June 2007

Welcome to the June issue of the Network Migration Services Newsletter. This month we have some important information on security measures at our international airports which come into effect on the 1^st June. We have also included some information on what the process is when your household goods are imported into Australia from South Africa. If you are looking at taking your pets with you to Australia we have information from Keringa Kennels regarding the new procedures for quarantine in South Africa and Australia. Happy Reading!

ACSA announces new security measures for Intenational travellers

Effective from 1 June 2007, new security measures will be applied at the three of Airports Company South Africa’s main international airports (O.R. Tambo, Durban, Cape Town). The new rules restrict the amount of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) that passengers may take on board in their hand luggage on international flights. The purpose of the rules is to protect aircraft against the threat of liquid explosives.

In terms of the new rules, any liquids, aerosols or gels in a passenger’s hand luggage must be in containers of maximum 100ml each or smaller. They must be packed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, the total capacity of which cannot be larger than 1 litre.

However, ACSA’s Duty Free shoppers are assured that they will be allowed to take their purchases on board their flight as these stores will carry approved plastic bags.

Bongani Maseko, ACSA’s Director of Operations said the introduction of rules around carrying of LAGs was a global security precautionary measure. The rules are now International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

“In an effort to streamline security checks and processes, ACSA recommends that passengers should place all LAGs in their checked-in luggage. However, passengers that do decide to carry LAGs for various reasons need to take these regulations into account when planning their trips,” he added.

Maseko assured the flying public that as part of ACSA’s efforts in ensuring that passengers comply with the new requirements, media awareness and education campaign will be initiated to help travellers.

Furthermore, again to assist passengers to comply, ACSA has ordered two (2) million plastic bags. These will be handed out at the three main airports, to travellers free of charge until the end of June. Discussions with manufacturing and retail industries to produce and avail the plastic bags are at an advanced stage.

Travellers are urged to prepare for the new rules in the pre-travel stage of their trip and to allow extra time at check-in and the security check point by arriving at least three hours before their flight departs.

Information: ACSA website

Lots to see and do in New Zealand

Here are two websites that are packed with practical information about New Zealand.

New Zealand Now has information about opportunites to live and work in New Zealand today. It can be tricky to find information you need about New Zealand. The country is globally connected, but it's also unique. It's the quality of live, and increasingly, the opportunities for a vibrant and exciting life that sets New Zealand apart. It's a great place to live and play, and a great place to work. Check out New Zealand Now to find out about the lifestyle it offers and useful information about education, health, housing, jobs and work, business and the economy, arts and culture, film and music, recreation, sport, food and wine. There's also information about relocating, settling in and family issues. www.newzealandnow.co.nz

NZLive.com lists hundreds of cultural and recreational events around the country. These include a wide variety of events including art and design, museums and historic buildings, festivals, public gardens and zoos, walks and tramping tracks, literature, the performing arts, New Zealand movies, music, sport and recreation. There are separate categories for events realted to Maori, Pacific, and Asian cultures, or you can search for a particular type of activity.

NZLive.com has links to other websites, to make it easy to connect to other events your're interested in. You can also contribute cultural events and activities happening in your community. The site has more than 120,000 visitors in its first four months. www.nzlive.com

Information sourced from: Linkz Magazine New Zealand Issue 35 2007

Networking Your Way to a New Job

Career experts estimate that the vast majority of job openings are never advertised or publicly announced, but filled through word-of-mouth or networking known as the "hidden job market." The likelihood of a job opening not being advertised at all increases with the level of the job. Yet, even with this knowledge, most job seekers fail to fully utilize networking for all it's worth.

Networking means developing a broad list of contacts people you've met through various social and business functions and using them to your advantage when you look for a job. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to other so that you can expand your network.

The best place to start developing your network is with your family, friends, and neighbors and with their family, friends, and neighbors, but don't stop there. Talk to co-workers, colleagues in your industry, and those you meet at industry gatherings, such as trade shows and conferences. Talk with former co-workers, bosses, and teachers.

The key to successful networking deciding to put the energy needed to make it work. First, you need to get organized (for example, keeping a business card file or computer database). Second, you need to stay in contact (for example, through regular phone calls, email, and holiday greetings). Third, you need to set goals for yourself (such as 5 new contacts per week).

The Steps to Successful Networking:

1. Develop a firm grasp of job search basics.

2. Conduct a self-assessment. An honest review of your strengths and weaknesses is vital. You should also make some decision relating to the types of jobs you want and the types of companies and industries that interest you.

