by Paul Cutler | Mar 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection introduced the Australian Border Force Bill 2015 into Parliament on 25 February 2015. The cornerstone of the Bill is the creation of an operational border control and enforcement entity.
The ABF will be the operational arm of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and will be led by the ABF Commissioner who will be Australia’s most senior border law enforcement officer. 
The Commissioner will have a dual role as the Comptroller-General of Customs, with responsibility for the enforcement of Customs law and collection of border-related revenue.
In performing these critical functions, the ABF will work in close partnership with a range of Commonwealth, state, territory and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the Australian Defence Force and the Australian ederal Police.
The ABF is due to commence operation on 1 July 2015. We’ll see how all this goes!
Creative commons acknowledgment for the photograph.
by Paul Cutler | Dec 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Department has announced a 50% increase to application fees for partner visa subclasses from 1 January 2015.
PARTNER VISA 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
Further information can be found on the Department’s website.
by Paul Cutler | Dec 8, 2014 | Skills
From 1 January 2015, VETASSESS is introducing a revised Skills Assessment process for general professional occupations. The Skills Assessment will include an assessment of the highest qualification level and the “date deemed skilled” based on qualification and employment evidence provided. This will offer a streamlined application process with one application form, a simpler fee structure and a reduced turn-around time. Additional information will be provided on our website to assist with lodging assessment-ready applications
Click here for more details.
by Paul Cutler | Nov 24, 2014 | Visa
From 23 November 2014, IELTS is no longer the only way for proving english ability for migration purposes.
Migration Regulations 1994 – Specification of Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency, specifies the following tests and scores for demonstrating functional English:
- An average score of at least 4.5 in an IELTS test.
- A total band score of at least 32 in a TOEFL iBT test
- An overall band score of 30 in a Pearsons (PTE) test
The new arrangement only applies for the following visa programmes
Temporary GraduateSkilled
Former Resident
Work and Holiday
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 visa programmes. The Cambridge English (Advanced (CAE) test will be also accepted from 1 January 2015.
Creative commons acknowledgement for the photograph
by Paul Cutler | Nov 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
MIA News Issue 253 contained an article about UNICEF Australia’s opposition to the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014.
Along with other human rights organisations, UNICEF said the Bill attempted to remove Australia’s international obligations, reduce powers of the Australian courts and give extensive discretionary control to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison.
Click here to read the full UNICEF media release, but the fundamental objection is “The Bill put forward by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison seeks to classify children born in Australia as ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’ if one of their parents is labelled such, leaving those children subject to mandatory detention and transfer to Nauru,”. In other words, the legislation is in breach of international law.
I am truly dismayed that we continue to pick on children!
Creative commons acknowledgement for the photograph.
