Take the next step to a new life down under.

At this time of year more than ever, us Brits look up at the grey skies and wish we could emigrate to warmer climates. Well more and more Brits are taking one step further and making that wish come true, so if you’ve ever considered moving to Australia, read on!

Emma Roberts of Next Step Australia comments: “More Brits than ever are looking to build a new life abroad with Australia as the number one destination.”

And who can blame them? The glorious weather is just one reason many people choose to emigrate to Australia, along with better employment prospects, the wide open spaces, the outdoors life. Let’s face it, every year in the UK us Brits dutifully go out and buy a barbecue as soon as the sun starts to shine, but it spends more time sitting forlornly in the garage than it does being used. Whereas in Australia, exactly the opposite is true!

When you’re considering a move to Australia, you can read all about the different visas available, research the job market, look into where to live, but sometimes talking to someone can make all the difference.

Whether it’s to give you career advice, go through your visa options with you or just to chat about the weather, we all need pointing in the right direction at times. Next Step Australia have come up with the perfect solution and are holding a free event in Leeds for all those considering a move to Oz.

It will be crammed full of experts on life in Australia, all of whom can offer you advice and support. Experts such as the Western Australia Migration Unit, the National Australia Bank, Anglo Pacific Removals, Airpets, Immigration 2 Oz and much much more.

Last year’s event proved so popular, drawing in over 400 visitors and even being featured on the local news, that they are doing it all over again. The place will be the Queens Hotel in Leeds on January 24^th from 10am to 3pm.

Gareth Harrison attended one such event hosted by Next Step Australia and it changed his life forever: “I had been toying with the idea of moving to Australia for a few years but was never brave enough to just take the leap. I now live in Sydney and have never been happier. I would recommend this event to anyone thinking of making the move and really doesn’t know where to start.”

Now really is the best time to migrate to Australia, with many areas of Australia experiencing critical skills shortages. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship are looking to attract 115,000 skilled migrant workers over the next year, so there is no better time to apply for that Australian visa! 

Places are limited and judging by the popularity of last year’s event, those places will go pretty quickly! So for more details and to register for the event please visit Next Step Australia.

The results of The Mapping Social Cohesion survey that were released earlier this week show that Australians opinions towards immigration remained the same as in 2007. This is despite the Global economic downturn which most experts agree would normally have an adverse affect on the attitudes.

Of the 3,800 people questioned in the survey only 37% believed that the number of immigrants coming to Australia was too high.

The survey did outline however the potential for unease in poorer areas. Nearly 70% of Australian’s living in areas with high immigrant density thought immigration was too high.

The Surveys author Professor Andrew Marcus of Monash University said “The potential is that if the economy goes sour and we find ourselves in a situation of 10-15% unemployment, we may have a different outcome in areas of high immigrant concentration.”

Professor Marcus was however was shocked to see that attitudes had not toughened by the current economic situation as it did during the recession of 1991 when anti immigration feeling reached a 30 year high.

Australian High Commission in London was to be a focus of the protests.

Finally some news of hope for all those affected by the September 23 changes to priority processing of Australian visas.

Members of the forum Poms in Oz met with David Wilden, the Minister-Counsellor for Immigration of the Australian High Commission in London to outline their fears and voice opinions of all those affected by the changes.

The September 23 changes meant that those applying for state sponsored visas, including those already in the process, were told that they no longer qualified for priority processing and may have to wait a further three to four years for their visas to be finalised.

Many visa applicants were furious as a large number of them had paid thousands of pounds, been allocated case officers and sold their houses in anticipation of receiving their visas within months.

Five representatives from Poms in Oz were finally granted an audience with Mr Wilden after a protest was planned outside the Australian High Commission.

Mr Wilden told the five that all applications from Categories 1 to 4 were now under control. For Category 5 applicants, he estimated that there were around 3,500 applications where the occupation was not on the Critical Skills List (CSL) but who had received state sponsorship. These applications, he assured the five, were now beginning to be processed.

The applications would be processed in order of the dates they were lodged. A first come, first served basis.

Mr Wilder said that the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) would not say how long the processing would take, as applications which come under the CSL would still have to be processed as a priority, but it is thought that applicants will not now have to wait as long as previously thought.

No doubt the government are trying to smooth over the bad press it has received both in Australia and the UK over the controversial changes in which applicants were also told that no refunds would be issued should they withdraw their applications.

