[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A surprising announcement was made yesterday by the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, that the Australian government will be abolishing the 457 program and replacing it with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which will officially come into effect in March of 2018 (next year).
This has created a ripple effect of fear, confusion and uncertainty for 457 visa applicants, and 457 sponsors, which include small businesses, medium-to-large organisations and even government bodies who all utilise the 457 program to fill a wide array of skilled vacancies with skilled workers from around the globe, including Europe, Asia and the Americas.
It is important to know that the transition of changes of the move from the current 457 program to the new TSS visa has already begun. Reforms have come into effect from today starting with the occupation lists, and more changes to follow this coming 1st of July 2017. Below are the immediate changes, effective from today, that may affect your 457 visa/nomination/sponsorship:
Changes commencing on the 19th April (today):
So what does this mean for you as an applicant or employer?
This means that depending on your occupation or vacant position:
Current 457 visa holders are not affected by the change and their visas will continue to remain in effect. The only time where the changes will affect current 457 visa holders is if they intend to switch employers, which requires a new 457 nomination (which will be subject to the new occupation lists and associated restrictions).
Current 457 nomination and visa applications that have been lodged on or before the 18th of April 2017 (where the application/s have not yet been finalised) will be affected by the new occupation lists. The Department of Immigration have advised that applications affected by the changes may be eligible for a refund of their nomination fee and visa application fee.
If you are about to embark on a 457 case (or if you are in the middle of the process), please make sure you understand the above changes and consult with an experienced registered migration agent who can navigate the changes and offer you advice and assistance to help you, moving forward.
If you require professional assistance with your matter, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au. Due to the sudden nature of the announcement made regarding the 457 visa program, you may experience 1-2 business days of delay in our response to your enquiry.
If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate intervention and you wish to engage us to professionally assist with your case, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588) and clearly describe your situation (such as your occupation, the status of your application and any other problems you require immediate assistance with).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="It doesn't cost you to know your options" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23288bd0" google_fonts="font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal" css=".vc_custom_1493284229331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title=" 1300 619 977" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#333333" btn_bg_color="" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" icon="Defaults-phone" icon_size="32" icon_color="#288bd0" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="3" el_class="ubtn123" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284369687{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:34px;" btn_line_height="desktop:34px;"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title="FREE VISA ASSESSMENT" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#ffffff" btn_bg_color="#ff8200" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" btn_bg_color_hover="#ff9b30" btn_title_color_hover="#ffffff" icon_size="32" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="5" el_class="sg-popup-id-2" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284465384{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:20px;" btn_line_height="desktop:20px;"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
We personally didn’t expect the relationship to last. We met in a party in Woodlands, Singapore that a common friend threw. I strike a conversation, she responded. And it’s a match. A week later, we are still seeing each other, discovering each other’s quirkiness and mutual love of comic books and Korean cuisine. Then I have to go back to Brisbane where I am based as an IT analyst, cutting this majestic honeymoon period. We decided to keep the relationship with six thousand kilometers of land and ocean between us.
That was seven years ago. We are now together. It wasn’t easy. We were away from each other for four years, meeting only twice or thrice a year. Then we decided that it is time for her to move here. I sponsored her for a visa and it was another year of waiting and being separated. But it was all worth it.
It was simpler back then. You meet your partner, you build a house, work on your farm, and live happily together. But the world has gotten smaller. The surge of globalisation and economic fluctuations have thrown people out of their homelands in search of better life and career.
And a side effect of this are couples who have to endure living apart while one of them waits to have a visa so they can finally be under one roof. In Australia alone, countless wives and husbands are being sponsored for partner visas so they can be together for good.
We were one of those for half a decade. It was tough and harrowing. Yes, Facebook, Skype, and instant messaging are around, but they cannot hold a candle to going home to your sweetheart and throwing yourself into their arms.
We managed to stay afloat. And with us are lessons on how to survive relationships while being separated by physical distance. Here are five of them.
No couple deserves to live apart. And if they do, there’s got to be a damn good reason behind it. Ours are work and career. I have a flourishing career path here in Oz, and she has an essential role as a banking manager in Singapore. We both know we cannot leave the life and career we diligently built that easily.
If you are going to live separately, know and understand the reason(s) why you will go for this set up. Set goals and plan your milestones together so you will better see why this is the best plan for you. Once those feelings of loneliness and sadness rear their ugly head, you remember these reasons and hold on to them. This will help tiding the pain easier.
If you are not planning to be together in the foreseeable future at all, you better end this. You agree on this set up because in the end, you will be in each other’s arms for good. You hold on to this promise as the anchor that will keep you intact amid the surges of challenges. An Australian spouse visa will take months, even years, to be secured, so you have to be patient.
