Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Australian universities have announced that there has been an increase in the number of Indian students applying for admission to its universities in the 2011 academic year. Ted Baillieu, premier of Australia's Victoria province, said that the number of Indian students in Australia on student visas has increased due to easier visa rules.

Australian Immigration has announced that, following a policy change, one-third of asylum seekers arriving by boat will be living in the community on bridging visas next year. Under this new process, the immigration department expects to save $400 million by moving asylum seekers out of detention centres and into the community.

According to Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship, there was an increase is short-term business trips last year. New figures show over 120,000 applications were made for the 456 subclass short stay business visa in the last quarter of 2011.Under the 456 subclass visa, the holder can stay in Australia for three months to carry out business activities such as attending conferences, handling negotiations or delivering presentations.

Starting 16 February 2012, Brazilian and Argentinian citizens interested in traveling to Australia can apply for an Australian tourist visa online.The e676 electronic tourist visa allows you to visit Australia for a holiday or to visit family and friends. The short-term visa can also be used for non-work purposes including study for less than three months.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is requesting that health insurance become mandatory for all Australian visa applicants. The request was made by vice president of the Victorian branch of the AMA, Stephen Parnis, following recent figures released by the AMA that shows the number of immigrants treated in the Victoria's public hospitals have tripled in the last six years.

Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is sending immigration officers to visit the New South Wales and South Australia regions during the week beginning 20 February 2012 to give businesses and immigrant workers information on skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa options.