The news, whilst not offering anything definite, does seem to hold a glimmer of hope for state sponsorship applicants. Potential migrants to Australia are now hoping for more good news when the DIAC reveals the new Future Skills List later this month.

For members reactions to the news and to debate this topic yourself, please have a look in our Australian Forum.

Tennis star Jarmila Groth in action.

Australia may well have got itself a brand new tennis star in the guise of Jarmila Groth who becomes an Australian citizen this week.

Jarmila Groth was born in Slovakia but reportedly fell in love with Australia after her first trip to the country at the tender age of 14. And Australia fell in love with her, particularly one citizen, Australia male pro Sam Groth.

The couple married in February 2009 and Jarmila has not only been successful in love, but in her career too. She made a single rankings of 57 at Wimbledon in July and has been equally successful in the Grand Slam. Now her adopted country may see the benefit of her tremendous talent.

The 22 year old will be officially sworn in during a special ceremony due to take place in Canberra today. “It’s a dream come true and I am incredibly excited and proud to become a citizen of this great nation, whose people have welcomed me so warmly and have made me feel at home since the very first time I came here.â€? She said.

Jarmila will be eligible to play Fed Cup for Australia immediately her citizenship is conferred and Jarmila is hugely looking forward to representing Australia, her new home.

She will make her debut on the WTA Tour at Brisbane International beginning on January 3^rd. We wish her the very best of luck.

Many visa applicants are still frustrated and angry about the September changes.

Angry and frustrated Australia visa applicants have launched a petition that urges Senator Chris Evans and the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship to change their minds over the processing priority changes made in September.

The changes made affected everyone hoping to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration program. Many applicants had been assigned Case Officers and were within the process of having their visas finalised.

Those applicants have since been told that their Case Officers can no longer respond to enquiries made about their visa applications.

The petition makes a clear statement to the DIAC saying: “It is unfair to make applicants wait even longer when we are so close to the end of what is a most stressful experience and have already spent thousands on medicals, police clearances and other associated costs which will now go to waste and probably have to be redone.â€?

It calls on the DIAC to reconsider their decision and apply ‘fair practice’ to the processing priorities in allowing applications that had been assigned Case Officers, to be finalised.

The petition demonstrates the strength of feeling surrounding the changes and the desperation of some of the people caught up in it.

Go to the DIAC petition for your chance to take part and add your name to the growing list.

The DIAC remain tight-lipped on the furore surrounding visa processing changes.

As the furore surrounding priority processing changes for Australian state-sponsored visas and the refusal of refunds still rages, we thought we’d put some questions to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The core of the problem came about when the DIAC announced in September that all those applying for Australian state-sponsored visas would no longer be eligible for priority processing, and that this would not only affect new applicants, but existing applicants too who were, in some instances, months away from having their applications finalised. These visa applicants have now been told that they could expect to wait until 2012 to have their visas finalised. Furthermore, the DIAC also informed applicants that no refunds would be issued to those wishing to withdraw their applications.

Since then forums, including our own embrace community, throughout the internet have been filled with enraged visa applicants demanding to know why the changes were suddenly made and how the government can justify changing the rules whilst still pocketing the money of those who applied under the old rules.

With these complaints in mind we put some questions to the DIAC. We asked them what steps were being taken to address applicants’ concerns and if they would relent on the refunds issue. We also asked if any consultations would take place between the DIAC and state governments in Australia over skill shortages in certain Australian states. Finally we asked them if they would release a statement that would at least acknowledge the despair felt by many people hoping to immigrate to Australia on state-sponsored visas.

We should have known better than to expect relevant answers to the questions we put to them, given that Senator Evans has refused to be interviewed on the subject by Peter Mares of ABC media in Australia. We could hardly expect the DIAC to suddenly address the issue now. And indeed they didn’t, the DIAC simply issued us with a statement that they have been firing off to all journalists when pressed with these questions. In case you haven’t already seen the statement, we’ve copied it in below.

