The Migration Council of Australia has published a report recommending the cost of a 457 visa - which allows holders to live and work temporarily in Australia - should be increased.

The 457 visa has dominated Australian immigration news of late, with the governing Labor Party claiming abuse of the system - known as 'rorting' - is rife and needs to be clamped down upon.

The 457 visa is intended to allow Australian employers to bring in foreign workers to fill labour gaps if a suitable Australian cannot be found. However, the government and other critics claim these checks are often overlooked or manipulated.

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has said he will introduce legislation to make the program's guidelines tighter, prioritising language skills and ensuring local labour checks are carried out first.

However, workers' unions and opposition politicians have defended the scheme, claiming it is vital to the country's economic growth - particularly in areas such as Western Australia where industrial development rates far exceed those of population growth in the areas.

The argument has steadily grown in intensity and last week Mr O'Connor found himself being forced to retract comments he made that there were tens of thousands of cases of spurious 457 visa holders, admitting that they were not based on solid research.

While the debate looks set to continue through to the federal elections later this year, the Migration Council Australia has published its own opinion on the situation, recommending the cost of a 457 visa be increased.

The council claims the cost should be increased 'to ensure that more businesses look to hire Australian workers where available' while the program itself should be better scrutinised to limit abuse.

Lauren Mennie, migration consultant at the Australian Visa Bureau, said any cost increase of the 457 visa would bring it closer to the cost of other skilled migration visa streams, but without any of the benefits.

"The 457 visa system, for all its faults, allows skills gaps in Australia to be filled where necessary," said Ms Mennie.

"Yet the holder's options for bringing family members with them or long term planning are severely limited compared to other visa streams as the holder's immigration status is dependent on continuous employment.

"Other visas for Australia can take longer to obtain but allow holders to bring dependent family members with them and remain in Australia on a permanent basis.

"Increasing the cost of the 457 visa should encourage more people to consider other means of moving to Australia."

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have agreed to jointly manage the team of overseas doctors used to assess New Zealand and Australian visa applicants' health.

As part of a visa application for both Australia and New Zealand, applicants are typically required to meet certain health criteria to ensure they do not pose a significant risk to either country's healthcare systems.

In order to meet these criteria, applicants are required to undertake a medical exam with a 'panel doctor' - a doctor approved by either INZ or DIAC.

However, now the list of doctors will be greatly expanded as panel doctors for either country will be jointly managed, meaning they can approve patients applying to move to Australia or New Zealand.

A joint statement issued INZ head Nigel Bickle and DIAC secretary Martin Bowles said the move was intended to improve customer service and communication between the two countries.

It is also hoped better levels of participation between the two countries will help to detect and limit the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis.

Leonie Cotton, casework manager at the Australian Visa Bureau, said the move should mean visa applicants for either country will have greater access to panel doctors.

"Getting an appointment with a panel-certified doctor can be a tricky part of the application process, given the relatively small number of them," said Ms Cotton.

"Combining both Australia and New Zealand's resources however should help to expedite the process and ensure more visa applicants progress through their applications quicker."

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau and the New Zealand Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Moving to Australia is such a popular daydream in the UK and Ireland that few people don't know at least a couple of people who've done it and made the move Down Under. While the Australian Visa Bureau is on hand to help anyone and everyone with the process once they've made the decision, the Australia & New Zealand Magazine is there to help people to make the decision.

Published every month, the Australia & New Zealand Magazine is the only UK-based magazine dedicated to helping people organise their move to Australia or New Zealand. Every issue, the magazine runs a 'Real Life' section, in which fresh arrivals in Australia or New Zealand explain their decision to move around the world, how they did it and how they are finding their new lives.

In the April, 2013 issue, Rebecca and Duncan Camilleri explained why they love their new lives in Perth, and we at the Visa Bureau could not be more happy for the couple, given that they were Visa Bureau clients!

The couple decided to make the move after visiting Australia a few years ago and decided they wanted to head back:

We visited Australia’s East Coast for a holiday five years ago. We hired a camper van and drove from Cairns to Sydney and just loved Australia, but had never been to Perth. We had read about Perth in books though and fell in love with the place!

We were living in Ferndown, Dorset when we decided to make the move. We enlisted the help of Sue Tempany from Visa Bureau – she was excellent! We wanted to get our visa application in before the new system came in place, and because of this we were limited on time. Sue was brilliant as she made sure no details were missed and would let us know when things had to be done. Her assistance was priceless, and I wouldn’t recommend anyone do it on their own!

