TASMANIAN small businesses are facing a desperate struggle to find staff as the state's unemployment rate hits an all-time low.
Also, they are having to pay higher wages to retain the workers they do get in a market favouring job-seekers.
With unemployment at 4.4 per cent, the critical staff shortage, particularly in trained workers, has become a huge impediment to growth, the business sector says.
While the job figures are good news for the nation's jobseekers, it comes with a dark side.
Read more...
Article from: The Mercury; By Tim Martain
June 15, 2008
Showing posts with label immigration migrate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigration migrate. Show all posts
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Australian Immigration Character Test 'Unfair'
All non-citizens looking to visit or immigrate to Australia need to meet certain character requirements, however many are calling for a system change ultimately labelling it unfair.
In the past four years 250 visas have been cancelled because of people not meeting the character test needs and already 68 refusals of occurred this year. Although in the grander scheme thousands enter Australia each month, the government have still been urged to amend the strict and unclear character checks.
The Australian Institute, an independent think tank, has led this character test criticism, "The criteria for what makes a non-citizen considered to be of bad character is too wide, too fuzzy and is not compliant with international human rights standards," it has said.
Although the institute agree that such a system needs to be in place, they argue that the current scheme needs to be amended and made more lenient.
Those with a criminal past or criminal association, as well as those that may pose a significant risk to the community automatically fail the character test. These are clearly serious issues and it is likely that most countries would refuse such applications.
However if a person evades debts or have avoided paying bills then the character test is also deemed unsuccessful. Minor breaches of past visas are also noted as an example of 'poor character.' Therefore serious issues are intermingled with the rather minor when it comes to the character test.
The fact of the matter is that it is essentially someone else's judgment of your character that could define if you enter Australia or not. The often subjective nature of the decision is what has caused the test to be labelled controversial.
Despite the severe rules when it comes to character assessment, a failed character test does not mean you will be refused outright. There are officials who decide whether to refuse an immigration application or cancel a visa and the test can be appealed in some cases. But if you are refused a visa or permit you are not permitted to enter Australia, even on a later date.
Australia is a popular destination, particularly when it comes to immigration. However because of harsh laws relating to the character test entrance down under can be difficult. Is it because of this that urgent calls to amend the system have come to the fore.
Source: Global Visas - 10/06/2008 by Liam Clifford
In the past four years 250 visas have been cancelled because of people not meeting the character test needs and already 68 refusals of occurred this year. Although in the grander scheme thousands enter Australia each month, the government have still been urged to amend the strict and unclear character checks.
The Australian Institute, an independent think tank, has led this character test criticism, "The criteria for what makes a non-citizen considered to be of bad character is too wide, too fuzzy and is not compliant with international human rights standards," it has said.
Although the institute agree that such a system needs to be in place, they argue that the current scheme needs to be amended and made more lenient.
Those with a criminal past or criminal association, as well as those that may pose a significant risk to the community automatically fail the character test. These are clearly serious issues and it is likely that most countries would refuse such applications.
However if a person evades debts or have avoided paying bills then the character test is also deemed unsuccessful. Minor breaches of past visas are also noted as an example of 'poor character.' Therefore serious issues are intermingled with the rather minor when it comes to the character test.
The fact of the matter is that it is essentially someone else's judgment of your character that could define if you enter Australia or not. The often subjective nature of the decision is what has caused the test to be labelled controversial.
Despite the severe rules when it comes to character assessment, a failed character test does not mean you will be refused outright. There are officials who decide whether to refuse an immigration application or cancel a visa and the test can be appealed in some cases. But if you are refused a visa or permit you are not permitted to enter Australia, even on a later date.
Australia is a popular destination, particularly when it comes to immigration. However because of harsh laws relating to the character test entrance down under can be difficult. Is it because of this that urgent calls to amend the system have come to the fore.
Source: Global Visas - 10/06/2008 by Liam Clifford
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
No Borders Migration Video's
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Friday, May 30, 2008
Why Immigrate from the UK to Australia?
The need for skilled workers...
A thriving economy and the need for skilled workers are just two of the needs that underly Australia's migration policy. Considered one of the world's leading immigration systems for servings its country's needs, the Australia government specifically targets workers from the UK and other highly-regarded countries, such as Germany, france and other parts of Europe, with its skilled visa programmes.
From the UK to Australia...
The migration process has become less of an unknown factor, with magazines and television programmes documenting how ordinary people can make the move from UK to Australia. In addition to the greater level of understanding regarding the process itself, there are a number of other 'push factors' acting on people in the UK, making them seek a new life abroad. In turn, Australia has powerful 'pull factors' which make it the top destination for migrants from the UK.
