Australia

Australia - Celebrating Australian Citizenship Day 2008

More than 1600 people will become Australian citizens today as part of Australian Citizenship Day celebrations around the nation. Citizenship Day events will include a ceremony on the Spirit of Tasmania passenger ship in Devonport, Tasmania as well as ceremonies at Perth’s Bayswater City Council, Brisbane City Hall, the grand ballroom at Sky City Casino in Darwin, the 1st Victorian Sea Scout Hall in Melbourne’s Albert Park, Ayers House in Adelaide and at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Parramatta office in Sydney.

Australia - English Language Testing arrangements for use under the Australian Migration Regulations

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (the department) is seeking to expand the number of English language tests that are accepted as evidence of English language proficiency.

Australia - Average wage now AUD$1400 per week

CANBERRA - The average weekly wage in Australia is now A$1131.40, ($1398) after growing by 3.7 per cent in the year to May.

Australia - Migration program boosts economy and eases skills shortages

A report by respected economic analyst Access Economics shows that new migrants to Australia deliver hundreds of millions of dollars to the Commonwealth budget and the broader economy every year.

Australia - Job ads slump signals slowdown

The number of new jobs advertised fell in July, the fifth time in six months, echoing the broad economic slowdown seen in retail sales, and suggesting an eventual slowdown in hiring in the year ahead.

Australia Invests $34 Million

to Support Migrants Living in AustraliaLaurie Ferguson, Secretary for Multicultural Affairs & Settlement announced that the Australian Government would spend $34 million next financial year on services to assist the integration of migrants and refugees.

Australia - migrant intake surging towards 200,000

AUSTRALIA'S migrant intake is surging towards 200,000 a year, a quarter of whom head to Victoria.

Australia - strong demand for labour

A robust Australian economy has again delivered strong jobs growth with the total number of jobs advertised surging in December, new figures show.

Australia - Online ads boost employment figures

The federal election and strong expectations of another interest rate rise have failed to dent jobs growth, which has hit record levels, new figures show.

Australia - Economy ducks for cover

The Australian economy has so far managed to avoid a direct hit by the US financial crisis, even as the economy is expected to cool in coming months.

Australia - Economy ducks for cover

The Australian economy has so far managed to avoid a direct hit by the US financial crisis, even as the economy is expected to cool in coming months.

Australia - Joint Agreement to protect overseas workers in NSW

 

Australia - Australia's brain drain biggest on record

 

Australia - Qantas cuts fuel surcharges and fares

Qantas Airways will reduce fuel surcharges on its international fares from tomorrow due to recent falls in world oil and jet fuel prices.

Australian apprentices gain from skilled migrants

An Australian recruitment firm will fund a new scholarship program at Swan TAFE as part of an on-hire labour agreement for the recruitment of overseas skilled workers, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said today.

Australia - Government gives assurances on measures to protect overseas workers

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today met with trade union representatives to provide assurances about steps the Rudd Government is taking to prevent the exploitation of temporary skilled overseas workers.

Australia - Wages grow allays inflation fears

The growth in the cost of labour eased in the September quarter, suggesting inflation may be peaking as the country faces down fears of a recession.

New Zealand - New Zealanders living longer

Life expectancy of New Zealanders is continuing to rise, according to Statistics New Zealand figures released today.

Australia - Integrity review of temporary overseas worker scheme released.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today released the report of the Visa Subclass 457 Integrity Review conducted by industrial relations expert Barbara Deegan.

Australia - New laws to protect overseas workers pass Parliament

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today welcomed the passage through Parliament with bipartisan support of new laws to better protect temporary overseas workers in Australia.

Australia - Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed.

The Rudd Government will revise the migration program for the second half of 2008-09 so that skilled migrants who have a confirmed job, or have skills in critical need will be given priority for a permanent visa to come to Australia.