Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Privatising Australian visa system could result in access to the country being ‘sold to higher bidder’ union warns

Up to 1,000 Irish truck drivers are wanted in New Zealand by recruitment firm, Canstaff. Canstaff claims that New Zealand is struggling to fill driving vacancies internally because young people not attracted to a career in haulage. They offer a relocation package aimed at tackling a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.  Irish truck drivers will have to apply for a Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) work visa.

Top scientific research positions in Australia are being shunned by talented overseas scientists following a raft of changes to the country’s 457 visa system. Australia’s medical sector claims that federal government changes to the much maligned visa scheme have caused ‘embarrassment’ to the country.

Australian business leaders, along with a former chief of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), have launched a scathing attack on the Turnbull government over 457 visa changes.

Business leaders and former WTO director, Pascal Lamy, have accused the federal government of ‘threatening the economy’ and branding foreigners as ‘barbarians.’

After scrapping the 457 visa, the Australian Federal government continued its assault on foreign workers in the federal budget. Scott Morrison, the Australian treasurer has announced a levy on highly-skilled foreign worker visas with a view to establishing a new skill building fund.

It’s estimated that over the next four years, $1.2 billion will be generated as a result of a skilled visa levy that will directly contribute to a new Commonwealth-State ‘Skilling Australians Fund.’

The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced that his government will scrap the 457 visa scheme for skilled temporary foreign workers. A video posted on Mr Turnbull’s Facebook page said that his conservative government would ‘axe the 457 visa programme’ amid growing immigration concerns among voters.