Now Rebecca and Duncan are there, they're taking advantage of every opportunity and are loving their new lifestyle:

In the past couple of months we have had maybe two rainy days and three or four quick showers. The rest of the time it is glorious sunshine and just so lovely!

The move has changed our lives dramatically as we live such a healthy lifestyle now! In the UK we were always hoping for a sunny day to plan something that would end up being ruined by the rain. We also watched TV a lot! Now we are out in the sun every day after work. I commute to work by cycling through two beautiful parks, with ducks, swans, turtles. We make sure that we see the beach every weekend, even if we are really busy.

We look for outdoor activities to do rather than indoor ones and find that there is no time for TV! We are both always home by 5pm and then either go to the beach, play tennis, go for a swim or go and see friends. During our weekends, we are spending more time out in parks, beaches and doing touristy things.

To read more about Rebecca and Duncan's new life in Perth, as well as their experience with the Visa Bureau, you can read the full article here.

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Several different classes of Australian visitor visa will be superseded by new classes next week but if you're already in Australia, or already have your visa, how will they affect you?

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) announced recently that their nine classes of visitor visa will be simplified into just five classes, in order to draw greater distinction between work and business visitor activities.

The existing nine categories:

• Tourist visa (subclass 676)
• Sponsored family visitor visa (subclass 679)
• Business (short Stay) visa (Subclass 456)
• Sponsored business visitor (short stay) visa (subclass 459)
• Medical Treatment (short stay) visa (subclass 675)
• Medical Treatment (long stay) visa (subclass 685)
• Electronic Travel Authority (visitor) (subclass 976)
• Electronic Travel Authority (business – short validity) (subclass 977)
• Electronic Travel Authority (business – long validity) (subclass 956)

These will be consolidated into the following five visa classes as of 23 March:

• Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa
• Visitor (subclass 600) visa
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) visa
• Medical Treatment (subclass 602) visa
• eVisitor (subclass 651) visa

I already have my visa; do I need to apply for another?

No. Any visas granted before 23 March will remain valid until the original expiration date provided when your visa was granted.

For example, if you were granted an Electronic Travel Authority (visitor) (subclass 976) visa on 15 March, 2013, the last date of entry would be 15 March, 2014 or the expiry date of your passport (whichever is sooner). 

This will still be the case following the changes.

The changes are intended to streamline and simplify the application process. We will continue to update our clients as more info is released.

However, it is important to remember that all visas which have already been issued, or will be issued before 23 March, will be honoured for their entire validity period.

I will be applying for my visa soon, what does this mean?

If you know which visa you require under the current system, applying for an Australian visa under the new changes should be easier and quicker. If you are unsure which visa you will require, use our online travel advisor to find out.

If you intended to visit Australia under the following three classes:

• Electronic Travel Authority (visitor) (subclass 976)
• Electronic Travel Authority (business – short validity) (subclass 977)
• Electronic Travel Authority (business – long validity) (subclass 956)

You will be able to apply under the new, single Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) visa.

If you intended to visit under one of the following visitor visas:

• Tourist visa (subclass 676)
• Sponsored family visitor visa (subclass 679)
• Business (short Stay) visa (Subclass 456)
• Sponsored business visitor (short stay) visa (subclass 459)

You will be able to apply under the single Visitor Visa (subclass 600) visa.

We will be making changes to our online application forms in the next few weeks. In the meantime however, you can continue to use our current 676 visa application and we will use the information provided to lodge a new, 600 visa application on your behalf.

If you have any questions regarding the validity of your visa or which visa to apply for, do not hesitate to contact us.

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The Australian federal government's decision to tighten rules regarding the 457 visa program has ignited a bitter row across the country. Everyone from the prime minister down has weighed into the debate but what does this spell for anyone wanting to work in Australia?

What are the changes?

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor announced that he would be tightening the visa stream's rules late last month. Using the latest employment records, the minister said increased visa approval rates contrasted against steady employment rates as justification for the rules changes.

The minister said rates had risen by over 20% in the year to January 2012; this, combined with input from unions and even word of mouth from local voters was proof that the system is being abused by opportunistic employers to undercut local workers.

The minister said he would be increasing English language requirements for visa approvals as well as the minimum wage requirements and providing greater power to investigate spurious visa approvals.

