In this weeks overview the following topics are discussed: Is the economy getting better? What do the leading indicators say Interest rates Housing market update Major offshore issues Foreign exchange Download your full copy here

Organising how to access and manage your NAB accounts while you’re living overseas is easy and can be done before you leave the country. Simply be aware of these factors: Accessing your money NAB Internet banking is the easiest way … Continue reading →

If your heart is set on moving overseas and the UK isn’t an option, Visa First’s Edwina Shanahan suggests taking other countries into consideration. “It’s worth noting that there are other visas and countries that Australian citizens are eligible to … Continue reading →

New Zealand and the United Kingdom may not be in the grip of a mining boom, but employers are nevertheless crying out for skilled workers in construction, IT and engineering. According to research commissioned by recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) provider … Continue reading →

Tier 2 sponsored work visa The Tier 2 visa is applicable to those who have a job offer from a UK employer or who hold a certificate of sponsorship or work permit. Applicants need to be aware that according to … Continue reading →

In spite of our colonial ties, Australians cannot enter the UK for work without a visa, and in recent years it’s become much harder for anyone wanting to move to the UK. A 2009 UK Office for National Statistics report declared … Continue reading →

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there are currently around 65,000 Australians living in New Zealand. Want to become one of them? Here are some things you need to know about visas and New Zealand’s economic outlook. … Continue reading →

1. Under new laws introduced in 2009, your 457 visa will not be granted unless you can prove you have health insurance that will cover you and your accompanying family. 2. This insurance must be at least as comprehensive as … Continue reading →

About Australian schools Each state offers a wide variety of government (public), and non-government (Catholic and independent) schools. Most Independent schools have a religious affiliation, but some are non-denominational, while all Government schools are non-denominational.Most Australian schools are co-ed catering … Continue reading →

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced a revision of the permanent employer-sponsored visa program. Announced by the minister for immigration and citizenship Chris Bowen on March 9, the changes will come into effect on July 1 2012. … Continue reading →

The Sunshine Coast offers approximately 100 kilometres of the laidback, beachside lifestyle Queensland is renowned for. Queensland’s Sunshine Coast begins 80 kilometres north of Brisbane, and stretches from the Glass House Mountains in the south, north to the Great Sandy … Continue reading →

Thinking of applying for nursing jobs in Australia? New South Wales and Victoria have the most to offer. John de Haart, managing director and owner of Brisbane-based Health Staff Recruitment says that while there are still nursing jobs in other … Continue reading →

Looking to snap up a real estate bargain when you come to Oz? These are the cheapest suburbs and towns across the country. Units State Suburb Median price Average Annual Growth 5-year Growth Weekly median advertised rent ACT Curtin $322,770 … Continue reading →

Mackay is a thriving tropical city that rose to prosperity on the back of the sugar cane industry. Now, this gateway to the Whitsundays is enjoying a second wave of good fortune thanks to the mining boom.Each year, more and … Continue reading →

Australia placed second only to Norway in the 2011 United Nations Annual Human Development Index. The survey revealed the average Aussie can expect to live to the ripe old age of 82 – only the Japanese with 83 years have … Continue reading →

2011-2012 Tax Reference Guide Individual Tax Rates TAXABLE INCOME TAX PAYABLE % TAX ON EXCESS $6,000 NIL 15% $37,000 $4,650 30% $80,000 $17,550 37% $180,000 $54,550 45% The above rates do not include the 1.5% Medicare Levy Non-resident TAXABLE INCOME … Continue reading →

Having a good agent to help you cut through immigration red tape can save you a lot of time and trouble. Philip Duncan, Registered Migration Agent with Australia Migration and Visa Lawyers offers these tips for finding a good agent … Continue reading →

School fees for 457 visa holders vary in each state and it pays to do your homework before you pack your boxes, says Australian Migration and Visa Lawyers’ Philip Duncan.“The best way to find out what the requirements are for … Continue reading →

When you arrive in Australia, you will need to know about superannuation, and your employer’s obligations. What is superannuation? Super, as it’s known, is money set aside from your salary over your working life to provide for your retirement. For … Continue reading →

Australia is far from immune to the Euro-zone crisis, but while the global economic outlook is increasingly precarious, Australian forecasts for 2012 are cautiously optimistic. NAB’s Economics Team offers the following insights for the coming year: Inflation “The likelihood that … Continue reading →

Medicare is Australia’s national health care system. It is taxpayer funded, with the majority of Australians paying a 1.5% Medicare Levy on their taxable income. So what does Medicare cover? A lot. The following medical services are either free or … Continue reading →

Thanks to the government’s recent introduction of a long overdue paid parental leave scheme, Australia is currently enjoying a mini baby boom. If you’re moving to Australia and plan to start or add to your family, the good news is … Continue reading →

The Top End is in the grip of a skills shortage that’s set to worsen dramatically in the next few years. If you like your summers hot and your beer cold, Darwin could be calling you home. Peter Stewart, executive … Continue reading →

