High Court finds offshore processing of asylum seekers is constitutionally valid
High Court finds offshore processing of asylum seekers is constitutionally valid The High Court of Australia has found that the Australian Government’s offshore processing of asylum seekers is constitutionally valid. The case has been brought by the Human Rights Law Centre which has worked with the Refugee Advice and Casework Service and the Darwin Asylum […]
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New Pathways for Filipino CPAs to Become CPA Australia Members
On 27 November 2015, CPA Australia and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) signed a Member Pathway Agreement (MPA) to further develop the relationship between the two bodies and establish guidelines on how qualified members of PICPA and/or candidates who have passed the local CPA Licensure exams can attain an international designation recognised […]
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New health requirements mean processing delays, especially for sc457 visas
An estimated 180,000 visa applicants currently doing an x-ray only to meet the health criteria will soon be required to complete a medical examination as well, under the department of immigration’s new health standards. In addition, 30,000 children under 11 years, will be required to be screened for TB. The new health requirements announced by […]
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Advisors to face huge fines from 1 December for helping foreigners break investment laws
On 1 December, the new penalty regime for illegal foreign property purchases is expected to come into effect. The new laws will for the first time capture third party facilitators like real estate agents, accountants, and lawyers, who will face fines of $45,000 for individuals and $225,000 for a company if they knowingly assist foreign […]
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Paris attacks: Opera House among icons to light up blue, white and red in solidarity with France
The Sydney Opera House was among a range of landmarks to light up in the colours blue, white and red as Australians showed their support for Parisians rocked by terror attacks. Vigils were also held around the country in solidarity with the French after more than 120 people were killed in a coordinated series of […]
Read MoreVictoria to guarantee minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios
The Victorian Government will introduce legislation to guarantee a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio as set out in current enterprise agreements. Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the bill would take the staffing issue off the bargaining table for future industrial agreements. There is no one figure for all public hospitals, as the minimum ratio depends on the type […]
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How to get fast-track passport clearance at Singapore’s Changi Airport
Australian frequent travellers can now skip any immigration queues at Singapore’s Changi Airport in favour of strolling through the automated passport control lanes ordinarily reserved for Singapore locals. After a brief fee-free registration process, you’ll have access to the eIACS (enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System) channel for two years from the date of approval, covering an […]
Read MoreChild Care Rebate payments on the horizon for families
Over a quarter of a million families will soon receive their Quarterly Child Care Rebate payments. The payment, delivered by the Department of Human Services, will reimburse around 275,000 families for part of their out-of-pocket child care fees. Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said the quarterly payments covering July to September 2015 […]
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Historic ratios win for nurses and midwives
last night became a world leader in patient safety when the ‘Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Bill 2015’ was passed through the state parliament’s Upper House. The only other state in the world to have legislated safe nurse/midwife: patient ratios is California, which enacted their ratios in 2004, and […]
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