the Government is progressing plans to develop a new landmark population policy that will...

labour market

New TSS Labour Market Testing Requirements

The new legislation governing the Labour Market Testing (LMT) and advertising requirements to be undertaken before sponsoring a Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa holder came into effect on Sunday. The below legislative changes apply to nominations made on or after 12 August 2018. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 14 August, 2018 Labour Market Testing Requirements At least two advertisements that meet...

labour market

New TSS Labour Market Testing Requirements

The new legislation governing the Labour Market Testing (LMT) and advertising requirements to be undertaken before sponsoring a Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa holder came into effect on Sunday. The below legislative changes apply to nominations made on or after 12 August 2018. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 14 August, 2018 Labour Market Testing Requirements At least two advertisements that meet...

Skilling Australia Fund

Skilling Australia Fund Levy Comes Into Effect

On 12 August the Skilling Australia Fund levy commenced. The SAF levy is a levy payable by employers nominating overseas skilled workers for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187). The SAF levy replaces the Training Benchmarks, which required visa sponsors to show that they had...