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Migration Alliance

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Conferences in May in Sydney and Melbourne: 2017 Reforms, Abolition of 457, Reforms to ENS, the new Citizenship framework, and the new TSS visa streams (CN66)

Posted by Migration Alliance on Monday, 01 May 2017 in General

TIME	SPEAKER	TOPIC
8:30am		Registration opens
8:45am	Liana Allan	Welcome from Legal Training Australia and Migration Alliance
9:00am	Christopher Levingston, Ross Ahmadzai & Alan Chanesman	The Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457) Latest Legislative Changes - discussing immediate impact / abolition STSOL and MLTSSL - What this means for current and future applications Existing 457 visa holders - Implications of the legislative changes Labour Agreements
11:00am		Morning tea break
11:15am	Christopher Levingston	Employer Nomination Scheme Transitional Arrangements - existing 457 visa holders TRTS Stream Requirements Direct Entry Applicants - Requirement for occupation to be on STSOL and MLTSSL Further changes - the permanent residence eligibility period will be extended from two years to three years
12:15pm		Lunch Break
1:15pm	Ross Ahmadzai	TSS Visa Two visa streams - two years and four years New, more targeted occupation lists which bette align with skills needed in the Australia labour market requirement for visa applicants to have at least two years' work experience in their skilled occupation a minimum market salary rate which ensures that overseas workers cannot be engaged to undercut Australian workers mandatory labour market testing, unless an international obligation applies capacity for visa renewal onshore and a permanent residence pathway after three years under the Medium-Term stream a non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure employers to training Australian workers the Department of Immigration and Border Protection will collect Tax File Numbers and data mandatory penal clearance certificates to be provided
2:45pm	Christopher Levingston & Michael Arch	Australian Citizenship Requirements Increasing the general residence requirement, which means an applicant for Australian citizenship will need to demonstrate a minimum of four years permanent residence immediately prior to their application for citizenship Introducing an English language test, which means applicants will need to demonstrate competent English language listening, speaking, reading and writing skills before being able to sit the citizenship test Strengthening the Australian Values States to include reference to allegiance to Australia and require applicants to make an undertaking to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community Strengthening the test for Australian citizenship through the addition of new test questions about Australian values, and the privileges and responsibilities of Australian Citizenship Introducing a requirement for applicants to demonstrate their integration into the Australian community Strengthening the Pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to refer to allegiance to Australia; and extending the requirement for individuals aged 16 years and over to make the Pledge to all streams of citizenship by application, including citizenship by descent, adoption and resumption.
4:15pm	Liana Allan	Closing comments from MA

Price:

$220.00 for MA members or $264.00 for Non-MA members

Click here to book your seat

Location:

Sydney - Wesley Conference Centre
220 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Melbourne - Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf VIC 3006

Presenter Profiles:

Click on each presenter for more information


Christopher Levingston	Alan Chanesman	Michael Arch


Ross Ahmadzai	Liana Allan

Last modified on Monday, 01 May 2017

The Hon Alex Hawke, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection announced as keynote speaker at the BasisPoint SIV Lunchtime event on 3rd May

Posted by Migration Alliance on Thursday, 27 April 2017 in General

The contribution of migrants to Australian society, culture and prosperity has been an important factor in shaping our nation. From the large scale migration from the UK and Europe which began at the end of the second world war to meet labour shortages and create prosperity to programs, attracting business people and entrepreneurs including the Significant Investor Visa which has attracted applicants have come from China.

Migration agents are invited to come along to this event and hear the from The Hon Alex Hawke MP, as well as the market insights from BasisPoint founder, David Chin. There will be followed by a panel of speakers from second generation migrant families from Europe and China who will share their stories and experiences of investing and integrating into Australia.

Date: Wednesday 3^rd May, 2017

...

Continue reading Last modified on Thursday, 27 April 2017

“TOEFL Insights” Sessions Coming to Sydney, Adelaide

Posted by Migration Alliance on Thursday, 27 April 2017 in General

Seats are still available for “TOEFL Insights for Agents”, a workshop for migration agents and migration lawyers to help them stay informed about the choices of English-language tests for skilled migrants. The sessions are led by TOEFL® test experts Helen Cook and Cath Moore from ETS Global.

The free, two-hour session is being offered in Sydney on May 2, and in Adelaide on May 16. Further sessions for other locations are planned later in the year.

The session is designed to:

...

Continue reading Last modified on Thursday, 27 April 2017

Do you have a debt solution in place for your clients?

Posted by Migration Alliance on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 in General

Nexus Partners provides an alternative to traditional mortgage broking to assist Migration Agents and their clients with debt solutions.

