Australia Tax Office to improve tax compliance of visa holders

The ATO’s data matching program was launched to improve tax compliance of visa holders and reduce immigration fraud. ATO will acquire the names, addresses and other details of visa holders, their sponsors and their migration agents for the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 financial years from the Department. Information will be collected from an estimated …

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Changes to the SOL and CSOL

Every year the Department of Immigration and Border Protection releases two lists of occupations that determine whether you can enter into the country under any of the skilled visas (189, 190, 457, 186, 187, 489) or the occupational trainee visa (402).   Overview The first list is called the SOL (Skilled Occupation List).  This document enlists …

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Australian Visas Grants Report (July 2013-June 2014)

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has released the latest Migration Trends Report covering the 2013-14 Financial Year.   Below are some interesting facts: What is the makeup of Australia’s population in June 2013? Country of birth Estimated resident population at 30 June 2013 United Kingdom 1,222,570 New Zealand 608,820 People’s Republic of China 427,590 …

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Visa Fees Increase

There will be an increase on visa application charges starting on the 1s of July 2015 (beginning of the Australian Financial Tax Year).  The rate of increase is from 2.3% up to 50%.  However, the most common visas have the least increase rate. Here’s a table that shows the visa types and its corresponding visa …

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Updated English Language score requirements for 457 and 485 visas

Effective today, the 18th of April 2015, the revised English language scores requirement for the following visa are: 457 visa IELTS – overall 5 (minimum 4.5 in each component) – single sitting TOEFL iBT – overall 36 (minimum 3 in each component  – single sitting PTE Academic – overall 36 (minimum 30 in each component) …

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NSW Skilled Nomination now back to Skillselect

I am very happy to announce that the NSW Trade and Investment have changed their selection system for the 190 visa back to SkillSelect systems (just like how other states select which applicant they nominate) effective in February 2015. The previous selection process which works like buying a very limited concert ticket (of a very …

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50% price increase of Partner Visa application fees

Effective today, the 1st of January 2015, new visa application charges (VAC) apply for partner visas as shown below: PARTNER VISA APPLICATION CHARGES Provisional and permanent partner visas – currently $3085 increased to $4627.50 Prospective marriage visa – currently $3085 increased to $4627.50 Temporary and permanent partner visas – currently $4575 increased $6865.50

Thanks for visiting us at the Philippine Fiesta

This year, the Philippine Fiesta event was held on the 13th and 14th of December.  As usual the main highlight are the sumptuous Filipino delicacies and entertainment (wrestling, live band, singers, and dancers).  The venue was more spacious compared to last year’s but the visitor numbers have decreased. The BridgeAus both showcased BUPA health insurance …

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More English Tests Accepted for Visa Applications

Effective today, alternative English language tests will now be accepted for the Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident, and Work and Holiday visa applications. The Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) have been added to the IELTS and OET tests for these …

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