Women are somehow being trafficked into Australia and then forced into a life of slavery under the partner migration program, according to recent report by the Australian Institute of Criminology (ACI).

The success of a partner visa application hinges on the couple establishing convincing evidence of a ‘genuine and continuing relationship’ between the applicant and the Australian sponsor. In the end, the decision depends on what catches the eye of the beholder’s scrutiny. If the Case Officer is convinced on the face of the evidence provided, then there will likely be a decision to grant the visa without the need to interview the applicants. If they’re not convinced, then the applicants are interviewed and asked a set of questions, which are widely touted around on various internet forums and websites.

In recent years DIBP has reported that it has increased its scrutiny in partner visa applications and have cancelled over 1000 temporary and permanent visas on grounds of bogus claims. There are currently close to 60,000 partner visa applications in the pipeline.

Despite the strict process, several human traffickers have however managed to establish to DIBP the existence of a ‘genuine relationship’ in their ‘partner visa applications’ - successfully dealing with DIBPs scrutiny.

According to the report by the Institute of Criminology, the Salvation Army has helped about 40 women in the past year, who were victims of human trafficking and slavery in Australia. The organisation runs a safe house for these victims, the only one of its kind in Australia.

At Bupa we realise that June is one of the busiest months of the year for Migration Agents. So, to help make things easier for our customers Bupa offers an instant Health Insurance Visa Letter for Overseas Visitor Cover and Overseas Student Health Cover. 

Anyone that joins online at Bupa or through the Bupa Migration Portal https://migrationalliance.bupa.com.au/ will receive their Health Insurance Visa Letter for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) instantly by email.  At Bupa we understand that Migration Agents and their customers require a prompt supply of their letter to ensure their visa application is completed. This automatic response helps to ensure our customers that their proof of enrolment has been received instantly and offers them peace of mind. 

If you would like to find out more about the instant Health Insurance Visa Letter or, if you have any questions relating to any of our products, please do not hesitate to contact your Bupa representative.

Last Friday 13th June 2014 Migration Alliance representatives attended the DIBP NSW Client Reference Group meeting held at the Gateway Building, Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

Steve Ingram, the CEO of the Office of the MARA provided a positive presentation regarding the migration advice profession.

Interestingly the profession is trending upwards and there are now approximately 5200 RMAs in the profession.  This is up from 4899 last year.  Mr Ingram said that the upwards trend had been continuing for some time now.

Just in from the MRT-RRT:

June 2014 – COMMUNITY LIAISON UPDATE

Dear Community Liaison Network members

Documents seen by The Weekend Australian show the department of immigration told the Workplace and Productivity Agency that its research showed “there continues to be a surplus of qualified accountants’’ in Australia. While this has failed to result in the removal of accountants from the skills list, it has however resulted in a reduction in the number of places for accountants on the skills list.

The Australian Workplace and Productivity Agency recommends annually which occupations be added or ­removed from the skills occupation list based on its research and submissions from various groups and agencies. The AWPA said DIBPs submission was only one of seven submissions it received that called for accountants to be removed from the list. Many others said  the occupation needed to remain on the list.

According to The Weekend Australian, among arguments in support of foreign accountants was that changes to taxation law and regulations would increase demand. “Pending repeals of the carbon tax and the mineral resources rent tax were cited as examples of initiatives which will drive further demand for accounting services, along with changes to superannuation laws,’’ the agency said.

Under the general skilled ­migration program, professionals and other skilled migrants can enter Australia without being sponsored by an employer. While they have to nominate an occupation on the skilled occupation list, there is no obligation for them to work in that occupation.

The government has capped the program at 43,990 skilled visas next financial year. For each of the professions on the list, the number of positions available is capped at 6 per cent of the occupation’s workforce. After the agency agreed to ­reduce the cap for accountants to 4.5 per cent, the Assistant Minister for Immigration, Michaelia Cash, said the government had decided to reduce the cap further to 3 per cent.