Nationally recognised migration advisor, Michael Jeremy and RDANI Snr Project Officer, Kim-Trieste Hastings
Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) and Michael Jeremy, one of Australia's leading authorities on skilled and student migration, will soon tour the region, with a series of seminars rolling out from 28 November in Tamworth, Armidale, Goondiwindi and Moree.
"A need to bring Mr Jeremy's expertise to the region was identified and funded by RDANI," Executive Officer, Nathan Axelsson said. "The Department of Immigration and Citizenship introduced a raft of changes from July 1 this year, so helping regional employers and visa applicants to understand these changes is a practical way of supporting the region and its development."
Since the mid-1990s, Michael Jeremy has worked within the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Sydney Airport and the Migration Institute of Australia. “Currently I travel around the country lecturing in immigration law, specifically relating to skilled migration and students. Helping individuals and businesses to better understand these processes can save them a lot of time and money,” he said.
“Nationally, there is a great deal of misunderstanding, about the options and new rules that exist for skilled migration. In some cases rural and regional employers face even greater challenges,” he said. “Significant changes have been made to the points test for general skilled migration and the entire employer nomination system. The Student Visa Review and the Business Skills Review are also of interest to employers and students.”
"Australian immigration processes can be complex and changes occur frequently. I'll be explaining how employers can use immigration to achieve good business outcomes and get the skilled workers they need."
RDANI Senior Skilled Migration Project Officer, Kim-Trieste Hastings will co-present in the upcoming seminars for regional employers, businesses, organisations and visa applicants with Mr. Jeremy.
They will discuss such areas as: Regional Skilled Migration programmes; 457 Work Visas; Australian employer obligation to the Immigration Department; the do’s and don'ts of employing temporary visa holders; best practice approaches to working with the Immigration Department; and what RDANI can do to help local businesses and organisations.
Seminars will take place in Tamworth at the UNE Access Centre on Monday, 28 November; in Armidale at the TAS Hoskins Theatre, as part of an Armidale and District Chamber of Commerce information evening on Tuesday, 29 November; in Goondiwindi at The Royal Hotel on Wednesday, 30 November; and at the Moree Ex-Services Club Function Room on Thursday, 1 December. All seminars will have a 5:30pm for a 6pm start and run until 8pm. All are free of charge, except the Armidale and District Chamber of Commerce event - members: $15 and non-members/visitors: $25.
"RDANI is working in conjunction with the Border Rivers Chamber of Commerce in respect to the Goondiwindi and Moree seminars. This is an opportunity to strengthen cross border relationships, while providing important information to employers," Ms Hastings said. "RDANI primarily certifies Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) and Skilled Regional Sponsored (SRS) Visas. We certified close to 250 visas in the past financial year, from health professionals to abattoir workers, architects to trades people. We're working to improve the Immigration Department's appreciation of the region's acute skills shortages and agricultural occupations," she said. "Employer awareness and understanding of the option of recruiting overseas workers has grown in recent years, thanks to RDANI and the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services."
A special seminar will also be staged at the University of New England's International Students Centre/Oorala Centre. It will run from 10:30am to 12:30pm on Tuesday, 29 November. Mr Jeremy and Ms Hastings will explain the role of RDANI and talk about: Changes to the Student Visa Program for University Students; Changes to the Skilled Migration Program; Employer Nominated Permanent Visas; and What are Australian employers looking for?
Limited one-on-one appointments with Michael Jeremy can be arranged by calling Ms Hastings on: 0427 008 572.