In the last three years some 750 partner visas were cancelled. This number is set to rise with the launch of data-matching program by the departments of immigration and human services.

Immigration and Human Services combined their respective customer databases to help uncover various types of fraud including those by couples who have lodged or been granted partner visas.

The system aims at identifying those taking welfare payments as singles, despite sponsoring overseas partners and will be looking at grants and applications from the years starting from 2012. DIBP granted 47,752 partner visas in the program year ending 2014.The biggest source nations were China, India, Britain, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

These grants and other applications are now being checked against roughly seven million unique records in the Centrelink database.

According to figures reported in the Herald Sun, in the last three years about 750 such visas have been cancelled for breaches of conditions, such as making bogus claims, providing incorrect information, and being of bad character.

DIBP are refusing 457 SBS, nominations and 457s for any reason 

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) are doing their utmost best to refuse any component of the 457 application process, but most of all, 457 nominations.

Example of a large supermarket refusal

A large supermarket with more than 20 staff in a regional area is trying to sponsor a marketing specialist.  The DIBP have refused the application on the basis that the salary offered is too low, at $55,000.  However the market salary rates show $50K-$60K and TSMIT is $53,000.  And yet the DIBP are still saying that $55,000 is too low and have refused the application without giving a chance for the sponsor to increase the salary.  The sponsor is more than happy to increase the salary to whatever the DIBP want it to be as they need the person badly.  See the end of this article for the interesting salary offered to ACS ICT case assessors in Sydney city.  Proceed to roll your eyes.

Australian trade unions have raised the concern that the China-Australia FTA (CHAFTA) would result in foreign workers being employed in Australia at a lower rate and conditions than Australian workers. Are they right?

The CFMEU has started rallying against the CHAFTA on the claim that there is no statement in the CHAFTA that says foreign workers working side by side with an Australian worker shall receive the same conditions and pay.

“That’s nowhere in the agreement… go through the pages of the agreement and look at the Memorandum of Understanding and it doesn’t say it in black and white; nowhere in the agreement,”  Michael O'Connor, CFMEU National Secretary, told with Fran Kelly on RN Breakfast last week.

The CHAFTA is at risk as more than 2,000 workers rallied recently in Brisbane's CBD to protest against the agreement. Bill Shorten has endorsed the union-led assault against the free-trade pact, revealing Labor will take up the fight in ­parliament to rewrite labour ­standards, conditions and skills testing in the historic multi-­billion-­dollar agreement.

One of the documents detailing the nature of the cooperation, namely the IFA at Clause 2(e) indicates that foreign workers will have to be given the same conditions: “…the project company agrees to comply with all Australian laws and regulations, including applicable Australian workplace law, work safety law and relevant Australian licensing, regulation and certification standards.”

The entire process of approval however is complex with several layers of approvals, and authentication involving the project proponents, the China International Contractors Association, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the DIBP. But, no union consultation is involved.

Now in the 8th year, Australia China BusinessWeek 2015 Sydney returns on August 5-6th, at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. The largest event across the Australia China BusinessWeek 2015 roadshow, over 1400 delegates attended ACBW Sydney in 2014 from both Australia & China.

Australia-China BusinessWeek 2015 Sydney is tailored towards China-active or early stage SMEs and mid-sized companies wanting to develop and refine their China strategy. Australia-China BusinessWeek offers an effective business platform for professionals and investors from Australia and China to connect, network and participate in business matching.

ACBW 2015 Sydney includes 9 high profile events: ACBW 2015 Sydney Breakfast & Keynote Luncheon, ACBW English Forum, Pathways To China Forum, Mandarin Forum, Investment Forum, SIV Forum, Showcase & Mix at Six Networking Function.

Bupa have launched a great campaign for new members running throughout July and August promoting health cover solutions for overseas visitors applying for a temporary working or holiday visa in Australia. The campaign also targets Australian expats highlighting Bupa’s unique position as Australia’s only healthcare provider offering solutions for inpats, expats and travellers. 

All of Bupa’s Working Overseas Visitors Cover product options include:

• Instant health insurance visa letter
• 100% Australian Government Visa compliant
• 100% ambulance cover by our recognised providers
• Access to public and private hospitals
• Repatriation cover
• Access to private doctors and specialists

If you would like more information on this campaign please contact your Bupa representative.