Once you get your visa and you fly in and are back together, you will realize that all those years of waiting are worth it. It is the best feeling in the world.
At this point, communication is the only thing that this relationship is real. You do not go out, cook breakfast for each other, or watch TV together. Your daily gestures do not go beyond texting or calling each other, so make sure you keep this alive and on going
Being clingy, however, gives the opposite results. Most couples fall into the trap of thinking that putting their partners in a 24-hour surveillance should compensate for the distance. This is not true. Make sure the anticipation and excitement of talking to each other is alive. If you overindulge in each other’s availability, the enthusiasm will be lost.
Every weekend, we set three to four hours of our day to talk to each other about our problems, challenges, achievements, internal celebrations, and our future as a couple. It was an opportunity to improve our relationship and connection. Other than that, it was all short calls and Facebook chats. But they were continuous and ongoing.
This is one of our quirky rituals, and creates a deeply personal connection. We sometimes leave each our laptops on with skype running as we do our house chores. Seeing what each other is doing like passive observers gives us a glimpse of what an ordinary day at home looks like. It gives a feel of living together as we do our own things, rarely interacting save for the smiles and nods and the occasional staring on the camera, and still feel the presence of each other. It is satisfying and relaxing at the same time.
She closed a significant sale for the company? Send her flowers (heck, you can send her flowers for no reasons at all). He met a setback at work? Give him a call or send texts of encouragements to show you are there. These little gestures keep the fire burning, and remind you that even if you are countries away from each other, you never left each other’s’ mind and heart.
We rarely send each other the usual gifts like shoes, clothes, and gadgets since we rather buy them on our own. What I mostly gift her though are videos of my guitar covers of our favorite songs (in DVD format, no less!). Then in return she will mail me her sketches of the Marina Bay Sands or the Singapore skyline. We even send snail mail to each other. Nothing beats the feeling of dried ink impressed on scented paper. It’s the little, even odd things that you do for each other that counts.
The age of expatriations and global diaspora might be upon us, but nothing can stop us from crossing oceans and be being with our loved ones. One channel for that is the partner visa. And the earlier you apply/sponsor for a visa, the earlier you can secure it. And always seek a professional for Australian visa advice as each individual situation is different.
It is not uncommon for partners and spouses to be waiting for their partner visas to be processed without knowing the benefits they are entitled to in the meantime.
A bridging visa “bridges” the gap between substantive Australia visas. So if a visa expires, you are still allowed to stay in Australia until a decision has been made on your next visa. It is the transitioning stage.
A partner bridging visa allows you to stay in Australia until the decision of your partner visa has been made.
So what does a partner bridging visa allow you to do? Here are a few of the benefits.
Income stream is very important, especially if you are starting to build your life together in Australia. Having your partner be employed without any restrictions and be able to contribute to your relationship’s income pool is very essential in achieving your dreams.
Whether your spouse is an engineer or a zoologist - they will be able to build their careers in Australia. The country never runs out of skill shortages. These are brought forth by the ongoing expansion of the economy and the breakneck speed in which technological innovations are moving. Australia’s pool of workers and professionals cannot catch up because of the slow growth in the population as well as the aging demographic of employees, so the country has to rely on the flow of migrants coming in to fill in these gaps.
Your partner, whatever his or her degree, profession, or specialization is, should be able to find his or her place in Australia's talent pool and build a solid career.
As mentioned, Australia is an ever-growing country with technology, career and businesses. Whether you are looking to study to upskill further or looking to change careers or getting your first formal qualifications. A bridging visa will allow you to attend universities. However, International Student fees still apply.
YES. With a bridging visa, you (the applicant) can travel outside the country and still set your foot back in Australia. This is given that you return within the specified amount of time. You may go back to your homeland for a while or travel to other countries with your partner and Oz will still welcome you back.
That’s right. So a bridging visa will allow you to be with your loved one until a decision is made. Given the lengthy processing time, it is an advantage to not be waiting for the partner visa for months on end in order to live and be with your loved one.
The best case scenario for most couples is to stay together in Australia during the processing of their partner visa.
If you are looking to apply for a partner visa but unsure of which visa pathways have bridging visas to allow you to stay in Australia during the processing times, contact us for a free eligibility assessment by a VisaOne Visa Expert.
Otherwise, leave us a comment below for any visa questions you have unanswered.
Please note that this informative article is not a substitute for professional advice. Always seek a professional for Australian visa advice as each individual situation is different.
