The DIBP have sent the following correspondence to a Migration Alliance member RMA after receiving an email from him on 29 October 2015 regarding the cessation of fingerprint services by the Australian Federal Police in Western Australia:

"The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (the Department) is aware the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has ceased providing fingerprinting services to the public. In Western Australia the Police have also withdrawn from providing fingerprinting services.    

While the Department understands that not all foreign embassies or consulates in Australia are able to provide this service to their citizens, the Department still requires a police clearance certificate if requested.   

Migration Alliance has been given permission to publish limited information in relation to a recent search warrant executed on the residential home of a migration agent on Thursday 12 November 2015.

The Registered Migration Agent (RMA) was making herself a coffee in the morning. She then heard shouting,

'Police'.

Businesses in the Northern Territory are struggling due to a 30 per cent drop in occupancy rates with some forced to close down, according to a report on NT News.

Alice Springs’ Toddy’s Backpackers is closing its doors due to the steady fall in backpacker numbers over this year. A report by the Australian Hotels Associations (AHA) said hospitality traders in Darwin were down 20 to 30 per cent on the previous year.

The AHA says things are set to get much worse from July 1, 2016 when working holiday visa holders will lose the tax-free threshold of $18,000 and be required to pay 32.5 per cent tax from the first dollar earned.

The report states that budget travellers are already turning their sights to New Zealand and Canada, which have cheaper visas with less stringent requirements. A Working Holiday Maker visa in Australia is $440 compared with $150 in Canada.

Working as a Registered Migration Agent can mean assisting clients in making one of the most important decisions of their lives: helping them migrate to Australia.

Do I really need Professional Indemnity Cover?

Taking out Professional Indemnity cover is not only a sensible professional decision, it’s also a legal requirement. Migration agents are required under the Migration Act to hold a Professional Indemnity policy which features at least $250,000 in coverage. Why? Because it protects you against claims from clients who allege you or your business did something wrong or failed to do what it said it would. You might have made a genuine mistake or you might have done nothing at all, but either way you could be facing a big bill. If this unfortunate situation arises you may have to hire lawyers and your business might be forced to pay your client compensation and its legal fees if you lose or settle the case.

The Fair Work Ombudsman will audit up to 200 businesses throughout western Sydney as part of a new campaign to check that employers are paying the correct wages and are compliant with record-keeping and pay-slip obligations.

The campaign which will focus on businesses located in and around Merrylands, Guildford, Fairfield, Parramatta and Mount Druitt will see inspectors checking that employers are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances, loadings and providing appropriate meal breaks to their employees.

Employers from a range of sectors will be included, such as manufacturing, road freight transport, carpentry, building and industrial cleaning, computer system design, cafes and restaurants, investigation and security, childcare, hairdressing and beauty, and employment placement and recruitment.

All businesses will be randomly selected, according to the media release from the office of the ombudsman.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says western Sydney is home to thousands of businesses and the Agency receives a constant stream of requests for assistance from employees across the western suburbs.