Basic Facts about Australia!!!

Few of the basic Facts about Australia

Australia with official name ‘Commonwealth of Australia’ is a country and also a Continent which is blessed with large quantities of natural resources. During the last 30 years, Australia has come up aggressively on the international radar as highly developed and progressive nation. Australia is the smallest Continent of world and sixth largest country. Its government is Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy. Location: Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere between Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Indonesia, East Timor and New Guinea to the North; Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia to the North-East; New Zealand to the South-East. Capital City: Canberra; Largest City is Sydney.

Climate and Terrain: Generally arid to semi arid, Temperate in South and East, Tropical in North. Terrain is mostly low plateau with deserts and fertile plain in South-East. Languages: English Currency: AUD - Australian Dollar (1 Australian Dollar = 100 cents) Time zones: There are various time zones varying from GMT + 8 to GMT + 10.5 and also follows Day Light Saving Time during summer with GMT + 9 to GMT + 11.5 Telephone Code: +61

Happy Reading

General Skilled Migration Amendments

26 April 2008 - Legislation Change

Client summary

From 26 April 2008, the Migration Regulations 1994 ('the Regulations') are amended to give full effect to the policy intention of the General Skilled Migration reforms which commenced on 1 September 2007. The majority of the amendments are minor technical amendments to ensure consistency across the Regulations. Other changes include correcting some errors and ensuring that all provisions operate as were originally intended.

Affected legislation

The following provisions of the Regulations are amended:

Part 1 of the Regulations
Part 2 of the Regulations
Schedule 1 to the Regulations
Schedule 2 to the Regulations
Schedule 6B of the Regulations

Additional information: Nil

Transitional provisions: The amendments apply in relation to an application for a visa made but not finally determined before, or made on or after, 26 April 2008.

Forms: Nil

Instructions: PAM3 will be amended to reflect these changes by 26 April 2008.

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/jam

Amendments in relation to vulnerable children and the Subclass 802 (Child) visa

Hi All,

Australia Migration - 26 April 2008 - Legislation Change

Client summary

From 26 April 2008, the Migration Regulations 1994 ('the Regulations') are amended to provide that certain non-citizen non-permanent resident children in the care of a State or Territory government welfare authority are eligible for the grant of a permanent residence visa. These children are required to be supported by a State or Territory government welfare authority.

This amendment applies only in relation to the permanent residence visa, Subclass 802 (Child) visa.

Affected legislation

The following provisions of the Regulations are amended:

New regulation 1.20LAA in Division 1.4B of Part 1 (to be inserted)
Item 1108A in Schedule 1
Division 802.1 of Part 802 of Schedule 2
Clause 802.215 in Subdivision 802.21 of Division 802.2 of Part 802 of Schedule 2
New clause 802.216 in Subdivision 802.21 of Division 802.2 of Part 802 of Schedule 2 (to be inserted)
New clause 802.226A in Subdivision 802.22 of Division 802.2 of Part 802 of Schedule 2 (to be inserted)
Clause 802.311 in Subdivision 802.31 of Division 802.3 of Part 802 of Schedule 2
New clause 802.327 in Subdivision 802.31 of Division 802.3 of Part 802 of Schedule 2
New clause 802.328 in Subdivision 802.31 of Division 802.3 of Part 802 of Schedule 2
Note following Division 802.2 heading in Part 802 of Schedule 2
Note following Division 802.3 heading in Part 802 of Schedule 2

Additional information: State and Territory government welfare authorities are supportive of this legislative change.

Transitional provisions: The amendments apply in relation to an application for a visa made on or after 26 April 2008.

Forms: Form 47 CH (Application for Migration to Australia by a child) has been amended to cater for children supported by a State and Territory government welfare authority.

Instructions: PAM3

PAM3:Sch2 Visa 802 – Vulnerable Child
PAM3:Div 1.4B – Limitation on certain sponsorships and nominations – Reg 1.20LAA.

/jam

Australia- Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Hi,

Monday, 28 April 2008

An independent committee of seven eminent Australians will review the citizenship test, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced today.

Former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Richard Woolcott AC will chair the Citizenship Test Review Committee, which will examine the operation and effectiveness of the test since its introduction on 1 October last year.

'The Government is committed to maintaining the citizenship test, but now that it has been in place for six months, it is timely to review it to make sure it is achieving its proper purpose as an effective pathway for residents to become citizens,' Senator Evans said.

'The committee will examine aspects of the content and operation of the citizenship test, including the experiences of applicants and the impact on citizenship applications, and consider ways to improve its operation and effectiveness.

'The committee will be chaired by Mr Woolcott AC, a former diplomat with a long and distinguished public service career and an excellent ambassador for multicultural relations.'

The six other members appointed to the independent committee are former Olympian Rechelle Hawkes; SBS director Paula Masselos; refugee advocate Julianna Nkrumah; Australia Day Council CEO Warren Pearson; former Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Rtd Chris Ritchie AO RANR; and legal expert Professor Kim Rubenstein.

'The committee will consult actively with the Australian community to ensure views from the public are heard and considered, so I urge people to take the opportunity to provide feedback,' Senator Evans said.

'It is important to Government that stakeholders and interested members of the public are given the opportunity to contribute to the development of future policy directions regarding the citizenship test.

'The Rudd Government believes that a citizenship test can play a valuable role in both encouraging people to find out more about our great nation as well as understanding the responsibilities and privileges which being an Australian citizen brings.

'A test is also a useful mechanism for determining whether a person meets the general legal requirements for becoming an Australian – including whether they possess a basic knowledge of the English language.'

The committee began work on the review today (28 April) and is due to report back to the Minister by mid year. Further information is available at www.citizenshiptestreview.gov.au or by writing to the Citizenship Testing Review Committee, PO Box 1179, Belconnen ACT 2616.

/jam