changes to General Skilled Migration [More]

If you are not a permanent resident of Australia and want to buy a home here you must get prior approval from the Australian government. [More]

I often get asked the question - What is my most valuable possession? This is a difficult question to answer as one needs to separate materialistic and non-materialistic possessions. Obviously, my health and the health of my family members is the most valuable non-materialistic possession; without our health, nothing else really matters! Our physical and mental being cannot be purchased or replac... [More]

Is a second housing bubble being created in Australia (but particularly in Melbourne) by artificial  manipulation of the housing market  by the Federal Government? Australian consumer sentiment increased for the second consecutive month in July to reach its highest level in 19 months as households grew more optimistic about an economic recovery. This surge in optimism comes despite the ... [More]

I wonder how many migrants read "Who Moved my Cheese?" by Dr Spencer Johnson. The book is a very short story about change that takes place in a maze where 4 amusing characters look for "Cheese" -- cheese being a metaphor for what we want to have in life, whether it is a job, a relationship, money, a big house, freedom, health, recognition, spiritual peace, or even just a better quality of life. ... [More]

I recently went to my GP complaining of  a hernia in my right groin. He referred me to a specialist surgeon who advised me that I would have to have the hernia surgically repaired and to my surprise, he told me that I also had one on the other side which would also have to be repaired. He said that it would be a “little painful” and that I would suffer some “minor discomfort... [More]

I was recently reading a press release from the Australian Minister of Immigration relating to an identity fraud scam in Australia which reminded me that just like "Crime Doesn’t Pay", when dealing with the Department of Immigration in relation to a Visa application or a potential client, there are no “Short Cuts”. The press release stated that seven people were arrested across ... [More]

As I am licensed to provide immigration advice in both New Zealand and Australia I'm often asked the question as to which country it's easier to immigrate to and as my fellow director Colin Adno is fond of saying it's easier to qualify in the country in which you meet the immigration policy. Learn about the differences. [More]

Melbourne is the only major Australian city that has its metropolitan area included in the list of "designated areas" for immigration purposes. Learn what this means for Australian migrants [More]

Melbourne ranked third most liveable city in the world by the economist intelligence unit's liveability poll - one recent Australian migrants take. [More]