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Growing number of businesses owned and operated by women

Written by lisa on May 14, 2013 · Leave a Comment

New Zealand currently has more women than ever in business and they are having a significant impact on the economy — earning more and employing more staff.

According to the latest MYOB Business Monitor, a survey of over 1,000+ SMEs, 41% of small and medium businesses in New Zealand are owned and operated by women.

MYOB national manager, enterprise division, Allison Fairkettle, says although females are still outnumbered by men in terms of business ownership, the increase of women in business is incredibly positive.

“Three years ago, only 37% of SMEs were owned by women, so it’s great to see that a growing number of women are running their own businesses. Read more »

Categories: Country: New Zealand - Tags: ,

Skilled Migration Program Working Well: Report

Written by lisa on May 14, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Despite recent controversy, Australia’s 457 visa program is working well, with foreign workers enjoying high levels of job satisfaction and many being used to train Australian workers, a comprehensive new report has found.

Published by the Migration Council Australia (MCA), a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing the productive benefits of Australia’s migration programs, the More Than Temporary: Australia’s 457 visa program report analyses a survey of 3,800 visa holders and 1,600 businesses involved in the program.

It reveals that overall, 457 visa holders enjoy high levels of job satisfaction and integrate effectively into the workforce and into Australian society. Read more »

Categories: Skilled Migration Program - Tags: ,

Australia’s first significant investor visa granted

Written by lisa on May 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Almost 200 applications for Australia’s new significant investor visa have been received since it was introduced in November last year and the first one has been granted, officials have announced. The visa was introduced to attract potential migrants with a demonstrated history of success in business and investment and the first successful applicant is a Chinese toy manufacturer and his young family.

Under the scheme, significant investors must invest at least $5 million in the Australian economy under the business innovation and investment programme. They become eligible for a permanent visa after holding a provisional visa and maintaining the $5 million investment in Australia for four years. ‘Australia is in active competition with other countries across our region for successful, high wealth individuals and the capital and business acumen that comes with them,’ said Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O’Connor.

‘Significant investors bring with them their skills in business, their links to international markets and additional capital for investment in other projects in Australia that interest them,’ he explained. ‘The government is determined to manage our immigration programme in the best interests of all Australians. Attracting top flight business operators and investors is critical to continuing jobs growth for Australians,’ added O’Connor. Read more »

Categories: Australia Visa - Tags: , ,

System exposes visa rorts as students ‘jump ship’

Written by lisa on May 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment

SOME Indian students are using the university-only streamlined visa system to get to Australia, and are then jumping ship to cheaper private providers, education agents have said.

Two well-regarded Indian agents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the abuse appeared to be on a small scale now but was bound to increase as student arrivals gain momentum under the new system. “I think it is going to escalate in July because the intake will be bigger,” said a Melbourne-based agent.

BERNARD LANE

May 08, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/system-exposes-visa-rorts-as-students-jump-ship/story-e6frgcjx-1226637114108?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheAustralianHigherEducationNews+(The+Australian+%7C+Higher+Education)

Categories: Indian Students - Tags: ,

No more automatic cancellation of Australian student visa for those who breach conditions

Written by lisa on May 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Changes have been made to the cancellation regime for student visa holders who breach their visa conditions in Australia. Automatic and mandatory cancellations no longer exist and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said that its officers now use a discretionary framework to consider breaches of visa conditions.

Automatic and mandatory student visa cancellations were abolished on 13 April 2013. A DIAC spokesman said that this means that students who do not meet attendance or course progress requirements, or work for more than 40 hours per fortnight no longer face automatic or mandatory cancellation of their visa. ‘All international students are required to abide by their visa conditions, however if they do breach them they are now subject to a discretionary cancellation framework,’ the spokesman said.

‘The discretionary framework allows departmental officers to take the circumstances of an individual student into consideration when assessing visa condition breaches and making a decision on whether or not to cancel a visa,’ the spokesman explained. ‘The discretionary framework will lead to fairer outcomes for students. For example, it will enable the department to consider individual circumstances, such as where a student may be struggling with particular unit choices and could benefit from a change of course or education provider,’ he added. Read more »

Categories: Country: Australia - Tags:

N.Z. Jobs Rise at Record Pace, Kiwi Erases Intervention Loss

Written by lisa on May 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment

New Zealand employers added the most workers on record in the three months through March, driving the kiwi to erase losses triggered yesterday by the central bank’s announcement of intervention to weaken it.