PUSH factors...
* High cost of living in the UK, from the price of petrol to the cost of
property.
* Lack of access to good schools and family facilities.
* Crowded cities and dissatisfaction with quality of life.
* Difficult to access high-paying jobs and earn a salary that matches the rapid
rate of inflation.
* Cold climate and pollution.
* Family and friends already moved abroad.
PULL factors...
* Long tradition of welcoming emigrants from the UK.
* Friendly, familiar, English speaking culture.
* Low cost of living, especially the cost of property.
* Great job opportunities, especially for tradespersons and workers with jobs on the MODL and SOL.
* World-class education and a great place to raise a family.
* Plenty of Australian visa options for emigrants from the UK.
A thriving economy and the need for skilled workers are just two of the needs that underly Australia's migration policy. Considered one of the world's leading immigration systems for servings its country's needs, the Australia government specifically targets workers from the UK and other highly-regarded countries, such as Germany, france and other parts of Europe, with its skilled visa programmes.
From the UK to Australia...
The migration process has become less of an unknown factor, with magazines and television programmes documenting how ordinary people can make the move from UK to Australia. In addition to the greater level of understanding regarding the process itself, there are a number of other 'push factors' acting on people in the UK, making them seek a new life abroad. In turn, Australia has powerful 'pull factors' which make it the top destination for migrants from the UK.
PUSH factors...
* High cost of living in the UK, from the price of petrol to the cost of
property.
* Lack of access to good schools and family facilities.
* Crowded cities and dissatisfaction with quality of life.
* Difficult to access high-paying jobs and earn a salary that matches the rapid
rate of inflation.
* Cold climate and pollution.
* Family and friends already moved abroad.
PULL factors...
* Long tradition of welcoming emigrants from the UK.
* Friendly, familiar, English speaking culture.
* Low cost of living, especially the cost of property.
* Great job opportunities, especially for tradespersons and workers with jobs on the MODL and SOL.
* World-class education and a great place to raise a family.
* Plenty of Australian visa options for emigrants from the UK.
Australian Immigration Minister Moves Away From Visa Decision Making
Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, said he wants less power to overturn Australian immigration decisions and less ministerial involvement to create a more transparent visa application process. For the first quarter of this year the minister was found to have finalised the cases of 472 people trying to get an Australian visa.
Senator Evans told a senate estimate hearing: "I have granted a total of 187 visas," reports the Sydney Morning Herald. However, the government member said he no longer wants the decision making power of granting Australian visas to be "in the hands of the minister" apart from in "exceptional circumstances".
He said the system did not create good public policy, despite him essentially signing off decisions made by the former minister Kevin Andrews. Recent statistics showed that most people entering into Australian immigration in the past ten years have achieved employment. The government commented yesterday that Australian visa holders are essential to the economy and add real value to it.
Senator Evans told a senate estimate hearing: "I have granted a total of 187 visas," reports the Sydney Morning Herald. However, the government member said he no longer wants the decision making power of granting Australian visas to be "in the hands of the minister" apart from in "exceptional circumstances".
He said the system did not create good public policy, despite him essentially signing off decisions made by the former minister Kevin Andrews. Recent statistics showed that most people entering into Australian immigration in the past ten years have achieved employment. The government commented yesterday that Australian visa holders are essential to the economy and add real value to it.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Australian Government Says Immigration is Essential to Economy
Australian government says immigration is essential to economy
The Australian government has revealed that immigration to the country will add value to the economy. The government has estimates that migrants and travellers to Australia will bring an additional $3 billion AUD (£1.5 billion) to the economy.
Australia's government has previously stated that immigration is necessary in order to boost skills levels and keep up with employer demand. Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, estimates that whilst the recent increase in Australian immigration would cost $1.4 billion AUD, it would generate $3 billion AUD including taxes over the next four years.
The government has recently announced plans to add 30,000 new spaces to this years migration quota, meaning more Australian visas will be available in the future. Senator Evans said the move is essential as the ageing population and few native workers mean people on Australian visas will be needed to allow the country to grow and to fill skills shortages in a number of sectors.
Source. Aust. Visa Bureau - 28.05.2009
The Australian government has revealed that immigration to the country will add value to the economy. The government has estimates that migrants and travellers to Australia will bring an additional $3 billion AUD (£1.5 billion) to the economy.
