Australia Visa – Parent visas

Parent visas – Applications from outside Australia – Health & Character requirements have changed.

As from the 14th July 2008, The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC for short), has changed the procedure as far as queuing is concerned for those apply for the Parent visa from outside Australia.

Up until the 14th July, all applicants were required to obtain their Health & Character checks prior to lodging their application with DIAC. Once the application was lodged, it was in the “queue”.

The Queue

The queue for Parent visas is currently approximately18-19 years from lodgement to when the application is picked up by DIAC and reviewed for either grant or refusal. For Contributory Parent visa applications, the queue is approximately 3-4 years. The difference between the queue times is due to the fact that DIAC fees are Parent visa – at lodgement -$1,420.00, at review – $1,235.00; Contributory Parent visa – at lodgement – $1,420.00, at review – $31,555.00. These figures are acurate as at 26th September 2008.

As from 14th July 2008

Now, all Parent visa applications which are lodged from outside Australia will no longer have to complete the Health & Character checks before lodgement and queuing.

Therefore, those applying from outside Australia, must still comply with all other core requirements, such as Balance of Family and Sponsorship. Of course, this does not mean that the applicant does not have to take these checks at all, but they will be necessary closer to the time of review.

This will create a more efficient process as those applying for the Parent visa in particular, the application can be lodged quicker, which will help both the applicant and the sponsor, and will give DIAC a far more acurate check of the applicant.

Applications from inside Australia

Those applicants applying from within Australia, the criteria has not changed. The applicant must complete both Health & Character checks proir to lodgement and queuing.

This information is current as at 26th september 2008.

Australian Contributory Parent Visa and Tourist Visa Application Fee Change

Increases in the Visa Application Charges (VAC)

for Tourist Visa Applications Lodged in Australia

and Contributory Parent Category Visas

Contributory Parent category visas

Each year the second instalment of the Visa Application Charge (second VAC) for the Contributory Parent visa category is increased by a figure known as the Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index (CPVCI) as published by the Australian Government Actuary (AGA).

As a result the second VAC for Contributory Parent category visas will increase from 27 October 2008 as per the following tables.

Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 143)

Charge Type	Current Charge Amount	Charge Amount from 27 October 2008
2nd instalment	$31 555	$32 725
2nd instalment For applicants under 18 years	$1365	$1415

Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)

Charge Type	Current Charge Amount	Charge Amount from 27 October 2008
2nd instalment	$18 935	$19 635
2nd instalment For applicants under 18 years	$1365	$1415

Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa (from subclass 173 to subclass 143)

If applicant holds a Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa

Charge Type	Current Charge Amount	Charge Amount from 27 October 2008
2nd instalment	$12 625	$13 090
2nd instalment For applicants under 18 years	Nil	Nil

Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (subclass 864)

Charge Type	Current Charge Amount	Charge Amount from 27 October 2008
2nd instalment	$31 555	$32 725
2nd instalment For applicants under 18 years	$1365	$1415

Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)

Charge Type	Current Charge Amount	Charge Amount from 27 October 2008
2nd instalment	$18 935	$19 635
2nd instalment For applicants under 18 years	$1365	$1415

Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (from subclass 884 to subclass 864)

If applicant holds a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa

Charge Type	Current Charge Amount	Charge Amount from 27 October 2008
2nd instalment	$12 625	$13 090
2nd instalment For applicants under 18 years	Nil	Nil

Tourist visas

In line with the Department’s Financial Health Review completed by the Department of Finance and Deregulation, the VAC for Tourist (Subclass 676) visa applications lodged in Australia from 27 October 2008 will increase from $215 to $240.

This article was received from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Changes on 27th October 2008 to Skilled Graduate, Contributory Parent and Tourist visas

On the 27th October 2008, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be announcing changes to the “485″ Skilled Graduate visa, the 2nd instalment of the application fee for Contributory Parent visas and the Tourist visa application lodged in Australia.

