Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Australia simplifies Special Humanitarian Program visa procedures

Those who would like to have relatives from Africa and the Middle East come to Australia under Australia's Special Humanitarian Program should find it easier to apply for a visa.

People proposing to support relatives or friends who are subject to substantial discrimination in their home country can now lodge their applications with a Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) office in Australia.

Estonian and Polish students are now able to apply for Australian Student eVisas online which will make it much easier for nationals of these Countries to obtain student visas. The entry criteria has been revised which will also make it easier to obtain student visas for nationals of Estonia and Poland. Both countries have now been deemed "low risk," which means that the English language and financial requirements that students must meet will be more achievable.

The Australian Department for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs reports that on 31 March 2005 Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Peter McGauran spoke to the European Australian Business Council in Sydney about the benefits of cultural diversity in Australia.

"Australia is made up of people from almost 200 countries, creating a society with diverse social, linguistic and cultural abilities," Minister McGauran said.

"A culturally diverse workforce has a specialised knowledge of overseas businesses, niche markets and cultural protocols."

Australia's Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs ("DIMIA") have announced legislative changes effective April 2005. The changes relate to the sponsoring of overseas workers by Australian employers. This legal update outlines the changes for both the Temporary (Long Stay) Visa subclass 457 and the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa subclasses 121 (offshore) or 856 (onshore). It provides crucial information for all employers seeking to sponsor temporary or permanent overseas workers.

Labour force analysts say Australia must find workers from industrialized Countries to meet its need for skilled immigrants, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reports.

According to a high-ranking official, Australia and New Zealand are seeking immigrants from the same pool of skilled workers, reports the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

Speaking in advance of a business symposium in the Australian city of Melbourne, New Zealand's Finance Minister Michael Cullen said the two Countries require the same types of workers to boost their economies.

"Inevitably there is some degree of competition - we are looking for extraordinarily similar people," said Mr. Cullen.