All foreign visitors, apart from those who hold a New Zealand passport, require a visa to enter Australia. For tourist purposes, most people can simply apply online for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). ETAs are also available for some business travellers. They are valid for 12 months, and they allow you to stay in Australia … Read more

In April 2019, a new visa was introduced which allows parents of migrants in Australia to visit on a temporary basis for a period of up to 10 years.However, what are the pros and cons? What does the visa entail, what are the requirements for sponsorships, and what does all of this mean for you? … Read more

Newly re-elected Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently promised to further reduce the number of migrants granted visas if he won the election. His government intends to cap permanent migration at 160,000 (down from the 190,000 maximum allowed last year) for the next four years. This move will be implemented alongside the advent of a … Read more

Australia has long had a strict immigration policy, with most expats applying for visas based on their special skills. Unfortunately for the country, this has so far meant that expats flock to the cities with the most opportunity and highest standard of living, settling largely in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. A new class of visa, … Read more

Australia increased the pass-mark for its points-based visa test this summer. The department of immigration raised the previous mark of 60 points to 65 points from the first of July 2018. While this may not seem like a big jump, it has ramifications for non-skilled workers applying for visas. Previously, some of these applications have … Read more

Until it was officially abolished on 18 March 2018, the 457 visa was the most common way for approved Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill the critical vacancies they were unable to fill with local workers. The Temporary Work (Skilled) 457 visa was attractive for expats because holders were able to … Read more

Here in the UK, the Brexit beast is still grumbling about immigration controls, with both sides of the debate arguing their case for firmer or fairer systems. Existing EU rules mean that citizens of the jurisdiction have the right to roam freely through member nations, living, studying and working where they please. Wherever you decide … Read more

The Land Down Under has long been one of the most popular destinations for expats from across the globe because of its high living standards as well as the educational, career and business opportunities it offers. Australia is also more than just a nation with a booming economy; it is a continent on its own, … Read more

This has been an interesting and at times contentious year when it comes to Australia’s visa system. The government announced the decision to abolish the 457-temporary work visa, which has been the most common visa for employers to sponsor skilled workers to work temporarily in Australia.They also announced their intention to majorly reform the entire … Read more

Australia has for many years been a top destination for expats wanting to exploit work and lifestyle opportunities, but for many their future dreams ‘down under’ may be curtailed. That’s because the country has unveiled plans to abolish the 457 visa programme which is aimed at attracting skilled migrants to the country. The 457 visa … Read more

Australia has a large population of foreign residents and continues to draw expats to its shores every year. It is a country rich in natural beauty and its major cities rank among the top twenty in the world when it comes to quality of life. But moving to any country has its ups and downs … Read more

Australia has always attracted expats to its shores because of the high quality of life and lucrative opportunities. For those who’ve already made the decision to pack up and move down under, here is some recommended reading that will help you plan your stay and also prepare you for what’s in store. Moving To Australia: … Read more

Container shipping to Australia is the preferred way for immigrants to get their belongings “down under” on time and in one piece. There are many companies specializing in container shipping to Australia, but only a handful which are reliable and reputable. Considering the large distance of shipping to Australia, choosing an experienced company should be … Read more

by Sarah Muxlow It was a big move to leave Europe; home, family, friends and ties. We decided to do it and two years on we are enjoying the new life we have here, on the far side of the world. We moved because we wanted to give our children the opportunity to appreciate space, … Read more