The 485 is a relatively new temporary visa, which can only be applied for once, and was created for overseas students who are unable to qualify for a General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa immediately after completing their course of study. It is for a maximum length of time of 18 months, it is not points tested, there are no work restrictions and the Skilled Graduate can apply for a Permanent, Provisional or Employers Sponsored visa at any time throughout the 18 months, once granted.

At time of application, the main applicant must:-

• be under 45 years of age
• have met the 2 years study requirements in the last 6 months
• have applied for a suitable assessment from the required assessing authority in either a 50 or 60 point occupation
• have evidence they have met the required English language threshold, or have booked to sit the English language test
• hold, or have held, an eligible student visa in the last 6 months
• have booked a medical, and
• have applied for an AFP check (16 years or older).

On 27th October 2008, DIAC will be announcing that it will be a requirement that all applicants must be able to show evidence of having met the English language threshold before lodging the application for the 485 Skilled Graduate visa.

Contributory Parent visas secondary instalment of the DIAC application fee will increase from $31,555 to $32,725. Application fees are reviewed every 6 months by DIAC.

Tourist visaapplications lodged in Australia after 27th October will attract a fee of $240.00 instaed of $215.00. Application fees are reviewed every 6 months by DIAC.

Living in Sydney N.S.W.

SYDNEY

Sydney was established in 1788 by Captain Phillip as the first British Colony in Australia and is the largest city in Australia and is the Capital City of New South Wales with a population of approximately 4.25M people. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Zoo, Sydney Harbour, the beaches and the Blue Mountains, all which are world famous, Sydney is a prime destination for tourists (approximately 10 million annually) from overseas as well as from within Australia. Sydney attracts emigrants from all over the world.  The predominant nationalities are from United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, with a good cross section from Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Sydney is a sprawling city in all 3 directions, North, South and West around the many bays and inlets as well as into the Blue Mountains. Just North of Sydney is Newcastle and the world famous Hunter Valley Winery Region.

Sydney is the hub for many of Australia’s top companies as well as a large selection of multi-national corporations. These industries including Banking, Mining, Oil, Retail and Vehicle Manufacturing to name just a few, having their Head Offices or Regional Head Offices in the CBD along with the Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank.

Temperatures range from an average low of 8 degrees and an average high of 28 degrees, with the occasional summer burst of 35 degrees. With the Great Dividing Range as Sydney’s back drop, and Sydney being such a sort after destination from tourists worldwide, opportunities abound for the go-ahead entrepreneur in the Tourism Industry. During the winter months, the ski fields just South of Sydney attract visitors and workers from both Australia and overseas.

The diversity of occupations are the same as with any major city worldwide, and due to the Skilled shortage in so many occupations, opportunities exist for the Accountant, Doctor, Registered Nurse, Teacher, Electrician, Mechanic, Carpenter, Plumber, Welder, Sheet Metal Worker. The list is endless.

Housing prices are currently growing at a meagre 1.5% which is less than the majority of Capital Cities (Hobart 3.8%, Brisbane 2.9%, Darwin 2.8%), with units for $250,000 and houses from $350,000. These prices will be for suburbs in the outer circle, with houses on Sydney Harbour at $3-5M plus. Rental can vary but a median price would be approximately $450.00 per week.

The Education system has Public (Government run) and Private (Fees paid by parents) schools. There are a large number of Child Care facilities (0-5yrs), Pre-school (4-5yrs), some Pre-Prep (4-5yrs) and then years 1-12. There are many Private Colleges (girls only, boys only as well as mixed), TAFE Colleges, Universities, Museums, Art Galleries, Performing Arts, Live Theatre and Music Academy.

Sports are too numerous to mention, but include Cricket, Soccer, Rugby (both codes), AFL (similar to Gallic football), Swimming, Surfing, Sailing, Tennis, Horse Racing, Harness Racing, Basketball and Netball.