Small Businesses account for 97% of all Australian enterprises. To put things into perspective, Victoria experienced a 4.8% increase in its small business sector for the year of 2018 which is the highest on record. This imminent growth however, comes with its challenges. One of those challenges includes stress on recruitment. Almost half (48%) of Australian Small Businesses report the recruitment of skilled employees as a challenge for their business, potentially hindering their growth plans for 2018. In a large-scale study commissioned and released by Indeed, one quarter of Australian Small Businesses cite recruitment as their biggest challenge, with 40% believing it to be harder today than it was five years ago, despite two thirds reporting that they plan to expand their workforce in 2018. According to this report, it takes Australian Small Businesses an average of five weeks and $3300 to fill a position, with close to half spending more than $1000 each time, which represents a big investment. With access to fewer resources, this is an arena where 407 Training Visas can be utilised. Migration Agents have access to high quality recruitment opportunities that are democratised. As Migration Agents, we can reach the most relevant talent at a cost that suits everyone’s budget. By understanding the company’s unique appeal and using tools that cater to motivated prospective 407 applicants, Small Businesses can experience great success in recruiting quality candidates faster and at less cost. Tighter budgets, limited time and no dedicated HR department are just some of the sticking points and we can close these gaps and make the process of recruitment easier. Fast growth in particular sectors and the need to fill roles quickly also creates strain. The Indeed report compiled a list of the jobs that small business find the hardest to fill ranked and these include: English teacher, facilitator, chiropractor, general practitioner, fitness trainer, real estate agent, dental technician, plasterer, and architect. If these are occupations which you are pursuing and/or have experience in, this is something to keep in mind when thinking about training opportunities. It is also worth noting that small business usually aren’t encumbered with the same bureaucracy as large companies. If you think you have found the right employer, Mckrrs’ is a leader in the Migration Industry in 407 Training Visas and we are happy to assist with any and all applications you require, as we work closely with businesses to nominate suitable people.
AAT Court: The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision not to cancel the applicant’s Subclass 500 (Student) visa. The Tribunal takes into account that the applicant has persevered with his English studies, that he passed the entrance exam and met the admission criteria for the Diploma at the Institute, that he had commenced these studies prior to receipt of the NOICC and that he has sought and received psychological assistance. SUMMARY : The Delegate cancelled the Student visa on the basis that the applicant was not or was likely not to be, a genuine student, and that the grounds for cancelling the visa outweighed the grounds for not cancelling the visa. The applicant (Student) lodged an application for review of the delegate’s decision with the Tribunal. A Minister or the Tibunal may cancel a visa if it is satisfied that the holder of a student visa is not, or is likely not to be, a genuine student. At the Tribunal the visa applicant provided evidence that he has been under a lot of stress due to language difficulties and the differing environment, which affected his academic performance. He was diagnosed as clinically depressed on his visit to the psychologist. The visa applicant was enrolled in English courses, before he could commence his Diplomas. Though PRISMS suggested that his lack of progress in his studies when he held no enrollment and when he did not study, might suggest failure to demonstrate academic progression that might be expected of a genuine student, the Tribunal indicated that such a conclusion would mean that there was a ground for cancellation of the visa. The applicant told the Tribunal his original and continuing intention was to come to Australia to study. If his intention had not been to do that, he would not have changed to a new school and recommenced study. He did not expect that studying at a University would be that hard for him and he changed to another institute. Issue 1 – Does the ground for cancellation exist? The Tribunal has taken into account that the applicant has persevered with his English studies, that he passed the entrance exam and met the admission criteria for the Diploma at the International Institute, that he had commenced these studies prior to receipt of the NOICC and that he has sought and received psychological assistance. The Tribunal is not satisfied that the evidence overall supports that the applicant is not, or is not likely not to be, a genuine student. Issue 2 – Should the discretion to cancel the visa be exercised? The Tribunal has found that the ground for cancellation does not exist, it is not necessary to consider this issue as he has taken the initiative to seek psychological help and continue/pursue his studies.