Australia's government has previously stated that immigration is necessary in order to boost skills levels and keep up with employer demand. Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, estimates that whilst the recent increase in Australian immigration would cost $1.4 billion AUD, it would generate $3 billion AUD including taxes over the next four years.
The government has recently announced plans to add 30,000 new spaces to this years migration quota, meaning more Australian visas will be available in the future. Senator Evans said the move is essential as the ageing population and few native workers mean people on Australian visas will be needed to allow the country to grow and to fill skills shortages in a number of sectors.
Source. Aust. Visa Bureau - 28.05.2009
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Visa Change for Thais Studying in Australia
The Australian Government has made changes to its visa system so that Thai citizens studying in Australia will be automatically be eligible to work part-time during their courses.
Thai students previously had to apply separately for permission to work part-time.
"Under new processing arrangements which came into effect from April 26, all student visas will be granted with work rights attached, removing the need for people to make a separate application," said the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.
Thai students can now apply for part-time jobs and work for up to 20 hours per week as soon as their courses start.
"It will reduce red-tape for students wanting to work in Australia and also allow more efficient use of department resources," added he.
The new arrangements will also cut the overall student visa fees for Thai citizens. The applicants will now be charged $AUD450 (Bt13,779) for the visa and work permission, a saving of $AUD40 (Bt1,224) on the previous arrangements.
Australia had granted 9,479 student visas to Thai citizens in the year to June 2007.
Source: the Australia Embassy - 27.05.2008
Thai students previously had to apply separately for permission to work part-time.
"Under new processing arrangements which came into effect from April 26, all student visas will be granted with work rights attached, removing the need for people to make a separate application," said the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.
Thai students can now apply for part-time jobs and work for up to 20 hours per week as soon as their courses start.
"It will reduce red-tape for students wanting to work in Australia and also allow more efficient use of department resources," added he.
The new arrangements will also cut the overall student visa fees for Thai citizens. The applicants will now be charged $AUD450 (Bt13,779) for the visa and work permission, a saving of $AUD40 (Bt1,224) on the previous arrangements.
Australia had granted 9,479 student visas to Thai citizens in the year to June 2007.
Source: the Australia Embassy - 27.05.2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Minimum salary lifted up for 457 visas
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today announced that Minimum Salary Levels (MSLs) for temporary skilled overseas workers will increase by 3.8 per cent from 1 August 2008.
The increase is part of a package of reforms outlined in the Budget designed to improve the integrity of the temporary skilled migration (457 visa) program.
"Minimum Salary Levels for temporary skilled migrant workers have been frozen for more than two years and previous increases applied only to new entrants," Senator Evans said.
"This increase will apply to new temporary skilled migrants coming to work in Australia as well as those already in the workforce who are subject to an MSL.
"The 3.8 per cent increase is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics all employees earnings increase for November 2006 - November 2007.
"It increases the safety net for skilled migrant workers to help preserve their earnings power and protect them from exploitation in the workplace."
The change will increase the current standard MSL from $41,850 to $43,440 per annum. For ICT professionals, the MSL will rise to $59,480 from $57,300. In regional areas, the MSL will rise to $39,100 (from $37,665) and $53,530 (from $51,570) for ICT professionals.
If an industrial instrument, such as an award or agreement, prescribes a level of salary that is higher than the MSL, then this is the salary that must be paid under Australian law.
Senator Evans said the MSL change could apply to up to 24,000 temporary skilled workers, depending on whether their employer had made any upward salary adjustments since their arrival in Australia.
There are currently more than 68,000 primary 457 visa holders working in Australia, most of whom are professional employees on incomes higher than the MSL.
The Department will directly contact employer sponsors affected by this change prior to August. The Department will also run an information campaign to inform existing visa holders of the change.
"The 457 visa scheme is important for the continued economic growth of Australia and we must ensure that the community supports the program," Senator Evans said.
"We need to protect migrant workers from exploitation and ensure the wages and conditions of Australian workers are not undercut."
Senator Evans said that a Bill will be introduced into Parliament late this year to better define employers' obligations and employees' rights under the temporary skilled migration program.
"The legislation will create a robust monitoring and civil penalties framework for employers who do the wrong thing," Senator Evans said.
"We intend to expand the range of sanctions that may be imposed on unscrupulous employers by allowing the department to pursue financial penalties against employers who breach their sponsorship obligations.
"Currently, the department can only cancel or suspend an employer's approval as a business sponsor of temporary skilled workers.
"Penalties may range from $6,600 for an individual up to $33,000 for a corporation.
"This legislation, which is expected to be introduced into the Parliament in the spring sittings, goes further than that introduced by the previous government in providing a stronger monitoring and compliance regime for the
457 program as well as a number of other temporary visas."
