Casting my memory back to September 2019, it is beyond my wildest imagination to think that I (just like you) would get cautious if a person stands too close to me whilst using public transport.  I would be cautious to meet a friend or a colleague in a social gathering.  I would need to “Scan” myself in, each and every time I visit a venue.  I would go through so much hand sanitiser and last but not the least, face masks and active wear would become the Met Gala of 2020!

Alas, we are here.  The world is still spinning, the sun is still rising and our work as migration practitioners continues. Although, the way we interact with our fellow colleagues and clients has changed (most likely on a permanent basis).

Where to from here?

One could ask; Is this is the end of the migration industry? Perhaps it is time to retire or find another industry to practice in (this is the part where I say to myself, I should have listened to mum and dad and became a doctor).

I am going to take a different angle on this scenario and say that we carry on!

To all my fellow immigration practitioners, yes, we are in unchartered waters, however, we are not living in the world where our line of work became impossible.  Online platforms allow us to interact with one another and in some ways, this has rewired our brain to absorb information in a dynamic fashion and help our clients from all locations.

This is just the beginning of a crazy ride in the world of migration.

For the first time in the modern history of migration profession we are about to experience ALL online Migration Conference, 2020 Vision.  The name speaks for itself, this is a forum where official State government representatives (NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS, WA, BSMQ and South Australia) can all come together to support us during this time and crystalise the 2020 Vision for Australian Immigration.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal as well as the Department of Home Affairs and Hon Jason Wood MP will also be there to provide their insights into our modern-day world of Immigration.

I thank all the practitioners who have been reaching out to us at Migration Alliance with their questions, worries, concerns, innovative ideas or simply calling in to say hi. 

This is our chance to do it all again from the comfort and safety of our location.

Whilst we all miss the “good old days” where more than 100 people could be gathered in a room and wearing a face mask was reserved for a Halloween Costume, we must also accept the reality and move forward so that we can continue to work under the current conditions.

Migration Practitioners, your industry needs you, your clients need you.  The only way to get through this turbulent ride is by sticking together and keeping in touch, virtually.

I look forward to “seeing” many of you on the 9th of October.  Whether you based in a capital city of your state or tuning in from our regional areas or an overseas visitor, every practitioner (Lawyer, RMA, a supporter) is welcome to join.

Being in a migration industry is a great privilege, together we are fighting a war, to ride out this crisis, but unlike the consequences of a real war, we bring no harm to people.

For all the details on this amazing day, visit: https://legaltrainingaustralia.com/conference-cpd/