DIBPs priority processing arrangements generally categorise skilled migration applications into 5 groups giving regional employer sponsored visas the highest processing priority. While the top groups can have the visas processed within months, those in group 5 can wait well over 5 years without any indication of a time-frame as to when their applications may be processed.

It almost looks like after accepting valid applications and the visa charges, DIBP has just about simply forgotten about processing the applications categorised in group 5. Is DIBP hoping  that if they make these applicants wait long enough the applicants will simply give up and go away allowing DIBP to pocket the application fee for doing nothing?

Legislation allows the Minister several mechanisms to ensure visa grants are managed in line with the annual planning level. These mechanisms can either restrict or increase the level of visa grants. This excuse is often cited when the issue is queried. A recent response on the issue from DIBP stated outright, “The Department is unable to give specific timeframes for when individual applications will be finalised,…” [http://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2014-09-priority-group-5-applications-for-886-and-176-visas-dibp-update.html]

Upon receipt of a valid application, DIBP surely must have an obligation to process an application within a reasonable time-frame or inform the applicants of the likely time-frame. In the alternative, DIBP should at least allow applicants who wish to withdraw their applications to do so with a full refund. Perhaps this may help speed things up for those who choose to wait.

Some estimates (unverified) state that there are over 40,000 applicants in the priority 5 group, with some applicants still waiting after 5 years with no indication of when their applications will be processed.

Winners of the photo competition for the RMA calendar

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING RMAs
                                    
                                    
Winners - ranked    
1 Linh Sy    Ho         $1000
2 Sirous    Ahmadi   $500
3 Gofran    Chebib    $250
4 Ranbir    Singh
4 Rohit    Mohan
4 Manjinder Pal Singh    Sekhon
5 Yashpal    Erda
6 Yoland    Murphy
7 Richard    Yuan
8 Tatiana    Stack
9 Prabhjot    Sandhu
10 Liana    Allan
11 Jerry    Hooper
12 Christopher    Levingston

Highly commended - unranked
Greg    Gordon-Lane
Tonnou    Gothane
Hector    Gutierrez-Bocaz
Diresh    Kohli
Friederike    Kuehn
Harry    Nakazawa
Ushass    Panicker (with Jamil Shah)
Jamil    Shah
Bina    Shah
Seema    Shah (with Bina Shah)
Harjeet    Singh
Amarjit    Singh
Danijela    Stojanovic
Ngoc (Crystal)    Tran

Booby prize    
Chris    McGrath        $250

The calendar will now be put together and printed.  The Migration Agent Calendar will be available shortly thereafter.  No photographs will be displayed at this stage as this will spoil the surprise of the 2015 RMA calendar.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL RMAS - IT WAS TOUGH DECIDING THE WINNERS
    

We really look forward to publishing the 2015 migration agent calendar.

“Your truest friends are the ones who will stand by you in your darkest moments--because they're willing to brave the shadows with you--and in your greatest moments--because they're not afraid to let you shine.”
― Nicole Yatsonsky

I write this article in defence of my good and loyal friend Kurt Kraues, who recently graduated with a Masters in Immigration Law (see picture).

By now all of you would have seen the article from the Hon Senator Cash's office dated Friday the 14th November 2014.  If you haven't, then here it is:

Migration Agent cancelled over fees from PNG miners

Streamlined visa processing arrangements will be extended to eligible advanced diploma level students with 55 new SVP providers commencing from 23 November 2014. These institutions are considered ‘low- risk providers’ and the list has been specified in the the latest instrument Migration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Eligible Education Providers and Educational Business Partners - IMMI 14/075 found here: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L01511

Minister Morrison announced the intention to allow SVP to these new providers earlier this year saying that it, “will enable eligible education providers in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and higher education sector to directly access SVP. This will make study in Australia even more attractive to overseas students, while at the same time ensuring that immigration risk is appropriately managed.

Education Minister Chris Pyne added that these changes will substantially benefit Australia's high-quality VET and higher education sectors, supporting the sustainable growth of Australia's international education industry while providing a vital boost to the economy.

'The number of international students seeking to study in Australia continues to rebound positively, with an increase of over 27 per cent in the number of visas granted to offshore applicants in the 2013-14 programme year,' Minister Pyne said.

'Extending SVP arrangements will help capitalise on these trends, reducing red tape and helping to attract further students from overseas.'

The Western Australian state government has made further amendments to its decision to charge a $4,000 public school fee for families on 457 visas, after community backlash resulted in multiple delays. Under the new provisions to the school fees, families on 457 visas who are earning $75,000 or less per year will not have to pay the $4,000 per annum fee for their children who are enrolled in a public school, according a report in the ABC.

The report states that the exemptions were revealed as the State Government announced its long-awaited hardship provisions for the more than 3,300 families affected by the new charges from next year. Under the hardship arrangements, families earning less than $75,000 a year will not have to pay.

More than 2,600 families are expected to pay the new fee, delivering about $10 million into the Government's coffers.Education Minister Peter Collier said, "There are around 3,305 families at this stage that will be captured by the school fees. Of that, around 750 will be exempt."

Families can also seek relief from the fees due to exceptional circumstances, such as illness or unemployment. They will be required to approach the Department of Training and Workforce Development to seek an exemption.

According to a parliamentary guide, states and territories may charge fees for the children of workers on subclass 457 visas to attend public schools. New South Wales (NSW) charges $4,500 for kindergarten, $4,500 for junior high schooling and $5,500 for senior high schooling of subclass 457 visa holders. The Australian Capital Territory charges $9,320, $12,500 and $13,900 respectively, although subclass 457 visa holders can apply for an education fee waiver if they are involved in a job that appears on the Skilled Occupation Lists. In 2013, Western Australia announced a $4,000 per year public school tuition fee for children of subclass 457 visa holders but reports suggest this has been revised down to $2,000 for each additional child from the same family, with implementation postponed until 2015. Subclass 457 visa holders in other states and the Northern Territory are exempt from international student fees, but may contribute minor administrative fees as do domestic students.