Employment (NZLFQOQ) surged 1.7 percent, or 38,000 jobs, from the fourth quarter, Statistics New Zealand said in a report today in Wellington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 11 economists was for a 0.8 percent gain. The jobless rate fell to a three-year low of 6.2 percent, less than the 6.8 percent predicted by economists.

Governor Graeme Wheeler is resorting to currency intervention and lending restrictions to steer the economy as surging house prices rule out interest rate cuts and the kiwi’s strength bars rate increases. He has signaled he won’t raise the official cash rate from a record-low 2.5 percent this year. Read more »

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Australia-New Zealand Job Gain Deepens Dilemma on Currencies

Written by lisa on May 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Australian and New Zealand jobs growth surged, sending the currencies soaring and undermining central bank efforts to relieve pressure on manufacturers and exporters.

The number of people employed in Australia rose by 50,100 in April from a month earlier, more than four times economists’ estimates, and the jobless rate unexpectedly fell to 5.5 percent, government data showed today. New Zealand employers added a record 38,000 jobs last quarter and its unemployment plunged to a three-year low of 6.2 percent. Economists expected 6.8 percent.

Both currencies surged to levels that preceded the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision two days ago to cut the benchmark interest rate to a record low and New Zealand Governor Graeme Wheeler’s announcement a day later that he has intervened to weaken the kiwi. South Korea also cut rates today to ease pressure on exporters. The surge in Australian jobs may undermine the case for RBA Governor Glenn Stevens to add to 2 percentage points of reductions in the past 19 months. Read more »

Categories: Country: Australia - Tags: ,

Reasons to move to Australia

Written by lisa on April 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

It is no surprise to learn that Australia is one of the most popular expat destinations in the world and has been for some time now. We see many different reasons mentioned for moving to the country therefore we thought it would be interesting to introduce a new thread to the forum to give members the chance to openly discuss why they chose Australia. There are some very interesting answers which we will cover in more detail below.

Location, climate and scenery

If there is one thing which Australia brings to mind it is the climate, location and the scenery which are all breathtaking and very attractive to the majority of expats. Australia is a country which is only partially populated due to the vast areas of desert like outback but it is a country which offers an array of different scenery, climates and places to visit. Whether you are looking for a quiet town or village to retire to or perhaps you are looking for a more vibrant scene such as that in the larger cities, there is something for you. Read more »

Categories: Australia Immigration - Tags:

How do you handle delays in your visa application?

Written by lisa on April 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Even though the Australian visa system is said to be one of the most efficient in the world, there is no doubt that problems do happen and delays can be very stressful for individuals and partners. A number of members of the Australian forum have been discussing the fact that their visa applications have been delayed, sometimes by up to two years, and how they handle this particular problem.

There are a number of reasons why a visa application can be delayed but there seems to be one common thread running through the extended delays which some people are experiencing. We will now take a look at exactly what is happening and what the problem is.

Where has the hold-up occurred?

More and more people on the Australia forum have been citing security checks as the major delay in their visa applications. The vast majority have taken professional advice from immigration agents who have pushed their applications as far as possible and are then forced to leave them in the hands of the immigration services. It is interesting to see that while security checks are obviously required to clarify the background of individuals looking to move to Australia, why is there such a large delay? Read more »

Categories: Australia Visa

High levels of skilled overseas workers still needed in Western Australia

Written by lisa on April 25, 2013 · Leave a Comment

The resources sector in Western Australia is moving from a construction to operational phase but high levels of new workers are still needed this year and next, including skilled workers from overseas, a new report has found.

According to the 2013 State Growth Outlook Study from The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, the workforce required for growth plans in the resources sector will peak at 125,000 people in 2014, around 9,000 above the 2012 workforce of 116,000.

After the peak in 2014, employment will slowly reduce as the current wave of construction activity gives way to operations and from 2018, the workforce will reduce to below 2012 levels. As major projects commence operation, the operating workforce will increase strongly to 2018, with an additional 19,000 operational staff required. Read more »

Categories: Skilled Workers - Tags: ,

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