Starting a new life in a different place is not for the weak of heart. You will leave the comforts of your home, sever ties with friends, and embrace uncertainty. But for most people, it is the only choice. A bad career, a college degree going nowhere, a bitter failure, or even just discontentment in the status quo. These, among others, push people to walk the path of no return and settle for a foreign land they hope to call their new home.
But not all places are created equal. Some are more viable to fresh starts than others. Every year, Australia attends to thousands of hopeful applicants trying to get a job and settle in the country. Most of them escaping an old life to create a new and better one.
So why is the country a harbor for this kind of exodus? We laid out the reasons.
Australia is a huge place. Nobody will know you here. You can blend in and no one will mind or criticise who you are and what you are doing. You can be whoever you are.
Moving to a new place does not only involve making a fresh start, but recreating yourself. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to fit in and let the people decide your identity. No. You establish your personality and identity and find the people that will accept you. It is not difficult to do this in Australia. The country’s culture is known for tolerance and acceptance of people from various walks of life, gender, culture, and religion. You don’t have to adhere to a certain philosophy or way of life to live here.
Anonymity might be good. But isolation is not. In that case…
This social oxymoron is what separates Australia from most of the prime destinations in the world. The Aussies might be tolerant and will most likely leave you alone, but they are open in welcoming people. They love good conversations, cold beer, barbecues, traveling with friends, and other activities that let them meet people, expand their relationships, and strengthen their ties. The fact that Melbourne and Sydney is tagged as the most and fifth friendliest cities in the world, respectively, only solidifies this reputation.
This is because the Australian mindset is bound to the virtue of mateship. This social concept centers on equality, loyalty and friendship, three binding ideals that make Aussies so accepting of other people.
However, respect here is not just given. It is earned. You should also provide the same openness the people give, regardless of gender, politics, and beliefs. For someone going for a new life, this is a good exercise since it challenges the status quo and reshapes your perception of the world through the people you meet and befriend.
Moving away is futile if the destination reminds you of home. Australia is a place like nowhere else. It is a unique conglomeration of British and Native Australian influence with cultural contributions from New Zealand, United States, and even Asia.
Given, the country might always be compared to the other two global haven, the United Kingdom and the United States, as its most similar counterparts, but even people have to agree on the resemblance. This is because Australia has a unique identity. From the work and social practices, to the landmarks and tourist spots, to the equally intimidating and palatable food. And don’t even get us started with the wild life.
The country’s geographical isolation somehow prevented it from being like any other nations in the world, and provides migrants a one-of-a-kind place to call home.
Part of starting a new life is finding yourself. Yes, you have left a lucrative yet empty career back home, but for what? These failures that had battered you down, what did they taught you? What actually makes you happy? There can be lot of questions to be answered, doubts to be cleared. You need to be somewhere else to be alone, but not lonely.
For decades, Australia has been a top choice for solo travelers and back packers who want to experience nature and meet people. The Magnetic and Fraser Islands in Queensland are perfect for musing alone; just hire a boat, paddle in its crystalline and calm waters, and you will appreciate silence and solitude. And if you still want to see a bit of civilization and marvelous architecture, look no further than Sydney Harbor Bridge’s boat ride tour. Admire the expansive beauty of Port Jackson and connect with other people, too.
You get away because you want a better, albeit uncomplicated life, not sink in the depths of poverty and debt. You need a place where you can me employed, pay bills, eat three times a day, and enjoy the simpler things. Australia is that country.
The country’s economy is on a roll, gross domestic product is surging up, the manufacturing and spending statics are improving, and unemployment is decreasing. All these point out to the fact that the country can take care of you. Here, you can find a job that can support you and start a career (if you do not know how, you can read here, here, here, also here, and especially here), or save up buy the house of your dreams, or try go on a business and enjoy financial freedom and independence.
The opportunities in Australia are virtually limitless. All you need is great courage to embrace uncertainty, the openness to other people, and unwavering passion to pursue the life that you want. And a visa. You need to have Australian visa.
Flight delays are like pimples the day before your graduation photo shoot. You won’t see it coming. And it hammers down on you on one of the most important days in your life. Imagine the dread when the announcer booms out that your trip to Sydney has been put off for the day due to weather or technical concerns. There is no way to get around it.
Or is it? However catastrophic it may be, there are some workarounds you can do to survive a flight cancellation (and no, yelling on every airport crew you come across is not one of them). Here are six the things you should be doing when the announcement gets dropped on you.
Prevention is always better than cure. And avoiding the circumstances that will lead to a flight cancellation will save you from a lot of headache.
First, watch out for the weather, and try to avoid flying during heavy storms. And if you can, fly direct instead of stopping in a city or country prone to bad weather.
