Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Australia has again opened its doors and given refuge and new hope and a new home to the latest groups of some 200 refugees.

In a bid to replace up to 17 separate cards currently required for Medicare benefits, family tax, child-care and unemployment payments, pensions, Austudy and pharmaceutical and transport concessions, Australia is rolling out a biometric identity card plan. Persons may begin applying for the card in 2008, and they project is expected to be implemented b

New Zealand is lifting the caps on the number of immediate relatives that may be sponsored for residency, as well as some other changes that should simplify the process.

Australia continues to enjoy a substantial 'brain gain' from migration, with a new report showing that the nation's intake of skilled and professional migrants increased significantly in 2002-03, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) said today.

Four ruling coalition lawmakers defied Australian leader John Howard on Thursday by rejecting tough new immigration laws, the most serious challenge to the prime minister's authority in his 10 years in power.

The laws mean all asylum seekers who arrive by boat in Australia would be sent to the remote Pacific island nation of Nauru while their claims are assessed.

Australia must increase its migrant intake to stop the economy from stagnating in coming years, a leading business information company says.

IBISWorld said that without more migration to offset the nation's aging population and low natural birthrate, the economy would suffer and key industries would lack sufficient staff.

The comments follow a recent increase in the number of migrants coming into the country. Migrant numbers rose by 10 percent to more than 120,000 in June last year.