Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Australia is experiencing a population boom that is having a burgeoning effect on its economy. A mini baby-boom, along with an aggressive immigration campaign to attract young, skilled immigrants to its shores, is delivering both future consumers and workers to keep the economy growing.

Craig James the chief economist of CommSec said,"One of the key drivers of any economy is population growth. Put simply, if there are more people, then retail spending will be higher, more homes will be built and more services provided."

The New Zealand government is considering a plan to open New Zealand temporarily to unskilled migrants for islanders so to protect the neighbouring Pacific Islands from economic ruin.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the leaders of the Pacific Forum, Australia was not keen on the idea of having unskilled labour immigration. New Zealand is cautious about the question of labour mobility, but willing to look at it, he said.

Some Australian employers are confused by terms and conditions of visas with which they can hire international students. This is especially true in country areas of Australia, where employers often rely upon international students and immigrants to do work that locals refuse to do.

Starting on 31 March, Chile and Australia have agreed on a work and holiday visa that will allow young people to work and travel for up to 12 months in the other country. Chile is the first Latin American country to agree to a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia.

Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone said the arrangements would give young people from both countries new opportunities to travel and experience different cultures.

As part of its ongoing commitment to targeting the Migration Program to the skill needs of Australian industry, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, today announced further changes to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).

A Sri-Lankan teenager who was refused aslum by the New Zealand governement and deported in handcuffs under heavy sedation has been granted refugee status by the United Nations.

The young woman was deported by the NZ government two years ago, and after joining her mother in Hong Kong, has successfully presented her case to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Her New Zealand lawyer and Amnesty International were responsible for presenting the case to (UNHCR).