When and How to Lodge a Merit Review Application with the AAT

Better job opportunities, great quality of life, a range of study options to choose from, golden sandy beaches and stunning landscapes that simply invite you to spend more time outdoors, these are just some of the reasons why people from all over the world decide to move to Australia. The low unemployment rate and stable economy are the two features that make the Australian labour market the best place to build a successful career. Before you seek employment in Australia you should first apply and obtain a work visa that will allow you to legally reside and work in the land down under. There are different types of work visas you can apply for. Some are sponsored by Australian business, while others can be obtained without an employer sponsorship offer.

For instance, the skilled independent visa 189 allows foreign workers who have specific skills that are in demand on the labour market to live and work in Australia permanently. You can also apply for a permanent residence visa 190, but only if you've been nominated by the Australian territory government agency. Another type of visa that foreign workers can apply for is the skilled regional visa (subclass 489) which is deigned to provide skilled migrants and their families temporary residence in certain Australian regions. With this visa you can work and live in Australia for a limited period of 4 years.

To make sure you're eligible for any of these visas you should check the government's skilled occupations list and see whether your profession is on the list. The next step is to hire an approved migration agent and apply for the visa that best suits your specific situation. Make sure you provide extensive information to prove the claims you've made in the application, since without enough information there is a chance your visa application to be refused. Other factors that can lead to visa refusal include false claims listed in your application and failing to meet Australia's health or character requirements.

If your visa has been rejected you can seek a merit review or appeal the decision of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). As the name implies, a merit review will outline the merits of your visa application. Foreigners can also lodge a merit review application when their visa has been cancelled, yet they are still eligible for a review of this decision. It's important to mention that there is a time frame in which you can lodge your application for it to be reviewed. That's why it's best to apply for a merit review within a few days after you've received the decision letter that your visa has been refused or cancelled.

Most visa refusal decisions are review by a merits review tribunal, know as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). It's established under Australian law and works independently, which means it's separate from the DIBP. The tribunal is set up with the main purpose to check whether the DIBP has followed the law and acted fairly when making a decision to refuse or cancel a visa application. You can apply for a merit review online, by fax or you can go directly to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal registry and make a request for a review in person. All the documents that you provide to support you application should be in English and you have to pay a fee when applying for a review. Migrants that have financial problems or are in immigration detention are not require to pay a fee.

How to Apply for Spouse Visa for Australia

Wondering what you need to get a spouse visa for Australia? If you've been married to an Australian, or are in a de facto relationship with an Aussie or permanent resident for at least 12 months, you may be able to apply for a spouse visa for Australia.

What is a Spouse Visa for Australia?

It is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia with your partner. It can also be the pathway to permanent residence if, after two years of applying for this visa, your relationship is still genuine and continuing.

In order to be eligible for a spouse visa for Australia, you and your partner must fulfill the following requirements:

• Both of you must have a commitment to a shared life as husband and wife, regardless if you are legally married.
• Your relationship must be genuine and continue.
• You must live together (at least on a permanent basis).
• If you are not legally married, you will have to prove that you have been in a relationship with your spouse for the last 12 months, and that you have lived together during this time.
• Both of you need to be 18 years old or over and must pass health and character criteria.

When applying for a spouse visa for Australia, you may either be in Australia or overseas, however, apply from within Australia has its advantages. Once your application is accepted, you will receive an Extended Eligibility Temporary Visa that will give you the right to stay in Australia for two years and you will have the right to work during this period.

Depending on your case, you may not need to wait the two-year period to be complete to be able to apply for a permanent residence visa. Circumstances that this may happen are:

• If you have been married for five years or more at the time of application.
• If you have been married for two years and there are dependent children of the relationship.
• If your partner was approved for a permanent visa under the humanitarian program or has got a protection visa and was in the relationship with you before the visa was given.

Once the two-year period has passed, you will be able to apply for a permanent residence in Australia, provided that your relationship still continues. Depending on the case, you may be able to get a permanent residence even if the relationship has broken up before the end of the two-year period. Cases that this applies include if your spouse has died during this period; if you and your Australian partner have children under 18 years of age or if you and your dependents have experienced domestic violence during this period.

Keep in mind that applying for a spouse visa for Australia can be a stressful time. The complexity of the paperwork and lengthy processing times can put a lot of pressure on your relationship. To minimize the time and stress, we recommend you to book a professional consultation with a visa expert who will guide you through the process and make your visa process as smooth as possible.