And second, fly in the morning. Maintenance issue-related delays and cancellations mostly happen late in the day, as the issues accumulate as the day goes by. And if ever the cancellation happens during your morning flight (because fate really likes to test your patience), you still have the entire day to catch another one.
We have mentioned this before. Once the announcement gets out. Drop everything and call your airline customer service ASAP to get you rebooked (the call queue gets exponentially longer with every minute you waste not calling). Somewhere out there is a plane going to the same destination with an empty seat or two and your airline can find that for you. Just be ready with the information they might ask such as your record locator to get the transaction immediately done. Other people from your canceled flight are also doing this. So hustle.
Sometimes it is not the airline's fault that a snowstorm spontaneously appeared to spoil everything, and yelling at the crew all day isn't a sensible move. Accept what is happening and book a hotel if you will be waiting overnight. A smartphone app called HotelTonight helps you find a hotel nearest to the airport, book a room, and even schedule your next flight. A good rest will help you collect yourself and plan your next move.
Most airlines provide meal and accommodation vouchers if the flight is canceled due to airplane-related issues (if it’s a weather concern, they do not owe you anything). ASK if it is available. On occasions where the cancellation leads you to an overnight delay, they will most likely provide hotel stay for the night.
If a shuttle service is being offered to take you to the hotel, get the seat nearest to the door so you can get checked in ahead of the other panicking passengers. Reserve for a shuttle ride back to the airport to avoid missing your flight.
We usually put our toiletries inside our check-in baggage. And in unexpected mishaps like a cancellation, we get separated from our toothbrushes, bar soap, and dental floss as they get re-routed to our destination while we toil the night stranded.
If this happens, approach the airline's baggage service office and ask for an amenity kit. This will usually contain the aforementioned essentials plus a few more like deodorant, body lotion, cologne, shaving kit, and sleeping mask.
Nobody deserves to have their flight canceled. It is one of the most infuriating things to happen to anybody aside from stepping on a Lego block barefoot. But that doesn't mean you can take it out on the flight attendants, airport crew, security guards, or the gate attendants like they are in conspiracy to call off your flight. Ninety percent of the time, it is nobody’s fault. The weather got bad, or the engine messed up. You can't put the blame on them.
Be nice and be calm to them to better work out your situation. Raising your voice will only make them defensive and impair their judgment and their ability to assist you if you keep throwing a fit. That will not help you in the long run.
Congratulations on your Permanent Residency! You can now stay in Australia for good and have access to social welfare benefits, the national health care, and higher education loans. Also, you can finally vote and apply for citizenship.
But perhaps the biggest benefit is that you can finally own a house. This is a prime requirement if you really want to settle. No more rents to pay and no more arguing with your landlord over bad plumbing. Just you and your dream house.
Here's the catch: owning a property isn't for everybody. Too many people have jumped in the world of home ownership without being financially prepared only to find themselves in debt. So how do you know if you are ready to buy a house? Follow these signs, and if everything is right on your part, then get that beach villa you have always wanted.
If you are an urban nomad whose job involves traveling from one area to another within months, then keep your dream house just a dream for now. Renting is the best fit for you. If you are not planning on moving in the next five years or so, then push through with the ownership.
Getting a home while constantly moving will only place unnecessary expenses on your back. Just imagine paying both the mortgage and rent, and you will dry up your resources sooner than later. Unless you are Bill Gates, do not do this.
Yes. Those years of not giving in and maxing out your credit card because the new iPhone will not buy itself has paid off. By avoiding debt, paying the bills on time, and settling your loans properly, you can build a good credit score. This is essential in determining if you can apply for a mortgage and what the interest rates will be. If you have a low score, chances are you won’t be getting a mortgage, or if you do, higher interest rates apply.
Please be advised, however, that credit score seesaws constantly, so be sure you always check yours on line (you can do it here).
Having your wedding in the next few months? Your partner is expecting? Planning to get your degree? You might want to rethink about getting a home. House ownership is all about prioritising and commitment. If the coming months or years' plans will put house payments on the back burner, don’t do it. You will waste money and will probably cause you to run into more debt.
One of the most fatal mistakes home buyers make is putting all their savings on the down payment. There will always be additional expenses coming, either the paint job is bad or the plumbing is not up to par (it’s always the plumbing). With all your money on the house payment, you won’t have much left.
Worse case is unforeseen and unwanted expenditures barreling you down: you got fired from the job (see here how you can find out if you will get the boot) or a family member got sick. If you already exhausted your unemployment or emergency fund, you will be in trouble.
And likewise...
If you only saved for the bare minimum of the down payment, then you haven’t saved enough yet. Hidden and unexpected expenses such as title insurance and inspection fees will always be coming and adding up to the final numbers which can be as high as ten percent. Have a buffer and protect yourself from unwanted surprises.