• Australia’s migration program is more effectively meeting the needs of employers through a focus on employer-sponsored skilled migrants and those occupations in critical demand.
• Australia has long been an attractive destination for migrants and demand across the world for all our permanent visa classes is extremely high and usually exceeds the annual number of available program places.
• It is worth noting the effects of the economic cycle have had on the number of applications on hand. At a time of recession around the globe and with growing unemployment, it is to be expected that the supply of potential migrants would outstrip available places in Australia.  Larger than normal supply of potential migrants is being driven by recession abroad and lower intake is being driven by rising unemployment in Australia.
• The increase in processing times is a result of these global factors. We cannot allow client service standards to determine the levels of immigration to this country. The migration planning levels are determined by economic and other interests of this country.
• So while Australia is still open to skilled migrants, it has adjusted its settings to operate in a more targeted way.
• To ensure immigration is responsive to the current economic climate and the needs of the Australian economy, in December 2008 the government announced a more targeted approach to Australia’s skilled migration program.
• This announcement included the introduction of a critical skills list of occupations that have been identified as being in critical demand. It is focused on medical and key IT professionals, engineers and certain construction trades.
• The CSL is underpinned by the labour market research undertaken by the states and territories and reflects the differing regional economies that have emerged across the country. The demand for skills in the north-west of WA is vastly different to the skills needed in Hobart, Melbourne or regional NSW.
• This list also takes into consideration industry demand and occupations are added and removed as demand requires. As a consequence, it is more responsive in identifying and prioritising applications from people with skills in critical shortage.
• The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) was consulted in its development.
• The CSL is reviewed regularly, in consultation with the states and territories, industry and unions to ensure that it remains valid and current in the changing economic circumstances.
• The current ministerial direction gives priority to applicants whose nominated occupation is on the CSL.
• The requirements for the grant of a GSM visa have not changed as a result of this direction.
• For applicants whose nominated occupation is on the CSL, it is estimated that these applications will be finalised within about 12 months from the date of lodgement as these applications receive priority.  For those applicants whose nominated occupation is not on the CSL, visa processing times are expected to be much longer.
• Former overseas students in Australia who have applied for an onshore GSM visa and whose nominated occupation is not on the CSL are generally able to continue to live and work in Australia while they await a decision on their visa application.

I’m afraid it looks as though that is the only response anyone is going to get from the DIAC on this issue, which does little to ease the heartache felt by many existing applicants who have spent thousands on their visa applications.

So why is the DIAC being so tight-lipped on the issue? One can only speculate, but the recent news that visa applicants who were assigned case officers are now being told that those case officers can no longer deal with their enquiries does not look good. We’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments so make sure you bookmark this page.

If you have any comments on the statement above please fill in our comments box, we’d love to hear your views and find out how you’ve been affected by the changes. Also, why not join in the debate on our lively community. 

Tim Flannery speaks out against government immigration policies.

Australia should have an independent board to review and set immigration policy. That is the view of Tim Flannery, former Australian of the Year in 2007.

The scientist and environmental activist accused the government of using Australian immigration levels as a “tool of economic policy, economic developmentâ€?. He also claimed that immigration levels were used by scare-mongerers who didn’t like foreigners.

He was speaking as the government announces expansions in urban boundaries to cope with demand as Australia’s population continues to grow. Mr Flannery said that no estimation had been done about immigration growth and the impact on the environment.

Many visa applicants will also agree with Mr Flannery’s sentiment that immigration was “far too important to be left to government.â€?

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship have come under plenty of fire in recent days. Their handling of refugee ‘boat-people’ has been criticised by several human rights charities and the opposition party. Also the shock changes to priority processing for state sponsored visas and the news that Australian visa applicants would not receive a refund, has not gone down too well with immigrant hopefuls. The DIAC’s policies have been bashed by both the UK and Australian media.

Mr Flannery says that in order to truly serve the interests of the Australian nation, a completely independent body, one that could not be bullied by the government, should be in charge of all aspects of immigration.

Comparing the independent body to the Reserve Bank he says a charter would be put in place that the body would have to abide by. “A full justification would have to go with each annual intake, exactly why from an environmental perspective, social and economic – done transparently.â€?

What do you think of Mr Flannery’s proposals? Do you have your own ideas about how the tricky topic of immigration should be handled in Australia? And by whom? Add your comments to this story or join our community and contribute to our lively debate on this topic.

The DIAC claim the changes gives overseas students better protection.

Students who immigrate to Australia to do their studies have been given a boost by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The DIAC announced yesterday that overseas students who require new visas to complete their studies at another college or school will be exempt from paying the $540 student visa application fee.

The new measures have been put in place to protect students who are forced to apply for new student visas because of the closure of their college or school. Students who change their education provider are obliged to apply for a new student visa and previously they would be charged for this, even if the circumstances were beyond their control.