According to a new report from Deloitte Access Economics, the total inward investment flows from Australia’s Significant Investor Visa program since it was launched in 2012 has now topped $10 billion, Julia Gillard’s Labour Government launched the SIV program with the goal of bringing more overseas high net-worth individual investors into Australia. Experts believe the program has delivered much greater value than the $10 billion these visa holders have invested in the local economy. The report, Impact of the Significant Investor Visa Program – a long-term proposition for Australia, will be launched in Canberra this week in conjunction with the Australia China Business Council. The report found that while the Significant Investor Visa program accounts for just 0.1 per cent of all visas issued annually, its positive impacts across business and the economy are far wider. Nearly 2,100 Significant Investor Visas have been issued since 2012. The qualifying investments from SIV holders are divided a several predetermined categories, with a requirement that a minimum $500,000 be invested in startups and growth funds through venture, private capital and other investment options. The remaining $4.5 million can be split between ASX-listed companies, government bonds and a limited amount on property investment. Mainland Chinese nationals make up the lion’s share of SIV recipients, making up about 76 per cent of the total visas issued. This percentage is down from about 87 per cent in recent months. The SIV program, which is considered a premium path to permanent residency, has been running at an annualised rate of about 235 visas per year – or about $1.175 billion in new capital. Although some have noted the program’s lack of oversight into the origins of the invested funds, particularly through the criticism levied by a 2016 Productivity Commission report, the program has been widely praised within the investment community and business sector for its boost to funding and available capital.
The Department of Home Affair’s website will be unavailable for short periods due to maintenance between 4pm and 10 pm Saturday 22 June 2019 (AEST).
Asylum seekers in Perth will have access to concession fares on public transport under a new Asylum Seeker Hub (ASH) concession, improving asylum seeker access to health, education, community services and job interviews, if they are deemed eligible to work. It is expected that up to 800 asylum seekers may be eligible for an ASH concession – and discounted public transport in Perth. To be eligible to apply for an ASH concession SmartRider, asylum seekers will need to live in Western Australia, not be in full-time education, not be in full-time employment and be holding or currently applying for a bridging visa as an asylum seeker, or appealing a determination of status as an asylum seeker. To mark Refugee Week the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interest Mr Papalia, announced that the McGowan Government has introduced access to concession fares on public transport for asylum seekers in Perth. “By working together with asylum seeker support services to deliver this initiative we are providing practical help during what is often a challenging time.”
The next invitation round will be held on or before 5 July 2019. Invitation date: 11 June 2019 Number of Invitations Issued: 652 Matrix score range: All Matrix submitted with 145 to 65 points 60 point matrix submitted on or before 31 March 2019 The ACT Government changed over to Canberra Matrix to avoid confusion with Home Affairs Expression of Interest. Either once or twice a month (to be decided) the ACT Government will determine which Canberra Matrix applicants, based on the Matrix points test (has no relationship or impact on Home Affairs points test) will be issued an invitation to apply for ACT Government 190 nomination. Before applying for Australian Capital Territory (ACT) nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, you must complete the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) SKILLSELECT and meet the Home Affairs points test for a subclass 190 visa. Applying for ACT 190 nomination is a two stage process. You must formally express an interest in applying for ACT 190 nomination by completing a score-based ‘Canberra Matrix’ where you are allocated points against demonstrated economic contribution or benefit and/or a genuine commitment to be part of the ACT community. Scores of 20 points and above will be ranked. The highest ranked candidates under the scoring system will then be selected and invited to apply for ACT 190 nomination. If you are invited to apply for ACT 190 nomination, you must complete and submit the online application (and pay the service fee) within 14 days.
