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I don't recall seeing this discussed on the forum to date, but those who have or who are lodging an EoI should be aware of the following provision in the recently published migration regulations: The applicant’s score, when assessed in relation to the visa under Subdivision B of Division 3 of Part 2 of the Act, is not less than the score stated in the invitation to apply for the visa. The score stated in the invitation to apply for the visa will be based on the EoI - so if it subsequently transpires upon the submission of documentation and assessment by the DIAC case officer that the points claimed in the EoI were too high the visa application must be refused, whether or not the actual points are 60 or more. Areas that are likely to be particularly prone to error and overclaims are work experience and qualifications, where it presently seems the information in the pop up boxes of the EoI are insufficient and some would say misleading. Relevant work experience (for example) is an area where it seems there is insufficient detail. For those who are looking at a State Sponsored subclass 190 or 489 EoI/visa application I would encourage a cautious approach to claiming points, as you should receive an invitation whether you claim 60 or (say) 75 points. Those who are lodging an EoI with a view to a 189 visa being granted are in a more difficult position, and unless they are across the issues technically - particularly in the work experience area - should almost certainly be engaging a competent migration agent. Unless things change at a legislative level - which I suggest is improbable - I fear we will see quite substantial numbers of applicants being unsuccessful in the coming months, as the general prioritisation of EoI's with more points means there is an inherent bias which encourages overclaims by intending migrants. Best regards.
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Hi everyone, We are still pulling all the paperwork together to submit to vetassess so we have got no chance of ever applying for the visa before the July deadline. Does anyone know how likely it would be for sparks (or any other trades for others out there who may be interested) to be invited once the tests etc have been completed and passed? My husband is nervous about spending all the money to do the vetassess test and then for us never to be invited!! :unsure:
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http://www.garp.org/risk-news-and-resources/risk-headlines/story.aspx?newsid=38921 Well, the title says it all. Now, although it can be seen as weakness in the economy - and we do know that some sectors are not faring nicely - it could also be a preemptive move by the government to avoid having speculators pump the currency to extreme highs, thus hurting the education, tourism, and other sectors (and making it harder for people to migrate). A key figure to look at is the unemployment situation and new job creation. I would like readers to share insights on the job situation, salary increases/decreases, and bonus payments etc. How are Australians faring on these fronts?
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At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate to 4.25 per cent. Growth in the global economy has moderated this year after a strong performance in 2010. Some of the slowing reflected temporary factors, and as these passed, the pace of expansion in the US and much of Asia began to pick up around mid year. China's growth has been slowing, as policy-makers there had intended. Trade in Asia is now, however, seeing some effects of a significant slowing in economic activity in Europe.
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I've been comparing purchasing a house in Sydney versus keeping my house and just renting it out One of the items that jumped to my mind was the actual interest rate that Banks are charging. is it the same as what is online or are you able to negotiate a better rate How does the Stamp duty work ? I can see depending on the site some are giving 6 or 7 percent interest? Alan.
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Hi all I opened up an account with NAB prior to relocating to Australia and was told that "a non-resident withholding tax is calculated at a rate of 10%" on the interest earned. Has anyone successfully managed to get this waived until gaining full residency? (I realise it would need to be declared in the UK though) Thanks!