The DIAC have been meeting on new measures that would better protect thousands of overseas students who immigrate to Australia to study every year. The DIAC has recently been criticised by student bodies who claim they don’t do enough to protect foreign students from unscrupulous agencies.

This past year has also seen the closure of many education providers, leaving approximately 4,700 students desperately seeking alternative courses and providers. Senator Chris Evans stated: “We understand that these situations are not the fault of the student and the introduction of a fee exemption will ensure they are not shouldered with an additional financial burden.â€?

Those who have been affected by the closure of a school or college in 2009 are being advised to contact the DIAC for a refund if they’ve had to pay for a new student visa.

The DIAC have also raised the minimal financial requirements needed for students to apply to study in Australia to ensure that students can meet their living costs. From January 1^st 2010, any student now wishing to migrate to Australia on a student visa will need to prove that they have access to at least $18,000 per year. Previously students have to prove an amount of $12,000 per year.

The Australian government says this is to reflect the higher living costs in Australia such as rising rents.

These latest measures will be implemented later this month, subject to approval by Parliament and are part of a bigger overhaul of the student visa program which includes better protection for students against fraudulent agencies and restricting access to eVisa.

Around 150 agents have had their access to eVisa suspended due to fraud or inactivity.

In September of this year we reported on how overseas students were being bullied by fraudulent agencies for advance payments and how many students were paying thousands to enrol on a course, only to arrive and be told that their courses had changed. In some instances students enrolling on nursing courses were arriving to find themselves enrolled onto courses for hairdressing.

The Australian National Union of students then called for an independent ombudsman to deal with complaints, a call that has so far been rejected by the government who claim that the regulations put in place, along with the new measures, is enough to protect overseas students.

Immigrants like these risk their lives crossing to Australia.

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans has rejected a proposal by Sri Lanka’s immigration chief to allow unskilled workers to immigrate to Australia in a bid to stop the exodus of boatloads of immigrants turning up in Australian waters.

The Sir Lankan Commissioner P B Abeykoon told The Australian newspaper that his proposal would cut down the number of asylum seekers, a number that has been steadily rising over the past few months. It was whilst the Commissioner was in Canberra for talks that he raised the idea of unskilled migrants: “The people who are going through the boats are unskilled labourers, fisherman, farmers,â€? he commented.

However a spokesperson for the Australian DIAC said that Australia did not run an unskilled migration program.

Support for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has slumped, according to a recent Newspoll and some believe this slump is, in part, because of the way he has handled the refugee crisis. In response, Rudd has sent a special envoy in the form of senior diplomat John McCarthy to try and open up talks on a way of handling the huge numbers of Sri Lankan refugees heading for Australia.

Reports from Sri Lankan media suggest that up to 200,000 refugees might be planning to cross the Indian Ocean in order to try and reach Australia. At the moment all refugees caught trying to cross, are detained on facilities such as Christmas Island whilst officials decide their cases. Refugees can be held in detention facilities for up to 2 years.

The Sri Lankan government argue that bringing in unskilled migrants would help destroy the illegal trade of people smuggling and save many lives as refugees, some of them women and children, attempt the dangerous crossing in overcrowded and inadequate boats.

However the Australian Government, whilst admitting that talks between themselves and the Sri Lankan government are taking place, refuse to consider the possibility of allowing unskilled migrants into the country.

The DIAC were also quick to refute media notions that any agreement between the two countries had taken place.

Applying for state sponsorship within Australia has never been easy, and with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenships (DIAC) new priority processing changes, Australia visa applicants have become anxious and confused.

Therefore, with this in mind we’ve produced a new guide on State Sponsorship. It covers all the guidelines for applying for permanent and provisional visas.

It also links to each individual states criteria and Skilled Occupational Lists because, as the guide explains, each state have their own individual skilled lists that reflect the labour shortages in their particular region.

The guide also details how to apply and what documentation will be needed for applications.

However it does advise that any applicant thinking of applying for state sponsorship, look first at the skilled visa criteria either in our own Australia Skilled Visa guide or on the website of the DIAC.

Within the guide is a short explanation too, of the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

Although we cannot cover questions such as how long an individual application will take or whether or not you should try for an Employer Sponsored Visa, we hope we can provide information that will explain the process in more detail and lead to a greater understanding of the requirements.

Read our new guide on Australian state sponsorship now! Why not also have a look at what our community are saying about state sponsored visas?