The federal government will set a new course for the nation’s refugee program by putting a higher priority on migrants from South America amid a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Immigration officials have been told to open the door to more refugees from South America in a formal directive that is likely to change the make-up of the annual 18,750 humanitarian intake from next month. Australia accepted 4630 refugees from Iraq and 3227 from Syria in the year to June 2018, with another 2043 from Myanmar, 1355 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 1130 from Afghanistan. This followed a one-off intake of 12,000 refugees from Iraq and Syria, announced by former Prime Minister in 2015. While there is no public target on the intake from South America, it is expected to amount to several hundred people and could mean Venezuela joins the list of top 10 countries of birth for humanitarian visas in the year ahead. This is a significant departure from decades of practice in which almost all the humanitarian intake came from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. No Latin American country has been named on the list of the top 10 countries of birth for the Australian humanitarian intake in the years since the 2016 agreement. In the year to June 2017, the 10th nation on the list was Somalia with 162 refugees. The 10th nation on the list last year was Tibet with 200. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has called this “the largest exodus in the recent history of Latin America” and warned of a 4000 per cent increase in Venezuelans seeking refugee status since 2014.
A 93-year-old great-grandmother who was given 28 days to leave the country – her home of 11 years – will not be immediately deported, after the family received a surprise phone call from the home affairs office. The Australian government will not be deporting a great-grandmother who has lived in Australia for more than a decade and was given just 28 days to leave the country. Mollie Manley, from Somerset in England, has lived in Perth for 11 years alongside her three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren – who are all Australian citizens. The 93-year-old was facing a return to her home country, after failing Australia’s permanent visa requirements on health grounds. Her family feared the bed-ridden great-grandmother would not survive the plane journey alone, nor would she have had any family there to look after her. But Ms Manley’s son-in-law has received a phone call from the Department of Home Affairs saying she would not be deported back to the UK. He said he was relieved but her future still remained uncertain. Ms Manley’s family can now apply for a medical treatment visa – granting Ms Manley another twelve months in Australia – or appeal the decision.
The Fair Work Ombudsman told SBS News in a statement that in 2017-18 they assisted 2,158 workers in workplace disputes involving a visa holder. That equates to 20 per cent of the total number of disputes dealt with. Mr Singh was offered a full-time job as a chef at a Gold Coast Indian restaurant. The father-of-one migrated from Punjab in India to Australia in 2007 to study hospitality management. But after working at the restaurant for more than three years, his life was turned upside down when his employer requested that he work without pay. He said his boss initially promised him it would only be for a few weeks. Mr Singh was working on a 457 visa and his employer promised to sponsor him for permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186 visa). Carina Garland, assistant secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council said those on temporary visas are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, especially when their employer is their sponsor. Eventually, Mr Singh left his job and has since lodged a complaint about his former employer to the Fair Work Ombudsman to try and recover $25,000 in wages he says he is owed. The Ombudsman is in the initial stages of assessing his case. During the eight months he worked without pay, he said he his wife was forced to work longer hours as a cleaner and he needed to borrow money from friends to put food on the table. The Fair Work Ombudsman said those seeking assistance shouldn’t be afraid of losing their visas. “Visa holders should be aware that, in line with an agreement with the Department of Home Affairs, they can seek assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman without fear of their visa being cancelled,” the spokeswoman from the Fair Work Ombudsman said. Mr Singh’s visa application was cancelled by his former employer when he left, but he is now on a bridging visa while he challenges the visa decision in the courts, separately to his Fair Work claim against his former employer. He said he has chosen to speak up to educate other migrants about the risks of exploitation in the workplace. He also has big hopes for his future in Australia.
Immigration SA has announced that they have met their Federal quota of Subclass 188 and 132 business nomination approvals for the 2018/19 financial year. Subclass 188 and 132 business nomination applications that have already been submitted but not processed, will be processed from July 1 2019, when the Federal quota for South Australia resets. The online application system will remain open, and continue to accept business nomination applications. Note: Subclass 892/893/888 and 132 review applications will continue to be processed, as they do not count towards the Federal quota given to South Australia.