Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

A review of Australian immigration's 457 visa is expected to happen later this year following complaints from the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) that the process used to grant visas is flawed. Australia's manufacturing industry relies heavily on foreign workers, however, the ANWU says that some foreign workers are being exploited. It should be noted that the Australian economy is doing well and that in general salary rates are very good.

New relaxed visa rules in Indonesia for four Middle Eastern countries could trigger an influx of people trafficking to Australia. Indonesia plans to relax visa rules for nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan; The changes have raised concerns with Australian Immigration authorities that the new laws could cause a rise in people smuggling operations to Australia. This year, Australian immigration authorities have already intercepted two vessels trying to smuggle people into Australia.

A new report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), says that Australia ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region for Countries with the most positive competitive conditions for IT firms. Only South Korea, and Taiwan do better. Positive competitive conditions; The country's quality of IT and communications infrastructure and the overall business environment.

Attracted by lucrative salaries in mining and agriculture the number of New Zealanders emigrating to Australia has hit record levels. But many New Zealanders face a difficult time once they arrive in Australia as they often underestimate the challenges they might encounter.

Agricultural science jobs have now been added to New Zealand's Long Term Skills Shortage List; At the same time a number of teaching occupations have been removed.

A recent report from Australian Immigration and Citizenship indicates that there has been an overall annual growth of 8.3 percent in the immigration department's Working Holiday Visa program. The Working Holiday Visa program allows foreigners aged 18 to 30 years of age to take a working holiday of up to 12 months in Australia.