Monthly Archives: June 2023

Between 1900 and 1940, Australia experienced several significant events that shaped its history. These years witnessed the country’s transition from a collection of separate colonies to the formation of a united nation. Here are some of the noteworthy events during this period:

At the turn of the 20th century, Australia was made up of six separate colonies: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. In 1901, these colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This event, known as Federation, marked a major milestone in Australian history as it established a unified political entity with its own constitution and federal government.

One of the first acts of the newly formed Australian government was to introduce the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, commonly known as the White Australia Policy. This policy aimed to restrict immigration primarily to people of European descent and was intended to preserve the country’s perceived racial purity. The policy remained in effect for several decades and had significant social and political consequences.

In 1914, Australia joined World War I as part of the British Empire. The country’s involvement in the war had a profound impact on its society and identity. Australian soldiers participated in major battles, including the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915, which resulted in heavy casualties. The experiences of war and the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women contributed to a growing sense of national identity and pride.

Following World War I, Australia faced a period of economic hardship and social unrest. The Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash in 1929, had severe consequences for the Australian economy. Unemployment soared, industries suffered, and many people struggled to make ends meet. The government implemented various measures to address the crisis, including public works programs and protectionist policies aimed at supporting local industries.

In 1931, the Statute of Westminster was passed by the British Parliament. This statute granted greater autonomy to self-governing dominions within the British Empire, including Australia. It affirmed the legislative independence of Australia and marked an important step towards the country’s full sovereignty.

During the 1930s, tensions rose on the international stage, leading to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Once again, Australia joined the conflict as part of the Allied powers. The war had a significant impact on the country, both in terms of military involvement and the home front. Australian forces fought in various theaters, including the Pacific, North Africa, and Europe.

In summary, between 1900 and 1940, Australia experienced significant events such as Federation, the implementation of the White Australia Policy, participation in World War I, the impact of the Great Depression, the passage of the Statute of Westminster, and involvement in World War II. These events helped shape Australia’s identity, politics, and society during this transformative period of its history.

The significant events of Australian History between this timeline is well documented in the National Film and Sound Archives. Here is a link to this amazing list of events and clips.

Winter is truly here in Australia. Here is a quick snapshot of cold winter mornings in June 2023. This is a time for some to snuggle up and never leave the house, and for others a sign that snow fields are worth a visit.

South-east Australia is shivering through some of its coldest temperatures in years, with brisk winds pushing the morning chill factor even lower.

Sydney experienced its coldest June morning on record on Monday the 19^th of June, with a minimum temperature of 1.8C at Olympic Park.

The minimum temperature in Canberra dipped to -5.6C on Tuesday the 20^th morning, while in Sydney it was 6.8C and Melbourne 5C.

Sydney’s minimum felt temperature was barely above zero at 0.5C, while Canberra felt like -9C and Melbourne felt like 3C.

Up until now, employers must afford TSS visa candidates a market salary rate at or above $53,900 (TSMIT). Historically, TSMIT was indexed annually, but it has not changed in over a decade. From 1 July 2023, the TSMIT will increase to $70,000. This change will not only impact employers who seek to nominate new skilled workers, but also existing skilled workers who face an imminent visa expiry date, which requires a new nomination to be submitted by their employer.

Increasing the minimum wage for temporary visa holders presents a complex issue with a range of potential benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, raising the minimum wage ensures that temporary visa holders receive fair and equitable compensation for their work. This helps address concerns about exploitation and promotes a level playing field in terms of wages, ultimately improving working conditions for these individuals. Moreover, a higher minimum wage can lead to improved living standards for temporary visa holders, enabling them to meet their basic needs, cover living expenses, and reduce the risk of financial hardship. This contributes to their overall well-being during their stay in the host country.

Another advantage of increasing the minimum wage is the potential boost to motivation and productivity among temporary visa holders. Adequate compensation makes workers feel valued and incentivizes them to perform their tasks efficiently. This positive effect can result in improved outcomes for both employees and employers. Additionally, higher minimum wages can help reduce wage disparities between temporary visa holders and local workers, fostering a more balanced labor market and minimizing the risk of resentment or unfair treatment based on nationality or visa status.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. One significant concern is the impact on job opportunities for temporary visa holders. If the minimum wage increases, employers may be less inclined to hire temporary visa holders due to the higher wage costs compared to other alternatives, such as local workers or automation. This reduction in job opportunities could limit employment options and potentially increase competition for available positions.

The economic burden on businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, is another drawback. Higher labor expenses resulting from increased minimum wages can impact their profitability and sustainability. This, in turn, may lead to job cuts, reduced hours, or increased prices for consumers. The potential economic implications could be substantial.

Furthermore, the competitiveness of industries that heavily rely on low-skilled labor could be affected by higher minimum wages for temporary visa holders. If labor costs rise significantly, businesses in these industries might struggle to compete with counterparts in other countries where wage requirements are lower. This could impact the attractiveness of the host country as a destination for temporary visa holders and potentially hinder overall economic growth.

Lastly, implementing and enforcing an increased minimum wage for temporary visa holders poses challenges. It requires effective monitoring and regulation to ensure compliance, which can be resource-intensive and may impose administrative burdens on authorities. Inadequate enforcement could undermine the intended benefits of the policy change.