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The Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has left the cash rate unchanged at 4.75% for the 10th straight meeting. It is now 11 months since the RBA last raised the cash rate. It raised the rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% in November 2010. In his statement accompanying the decision, RBA governor Glenn Stevens said the board noted that “financial conditions have been easing somewhat, with interest rates for some housing and business loans declining slightly due to increased competition and the fall in some funding costs in financial markets”. “The exchange rate has also declined from the very high levels of a few months ago. Credit growth remains low, however, and asset prices have declined,” he said. Global factors continued to weigh on the mind of the RBA, Stevens said: “Conditions in global financial markets have continued to be very unsettled, with uncertainty increasing about both the prospects for resolution of the sovereign debt and banking problems in Europe, and the outlook for global economic growth. While temporary impediments that had contributed to a slowing in growth in some countries over recent months are lessening, recent data suggest a continuing period of soft economic conditions in both Europe and the United States. Moreover, the uncertainty and financial volatility have reduced confidence, which could result in more cautious behaviour by firms and households in major countries,” Stevens said. The decision was in line with a survey of 22 economists by Reuters, with all forecasting no rate change in October. Four institutions, including Westpac, are tipping the cash rate to come down before the end of the year. The dollar fell slightly, trading around the 95 US cents mark, 0.2% down on the day. Laing + Simmons general manager Leanne Pilkington says she hopes the decision to leave rates on hold will continue to entice potential buyers to invest in the still-fragile property marketplace. “The residential property market has been sluggish in recent months, to say the least,” she says. “Uncertainty is understandable given the continuing instability of the Australian stock market, which has recently seen huge losses wiped from the value of shares, and the lingering unpredictability of US and Eurozone financial markets. Falling confidence has inevitably led to reduced spending and the underlying fear of another recession has everyone sitting on their hands.” While she says there is still a strong case to be made for a cut in the official cash rate in the coming months, the decision to leave interest rates on hold does give a certain reprieve for those looking to enter the property market. “A strong spring season will restore much-needed confidence in the housing market. Already there is evidence that it is being buoyed by a rush of [NSW] first-home buyers looking to get a foot in the door before the removal of stamp duty concessions on existing properties kicks in on December 31.”
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I've just received a strange letter from the ATO and even phoned them and am none the wiser. It was like talking to a robot. Basically, I have to pay tax on my savings in advance, paying every quarter about $250 at a rate of 32%. I don't earn megabucks and neither do I have millions in the bank. It's just my savings for a house deposit. They won't let me sort it out and pay off any money if I owe them any when I do next year's tax return. No one at work has heard of this so has anyone here received a similar letter or can explain it in plain English!!!
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Hi All, may be a bit soon to ask, but does anyone have any ideas whether the state sponsored lists will continue under the expression of interest scheme they are planning to bring in? Thanks
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Hi, I am on a 457 visa for the next 4 years and have recently arrived in Sydney. I have some money in a UK savings account - can I claim interest gross (i.e. without tax) on my saving? or am I still liable for tax on interest? Are there any other options I could consider - i.e. Offshore bank accounts? Any advice greatly received. Many thanks.
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Australian dollar dives as Westpac forecasts cut to interest rates
ozziepom posted a topic in Aussie Chat
Australian dollar dives as Westpac forecasts cut to interest rates OK, so 1.07 US and 1.51 GBP is hardly a dive but expectations seem to be shifting from higher interest rates to lower ones, while higher rates may be forced on the big Western economies and those waiting for a better time to exchange pounds may still be in for a very long wait - no-one knows. One thing that can't be argued is that this a big change in sentiment from a few months ago. Mods - consider not moving this to money & finance as very few people read that and exchange rates are important to a large number of people. Of course no paper currencies are really rising, they're just sinking against real money at different rates :wink: -
stay on hold, welcome news to those with a mortgage:wubclub:
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Just had this article sent through to me thought it would be of interest to those members following the property market. Property prices won't experience huge losses over the next three years but interest rates will rise to almost 9.5 per cent by 2014 to force buyers back onto the sidelines, a new study says. The report by BIS Shrapnel, released today, dismisses forecasts of sharp falls in prices over the short to medium term and predicts prices to remain steady through the rest of 2011 "with some cities even showing moderate price growth over the two following years". Report author Angie Zigomanis said the drop in home prices to June this year had been caused by the government's withdrawal of stimulus spending, rising interest rates and a 50 per cent pull-back in the number of first-home buyers entering the market. But he said buyers would return as investment from the mining boom started revving up the economy through 2012. "The only question mark for us is interest rates. Our forecast is for a half a per cent