Blog

Migrating to Australia has become more complex than ever with statistics showing visa refusal statistics increased by 46% in 2017-18. As part of our 30 year anniversary special, Interstaff takes a closer look into how the growing refusal rate is impacting individuals wanting to live and work in Australia, as well as businesses requiring migrationRead more

We have certainly seen a number of changes to Australia’s migration landscape since Interstaff was first established in 1988 three decades ago. One of the most significant changes recently has been the replacement of the 457 Visa scheme with the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa. The 457 Visa program was historically the mostRead more

This week, Interstaff had the pleasure of presenting on the topic, ‘Reimagining Skilled Migration’ at the 2018 WA HR Leadership Forum. As you may know, this year’s replacement of the 457 Visa scheme with the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa and broader changes in Australia’s migration arrangements have presented key challenges for HumanRead more

Employer sponsored migration will be a key focus for Australia’s Immigration Minister, David Coleman according to his speech to the Migration Institute of Australia in October 2018. Mr Coleman stated Australia’s skilled migration policies should emphasise visa categories providing the highest economic benefits, such as employer sponsored migration and regional skilled migration. His speech indicatedRead more

The Government has announced it will relax Working Holiday Visa program restrictions relating to age limits, areas of work, employer flexibility and length of stay to help agricultural businesses struggling with labour shortages while the Government considers creating a dedicated agricultural visa for a long-term solution. The Working Holiday Visa program is also relied uponRead more

Last week, the Government announced Irish and Canadian citizens can now apply for a Working Holiday Subclass 417 Visa in Australia up to the age of 35. Prior to the change on 1 November 2018, people over the age 31 were ineligible for the program. The increased age limit therefore opens an opportunity for moreRead more

Interstaff is pleased to welcome our new Registered Migration Agent to the team, Melissa Phan (MARN: 1808239). As part of our Registered Migration Agent team, Melissa advises clients on migration solutions for businesses and individuals according to current migration legislation and manages all aspects of the visa and/or sponsorship application process on our clients’ behalf. MelissaRead more

Interstaff had a great lawn bowls night recently with WA Singapore Business Connect. Have you ever tried your hand at lawn bowls? It was a first for a few of us in the Interstaff team at the South Perth Lawn Bowls Club. Trying lawn bowls for the first time and being welcomed into WA SingaporeRead more

One Fine Day There’s plenty of free things to see and do in Perth and they don’t have to cost you the Earth! We are lucky to have so many natural attractions to visit and with the weather beginning to heat up, we’re excited to start heading out for a good walk to soak upRead more

The WA Graduate Occupation List is now in effect, which means that apart from our world class universities, international students now have another reason to choose to study in WA – a priority pathway to stay in Australia. The WA State Government recently introduced the Graduate Occupation List to provide eligible international students in WARead more

How will Australia manage its population growth? Since Scott Morrison became Prime Minister, we have been keen to see how he would begin to shape Australia’s immigration policies and population growth. It seems he is already beginning to shift debate on the size of Australia’s annual immigration intake, revealing facts which challenge common immigration mythsRead more

Interstaff is pleased to announce we have appointed Michelle Collins to join us in advising on your migration requirements as one of our Registered Migration Agents. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Law and Arts from the University of Notre Dame as well as a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law from Murdoch University. She brings to the role aRead more

Skilled migration data has been released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which reveals some fun facts about the people that choose Western Australia as their home to work and live. The below skilled migration data captures a broad snapshot of permanent migrants arriving in WA between 2000 to 2016. Did you know?  People fromRead more

A day after being announced as Australia’s new Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge has confirmed he is exploring different ways to incentivise migrants to work regionally to help ease congestion in Sydney and Melbourne. Alan Tudge attributes Australia’s population pressures to the disproportionate number of migrants settling in Melbourne and SydneyRead more

David Coleman will be sworn in as Australia’s New Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs on 29 August 2018, after last week’s leadership spill culminated in the appointment of Scott Morrison as Australia’s new Prime Minister and a subsequent cabinet reshuffle. Scott Morrison has decided Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs will be managed byRead more

If you are wondering how SAF Fees apply in cases where TSS Visa holders are changing sponsors, the Government has indicated employers will only be required to pay a portion of the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Fees when engaging workers currently in Australia on a Subclass 457/482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa to work forRead more

