Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

The new citizenship test for those who wish to become Australian citizens starts today. The twenty multiple choice questions is no easier than the previous test. The Australian Government says that it is fairer; Each question is given equal weight.

Australia raised interest rates 0.25 percent to 3.25 percent and is the first G20 State to increase rates since the Worldwide economic downturn began. Australia's unemployment rate went down from 5.8% to 5.7% in September and GDP rose 0.6 percent in the second quarter.

On 9 October 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans announced the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution.

The Council will advise on Government immigration policy initiatives. This includes advising on New Directions in Detention and the national rollout of the Community Status Resolution Service.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be running information sessions about changes to the Australian subclass 457 visa in Cairns on 7 and 8 October 2009. New laws were brought in on 14 September that according to DIAC will "…protect the rights of overseas workers and ensure Australian wages and conditions are not undermined…". There are also new arrangements for paying health costs for subclass 457 visa holders.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics population clock the population of Australia is now over twenty-two million. One of the major factors contributing to population growth is the increase in levels of immigration in recent years. The ABS estimates that Australia's population increases at rate of one birth every one minute and 44 seconds, and one immigrant every one minute and 53 seconds.

The number of job vacancies in Australia has recently gone up. This is the first increase in sixteen months. Also, the Sensis Consumer Report on consumer confidence is at 39 percent which is the highest level in fifteen months.