Sponsoring a family member to visit Australia sounds straightforward. In practice, it is one of those visa applications where small mistakes can have significant consequences - an invalid application, a refused visa, a forfeited bond, or a bar on future sponsorship. At Hillman & Associates, we work with sponsors and visa applicants every day to make sure these applications are done properly. Our latest article walks through how the Subclass 600 (Visitor) Visa (Sponsored Famil

When someone passes away without a valid Will or when no executor can act the estate cannot be dealt with informally. In New South Wales, the Supreme Court must first appoint a person with legal authority to administer the estate. This authority is called a Letter of Administration. A Letter of Administration formally recognizes an individual as the administrator of a deceased estate and allows them to manage and distribute the estate in accordance with the law. When is a Le

Working while studying in Australia is permitted for many Student visa holders, but it is not unrestricted. Most primary Student visa holders (Subclass 500) are subject to Condition 8105, which regulates when work can commence and how much work can be undertaken while a course is in session. Breaches of this condition are taken seriously and can result in visa cancellation, refusal of future visa applications, and long-term compliance consequences. This article focuses on Con

Many people facing a visa refusal reach the same conclusion before they seek advice: "My history is too serious. The decision is already made" That assumption is understandable, However it is also not always correct. We recently assisted in a matter where a skilled residence visa had been refused because of past conduct. That refusal was later set aside by the Administrative Review Tribunal, allowing the application to proceed. A Situation Many People Will Recognize The init

If your visa has been refused or cancelled while you are in Australia, it may not feel like the end of the road. In many cases, however, it quietly removes your ability to apply for another visa from inside Australia. This is the practical effect of Section 48 of the Migration Act, a provision that catches people out precisely because it operates without warning. Many applicants only discover Section 48 after they have already lost their onshore options. What Section 48 Mean

Australian permanent residence does not automatically lapse. But the right to return to Australia does. This distinction catches out many permanent residents who have lived overseas for extended periods and assume that their status alone guarantees re-entry. If you have been outside Australia for long periods, particularly five years or more, a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) becomes a discretionary assessment rather than an administrative process. The Resident Ret

Australia’s infrastructure and construction sectors are entering an unprecedented phase of growth. With landmark projects such as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games already underway, demand for skilled building and construction professionals in Queensland is soaring. This growth isn’t just fueling opportunities for local workers—it’s also opening doors for skilled international tradespeople and construction professionals through Australia’s state-nominated visa sy

Condition 8607, Employer Duties & SAF Levy Refunds Explained The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) has long been Australia’s key pathway for businesses to fill urgent skill gaps. From 7 December 2024, it formally became part of the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa framework—but its core principles remain the same. This visa gives talented professionals the chance to live and work in Australia. But it also comes with strict obligations for both the visa holder and th

Are you a company seeking a short-term visa solution for one of your employees in Australia? Look no further; we have the perfect solution for you. Whether you are a foreign company part of a global group, a startup, or a mid-size corporate entity, you may need a short-term visa solution in Australia for your employee(s). Perhaps you want to send an employee for a couple of months to install a software with a client, or execute a contract. The Australian Temporary Work (Short

Migrating to Australia is a complex process and applying for visa can often be stressful, overwhelming, and time-consuming process for visa applicants. The Department of Home Affairs requires extensive documentation to prove that the applicant satisfies criteria for the grant of visa. Documentation can be often time consuming and on top of that if the applicant has made mistakes in the past, these mistakes can create more stress and confusion on what the applicant should do.

Australian trade Australian exports and imports represent about 25% of its GDP, making it a significant trading nation. Most trade is by shipping around the world. Major trading partners are in ranking: China, Japan, European Union, USA, and South Korea, all with healthy trade surpluses in Australia’s favour except for the EU, where there is trade deficit of 57% of trade, and the USA where the deficit is at 24%. Australia has free trade agreements with all other than the EU,

All Company Directors obliged to apply for and obtain a Director Identification Number. The Australian Government has announced that company directors appointed under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) will be required to apply for Director Identification Numbers (DINs) by 30 November 2022 (directors of indigenous corporations have separate obligations to apply for DINs by 30 November 2023). The DIN regime allows effective tracking of directors and their corporate histories. Th

Recognition of need for overseas workers It is estimated that between 2.1 and 2.5 million temporary workers, including working holiday makers, international students, skilled temporary workers, and family members contribute to Australia’s workforce. Skilled workers Australia’s reliance on temporary workers has been recognised by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa program that came into effect on 18 March 2018, replacing the previous Temporary (Work) Skille

Recognition of need for overseas workers It is estimated that between 2.1 and 2.5 million temporary workers, including working holiday makers, international students, skilled temporary workers, and family members contribute to Australia’s workforce. Skilled workers Australia’s reliance on temporary workers has been recognised by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa program that came into effect on 18 March 2018, replacing the previous Temporary (Work) Skille

Australia is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention. Under this Convention, legal documents may be notarised and legalised either by an Australian Notary Public with an apostille issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), or by the consular representative of the country concerned. Since 1 January 2019, the notarial service of the French Consulate General in Sydney has been permanently closed and is no longer able to process notarial acts. For any r

Challenge Now is a challenging time for all businesses. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have less buffer and protection than others. Many SMEs are experiencing serious cash flow issues. As an SME you may not be able to pay your rent now or very soon. It is NOW time to act. Recognition of problems for SMEs The Australian governments, at both Federal and State levels have recognised the need for assistance and relief for SMEs to survive the pandemic and its economic consequ

On Saturday 4 April 2020, the acting Minister for Immigration announced some changes to temporary visa arrangements which will be in operation during the COVID-19 crisis: Update: Visa conditions and new visa available: 457/482 Visas remain valid 457/482 visa holders who have been stood down (but not laid off) or had their hours reduced will not be in breach of their visa condition. Their visas will remain valid and sponsors will have the opportunity to extend their visa as p