Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

The Age in Australia reports on 24 May the growing controversy about proposed changes to the asylum laws in Australia.

Liberal MPs will be meeting Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone next week to express their concerns about the proposals to deal with asylum seekers offshore.

The bill has been criticised by Labor as an appeasement to the Indonesians' anger at the government's decision to grant visas to 42 Papuan asylum seekers that arrived in Australia in March.

On any one day, there are between 225,000-250,000 people in New Zealand temporarily as students, workers or visitors. During 2004 and 2005, approximately 90% of applicants approved for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category previously had been granted temporary permits and visas of some type.

In March 2005, the New Zealand government proposed and initiated the most comprehensive review of immigration legislation in 20 years.

The Minister of Immigration for New Zealand approved changes to the temporary entry policy today. Current and future holders of a New Zealand visa under the "General Work or Specific Purpose or Event" policy may no longer be granted work or student visas.

Under legislation introduced to Parliament 11 May, 2006, all unauthorized boat arrivals will be processed off-shore. In an announcement, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Amanda Vanstone stated that this was to ensure that Australia's strong border protection policies would not be undermined.

Australia has a "working holiday maker (WHM)" programme that allows foreign visitors to earn money while temporarily travelling in Australia. Persons qualifying for this type of visa may also study in Australia for a short time.

Australia Needs Skills Expos have proved to be very successful and are being held all around the World. Prospective immigrants can find suitable work in Australia and Australian employers can find people with the right skills for a particular job.

The following is a list of Expos in 2006:

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