What has been the reaction?

The minister's announcement trigger a dispute which quickly escalated to Prime Minister Julia Gillard's attention, who defended Mr O'Connor's decision and then clashed with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

Both parties have accused the other of stoking xenophobic sentiment among communities in order to win votes, sentiment which has led to at least one protest march in Melbourne - with another reportedly scheduled for today - and the reemergence of controversial politician Pauline Hanson.

Workers' unions in Australia have also had their say, defending the visa option but supporting the changes, citing reports of the undercutting of local workers as well as the abuse of foreign workers who are afraid of speaking out through fear of losing their job.

ACTU Secretary David Oliver said his union will be establishing a national campaign and phone line for foreign workers to report the abuse. Mr Oliver cited one case of a Filipino sandblaster who was forced to do extra work for his boss.

"He was made to clean out office toilets, he was made to clean the bosses house, he had to go over and mow the boss' son's lawn," said Mr Oliver, adding that the man eventually complained and was subsequently deported.

What are the realities of the program?

As Australia's economy has largely been supported in recent years - particularly through the global financial crisis - by the resources industry, much of the 457 visa debate has focused on bringing in workers for mining and construction projects.

Cameron Dart, general manager of AWX Contracting, says that while Australian workers may be available for such projects, many are reluctant to move to the projects' remote locations.

Mr Dart said hiring a foreign workers on a 457 visa is often not a cheaper option; costing up to 20% more than hiring an Australian worker.

The real concern according to Mr Dart however, is the debate's focus on these industries when in fact, the industries which rely on the 457 visa program the most are health and social care and food processing - particularly those based in regional Australia.

Citing a recent study by the National Farmers' Federation, Mr Dart said there was 2.5 jobs available for every 1 graduate studying an agricultural discipline.

Mr Dart also said that while the mining industry is in need of workers, many are siphoned off from surrounding areas, leaving further gaps in other industries which are already in need of workers.

What does this mean for foreign workers?

A tightening of the 457 visa stream is likely to leave opportunities for foreign workers on other categories of visa. Many parts of regional Australia depend on foreign workers to sustain their industries - particularly during busy periods such as harvest seasons.

Fewer 457 visa workers in regional Australia is likely to mean greater opportunity for working holiday makers to find the regional work which will qualify them for a second year visa.

Fewer 457 visa opportunities in urban areas or in skilled occupations means focus will turn to the general skilled migration program - which is a lengthier and more scrutinised process but grants greater freedoms than the 457 visa.

When do the changes take effect?

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has several options when it comes to implementing his changes: regulatory changes, administrative changes or legislative changes.

Regulatory changes are easy to enact and reversible but administrative changes will impose little chance for enforcement. However, it is thought the minister favours enacting legislative changes.

This option means the matter will be debated in parliament, setting the stage for a fiery debate between a government facing uncertain re-election in September and an opposition with a staunch stance on immigration.

It is thought the governing Labor Party sees a parliamentary debate as an opportunity to slam an opposition who have supported the 457 visa program with changes that are popular with many voters.

However, given the debate's volatile nature and the rate at which it has already spiralled, whether the recently-appointed minister wants to take that chance remains to be seen.

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The Australian government announced last month that they would be tightening the rules surrounding its temporary worker program - the 457 visa - triggering an ongoing row that is quickly becoming embittered.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced a reshuffling of her Cabinet earlier this year and one of her most notable changes - handing Victorian politician Brendan O'Connor the Australian immigration portfolio - has already made headlines.

One of Mr O'Connor's first acts was to announce a tightening of the 457 visa program, claiming the system was open to 'rorting' - abuse of the system. The 457 visa program is intended to allow Australian employers to bring in overseas workers, but only when local labour is unavailable.

Why does the system need changing?

Mr O'Connor, along with several workers' unions, claims that the system is used by unscrupulous employers to undercut local labour.

The minister claimed employers were bypassing the system's rules by hiring unskilled workers from overseas in high paid, senior positions and then demoting them on arrival. The minister cited cases of 'project administrators' in Western Australia being brought in to work as security guards.

The immigration minister's announcement have triggered a row that quickly reached both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, who accused each other of inciting fear and even xenophobia against foreign workers.

Yesterday the Treasurer Wayne Swan weighed into the debate:

"I'm frequently approached in my electorate by people who I know to be quite well qualified, hard working Australians, who are looking to get jobs in certain sectors," he said.