The WA State Government has announced a priority pathway to permanent residence will be made available for high-achieving graduates from WA universities through the introduction of a Graduate Skilled Migration List in coming months. WA University graduates with a PhD, Masters, Honours or other higher degree graduates will have access to priority consideration for permanentRead more

New legislation governing the Labour Market Testing (LMT) and advertising requirements to be undertaken before sponsoring a Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa holder came into effect on Sunday. The below legislative changes apply to nominations made on or after 12 August 2018. Labour Market Testing Requirements  At least two advertisements that meet the following: Advertising must be undertakenRead more

Further to our announcement last week, we would like to confirm the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) commenced on Sunday 12 August 2018 and is now in effect with SAF refunds available in some circumstances. Businesses are now required to pay a ‘Nomination Training Contribution Charge’ (NTCC) into the SAF for each visa holder sponsored on a: Subclass 482 Visa (Temporary Skills Shortage –Read more

Changes to Australian Citizenship eligibility requirements are likely to be confirmed in coming months as amendments to the legislation have now been scheduled for review in parliamentary sittings. If the changes proposed in the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Bill are passed into law, we can expect the eligibility requirements to tighten and result in moreRead more

Contributions into the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy will be payable on all nomination applications for Subclass 482, 186 and 187 Visas from Sunday 12 August 2018.  The SAF was approved by the Australian parliament in May 2018. The fund has been established to provide training for Australians in areas of need as identified by the Commonwealth government in association withRead more

This year’s Avon Descent is coming up on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August. Head on down to the events spanning Northam, Toodyay, Belmont, Bassendean and Bayswater and see competitors from around the world tackle our white waters. There will be free entertainment, an international food festival and lots of family fun. Don’t miss out – enjoy the bestRead more

Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge has indicated it should become mandatory for intending migrants to first stay in Australia on a temporary visa to allow the Government time to assess their adoption of Australian values before granting permanent residence. While this has raised controversy and debate on whether there is a need for Australia to introduceRead more

In a speech to the Australia/UK Leadership Forum in London recently, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge discussed the Government’s plans to introduce an Australian values test before granting new migrants permanent residence. Why introduce an Australian values test? A significant part of the controversy is centred around whether Australia needs a Values testRead more

Recently released statistics show the Department of Home Affairs only accepted 162,417 people on a permanent residence visa in 2017/18 in comparison to 183,608 in the previous year. The figure is well below the permanent migration planning level of 190,000 placements, and confirms several trends we have seen developing over the past year. These are:Read more

The CEO of WA’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Mr Everingham has shown support for a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) to address shortages in WA’s Goldfields mining region. The Shires of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Citizenship and Multicultural Minister, Mr Alan Tudge met last month to discuss the DAMA and if approved, the agreement wouldRead more

The Department of Home Affairs has announced the pass mark has increased from 60 points to 65 points to become eligible for a visa under the General Skilled Migration program. This change came into effect on 1 July. The change in the pass mark demonstrates a further narrowing of Australia’s permanent skilled migration program following the restrictions introduced to employer-sponsoredRead more

On 22 June, the Interstaff team mascots dropped by to say hello for Take Your Dog To Work Day. Needless to say they were spoilt with plenty of tummy rubs and treats. Meet Poppy and Astra, everyone! Head on over to our Facebook page to see more of our pictures! And don’t forget to giveRead more

Moving to another country is a big step, especially if you don’t know a network of people to support you. Here’s a few free services that can help you establish your life in Australia. State Government Settlement Services As a skilled migrant, you could receive free settlement services to help you and your family canRead more

peek our team and even take a peek inside. easy to get to central, near CBD, West Perth. plenty of street parking. Peek inside our officeRead more

Applicants for the subclass 457 visa can be confident that their terms of recruitment will be handled equitably by business sponsors, as a result of the Federal Government’s recent legislation amendments. Under the existing legislation, skilled migrant employees must be paid a rate comparable to local wages and employers must clearly define the skills and experience requiredRead more

WA Day Celebrations WA Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the unique Western Australian lifestyle. On Monday 6 June, WA will come alive with an array of activities across the state, from interactive art to live entertainment, community projects and children’s activities. Residents in metropolitan Perth can flock to the new Elizabeth Quay and the EsplanadeRead more

Interstaff has launched its own YouTube channel with the Interstaff News playlist serving as a portal for sharing videos on Australian immigration news, visa tips and information and highlight reels of the Australian lifestyle. To get notified of upcoming videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel. It’s free to subscribe and all of our YouTube subscribers receive $25Read more