If you need a place you can call as your own, then by all means do it. If you are doing so because you are under the impression that a house is an investment that will make you more money, then we have to stop you right there. First, house market price over the course of years fluctuates dramatically, so earning significantly is not a sure thing. Second, even if you earned, the inflation and all the financial stress it brings cancels it. Be sure you buy a house for the right reasons.
Not all debts are created equal. Some are being made to lift off a business or expand an enterprise. Others are results of unsettled contracts. And sometimes they are a product of irresponsible finances and living beyond the means. If you belong to the last category, think twice about getting a mortgage. Be sure you have a good plan on dealing with your debt first. Debts are constantly increasing and if you are not consciously aware of where they are coming from, then that's a red flag. Take a step back and manage your finances.
There is no perfect time to start a business in Australia than now. Ideas are in a boom, the economy is on a roll, and consumer market is very upbeat. The conditions are just perfect to have your own business and contribute further to the country’s economy.
We had shown you before the seven important things you need to remember when starting a small business in the country (click here if you missed it). But entrepreneurship is such a challenging, albeit exciting road to take, we have seven more important details to keep in mind when having your own startup.
Take note, mates. These could skyrocket you to success.
The best entrepreneurs in the world didn't become the best because of their Master’s Degrees or training in their belt. They became the greatest by actually starting their businesses and learning from it. No amount of business books or entrepreneurship seminars can prepare you for what’s coming. Learn the ropes by going ahead and starting your business.
Mark Zuckerberg didn’t finish college. So as Bill Gates. And Steve Jobs. We are not saying you should quit your education. Our point is that these guys did not let their lack of a diploma stop them from launching their companies. So do it. The learning starts when you fail and take notes from what happened.
There are two sides to the population of starting entrepreneurs. On one side are those cowering in fear of failure, on the other are those who fall for the survivorship bias. These people focus only on the successful businessmen and think the same thing will mostly happen to them.
Here’s the thing. Your business can fail. And if you don’t set up any safety nets such as insurance, your failure will hurt more than it should. Business insurance is not only a security measure but a requirement in Australia. There are currently three types of business insurance available: the asset and revenue insurance, personal and workers insurance, and liability insurance. See which one is best for your business well apply for one.
As Thank You Group founder Daniel Flynn puts it: a smashing idea doesn’t always equate to success. Everybody has a good idea. Your execution, however, shapes the fate of your business. Have a good business plan. Keep your priorities clear, as juggling too many balls in the air will only lead to them crashing. Be consistent with your execution plans. And revisit your strategies to tailor-fit them to the numbers you are getting, but never change your end goals.
It is also important that you surround yourself with people and employees that will provide a positive and productive culture to your business. You might have planted the seed of the idea, but their aggregate efforts and concepts borne from brainstorming will be the water and the sunlight that makes sure that seed grows strong and big.
The Australian Government never leaves its entrepreneurs alone. It gives them access to grants and assistance such as commercialising your products, business expansion, idea research and development, and even import and export of goods and services.
You just click the link, check the kind(s) of assistance your business needs. State your industry, period of operation, and annual turnover. And you will receive help from the government.
Most entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of having a mentor. They think that mentorship is only for those “want to keep their level of success maintained.” Mentors are positive forces that keep you inspired when the numbers seem to go against your plan. They will guide you to make the best choices (No, they cannot make the choices for you. Every business situation is different). And best of all, mentorship is personalised. You may read a thousand motivational and business books from the greatest authors, but nothing beats the advice of someone who can see your strategies, operation, and results on a first hand basis.
A seasoned mentor has already walked the path you are trailing right now. He or she is armed with experience, insights, and networks that you do not have right now. Take advantage of these and build your way to success.
Depending on the type of your business or the products and services you offer, you will need to follow mandatory safety laws, including construction, performance, testing, labelling and information requirements. Click here to get a full understanding of these laws.
The codes of practice also give a minimum standard of security to consumers and businesses in certain industries. Contact your state or territory consumer affairs office for further details on codes of practice in your area or you may click also here.
And finally, you need to be aware of the safety and labelling standards in the country in case you are trying to sell products. Click here and here for more information about them.
Most young entrepreneurs will jump from one opportunity, idea, or product to another, neglecting their original priority. This is a rookie mistake. As we said, juggle one too many balls and you will end up crashing them to the ground. Once you created your core product, funnel your time, efforts, and resources on it. Develop it, make it grow, perfect it. This will raise your chance of success.
And once everything is stable and expansion is the only way to go, scale up slowly. You are entering a new realm you are not familiar. Better to look ahead carefully before you leap.