Recent government cuts to university level science and maths spells bad news for Australia’s future as a clever country but good news for future generations of skilled migrants. In a bid to restore the budget to surplus, the Gillard government … Continue reading →

When you are eligible to become an Australian citizen, you will have to sit a citizenship test. To pass, you will need to correctly answer a minimum of 15 out of 20 multiple-choice questions.Here is a sample list of the … Continue reading →

According to the results of The Property Council’s liveability survey, the answer is yes. In January 2011, The Property Council released the results of the largest survey undertaken on attitudes towards the liveability of Australia’s cities with the South Australian … Continue reading →

Toowoomba is the major service centre to the Surat Basin region to the northwest, an area experiencing a resources boom – and a skills shortage – courtesy of major projects for conversion of coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural … Continue reading →

Surviving your first year on the job will be a breeze if you can work and play well with others, says Dr Natalie Skinner from the University of South Australia’s Centre for Work + Life. What are the common misconceptions … Continue reading →

Australia holds its own as a professional destination of choice on the international stage, says Nick Deligiannis, Director of Hays worldwide recruitment. “The Australian economy continues to experience growth and recovered well from the 2008/2009 market downturn,” Mr Deligiannis explains. … Continue reading →

Find out where you can earn the most money in your industry in Australia. The majority of primary 457 visa grants to 30 June 2011 were for positions in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. Notably, however, the percentage … Continue reading →

With the number of primary 457 visa holders in Australia on the rise, we take a look at the top industries where skilled migrants are making an impact. As of June 2011, there were 72,300 primary visa holders in Australia … Continue reading →

Canberra offers skilled workers ample employment and lifestyle opportunities. Canberra is Australia’s capital offers some of lowest cost of living in Australia. It also boasts unemployment levels consistently lower than the rest of the nation. Canberra is home to Australia’s … Continue reading →

In 2010/11,39% more 457 applications were lodged than in the previous year.  As of June 2011, there were72,030 457 holders were in Australia, up 5.3%. Here’s who they are and what they do: 78% Managers and Professionals 16.5% Technicians and … Continue reading →

South Australia is becoming an increasingly popular location for people looking for a relaxed lifestyle and a lower cost of living than other more expensive states such as Victoria and New South Wales. The capital, Adelaide, offers great cultural diversity … Continue reading →

With Asia’s rapid economic expansion set to exacerbate the Australian skills shortage, there will be even more top paying jobs available to skilled migrant workers in Australia. While unprecedented progression in Asia is a driving force in Australia’s lucrative mining … Continue reading →

Philip Duncan, partner with Australian Immigration and Visa Lawyers, offers these helpful tips for anyone negotiating employment and visa terms before coming to Australia. Keep in mind that if you’re going into boomtowns such as Mackay, Moranbah and Gladstone in … Continue reading →

There is much debate over how long the mining boom can continue, but a quick look into the fortunes and future plans of the biggest players operating in Western Australia reveals the bust is a long way off. The Deloitte … Continue reading →

According to a Skills Australia report released in May, it’s estimated Australia will need an additional 2.4 million skilled workers by 2015 and 5.2 million by 2025. Mark Wright, partner and national immigration leader with Deloitte says the government and … Continue reading →

Grattan Institute CEO, John Daley, says that in the wake of the global financial crisis, Australia is not without its troubles but we wouldn’t swap them for anyone else’s. What are current unemployment rates in Australia? “Australia’s unemployment figure during … Continue reading →

Stay on the taxman’s good side – or under his radar completely by understanding how the system works. How to obtain a Tax File Number Every Australian requires a Tax File Number (TFN) as it is the means by which … Continue reading →

As with pets, Australia also has rigid rules regarding food, plant and animal materials that are allowed into the country. The strict regulations are designed to protect the country’s billion dollar agriculture and tourism industries from being decimated by new … Continue reading →

Buoyed by the twin economies of mining and a flourishing wine region, this area two hours north of Sydney, NSW, is slowly but surely shedding its image as a dusty steelworks town and surging ahead as a desirable spot to … Continue reading →

There are hundreds of festivals in Australia each year ranging from tiny regional affairs such as the Henry Lawson Festival in Grenfell, NSW, which celebrates the works of the colonial era bush poet, to each capital city’s annual arts and … Continue reading →

The Cost of Living in Australia How much will it cost you to run your home once you’ve finally unpacked the last box? We take a look at the prices of electricity, petrol and food. In next month’s issue, we’ll … Continue reading →

Get your CV right and find out tips on what Australian employers look for, where to look for work and what you’ll need to work in Australia. Step 1: Update your CV Keep your CV short and relevant to the … Continue reading →

Myth: Migrants are unable to get mortgages. Reality: There are no rules that say you can’t have a mortgage in Australia from the day you arrive, says NAB’s Tony Loeckenhoff. Pre-approval, however, is another matter. “Lending decisions are based on … Continue reading →

Buying and selling houses at auction is hugely popular in Australia. The following is a basic guide to how the home auction process works. Registration of Interest Once you’ve found a property, by law, you need to contact the real … Continue reading →