rise later this year, and another half a per cent rise in the first-half of next year," said Mr Zigomanis. "In an environment that is strengthening, we can probably handle that at current price levels. People have factored those rate rises in, so as the economy picks up people will wade back into the market knowing that there is a couple of interest rate rises on the horizon." He said the forecasts were based on unemployment falling below 4 per cent in "a strong economic environment" where rising wages and inflation would see the RBA hike rates. "Housing rates are consequently forecast to peak at 9.4 per cent by the end of 2013. While the momentum in purchaser activity is expected to continue into 2012-13, rates at this level will eventually bring about a downturn in both the residential market and the economy over 2014." City by city Mr Zigomanis forecast Sydney's median house price to be $640,000 in June 2011, or a 1 per cent rise on a year earlier. The report noted that house prices would "remain 9 per cent below the peak of March 2004" but home loan affordability was "at its best level since 2002". Melbourne's forecast median house price would hit $575,000, a 3 per cent rise on a year earlier, but Mr Zigomanis noted there was "little upward pressure on prices" as the construction of new dwellings was beginning to exceed demand. In Brisbane, the median house price would slide 4 per cent over the year to $440,000. The report noted that "underlying demand in the Queensland market has been weakened by lower overseas and interstate migration inflows that have fallen to long term lows". The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions were expected to have moved in tandem with Brisbane. Adelaide's median house price to June 2011 was predicted to remain static at $410,000, while Perth home prices would settle at $480,000, down 4 per cent for the year and 10 per cent since the March quarter peak of 2007. The median price of a home in Hobart was steady at $365,000 over the year to June and Canberra's median house price was estimated to have fallen 2 per cent to $512,000.
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The announcement today of these changes taking place from July next year and leading to an initial round of sponsorships in January 2013 is being clarified by DIAC in seminars being held around Australia at the end of May. Until then it's too early to speculate on just how the system will operate other than to say that it will drive more people towards employer sponsorship. The FAQs for the changes, impenetrable as they are, are here: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/model-faq.pdf . I imagine that the model of lodging a structured CV is going to lead to many verification problems - again, the devil will be in the detail. And in the meantime, orderly processing of GSM applications continues - most people planning to apply should be able to lodge before the changes take effect, and after that date it will be necessary to lodge your EOI and pray. Cheers, George Lombard
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Applying for Tasmania State Sponsorship - Strong Interest from Employer
Guest posted a topic in Tasmania
Hi Everyone, I am just wondering if someone have received strong interest from Tasmanian employer and have applied for state sponsorship for 176 visa. I got a feedback from one of Tasmanian employers that they can't offer me job I being offshore but once I would be in Tassie they would be happy to talk to me. I am not sure whether this falls under strong interest. Thanks for sharing and help! -
No change in Aussie interest rates for the time being. Michael Pascoe | RBA: it's all good, mate | Interest Rates |
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DIAC Introduction of Public Interest Criterion Relating to Fraud from 2 April 2011
rebejes3 posted a topic in Visa Chat
Introduction of Public Interest Criterion Relating to Fraud from 2 April 2011 On 2 April 2011, the department is introducing a new Fraud Public Interest Criterion (PIC) that will be applied to certain visa subclasses in Skilled and Employer Sponsored Migration Program. The affected visa subclasses are as follows: Subclass Type of visa Title 175 GSM Skilled – Independent visa 176 GSM Skilled – Sponsored visa 475 GSM Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa 476 GSM Skilled – Skilled – Recognised Graduate 485 GSM Skilled – Graduate 487 GSM Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa 885 GSM Skilled – Independent visa 886 GSM Skilled – Sponsored visa 887 GSM Skilled – Regional 880* GSM Skilled – Independent – Overseas Student 881* GSM Skilled – Australian-sponsored Overseas Student 882* GSM Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student 883* GSM Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (Residence) 495* GSM Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) 496* GSM Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) 457 TES Business (Long Stay) 119 PES Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 121 PES Employer Nomination 856 PES Employer Nomination Scheme 857 PES Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme * While these visas are closed to new applications on 1 September 2007, pending applications remain. GSM – General Skilled Migration PES – Permanent Employer Sponsored visas TES –Temporary Employer Sponsored visas Transitional Arrangements Your application will be subject to assessment under the Fraud PIC if you have lodged an application for a type of visa listed above and that application is yet to be decided as at 2 April 2011 either by the department or is under review. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/fraud-pic.pdf -
Hi guys, I sent my CV to loads of potential employers recently and I have had some really positive interest. Myself and my family are going to Sydney in April to check everything out, schools, housing etc. and several companies want to see me for an interview and hopefully discuss sponsorship whilst I'm there. If we agree Sydney is the place for us, our plan was to submit GSM Visa application as soon as we get back. If I get sponsorship after this, am I able to transfer my GSM Visa to an Employer sponsored Visa? Thanks in advance. Cheers.
