The media and unions have taken a broad swipe at the sc457 programme today referring to a leaked audit of the program by the Fair Work Ombudsman which suggests that “up to 3,600 [foreign workers] are working as teachers, mainly in early childhood care” when in contrast there are some 4,000 teaching graduate’s still looking for work 4 months after completing higher education.

“Foreign nationals on 457 visas are working in schools and early childhood centres despite a growing glut of unemployed Australian teaching graduates” states The Sydney Morning Herald. Childcare centres and some specialist schools in non-regional areas got special mention as employers who may be overlooking local university graduates for TAFE qualified foreign graduates.

Stephen Dinham, professor of education at the University of Melbourne, told the paper that non-traditional colleges were turning out graduates, particularly in early childhood and primary, worsening the glut of university-trained teachers.

He said the dozen or so different routes into early childhood teaching, from a minimum-level TAFE diploma up to a master's in education from a university, made understanding the sector more complex than primary and secondary schools.

Unions on the other hand have blamed the need for foreign staff on the "inadequate" pay in the female-dominated early childhood sector.

The department of immigration is undertaking a public consultation via a survey to obtain views on the size, balance and composition of the 2015-16 Migration Programme and the factors to be taken into consideration in planning Australia’s future migration intakes, including longer term indicators.

“We hope to stimulate your thoughts around the planning for and management of the programme to best meet Australia’s economic and social needs in view of the changing nature of migration in Australia and overseas. Your views will be considered in the department’s submission to government on the 2015-16 Migration Programme and will inform the size, balance and composition of Australia’s future migration intakes” notes the recently released discussion paper from the DIBP.

The paper acknowledges that the department is aware of the increasing global competitiveness in attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants from overseas and the need for a clearer, deregulated skilled migration visa framework that will help shape and define Australia’s economic future.

At present, the Migration Programme is planned annually. However, DIBP is considering alternative approaches to planning, with a longer term planning horizon and an increased flexibility within the programme to respond to the ongoing and emerging economic needs and family reunion challenges of Australians.

As part of this process, the department may be exploring alternative planning options including a range-based planning approach and a multi-year planning cycle for future consideration

Migration Alliance members receive a special discounted rate for this conference of $400.00 per head for a short while only.

This conference convened by A/Prof Andre Renzaho brings together researchers, administrators, policy makers, students from all over the globe to collectively contribute towards improving policy, research and practice in issues of Migration, Social disadvantage and Health.

DO NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN THE MELBOURNE DECLARATION ON                        

The Asia Pacific Law Forum promises to provide RMAs with an opportunity to get expert insights on doing business in China from ‘leading scholars and top level authorities from China” and Australia.

According to its organisers, “The purpose of the Asian Pacific Law Forum is to encourage Australian and Asian investors to find solutions to interregional conflict of laws and to show investors how they can protect their Australian-Asian investment activities.”

This year's Forum will focus on business management and development for Asian and Chinese lawyers and investors in Australia and China. Importantly, the forum is expected to provide a networking opportunity with businesses, experts, and lawyers from China and Australia.

The Forum which is in its second year attracted some 200 participants last year and is expected to draw a similar number this year according to its organisers with some 30 sc188 visa holders and over a dozen representatives of Chinese companies expected to also attend.

Other delegates will include Chinese lawyers from the Sino-Global Lawyers Association (SGLA) which is a grouping of some of China’s major law firms, members of the Australian China Business Council, the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia, NAB representatives and Australian law firms such as Baker & Mackenzie, and Hall & Wilcox.

Expansion of Australia’s Investor Visas and 457 skilled worker visa program

The Federal Government is planning on expanding the investor visa scheme along with making it easier to hire potential new employees in accordance with the 457 visa program.

The SIV provides a pathway to gaining permanent residency for foreign nationals who invest at least $5 million dollars into Australia for at least four years. The current Government proposes to create a new Premium Investor Visa (PIV) which will offer a 12 month pathway to attaining permanent residency for these who invest at least $15 million. Accompanying the possible implementation of the PIV will be changes to the SIV including the speeding up and streamlining of visa processing along with greater levels of promotion in an international capacity.