In conclusion, increasing the minimum wage for temporary visa holders has both positive and negative aspects. While it aims to provide fair treatment, improve living standards, and enhance productivity, it may also result in reduced job opportunities, economic burdens on businesses, challenges in competitiveness, and policy complexity. Striking a balance between these factors is crucial to ensure a comprehensive approach that benefits both temporary visa holders and the broader economy.

The Australian government has introduced an expansion of post-study work rights for international students who complete specific qualifications at an Australian higher education institution. This exciting development grants an additional two years of work rights to graduates in various occupations and eligible qualifications, primarily in areas experiencing skill shortages such as healthcare, education, engineering, and agriculture. Notably, this extension is particularly beneficial for students who have studied or plan to study in regional areas, as they will retain the existing additional year of post-study work rights.

Starting from the 1st of July 2023, eligible students will now have the following increased post-study work rights:

• Four years for selected Bachelor’s degrees (plus an additional year in regional areas)
• Five years for selected Master’s degrees (plus an additional year in regional areas)
• Six years for all Doctoral degrees (plus an additional year in regional areas)

Regarding eligible occupations and qualifications, it is important to note that all doctoral studies are considered eligible for this measure, regardless of the field of study, and therefore, they are not individually listed. The qualifications provided in this document serve as a summary of the eligible qualifications. The Department of Education will release a comprehensive list aligned with CRICOS course codes before the implementation on the 1st of July 2023.

The changes in the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) aim to strengthen the pool of skilled labor in Australia by extending the duration of post-study work rights for international students. For select degrees in areas where there is a verified shortage of skills, the Subclass 485 Post Study Work rights will be increased as follows:

• From two years to four years for select Bachelor’s degrees
• From three years to five years for select Master’s degrees
• From four years to six years for select PhDs

To ensure effective implementation and address relevant matters, a working group will be established to advise the Ministers for Home Affairs and Education. This group will consist of representatives from various organizations, including the Council of International Education, the National Tertiary Education Union, Universities Australia, and the Departments of Home Affairs and Education.

Furthermore, international students holding the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa, who have been unable to travel to Australia due to COVID-19 border restrictions, will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement visa. Under normal circumstances, applicants are typically limited to one initial Subclass 485 visa throughout their lifetime, and an additional visa is only available based on regional work and study requirements.

The ranking of the world’s most liveable cities for 2023 has just been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and Vienna has come out on top yet again.

The EIU, a sister organization the Economist, ranked 173 cities around the world on a number of significant factors, including health care, education, stability, infrastructure and environment.

Vienna held onto its first place spot on the EIU’s Global Liveability Index, winning praise for its reliable infrastructure, standout culture and entertainment and impeccable education and health services.

The city, which has occupied the top position several times over the years, was closely followed by Denmark’s Copenhagen, which retained its second place position.

While Australia’s Melbourne and Sydney had dropped down the list in recent years, with Sydney dropping out of the top 10 recently and Melbourne tying for 10th place with Japan’s Osaka in 2022, both have shot back up, taking third and fourth place respectively.

2023’s Global Liveability Index: The top 10

1. Vienna, Austria

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

3. Melbourne, Australia

4. Sydney, Australia

5. Vancouver, Canada

6. Zurich, Switzerland

7. Calgary, Canada

7. Geneva, Switzerland

9. Toronto, Canada

10. Osaka, Japan

On the 9th of May 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled the Federal 2023-2024 Budget, which includes significant changes that will affect visa applicants. These changes are set to take effect from the 1st of July 2023 and it is crucial to understand their implications.

One of the key changes revolves around the Visa Application Charges (VACs) implemented by the Department of Home Affairs. The fees for various visa subclasses will see an increase ranging from 6% to 40%. This means that the cost of applying for a visa will be higher for many individuals and families seeking to migrate to Australia.

There are a few reasons behind this decision. Firstly, the government aims to enhance the capacity of the visa processing system by hiring additional processing officers. This will help expedite the processing times and ensure a more efficient and timely visa application process. Secondly, a budget allocation of $27.8 million has been assigned over a two-year period, starting from 2023-2024, to improve the visa ICT systems. These improvements are intended to streamline the processes and deliver better services to applicants.

However, the increase in visa application fees may present challenges for potential applicants. It may be more difficult for some individuals to meet the financial requirements associated with the higher fees, potentially hindering their plans to pursue education, employment, or personal goals in Australia.

To provide a concrete example, let’s consider the current fee for a Partner visa (subclass 820/801 or subclass 309/100), which stands at AUD 8,085. After the 1st of July 2023, this fee will rise to AUD 8,570.10. This increase is significant and can have a considerable impact on individuals and families planning to reunite with their partners in Australia.

Moreover, it is important to note that the Business Innovation and Investment visa will experience the highest increase of 40%. This means that entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish or expand their businesses in Australia will face considerably higher costs.

Considering these impending changes, we strongly advise eligible visa applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible to secure the current fees. By acting promptly, you can potentially save a substantial amount of money and avoid the higher costs associated with the fee increases.

We are always here to guide you through the visa application process, provide you with the most up-to-date information, and assist you in maximizing your chances of success. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or require professional support in navigating these changes effectively.