Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

On 21 April Statistics New Zealand announced that permanent migrant arrivals fell 64 percent to 10,010 in the 12 months ending March 31 from 27,980 a year earlier, citing unadjusted figures. Just two days before that, Immigration Minister Paul Swain announced that the country had changed rules to make it easier for international students to work and study in the country, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Australia has moved to double the length of time backpackers can work in Australia. The move follows an attempt by New Zealand in February to snatch the lucrative market out from under Aussie noses by giving working holiday makers the chance to work for up to two years.

The new Australian law, which will come into effect on November 1, puts Australia and New Zealand on equal footing and in line with deals already in place in the United Kingdom.

Australia will take an extra 20,000 skilled migrants in 2005-06 to help meet labour force needs. Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said on 13 April 2005 that between 130,000 and 140,000 non-humanitarian migrants would be taken, with a skilled migrant component of 97,500.

Gay couples entering Australia on temporary visas are treated differently from heterosexual couples under immigration laws, Australia's Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone has conceded.

Senator Vanstone said she accepted that the situation between heterosexual and homosexual couples differed because gay couples are not recognized as a family. Her office said there are no plans to change the law.

Applications for the Australian retirement visa will no longer be accepted after 30 June 2005, said Len Holt, President of the Migration Institute of Australia.

Australia's shortage of skilled workers is good news for workers from MG Rover's Longbridge plant who are facing redundancy. They will find their skills in high demand in Australia.

Under Australia's point style system of immigration, workers and trades people on Australia's skills shortage list are given additional points and priority processing through the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).