When we plan to migrate, we tend to look on things that will satisfy our senses. Is the food good? Will the sights be superb? Are people friendly enough? Do they have Netflix? While taking these into consideration toatlly make sense (you will settle there for the rest of your life, after all), we have to see beyond these things and look at the more important factor that actually affect sustainability of life here. These factors overall economy, employment rate, optimism and the likes.
Worry no more. The Land Down Under takes care of these smoothly, as evidenced by reports we have gathered that implies Australia is going north when it comes to economic sustainability. Here are five of them.
Despite the scares and panic caused surrounding the Brexit last June on a global scale, Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew in the first quarter of 2016, making it the 99th quarter of which the country is in a state of economic prosperity. This hikes up the acceleration growth rate to 3.1%, the fastest since 2012’S September quarter.
Gross domestic product is the value of all the products and services produced by a country within a specified time. This is one of the indicators of a country’s general economic activities.
It has been almost 24 years since Australia had undergone recession, a period of significant decline in economy lasting for a few months. While going through this is quite normal even for developed countries, the Lucky Country has managed to avoid this.
Compared to other first world nations such as Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Japan, Australia has outperformed them when it comes to GDP, unemployment, and consumer price index (CPI).
The growth of the manufacturing sector not only the by-product of a good economy. In fact, most often than not, it is one of the causes. A country’s GDP is dependent on manufactured goods and services, and between the two, goods is the one on which global trade hinges on.
Recently, Australia bid good bye on Ford’s 91 year-old manufacturing business in the country. But despite this loss, the manufacturing sector is rocking it again. The third quarter of 2016 saw the pillar of economy bouncing back, led by the food industry and increasing the Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index by 2.9 points to 49.8 last month.
And while this is going smoothly, technology has also jumped in to take the manufacturing up a notch by some companies making their factory staff utilise wearable devices to keep an eye on fatigue, preventing workplace accidents in the process.
But this breakthrough isn’t just something that jumpstarted two months ago. The rise of production sector has been already reported as far back as January, with the petroleum, wood and paper products, chemical & rubber products, coal, food, beverages and tobacco, furniture, clothing, textiles, and other industries all witnessed increased activities during this period.
And what happens when production has increased? That means more jobs, which leads us to…
Australia is already known to have very low unemployment rates. But last month’s numbers defied even the most optimistic expectations when unemployment rate from 5.7% to 5.6%, reaching its lowest level in three years. Economist predicted that the numbers will stay at 5.7%, which is already good, but went further lower by 0.01% in August.
The Turnbull government welcomed the development warmly, is this is a result of the 186,000 more jobs they have added to the workforce.
A low unemployment rate means that the number of Australians actively seeking for a job is low in relation to the population of actively employed people. This boosts up the economy in a number of ways. First, it improves efficient utilization of resources and equipment. When this happens, production efficiency increases, meeting customer demands and maintaining good consumer and supplier relations.
Second, it makes finding job easier for Australians, not only because there are more jobs, but also because the companies have confidence in the job market demand in the near future. Third, this means more buying power for the consumer, which in turn increases demand, opening for more jobs. Making at a virtuous cycle.
And since we are on the topic of buying power…
And it seems like this virtuous has begun already. Because of improvements on their personal finances, Australians now a more likely to spend, advancing consumer spending and consumer sentiments in the process, as reported by the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank survey last month.
The survey, which included 1,200 participants, found that consumer sentiment stepped up to 0.3% in September from a 2% increase in August. Consumer sentiment measures people opinion about their current financial wellness, as well as the short term and long term growth and wellness of the economy. This is one of the powerful economic indicators available, as if it measures and displays the economic advancement on the human level.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index also reported the same thing. Despite the falling of a mere 2.2%, consumer confidence in the country remains above its long-run average of 112.8, making it higher than normal.
Rising retail sales are on one of those numbers people will relegate only to increase of department store sales and huge discounts, but as stated above, it is another essential economic indicator. Increase in sales of everyday items exhibits the consumers’ confidence in the market, in the economy, and in their pockets. If they think financial circumstances are bleak, then they will keep their money and save it in the bank. It is good, but not that good, because it does not encourage circulation of money.
With Australia’s August retail sales hitting a +0.4%, it defies (again!) expectations from economists. This amounts to $25.128 billion worth of sales from consumers, and is now the biggest monthly increase since October 2015. Along with department store goods, jumping sales have also been in reported in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.2%), food retailing (0.3%) and household goods retailing (0.2%).