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Well the reserve bank have decided to keep the interest rates on hold. They don't meet again now until February.:wubclub:
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Hi There, We got our PR visa this week and I am now intending to open a bank account in order to transfer our savings into an account that will earn more interest than we are getting over here. I have had a look online at the high interest internet banking accounts that are available in Australia and one i am currently looking at is with Virgin. My question is - do the internet banking accounts work the same as they do in England? i.e. would i have to open an australian bank account and then transfer our money from the bank account into the virgin internet account? Cheers
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Rising above self interest: Population sustainability and the Ponzi demography
Alan Collett posted a topic in Visa Chat
ABC The Drum - Population sustainability and the Ponzi demography Worth a read ... Best regards. -
The central bank has left the cash rate at 4.5 per cent for a third straight month. "With (economic) growth likely to be close to trend, inflation close to target and the global outlook remaining somewhat uncertain, the board judged this setting of monetary policy to be appropriate," he (Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens) said in a statement. Expectation is that they will still creep up later in the year.
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After three consecutive rate rises, the RBA has decided to leave the official cash rate on hold. The RBA has raised official interest rates six times since last October, taking the official cash rate from the historic lows of 3 per cent to what the central bank considers a more normal rate of 4.5 per cent. The escalating debt problems in Europe had led many economists to believe that the RBA would keep rates on hold this month. Speaking about the decision, RBA governor Glenn Stevens said since the board last met, concerns about sovereign creditworthiness in several European countries have been a focus of financial markets. “Investors have generally displayed a good deal more caution. As a result, equity prices have fallen and long-term government bond rates have declined outside of the countries most affected by the sovereign concerns. The Australian dollar fell sharply as part of this adjustment,” Mr Stevens said. “Taking all the available information into account, the Board views this setting of monetary policy as appropriate for the near term.”
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HI PIO'ers The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates for the sixth time in seven months amid rising inflation and surging house prices. The 25 basis point rise in rates takes the official cash rate to 4.5 percent and will add around $45 to the monthly repayment on a $300,000 mortgage. Since the RBA began its current cycle of rate hikes in October last year, monthly repayments have gone up by around $250. Kind Regards,
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Mortgage Interest Rates in Oz & Possible Property Boom
surhythms posted a topic in Renting & Real Estate
Hi Guys I was having a look at the possibility of buying in Oz. We arent there yet - we dont even have our visa :biglaugh: but we are on our way, I just like to get in there and do loads of research. We are looking at the affordability of houses and it seems do-able but I noticed that the mortgage interest rates are around 6% !!!!! Does anybody know if this has always been the case in Oz - I know in Ireland at the moment my mortgage interest rate is 3.1% but thats probably due to the country being in a right state at the moment. 2 years ago i was paying nearly 5% interest rate so Im just wondering if there is a property boom over in Oz at the moment. I know we can get alot more for our money in Oz but because the interest rates being so high and the exchange rate being absolutely crap its made me wonder! Any comments would be much appreciated Suzanne
