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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.

Changes to student visas

In an effort to address workforce shortages, student visa work restrictions were relaxed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and removed last January. This allowed primary and secondary student visa holders to work over the usual limit of 40 hours per fortnight. But from 1 July, this is capped at an increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight.

Also from this date, some holders of subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visas will be able to stay in Australia for a longer period.

The extension means a stay period of four years for Bachelor’s degree graduates (up from two years), five years for Master’s degree graduates (up from three) and six years for doctoral graduates (up from four)

Changes to visa fees

Visa application charges will rise by 6% above regular CPI indexation, as well as 15% for select visitor and temporary visa subclasses and 40% for business innovation and investment visas.

Citizenship pathway for New Zealanders

From 1 July 2023 (the start of Australia’s financial year), New Zealanders who have been living in Australia for four years or more. They will no longer need to first apply for and be granted a permanent visa.

The changes apply to New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) who arrived here after 26 February 2001. Those who are long-term residents will be able to have their period of permanent residence backdated.

The New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is currently closed to new applications and will permanently close on 1 July.

New visa for Pacific migrants

A new visa will be introduced, providing 3,000 places for eligible Pacific Island migrants.

Spots for the Pacific Engagement visa (PEV) will be allocated by a ballot process each year, and those selected will be able to apply for permanent residence in Australia.

Applications will be able to be lodged online from July.

Changes for Working Holiday Makers

A concession allowing Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) to work for the same employer or organisation for longer than six months without requesting permission will also end on 1 July. The six-month working limitation was temporarily relaxed in January 2022 to address labour shortages during the pandemic.

Any work that is carried out before 1 July will not be counted towards the six-month limitation period. This means WHMs can work for any employer for up to an extra six months even if that work started before 1 July.

For the 2023–24 permanent Migration Program, the Government will return the planning level to 190,000 places and will allocate 137,100 places (around 70 per cent) to the Skill stream, with Partner and Child visas to remain demand-driven.

The Government has allocated $125.8 million over 4 years to continue implementing outcomes from the Jobs and Skills Summit to strengthen the migration system. This includes $75.8 million over two years to extend the current visa processing resources to improve existing visa processing systems.

Visa application charges will rise by 6% above regular CPI indexation, as well as 15% for select visitor and temporary visa subclasses and 40% for business innovation and investment visas.

The refugees on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs) will be given a permanent Resolution of Status visa. The Government estimates that this transition will increase payments for government services and benefits by $732.5 million over 5 years from 2022–23. However, RCOA believes this Treasury estimate is a gross miscalculation of the actual likely expenditure, as refugees on TPVs and SHEVs already had access to most government services and many are well-established in the Australian workforce.

The Government will provide $8.0 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $2 million/ year ongoing) to establish an Anti-Slavery Commissioner to work across Government, industry and civil society to support compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018, to improve transparency in supply chains and help fight modern slavery in Australia and abroad.

Migration and legal experts have warned the true number of visa decisions affected by invalid refusals of ministerial intervention is likely to be in the tens of thousands, after the high court rejected bureaucrats’ ability to block applications.

A majority of judges of the high court found that home affairs department decisions in line with the 2016 instruction not to send cases to the minister unless they met subjective criteria were not consistent with the Migration Act, which gives the power to intervene to the minister “personally”.

Department of Home Affairs suggests in the relevant period after 2016, it routinely received in excess of 1,000 applications a year for ministerial intervention. The decision may also affect “people who arrive by boat and are at the mercy of the minister’s powers” before they can apply for a bridging visa, including 12,000 people who were refused protection visas through the fast-track process.

Children born in Australia to Kiwi parents who meet certain criteria will be given automatic Australian citizenship, under new changes announced by the federal government.

The new rules mean New Zealanders who are on the visa will be able to apply for citizenship without having to become a permanent resident first, as long as they have lived in Australia for at least four years.

Speaking on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced that, from July 1, 2023, children who are born in Australia to New Zealander parents who hold a Special Category visa and are permanent residents will automatically become Australian citizens.

“We know that many New Zealanders are here on a special category visa while raising families and working and building their lives in Australia,” he said.

“So I am very pleased to provide the benefits that citizenship provides.”

Mr Albanese described the relaxing of the citizenship rules as “common sense”, given Australians living across the Tasman are already afforded similar rights.

Australians will soon be able to renew their passport online in major changes to the way official documents are handled.

The government is finalising moves to allow digital statutory declarations and deeds in all states to streamline passport renewals and electoral roll registration.

It will mean an end to visits to the Post Office with bundles of paperwork signed in person by Justices of the Peace for those wanting a new passport.

Instead they will be able to simply confirm their identity though the Australian Tax Office’s MyGovID app.

The system will also allow the use of digital e-signatures to countersign electronic documents once it is incorporated into the MyGov website and app.

What is Anzac Day?

Anzac Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

On this day the Australians honour this by taking part in the dawn service held across the country. The main dawn service is held in Canberra at the war memorial.
 

What does ANZAC stand for?

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.
 

Why is this day special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world. When Britain declared war in August 1914 Australia was automatically placed on the side of the Commonwealth. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

In the most recent announcement for World Happiness Index Australia ranks 11th.

Current projections indicate that Australia’s population will continue to steadily grow for the rest of the century. Australia’s population is about 25.5 million as of 2020 and is projected to grow to 42.68 million people by 2099.

Australia’s population growth rate is 1.18%, adding about 296,000 people to the population over 2019’s population. This is a result of both net migration, which has been about 150,000 per year for the past few years, and natural increase. Australia’s fertility rate of 1.83 births per woman is below the population replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman.

Australia ranks fifth among OECD countries for population growth. As the other OECD countries with high growth rates, Australia has a strong labor demand that cannot be met from domestic sources; therefore, mass migration occurs.

To be selected for Victorian skilled visa nomination, the candidates must first submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). This process is different from the processes of other States or Territories.  

In this article, we look at the list of priorities for ROI. in Melbourne. The last day for lodging ROI for Melbourne is 5th of May 2023 for this program year.

ROI selection

When selecting ROIs, we consider the following factors according to the information you have provided in your EOI and ROI:

• age,
• English language level,
• years of experience in your nominated occupation,
• education and occupation skill level,
• partner’s skill (if applicable),
• salary – onshore candidates only.

The following occupation groups will also be prioritised:

• Healthcare and social services
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Advanced manufacturing
• Chef, cook, accommodation and hospitality managers – for the 491 visa
• Early childhood, secondary and special education teachers.

Annual earnings estimation

During the completion of your ROI, you may be asked to provide an estimate of your annual earnings.

Your earnings are one of many factors used to select ROIs for invitation. There is no minimum earnings required to be eligible for Victorian visa nomination. Please see Annual earnings estimation guide for information on how to calculate this figure.

Updating and withdrawing your existing ROI

You cannot update a ROI once it has been submitted.

What if the information in my SkillSelect EOI has changed?
There is no need to withdraw and submit a new ROI, unless the information entered in the ROI has changed.

What if the information provided in my ROI has changed?
Please withdraw your existing ROI and submit a new one if the information has changed, e.g. partner points, earnings.

What if I have a new SkillSelect EOI number?
Please withdraw your existing ROI and submit a new one.

Multiple ROIs

You can only have 1 active ROI submitted at any time.

You cannot submit a separate ROI for each subclass. If you wish to change the subclass, or anything else on your ROI, you must withdraw the existing ROI and submit a new ROI.