Australian girls can get stereotyped a lot. They love beaches, they’re all blond, and all have sexy accents. While most of these are true, Aussie ladies are in fact, way more than those, and could be one of the best companies you can ever have. If things work well, you may elevate this into exclusive dating, a relationship, or even marriage. And you will have a respectable, gorgeous, and intelligent lady forever by your side.
We listed down the reasons why you should date an Aussie girl, like right now.
Disclaimer: The traits detailed in this article cannot represent accurately all Australian women, as they are completely complex and multi-dimensional people. We merely highlighted the good and general traits embedded in their character as part of their national identity and culture.
The brunette on the other side of the bar? Looks like a snob. The blond in the nearby table? Way out of your league. For tens of thousands of years, women have been intimidating men in ways more than we can imagine. They are either too smart, too rich, too busy, or too social. It’s like wearing an invisible “back off” sign.
This isn’t much the case with Aussie ladies. You see, they belong to one of the friendliest, most polite, and most laid-back people on the planet. They’ll talk to you like you were their old neighbor. They’ll laugh at your jokes, listen to your stories, or, if you’re lucky, buy the next round of drinks, all these considering you are a well-represented, decent human being yourself. They might not like you right away, but at least you’ll have a fighting chance, and not treat you like you have a restraining order from them.
Who hasn't heard of Margot Robbie utter a word and didn't think “OK, that accent is melting me?”
Aussie accents is up there with British and South American as one of the most likable in the world. It sounds British (because history) without the ultra-formal and posh tone. It’s more relaxed, a bit rougher, and flows with politeness and gentleness imbedded in its inflections.
Though on the flipside, you will inevitably lose all the arguments with her. Seriously, who wants to maintain contention with a lady whose speaking timbre you can’t even resist?
As men, we generally love sports, a good laugh, a few rounds of drinks, night time drives, and adventures. And what do we love more? A woman who likes all of these, too.
Australia is known for its very active and outdoor lifestyle. They’re so mad about sports like cricket, rugby, and football (not to be confused with the egg-shaped variety). And since the country is 65% rough terrain, the love for adventure runs in their blood as well. And after a day’s hard work, they’ll cap it off with a few shouts (that’s Aussie term for rounds) of beer with a good company. Imagine having a girlfriend with no reservations for these things and you are in for a lifetime of fun and happiness.
Some girls aren’t really looking for boyfriends but slaves. But not Aussie girls. You see, they are one of the most practically able people on Earth. They can think on their feet, they know their way around things. They can build and repair whatever it is that needs to be built or repaired. In short, they don’t need you.
But no. They are not a race of misogynistic people who abhors men in general and probably raised Wonder Woman. They are just capable themselves. She will not whine or nag over broken things and disappointments. So, if your type are eternal damsels in distress, Aussie women aren’t those. Adopt a kitten or something.
For some westerners, being Asian or Indian or African might feel like you came from the far side of the planet. But not for an Australian woman. More likely than not, she already has an Asian, Indian, or an African friend from the other side of the street. So your culture won’t shock her anymore, at least not that much.
The thing is, Australians have been living with immigrants as their neighbors for decades already. This makes them more accepting and accustomed to multi-cultural people. Also, being a country at the center of global migration further helps this mentality. And lastly, Australians are natural travelers, so they won’t mind meeting and befriending people of different ethnicity, race, or culture.
So it won't matter where you came from. Just be polite and friendly and you’re good with them.
No good relationships ever evolve solely around lying in couches and Netflix marathons. You both need to get out, discover the world, take the road, face your fears, and get your feet dirty. And oh boy, Aussie ladies love to travel.
Australia is a huge country, and a larger patch of this land is home to some of the most challenging treks and most beautiful natural attractions ever. The fact that the country is isolated by ocean from much of the United States, Europe, or Asia means Aussies don’t have much choice but travel their own country first.
The 21st Century have seen the rise of women empowerment. Ladies now don't want to be just housewives. They are now climbing corporate ladders, working as bread-winners, refusing to take the train seat you offered, and splitting the bills.
Meanwhile, Aussie ladies have been doing these for decades already.
Australia works on an egalitarian principle, meaning everybody is being given equal rights, opportunities, and responsibilities regardless of social status, education background, race, and gender. The country works hard to eliminate sexism and bigotry from the national psyche and maintain the “neither superior nor inferior” culture. So if she offers to split the check or buy the next round of drinks, keep in mind that she’s not trying to impress you, she’s just being Australian.
We’re not saying you should marry an Australian girl for the sole purpose of landing ashore the Lucky Country. You can do better than that.