3. Prepare a strong resume. We will help you with that, and send you the necessary templates.

4. Decide how to organize your network. This step is crucial to your success. If you have ongoing access to a computer, the best method is a database or spreadsheet where you can enter key information, such as names, titles, company names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, and dates of communication. Keeping an organized collection of business cards, where you can write notes and comments about your network, is another alternative.

5. Communicate with your network. It is extremely important to stay in touch with your network, which you can easily do by phone, mail, or email. Don't be afraid to ask for their help. Most people like helping others, and you must communicate your current needs with your network in order for them to be able to help you.

6. Initiate informational interviews. One of the best ways to gain more information about an occupation or industry, and to build a network of contacts in that field, is to talk with people who are currently working in the field. The purpose of the informational interview is to obtain information, not to get a job.

7. Follow up with your network. The key is keeping your network informed of your situation and thanking them for their efforts. Never take your network for granted.

How to Import your household goods into Australia by Kings International Removals

Imported Containers of household effects into Australia are taken from the wharf to the manifested Customs & Quarantine licenced Bond Stores where they are unloaded and upon appointment, inspected by qualified Quarantine personnel. Their inspection is solely for the purpose of identifying items of interest to AQIS including all items that may have come into contact with soil and vegetation overseas such as gardening equipment, bicycles, scooters etc, sporting and camping equipment eg. Golf clubs and buggies, cleaning equipment, brooms, mops, vacuum cleaner waste bags and the like. These items should be thoroughly cleaned before dispatch. However, please note that prior cleaning and other treatment such as fumigation etc does not ensure automatic clearance. AQIS will order further treatment if in their opinion the items being imported present a Quarantine risk.

Please also be conscious of festive decorations, nativity sets and wreaths containing dried plant matter (i.e. sphagnum moss) including pine cones, bark and the like. If imported, these items will be ordered for treatment or destruction at owner’s cost.

Motor vehicles, trailers and similar will also be inspected by AQIS personnel, for dirt and plant matter around the underbody, wheel arches, grills and should they find such the vehicles will ordered for movement on a tilt-tray trailer to an approved wash bay for removal of such items and then re-inspected to ensure all the offending material has been washed away to their approval. Foodstuffs including spices, seeds, herbs and products containing dairy or meat products are prohibited or have special import conditions and SHOULD not be included in personal and household effects shipments.

Items such as animal trophies, horse saddles or any other subjects that have come into contact with animals are subject to Gamma Irradiation upon arrival into Australia which is a costly treatment. Ivory, certain feathers, furs, butterfly collections, shells, skins etc and items / products manufactured from such items that originate from endangered species is prohibited and will be directed to Australian Customs for their investigation and subsequent action and if found could impose penalties to the owner/importer. All such items should be screened prior to importation via the CITES website http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/cites/index.htmlto ensure they are not prohibited or if the items / products require an import permit before exporting them to Australia.

Firearms, ammunition and military shells live or dead should be avoided unless the appropriate permits are obtained prior to exporting to Australia and clearly mentioned on the Unaccompanied Effects Statement & Inventory for clear identification. Weapons of ANY kind (even replica items and blowpipes) will be inspected and possibly seized by Australian Customs. Any biological specimens should also not be imported with unaccompanied personal effects as they could be considered high risk by AQIS and cause serious concerns and delays with the shipment.

As all African countries are listed by AQIS as one of the probable high risk countries ALL shipments originating from this part of the world are an automatic 100% inspection by Australian Quarantine and hence the time involved with such a thorough inspection is considerably costly.

Relocating your pets to Australia

As from November 2006, the Australian Department of Agriculture & Fisheries announced new changes to the quarantine period for pets relocating to Australia. The new process is as follows:

Dogs and cats travelling to Australia from the Republic of South Africa must spend a total Quarantine period of 210 days, comprising a minimum of 90 days pre-export quarantine in South Africa and minimum 30 days quarantine in Australia, and the remaining 90 days quarantine in either South Africa or Australia.

Dogs and cats must have been living continuously in South Africa for a minimum of 6 months immediately prior to shipment, or since direct importation from Australia.

Further advice can be found at www.aqis.gov.au or by e-mail at animalimp@aqis.gov.au or by ph +612 6272 4454 or by fax +612 6272 3110.

If you would like to find out further information regarding relocating your pets to Australia, New Zealand or Canada please contact Keringa Kennels on www.keringa.co.zaor contact them on their national telephone number 0861 30 31 32.

If you have any suggestions on articles or would like any additional informaiton please do not hesitate to contact us on relocation@netmigration.co.za. If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter please click on the unsubscribe link below.

Warm Regards

The Team at Network Migration Services

Telephone: +27 11 4637060

Email: nms@netmigration.co.za