Senator Evans said better information-sharing across both the government and the community would make the program more transparent and support the monitoring regime.
Stakeholder feedback on the proposed provisions of the Bill and associated regulations will be sought shortly.
"These measures build on reform already underway following the report of the business-led External Reference Group (ERG) and will complement work undertaken by industrial relations expert, Ms Barbara Deegan," Senator Evans said.
A comprehensive information strategy will also reduce the potential for exploitation by promoting awareness of rights and obligations of 457 visa holders and employer sponsors.
This strategy includes producing information packs in common community languages and face-to-face information sessions for new and existing visa holders.
"An expanded outreach officer network, as recommended by the ERG, will assist employers and other stakeholders to better understand the program and the application process," Senator Evans said.
"Complementing this, employers will need to make a personal declaration that they understand their obligations under the program.
"I want better information supplied to help employers get access to the program. Lack of information or understanding will be no excuse for the few who do the wrong thing."
In other reforms, DIAC and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will establish a formal inter-agency framework for considering labour agreement proposals.
23-May-08 by Edited announcement
The increase is part of a package of reforms outlined in the Budget designed to improve the integrity of the temporary skilled migration (457 visa) program.
"Minimum Salary Levels for temporary skilled migrant workers have been frozen for more than two years and previous increases applied only to new entrants," Senator Evans said.
"This increase will apply to new temporary skilled migrants coming to work in Australia as well as those already in the workforce who are subject to an MSL.
"The 3.8 per cent increase is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics all employees earnings increase for November 2006 - November 2007.
"It increases the safety net for skilled migrant workers to help preserve their earnings power and protect them from exploitation in the workplace."
The change will increase the current standard MSL from $41,850 to $43,440 per annum. For ICT professionals, the MSL will rise to $59,480 from $57,300. In regional areas, the MSL will rise to $39,100 (from $37,665) and $53,530 (from $51,570) for ICT professionals.
If an industrial instrument, such as an award or agreement, prescribes a level of salary that is higher than the MSL, then this is the salary that must be paid under Australian law.
Senator Evans said the MSL change could apply to up to 24,000 temporary skilled workers, depending on whether their employer had made any upward salary adjustments since their arrival in Australia.
There are currently more than 68,000 primary 457 visa holders working in Australia, most of whom are professional employees on incomes higher than the MSL.
The Department will directly contact employer sponsors affected by this change prior to August. The Department will also run an information campaign to inform existing visa holders of the change.
"The 457 visa scheme is important for the continued economic growth of Australia and we must ensure that the community supports the program," Senator Evans said.
"We need to protect migrant workers from exploitation and ensure the wages and conditions of Australian workers are not undercut."
Senator Evans said that a Bill will be introduced into Parliament late this year to better define employers' obligations and employees' rights under the temporary skilled migration program.
"The legislation will create a robust monitoring and civil penalties framework for employers who do the wrong thing," Senator Evans said.
"We intend to expand the range of sanctions that may be imposed on unscrupulous employers by allowing the department to pursue financial penalties against employers who breach their sponsorship obligations.
"Currently, the department can only cancel or suspend an employer's approval as a business sponsor of temporary skilled workers.
"Penalties may range from $6,600 for an individual up to $33,000 for a corporation.
"This legislation, which is expected to be introduced into the Parliament in the spring sittings, goes further than that introduced by the previous government in providing a stronger monitoring and compliance regime for the
457 program as well as a number of other temporary visas."
Senator Evans said better information-sharing across both the government and the community would make the program more transparent and support the monitoring regime.
Stakeholder feedback on the proposed provisions of the Bill and associated regulations will be sought shortly.
"These measures build on reform already underway following the report of the business-led External Reference Group (ERG) and will complement work undertaken by industrial relations expert, Ms Barbara Deegan," Senator Evans said.
A comprehensive information strategy will also reduce the potential for exploitation by promoting awareness of rights and obligations of 457 visa holders and employer sponsors.
This strategy includes producing information packs in common community languages and face-to-face information sessions for new and existing visa holders.
"An expanded outreach officer network, as recommended by the ERG, will assist employers and other stakeholders to better understand the program and the application process," Senator Evans said.
"Complementing this, employers will need to make a personal declaration that they understand their obligations under the program.
"I want better information supplied to help employers get access to the program. Lack of information or understanding will be no excuse for the few who do the wrong thing."
In other reforms, DIAC and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will establish a formal inter-agency framework for considering labour agreement proposals.
