vSure Visa and Work Rights Compliance Blog

Immigration 2018 Year in Review for Employers

2018 was one of the most significant years in recent memory with a number of seismic changes to visas, immigration and compliance for employers. With the new year upon us, it’s a good time to look back at the main changes. We have compiled a list of the top 7 immigration and compliance changes for

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Working Holiday – Work Rights Changes from November 2018

Changes have been made to work rights for Working Holiday subclass 417 and Work and Holiday Subclass 462 visas. The changes are as follows: Work for up to 12 months (rather than 6 months) in animal and plant cultivation Expanded eligibility for a second Work and Holiday visa Possibility of a third working holiday visa

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Addressing Australia’s Population Growth – What Are the Options?

Australia’s population hit 25 million in August this year, and concerns have been expressed about further growth. The NSW premier has called for a migration “breather” and for levels to be cut in half. Melbourne is struggling to accommodate population growth, and will soon have a larger population than Sydney. Regional migration is being discussed

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How Many Temporary Residents are Working in Australia?

Australian Government sources indicate that there were 2.2 million temporary residents in Australia as of 31 March 2018 – most of whom have some kind of work rights. However, this number excludes provisional visa holders (such as temporary partners, provisional skilled and business skills) and also unlawful non-citizens. This article looks at the different types

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Employers Beware – Bridging Visas Now More Common than 457 Visas

Figures released by the Department of Home Affairs indicate that as of 31 March 2018, there are more Bridging Visa holders in Australia than 457 visas. The number of holders of 457 visas continues to decline – from a high of 201,558 in March 2014, were 151,591 457 visa holders in Australia as of 31

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100 Point ID Check Replaced from 1 July – Visa Checks Required

Most are familiar with the traditional 100 Point ID Check. From 1 July 2018, Australian Governments will be applying new standards which are set out in the National Identity Proofing Guidelines. A key component of the new standards is verification of the person’s immigration status in Australia. Who Will Be Using the New ID Guidelines?

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ATO to Audit 20 Million Visa Holders through Data Matching with Immigration

The ATO has announced that it is enhancing data matching with the Department of Home Affairs and intends to audit approximately 20 Million visa holders who are granted visas between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2020. The ATO (Australian Taxation Office) is aware of issues where visa holders are not declaring all of their

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RIP 457 Visa Program

The 18th of March 2018 is the day we said goodbye to the 457 program. The new TSS visa has replaced the 457 program, but it will be more restrictive, more expensive and there are more hoops to jump through to obtain one. The change is reflective of an environment where both sides of politics

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Immigration Secretary denies “militarisation” of Department

In a recent address by Michael Pezzullo, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, to CivSec 2016: Border 21 International Conference in Melbourne, he denied the “militarisation” of the Department. Mr Pezzullo said the descriptions were not appropriate and it would be more accurate to say the law enforcement capabilities of the department had been strengthened.  He also said they want

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Temporary Visa Holders and Visa Overstayers in Australia Reaches 2 Million

There are now over 2 million temporary visa holders and visa overstayers in Australia. Temporary visa holders form a significant portion of the working age population of 10.5 million, and this continues a strong trend of increases in the movement of people to Australia on temporary visas. The latest figures for temporary residents released by

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