"My summation of this is that there is a bit of a problem in parts of the mining sector, where Australians are not necessarily getting a look in first as they should, where they are appropriately qualified and willing and able to work."

The mining and construction industries have been at the centre of the debate due to their rapid expansions and the remote nature of the projects but Mr Swan was quick to add 'it’s not only the mining sector where this is an issue'.

Why are people defending the program?

However, there are plenty of voices defending the program; Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has said his state's AU$237 billion (£162 billion) economy is dependent on the temporary overseas workers - known as Fly-in Fly-out (FiFo).

"FiFo workers are modern day heroes. They do separate from their families, they do put up with some loss of amenity, they work in harsh conditions, for long hours, doing exciting work," said the premier.

"They are building this state and building this nation...these are the modern day heroes of the economic development of Australia.

"They deserve more respect, and not to be treated like some scourge of the Earth."

A spiralling debate

Mr O'Connor himself has admitted that tracking down and prosecuting 'rorting' is difficult due to the processes involved and the government's critics have pointed to an almost complete lack in prosecutions associated with rorting in the last few years - just one prosecution.

The federal opposition, along with other detractors, have used this to accuse the government of xenophobia and inciting divisiveness in communities with a large immigrant presence.

While Mr O'Connor's changes were likely quite well intentioned - the government have repeatedly stated they are open to foreign workers in Australia who follow the rules - the debate it has triggered has already begun to raise tensions.

Over 1,000 workers in Melbourne marched through the city's Central Business District today, protesting against the 457 visa program by chanting 'local labour, local jobs'.

Perhaps even more disquieting though has been the re-emergence of Pauline Hanson.

Ms Hanson, who led the One Nation party in the mid 1990s with her strong, anti-immigration rhetoric, has stated she intends to run in this September's election due to the 457 visa situation.

"I think [the 457 visa] is a back door for immigration, I think a big investigation needs to be done," said Ms Hanson, who has not stated in what capacity she intends to run for.

"It stinks to me. I wouldn't be surprised if they're using this to bring people into the country.

"I just don't think that there are people there who really understand how Australians are feeling. I don't think there is a representation for our culture, our way of life, our standard of living."

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

A recent report published in The Australian newspaper showed that New Zealanders and Britons struggled more than any other nationality in the Australian citizenship test. While this may have come as an embarrassment for Kiwis and Brits - traditionally Australia's closest cousins - a follow up report showed that Australians struggle too.

Foreign citizens living in the country on an Australia visa can apply for citizenship after they have fulfilled certain requirements such as length of time living the country. However, as part of the process an applicant must pass a citizenship test - a series of multiple choice questions on Australian history, culture and what it means to be an Australian.

The Australian government has been reluctant to release results publicly in the past but an application under the Freedom of Information Act by The Advertiser newspaper managed to wheedle the results from Australian immigration officials.

The results showed that Swedish citizens scored the highest, with an average score of over 98%. The Swedes were quickly followed by the Dutch (97.6%), the Finnish (97.5%) and the French and Swiss with 97.4% each.

British applicants however ranked 18th overall with a score of 95.6%. Even more embarrassing however are the Kiwis, who ranked among the least knowledgeable about their closest neighbours with a pitiful score of just 72.6%.

Adelaide University Associate Professor in history and politics Paul Sendziuk came to the Brits and Kiwis' defence by claiming that the two nationalities were too often taking Australia's close relationships with New Zealand and the UK for granted and doing little to prepare for the test.

"It is interesting that applicants from the UK, and particularly New Zealand, perform less well than those from similarly developed and wealthy countries," said Professor Sendziuk.

"It is possible that they do not study enough because they feel that they can rely on their background knowledge of Australia, which is a fair-enough assessment given the level of cultural exchange that already exists between Australia and these places.

"It is also possibly that they take the rest a bit lightly - knowing that they are likely to achieve a pass mark even without much study."

The results make for cringe worthy reading for British and Kiwi applicants but there was one nationality that wasn't assessed that perhaps has even more reason to be embarrassed: Australians.

In a follow up report in The Australian, the newspaper set out to find out how native Australian citizens would perform in the test. After polling almost 5,000 readers, it turned out that while most have a good grasp of Australian history and beliefs, just half had a decent understanding of the country's legal and judicial systems.

How much do you know about Australia? Click here to take a practice test, the answers can be found here.

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is the Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2013

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.