We thought we’d start by sharing some interesting things about Australia & Migration in general, after all we think that’s why you want to migrate here!
Australia
- It is the 6th largest country in the world, occupying an entire continent of some 7.6 million square kilometres.
- More than 80 percent of Australians live within 100 kilometres of the coast making Australia one of the world’s most urbanised coastal dwelling populations.
- The world’s highest proportion of migrant settlers in a developed nation, with over 25% of Australians born in another country.
- Canberra was selected as the capital because Sydney and Melbourne could not stop arguing which city should be the capital of Australia.
- Melbourne topped 140 rivals to be crowned the world’s most liveable city 5 years in a row since 2011. It’s not that we are claiming Melbourne is better than Sydney, but….
Migration
According the the Department of Immigration and Border Protections there will be up to 190,000 permanent migration places available in 2015-16, which comprise of up to:
- 128,550 Skill stream places (this includes company sponsorship & skilled migration)
- 57,400 Family stream places (this includes Partner Visas)
In 2014-2015 the Skill stream outcome was 127,774 places. The programme included the following:
- Employer Sponsored category – 48,250 places, further broken down by:
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) – 12,380 places
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) – 35,870 places
- General Skilled Migration (GSM) – 72,840 places, further broken down by:
- Skilled Independent category – 43,990 places
- State and Territory Government Nominated category – 26,050 places
- Skilled Regional category – 2800 places
- Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) – 6484 places
- Distinguished Talent – 200 places
Registered Migration Agents
If you want to visit or stay in Australia, or sponsor someone to visit or stay in Australia, you can get help with the visa process from a registered migration agent.
Only registered migration agents can legally give immigration assistance in Australia. To do this, they must be listed on the Register of Migration Agents, held by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Immigration assistance (under section 276 of the Migration Act 1958) is when a person uses or claims to use knowledge of, or experience in migration procedure to assist with visa applications or other visa matters by:
- preparing, or helping to prepare, a visa application or other document
- advising about a visa application or visa matter
- preparing for proceedings before a court or review authority in relation to a visa application or visa matter
- representing in proceedings before a court or review authority in relation to a visa application or visa matter
A registered migration agent is obliged to act in the best interests of their clients. The professional standards and obligations are administered by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
The Migration Agents Code of Conduct is set out in legislation to regulate the conduct of agents.
