The DIBP and OMARA really need to fix up Section 280B and create tighter restrictions for persons giving immigration assistance.  Unwitting and vulnerable visa applicants to Australia are being provided documents with 'pathways to Citizenship' which are nothing more than a money spinning con.

The following information has come in today via email:

The source does not wish to be identified citing they are fearful to do so:

The source who I will name PERSON X has provided me with a copy of this document:

Concerned with the low rates of applications for sc188, sc888 and sc132 visas, a parliamentary committee is calling for submissions on how it can boost the programme's uptake.

Federal Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Migration is set to examine the Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP).

The BIIP is designed to increase entrepreneurial talent and diversify business expertise in Australia.

In a parliamentary statement issued on 20 March 2014, Committee chair Louise Markus said skilled migration is a key component of Australia's migration system.

Since inception four years ago, the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), has grown from an unnecessary regulatory authority to an overfunded and out of date Australian Labor Party cost legacy that, some would argue, has a crystal clear self interest mandate, in protecting its high paying jobs located in the plush offices overlooking Sydney’s Hyde Park.

According to various sources, OMARA, rather than assisting registered agents or protecting consumers from unregistered practice continues to do the opposite.

Almost all Registered Migration Agents, including lawyers, are affected by the ongoing inefficiencies and incompetence at the OMARA and its culture of bureaucratic interference.

Tourism Australia spends millions promoting regional Australia each year. Ironically, regional Australia does not have enough workers to support tourism. According to The Australian, Austrade has told the Productivity Commission that the unwillingness of locals to relocate to regional areas is creating a shortage of workers for regional tourism and it says that there is an urgent need to let foreign workers fill the gap.

The federal government department responsible for tourism, Austrade, says that regional tourism is suffering and urgently requires workers in hotels, pubs and restaurants. It says that as early as next year, there will be a shortage of some 56,000 workers in the hospitality industry.  It has thus backed industry calls for increased flexibility of the 457 work visas and working holiday visas.

Austrade is seeking a lower English language competency threshold as well as a lower salary threshold for the foreign workers in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The Productivity Commission is currently looking at labour force mobility. Austrade believes that any changes to wage floors for 457 visa workers could have sweeping effects on Australia’s hotels, restaurants and cafes by making it easier for owners to hire staff from overseas and attract workers to regional tourist hubs.

In Austrade’s report to the Productivity Commission, it stated, “Providing more flexible arrangements to access overseas labour to address shortages will help to provide a stronger tourism workforce that will help the Australian tourism industry become more competitive, encourage greater investment, and support regional development.”

We are pleased to advise that the Office of the MARA have approved Migration Alliance as an Authorised Voluntary Organisation for the purpose of migration CPD as of yesterday 20 March 2014. 

Any Registered Migration Agents who are interested in earning 1 migration CPD point for 3 hours of Pro Bono /Volunteer work please contact Migration Alliance on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In the next few weeks Migration Alliance will be launching it's first Immigration Clinic in Auburn, NSW.  Auburn is an immigrant hotspot in Sydney's west, made up of 'mosques, kebabs and multicultural gatherings' says CNN Travel, who have put together a news item on Auburn.