We can provide access to a range of lenders who can lend to temporary & permanent visa holders, as well as Australian citizens residing overseas.

Do you have a debt solution in place to assist your clients currently?
Are you receiving the majority of the commission revenue made available by the banks?
Do you have access to a range of lenders who can help your clients?
Can you help your clients with both a residential and commercial debt solution?

If you answered ‘No’ to any or all of these questions, Nexus Partners can help.

...

Continue reading Last modified on Wednesday, 26 April 2017

Will I Be Charged Extra Stamp Duty As A Temporary Resident?

Posted by Migration Alliance on Friday, 21 April 2017 in General

● A foreigner stamp duty surcharge applies to properties purchased in VIC, NSW and QLD

● It's not yet clear if other states will follow

● Some foreigners and temporary Australian residents may be able to avoid the additional costs

21 February 2017, Sydney, Australia - The Australian government has been forced to turn up the heat on foreign investment and slapping temporary residents with a stamp duty surcharge is the latest addition to their toolbelt.

Victoria (VIC) was the first state to introduce a stamp duty surcharge but, since then, New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) have followed suit.

For the time being, surcharges on stamp duty or land transfer duty only apply to these three east coast states.

However, depending on your circumstances, you may still be able to avoid the additional stamp duty.

Stamp duty surcharge in VIC

It applies if:

● You’re a foreign citizen or a temporary resident.

● You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 July 2015.

How much is it?

Prior to the additional stamp duty changes that came into effect on 1 July 2015, duty in Victoria was applied on a sliding scale, starting at 1.4 per cent for properties valued at $25,000 and rising to 5.5 per cent for those valued at $960,000 and above.

These rates still apply but the SRO Vic now charges an additional duty of 3% of the property value for contracts signed between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.

That means a 7% additional land transfer duty applies to all property purchased from 1 July 2016 onwards.

Luckily, a surcharge only applies to stamp duty and not land tax.

The only exception to this is the so-called absentee land tax surcharge which increased from 0.5% to 1.5% on 1 January 2017.

This applies to absentee owners of land.

Case study

For an $800,000 property in Victoria, the normal stamp duty is $43,070.

For foreigners and temporary residents, your stamp duty now shoots up to $99,070 for the same property. That’s $56,000 more!

Be sure to check the State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO Vic) for more information.

Stamp duty surcharge in NSW

A stamp duty surcharge applies if:

● You’re a foreign citizen or a temporary resident.

● You signed the Contract of Sale after 21 June 2016.

In addition to the additional stamp duty, an extra land tax duty applies to purchases made from 1 January 2017.

Neither surcharge applies if you're buying a commercial property such as a retail shop front or office space.

How much is it?

In specific circumstances, a 4% stamp duty surcharge and a 0.75% land tax surcharge applies.

Case study

Previously, stamp duty on a $800,000 property for both Australian citizens and temporary residents would have been $31,490.

Temp residents now have to pay up to $63,490, a $32,000 increase.

It's best to check out the NSW Office of State Revenue website to stay on top of any further changes.

Stamp duty surcharge in QLD

It applies if:

● You’re a foreign citizen or a temporary resident.

● You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 October 2016.

How much is it?

A 3% stamp duty surcharge applies.

Case study

Previously, stamp duty would have been $21,850 for an $800,000 property in QLD.

You’re now paying $45,850 which is a $24,000 increase.

You should refer to the QLD Office of State Revenue website for more information.

How else can I avoid extra stamp duty?

The extra stamp duty or land tax surcharge doesn't apply in the following circumstances:

● You’re an Australian citizen.

● You're an Australian citizen living and working overseas (an Aussie expat).

● You're a permanent resident.

● You're a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444).

● You're buying in the name of your spouse is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

If these options don't apply to you, the other two solutions are to:

● Purchase in a state that doesn't apply the extra stamp duty surcharge.

● Wait until you become a permanent resident.

Author: homeloanexperts.com.au

About homeloanexperts.com.au

homeloanexperts.com.au is one of Australia’s leading specialist mortgage brokers.

Founded in 2006 by managing director Otto Dargan, the brokerage specialises in no deposit, unusual employment, non-residents and bad credit, as well as first home buyers, investors and discounts for professionals.

With a loan book of more than $1 billion, homeloanexperts.com.au has won a number of industry and consumer awards including being named one of the top 10 independent brokerages of 2014 and winning ‘Best Customer Service’ in the 2015 and 2016 Better Business Awards as well as the ‘Major Brokerage Of The Year - Non-Franchise’ in the 2015 Australian Broking Awards.