Moving to a New Office? Here's How to Reduce Stress

There is no denying that moving to a new location brings along a lot of changes, new experiences and opportunities. While the process itself can often be quite stressful, there is a time in the operation of any company when relocation is the best solution for increasing efficiency and building a successful business. Moving your business to its new location is Sydney is not a simple task, but with smart planning and a bit of researches the whole process can be a whole lot easier. The most important thing here is to make sure the move won't affect the productivity of your employees and have very little influence on the overall operation of your company. Having a fast and efficient move should be the top priority for any business owner. Finding reliable moving services in Sydney that specialize in commercial moves is the best way to ensure your business is relocated quickly and efficiently without affecting the productivity and day to day operation of your company.

By hiring professional movers you will not only save valuable time, but avoid making any costly mistakes that could have a negative impact during this important period for your business. Experienced movers will take care of all your specific relocation requirements. There are many elements that require special care during any commercial move such as expensive furniture, sensitive devices, delicate equipment. Usually one of the biggest concerns in this case are the important documents and files that when not properly pack and stored can easily get lost. With professionals you don't have to worry about this, they will make sure everything, from important files to large furniture pieces and sensitive electronics, arrive safely to the new location. Reputable moving services in Sydney provide complete and effective solutions for your specific moving conditions that reduce downtime and increase efficiency.

Professionals Have the Necessary Training 

Professional moving companies have the best techniques and methods to properly pack and store all your items. Trained movers have the required experience and skills to handle all your heavy furniture and fragile items. They have the strengthen to safely lift and carry your valuables and know how to get the job done in the most efficient way possible in different situations.

The Right Equipment for Commercial Moves 

Commercial moves call for enhanced and durable equipment for transporting essential office supplies such as computer servers, printers, desks, file cabinets and so on. Moving companies have all the necessary tools to transport all your items as safely as possible. They are equipped with the most advanced vehicles that incorporate the latest GPS technology to ensure you have a quick and smooth business relocation.

Additional Services 

There are often situations when the new commercial property is not completely finished, or you need time to plan the design of your office, so you have to find a place to temporarily store some of your items. Renowned companies offer various storage solutions where you can store your furniture, commercial documents, vehicles and many more. The storage units have alarm systems so you can be assured all your valuables are stored in a safe and secure location.

Moving to a New Office? Here's How to Reduce Stress

There is no denying that moving to a new location brings along a lot of changes, new experiences and opportunities. While the process itself can often be quite stressful, there is a time in the operation of any company when relocation is the best solution for increasing efficiency and building a successful business. Moving your business to its new location is Sydney is not a simple task, but with smart planning and a bit of researches the whole process can be a whole lot easier. The most important thing here is to make sure the move won't affect the productivity of your employees and have very little influence on the overall operation of your company. Having a fast and efficient move should be the top priority for any business owner. Finding reliable moving services in Sydney that specialize in commercial moves is the best way to ensure your business is relocated quickly and efficiently without affecting the productivity and day to day operation of your company.

By hiring professional movers you will not only save valuable time, but avoid making any costly mistakes that could have a negative impact during this important period for your business. Experienced movers will take care of all your specific relocation requirements. There are many elements that require special care during any commercial move such as expensive furniture, sensitive devices, delicate equipment. Usually one of the biggest concerns in this case are the important documents and files that when not properly pack and stored can easily get lost. With professionals you don't have to worry about this, they will make sure everything, from important files to large furniture pieces and sensitive electronics, arrive safely to the new location. Reputable moving services in Sydney provide complete and effective solutions for your specific moving conditions that reduce downtime and increase efficiency. 
 

Professionals Have the Necessary Training

Professional moving companies have the best techniques and methods to properly pack and store all your items. Trained movers have the required experience and skills to handle all your heavy furniture and fragile items. They have the strengthen to safely lift and carry your valuables and know how to get the job done in the most efficient way possible in different situations.

The Right Equipment for Commercial Moves

Commercial moves call for enhanced and durable equipment for transporting essential office supplies such as computer servers, printers, desks, file cabinets and so on. Moving companies have all the necessary tools to transport all your items as safely as possible. They are equipped with the most advanced vehicles that incorporate the latest GPS technology to ensure you have a quick and smooth business relocation.

Additional Services

There are often situations when the new commercial property is not completely finished, or you need time to plan the design of your office, so you have to find a place to temporarily store some of your items. Renowned companies offer various storage solutions where you can store your furniture, commercial documents, vehicles and many more. The storage units have alarm systems so you can be assured all your valuables are stored in a safe and secure location.