Is DIBP encouraging independant applications without properly warning applicants of the risks? The answers in DIBPs FAQ website seems to suggest this. Arguably, the answers may even be misleading and deceptive to applicants and possibly in breach of some basic tenets of Australian Consumer Law. Perhaps readers of this blog can let us know their views?

DIBP may be leading applicants to attempt applications on their own without properly letting them know of the risks involved. Many of DIBP commentaries seem to encourage independant applications. For instance, DIBPs FAQs website’s answer to the question, “Do I need to use a registered migration agent?” states:“You do not need to use a migration agent to lodge a visa application...

You can apply for a visa without using a registered migration agent.

• Application forms for a visa are available at no cost.
• ...visa applications can be lodged online.

The Visa Finder can help you find the Australian visa most likely to meet your needs and circumstances.”

Nowhere in DIBPs FAQ answer is there the suggestion that Australian immigration law is complex. Visa application charges are high. DIBP fees are not refundable, generally. If a visa is refused in Australia, the applicant may be barred from making further applications, with only limited exceptions. Nowhere is there the suggestion that registered practitioners are required to undertake regular training in migration law to maintain their license to practice and are obliged not to make vexatious applications. Instead, DIBP spends its words twice in that answer, suggesting RMAs are not needed. Surely this answer must be detrimental to unwary applicants. Would it not be reasonable to let consumers know the risks involved?

The strong support Accountants had from CPA Australia and Chartered Accountant ANZ is gone with the peak industry bodies now preparing a report to the department of immigration acknowledging that international graduates are having difficulties finding jobs in Australia, according to the Australian Financial Review

The federal government is expected to review the skills occupation list early next year and will have little basis to justify keeping the occupation on the list given the about-face of the peak bodies.

Recently, based on the Australian ­Workforce and Productivity Agency’s recommendation, a reduced ceiling of approximately 5000 places, or 3 per cent of the domestic workforce, was set for Accountants in 2014-15. This was despite the claim by the major accounting bodies that there were shortages in the occupation. However, now for the first time, they have publicly acknowledged the difficulties international ­accounting graduates have in finding professional work in Australia, says the AFR thus effectively wiping the significant support the occupation has had to keep it on the SOL.

“In an about-face, CPA Australia and Chartered Accountant ANZ now say the difficulties of overseas graduates have finding jobs are “well ­understood”, and they have “a number of programs in place at the local, state and federal level, and through ­universities around Australia aimed at supporting international ­students” reports the AFR.

It is understood the change in stance will form part of a joint submission from the accounting bodies to the Department of Immigration and Boarder Protection next week.

Migration Alliance members are invited to the following event by the Chairman of the Asian Pacific Law Forum, Harry Ma:

The-Upcoming-Asian-Pacific-Law-Forum.pdf

Australia has temporarily closed its borders to people from Ebola-affected west African nations as it steps up the nation's defences against the virus, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told parliament on Monday Australia had suspended its immigration program, including its humanitarian intake, from Ebola-affected countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Mr Morrison added Australia was cancelling or refusing non-permanent or temporary visas for people from Ebola-affected nations who had not departed for Australia.

He said the government was ensuring that all people from Ebola-affected nations who had entered Australia through the humanitarian program before the suspension had undergone three separate health checks before their departure, and were being subject to on-arrival screening and post-arrival monitoring.

Other permanent visa holders from these nations were being required to submit to a 21-day quarantine period before their departure for Australia, Mr Morrison said.

Breaking the dominance of Northern and Western European countries for top spots in the world's most livable countries were Australia, United States, New Zealand, Canada and Singapore. The ranking was based on the most recent release of the Human Development Index by the United Nations Development Programme, according to a report on internet journal 24/7 Wall St.

According to the report, data from the Human Development Index is based on three dimensions of human progress — having a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a good standard of living. According to the index, Norway is the most livable country in the world, while Niger is the least livable.

One factor that influences a country’s development is its income. The U.N. used gross national income in its calculation of the Human Development Index to reflect the standard of living in a country. In the most developed countries, gross income per capita is generally quite high. All of the world’s 10 most livable countries had among the top 30 gross national incomes per person. The top-rated country, Norway, had the world’s sixth highest gross national income per capita of $63,909.

If income levels were higher in Australia, it would likely be ranked no. 1. Australia lost out on the top spot with a Gross National Income per capita of $41,524 which is the 20^th highest in the world but roughly on par with other highly developed countries. However, Australia had one of the longest life expectancies in 2013, at 82.5 years. Residents 25 and older had also spent more time in school than adults in any other country, at 12.9 years on average as of 2012.

Additionally, at 5.2% last year, the country’s unemployment rate was far lower than similarly developed countries in Europe as well as the United States. Australia’s economy has benefitted tremendously from a mining boom in recent years, although the economy is currently rebalancing as iron ore prices have dropped and growth in China — a major trade partner — has slowed.