Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

New Zealand Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has given his support to Immigration New Zealand and their proposed plans for the department which it hopes will lead to further improvements in its operations over the next three years.

Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen has announced significant changes to simplify the process for the permanent employer-sponsored visa program.The changes will affect the following visas:

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announced the closure of the Pontville Immigration Detention Centre in Tasmania on March 6.Bowen said the last 12 detainees out of the original 113 people at the centre have now been released into the Australian community on permanent protection Australian visas, or placed in community detention or given bridging visas if they cleared health, identity and security requirements.

A new report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last week shows that immigrants have boosted Australia's workforce skills. The report stated that two-thirds of all working age migrants possessed academic or trade qualifications in 2010–11.According to the report, in 2011, 66 percent of all immigrants aged 15–64 years possessed academic qualifications or trade qualifications compared to 56 percent of those born in Australia.

Young people from Australia and Argentina now have the opportunity to visit and work in each others countries under a new work and holiday arrangement that came into effect this week.

Office Managers looking to emigrate to Australia can apply under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program. Office Managers organise and control the functions and resources of an office such as administrative systems and office personnel. In order to receive a visa, applicants will need to meet the basic requirements for GSM, pass the Australian immigration Points Test and pass an occupation skills assessment to qualify for an Australian visa.