Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

In a bid to promote economic development throughout the Riverina region of Australia, the Riverina Regional Development Board is encouraging applications from skilled people who are interested in migrating to Australia via the Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) Visa.The SIR visa allows you to live and work in regional Australia with the option to apply for permanent residence after a period of time.

The head of Australia's Immigration Department has resigned, after the release of a report on cases of wrongful detention and deportation.

Prime Minister John Howard said he had accepted the resignation of secretary Bill Farmer, who will now become the country's next ambassador to Indonesia. Howard said he had appointed former immigration official Andrew Metcalfe as his replacement.

Under changes introduced 1 July, skilled migrants wanting to work in regional and low growth areas of Australia will be granted an additional 10 points under the Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa.

The SIR visa helps states, territories and regional authorities meet their needs in addressing critical skill shortages, while providing skilled migrants with the opportunity to experience the Australian lifestyle.

In 2003-04, Australia had a net increase of 43,612 skilled workers, up from 29,375 two years earlier. The increase in professional jobs grew from 15,866 to 27,338 over the same period.

New Zealand had a seasonally adjusted long-term and permanent migration net gain of 780 people in May, the biggest in seven months according to official data on 21 June. The net migration gain compared with the previous month's gain of 530 people, revised from an original 510. The seasonally adjusted monthly gain was the highest since October 2004.

On an actual, unadjusted basis, departures exceeded arrivals by 1,140, compared with a loss of 590 a year earlier, the government agency said.