Australian Immigration Daily News

Embracing innovation, technology and science is critical to powering Australian economy to provide jobs and high living standards for all Australians. The National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) sets a focus on science, research and innovation as long-term drivers of economic prosperity, jobs and growth.

Innovation is critical to improving Australia’s competitiveness, standard of living, high wages and generous social welfare net, but it is not the silver bullet. We must also build on the successful economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, lift government efficiency and improve competition, as proposed by the Government’s response to the Harper Review.

Currently VETASSESS considers paid doctoral research level studies as valid employment for skills assessment purposes.
 
Please be advised that as of 15 December 2018, VETASSESS will not accept paid doctoral studies for skills assessment purposes, consistent with the Department of Home Affairs requirements. 

For skilled employment to be considered ‘remunerated’, applicants must be engaged in the occupation on a paid basis, generally at the award or market rate of the occupation. A person receiving minimal living allowances or scholarships designed to cover study expenses would not be considered to be 'remunerated'.
 
VETASSESS will continue to ensure that impact on its clients is minimised during the transition leading up to the implementation date. Applications received prior to 15 December 2018 will be processed according to the criteria at the time of applying.

For further information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The case of Pham at the Federal Court on an appeal from the FCC, has cleared some of the weeds away from the Legislative instrument which, in my opinion, unnecessarily complicated the already complex "family Violence" exception.

See: Pham V Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] FCA 1946.

http://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2018/2018fca1946

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have detained eight individuals as part of a national operation targeting unscrupulous labour hire intermediaries and foreign worker exploitation.

Five Malaysian nationals were located and detained for either being in Australia illegally or working in breach of their visa conditions.

Two of those detained are suspected of higher level involvement in worker exploitation. All five are being held in immigration detention ahead of their removal from Australia.

Check out the discussion in the Senate yesterday regarding 'Strengthening the Character Test'

Warning....interesting, but legislation-heavy reading...

Application of amendments