23-May-08 by Edited announcement
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Subclass 457 Long Stay Business Visa
For further information please refer to our office:
W: http://www.noborders-group.com
E: service@noborders-group.com
Ph: 0061 7 3876 4000
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
300,000 skilled workers needed - Evans
AUSTRALIA'S economy cannot continue to grow without a lot more skilled migrant workers, Immigration Minister Chris Evans says.
Senator Evans warned today of an ageing population and a range of industries that could not find enough skilled workers to enable their businesses to grow.
"So there is a huge demand. We will meet it by upskilling our own people, but we have got to make sure we have got strong skilled migration as well if we are going to grow," the senator told Sky news.
"We will be investing an awful lot in the education revolution and skilling our own people.
"But the reality is we have an ageing population. Unless we have migration we are not going to be able to grow our workforce."
Under a revised immigration program announced this week, Australia will substantially lift its intake of migrants, particularly those with necessary skills.
That includes 190,300 in the permanent migration stream, 56,500 in the family stream and about 50,000 in the temporary skilled migration program - totalling more than 300,000.
This is the biggest yearly increase since the immigration program was launched in the 1940s.
Senator Evans said for the first time in the past year the workforce grew more from imported labour than from Australians taking new jobs.
"So we have got to have skilled migration to grow the economy. At the moment there is a real constraint on our capacity to grow because we just don't have enough workers," he said.
Senator Evans said there were significant skilled vacancies in the growth states, and there was a challenge to better connect those coming into Australia with areas where there were jobs.
"We don't want them all flocking into Sydney," he said.
"We actually want them going to Queensland, Western Australian and South Australia where there is huge demand for skills that they can't find elsewhere."
Opposition immigration spokesman Chris Ellison said the Government was continuing what the Coalition Government started.
He said the Coalition lifted the skilled migration content from 30 to 70 per cent of the total program.
"So we certainly don't disagree with the Government's announcement that it will be increasing the skilled migration program by 31,000," he said.
"But it is important that the Government resource the Department of Immigration to accommodate this."
Senator Ellison said the Opposition would be assessing the impact of the Government's public service efficiency cuts.
He said he had received complaints from business on the time it takes to employ a worker under the 457 visa temporary skilled immigrant program.
Senator Ellison said the Government had also forecast a rise in unemployment.
"The whole purpose of skilled migrations is to ensure you are bringing in skilled people to fill jobs where no local worker is available. It will require careful management," he said.
May 17, 2008 06:13pm
Senator Evans warned today of an ageing population and a range of industries that could not find enough skilled workers to enable their businesses to grow.
"So there is a huge demand. We will meet it by upskilling our own people, but we have got to make sure we have got strong skilled migration as well if we are going to grow," the senator told Sky news.
"We will be investing an awful lot in the education revolution and skilling our own people.
"But the reality is we have an ageing population. Unless we have migration we are not going to be able to grow our workforce."
Under a revised immigration program announced this week, Australia will substantially lift its intake of migrants, particularly those with necessary skills.
That includes 190,300 in the permanent migration stream, 56,500 in the family stream and about 50,000 in the temporary skilled migration program - totalling more than 300,000.
This is the biggest yearly increase since the immigration program was launched in the 1940s.
Senator Evans said for the first time in the past year the workforce grew more from imported labour than from Australians taking new jobs.
"So we have got to have skilled migration to grow the economy. At the moment there is a real constraint on our capacity to grow because we just don't have enough workers," he said.
Senator Evans said there were significant skilled vacancies in the growth states, and there was a challenge to better connect those coming into Australia with areas where there were jobs.
"We don't want them all flocking into Sydney," he said.
"We actually want them going to Queensland, Western Australian and South Australia where there is huge demand for skills that they can't find elsewhere."
Opposition immigration spokesman Chris Ellison said the Government was continuing what the Coalition Government started.
He said the Coalition lifted the skilled migration content from 30 to 70 per cent of the total program.
"So we certainly don't disagree with the Government's announcement that it will be increasing the skilled migration program by 31,000," he said.
"But it is important that the Government resource the Department of Immigration to accommodate this."
Senator Ellison said the Opposition would be assessing the impact of the Government's public service efficiency cuts.
He said he had received complaints from business on the time it takes to employ a worker under the 457 visa temporary skilled immigrant program.
Senator Ellison said the Government had also forecast a rise in unemployment.
"The whole purpose of skilled migrations is to ensure you are bringing in skilled people to fill jobs where no local worker is available. It will require careful management," he said.
May 17, 2008 06:13pm
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