But the truth is, when you fall head over heels and marry an Australian citizen, she has the capacity to bring you over home and make you a permanent resident or even a citizen, too. And look at the benefits, the country has an amiable climate, friendly people, awesome tourist spots, a diverse culture, and great cities to live in. Imagine living in a great country with an awesome girl beside you forever. It’s a win-win situation here.
And then here comes the spiders. Oh wait, she’s not afraid of those, too.
On 23 June 2016, United Kingdom decided that it would leave with the European Union in a significant referendum that showed 52% of its citizens voting against the stay, the conclusion for the economic and political decision known as the Brexit. The result caused missive impact on a global scale: the British pound fell to its lowest level since 1985, $2 trillion were wiped out from the stock market on single day last Friday, and there has been a sudden spike of interest in migrating to Australia in the Google searches.
A combination of two words, “Britain” and “exit,” Brexit is United Kingdom’s decision to finally leave the European Union, a trading and economic group that it has been part of since 1973. The debate about staying and leaving the group has been raging on for quite a while now, with the politicians, pundits, economic experts, and British citizens completely polarized on the issue.
This debate was concluded last Thursday in a historic referendum (with more than 30 million people voting, the highest since the 1992 general elections), with 52% of the people wanting the country to leave.
Founded in 1957, the European Union (also known as the EU) is a political and economic partnership between 28 European countries aimed at forming a single market that allows free movement of goods, capital, and even people between each countries, just like as if they are a single country.
As what we have established with each of our articles where we compare Australia with other European countries (United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), having a visa with any of the EU nations will allow you to travel, work, and even live to other member countries.
Nineteen of these countries share a singular currency, the Euro, to establish a faster and more efficient system of trade. These countries form the Eurozone. United Kingdom was never part of the Eurozone, as it has maintained the British pound from the time it joined the group up to now.
The United Kingdom heavily benefits from being a member of a powerhouse economic and political group such as the European Union, such as (but not limited to):
These and other benefits are quite blinding and worth keeping, but there are also corresponding burdens to this set up especially when it comes to migration, such as (again, not limited to):
It should be noted that one of the European Union’s mandates is that citizens can travel, live, and work on each member countries freely, thus the uncontrolled exodus among each nation.
A few days before the British referendum, people were turning to Australia as a possible alternative migration destination. The Google searches peaked significantly when media outlets finally announced the referendum’s result.
This is because with the United Kingdom leaving the trading bloc, there will be disruptions in its migration policies, making it more stringent and hard-nosed on future migrants. This move will reverse the unfavorable effects brought by uncontrolled flow of people back in its EU days. It should be noted that UK left EU mostly because of this reason.
With these changes coming in, people are looking for alternatives, possibly with the same economic foothold and democratic atmosphere. And one of their top choices? Australia.
The choice is not accidental. Looking at the numbers, Australia is your best bet while the UK and the EU are still in squabbles about what to do post-Brexit, and while the stock market atmosphere and economic policy changes are still yet to settle down.
So, why Australia? Here are a few convincing reasons:
Economy is the primary consideration when migrating to a country, and Australia has earned a big plus on that. The Land Down Under is the 12th largest economy in the world, has an inflation rate of a meager 1.3%, and a very low unemployment rate of 5.7%. It is a complete haven for migrants looking for a better life.
Given, Brexit will have repercussions on the world's economy, and that will include Australia. But seeing as how the country came out of the recent global economic crisis unscathed with its very good economic contingencies and fiscal policies, we can definitely say the Lucky Country can tide Brexit's impact as well.
European countries’ charm when it comes to migrants is its powerhouse trade bloc, the EU itself. This gives them strong footing as far as the economy is concerned. But they aren’t the only ones enjoying such privilege. Though not a member, Australia is a strong trading partner of the union since 2008. EU is the largest source of investment for Australia and their companies are directly responsible for the creation of 500,000 jobs in the country.
But their partnership is more than just the numbers. EU and Australia also supports each other when it comes to political issues and international cooperation. European Union's top migration destination, the United Kingdom, might be in the edge of stability now due to the exit, Australia remains as stable as ever.
One of the European Union’s bane on the United Kingdom is the very lax migration system between member countries, resulting to one-sided flow of migration of people from the less developed to the more thriving countries. UK got the short end of the stick on this with the massive influx of people coming here. After Brexit, the country is expected to curb migration and instill stricter tourism policies.
Australia, on the other hand, has its migration under control. While it may not be as strict as other countries (or as UK will be in the future), the country has always made sure it accepts only skilled migrants that adheres to its own well-designed migration policies and high standards of labor. It only makes sense to say that the Lucky Country has one of the best migration procedures in the world.
And how do we know this? Because the United Kingdom is planning to adopt Australia’s migration point system to help establish future policies and help their economy.