Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of

Portfolio Budget 1998-99 - Fact sheet 2

2: Assisting Skilled and Business People

| Attracting Migrants | Visa Services | Business Services |

The Australian Government is committed to assisting successful business people and highly skilled individuals to settle permanently in Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has introduced a range of initiatives specifically designed to assist Australian businesses obtain overseas personnel with a minimum of formalities, and to assist overseas people to conduct or establish business in Australia.

In the Australian Government's Budget of 12 May 1998, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, announced further funding of $0.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.

.9m a year for four years to continue these initiatives.

This recognises that Australian businesses must have access to skills, ideas, contacts and technology from overseas to be successful in today's increasingly global economy. They may need to recruit personnel from other countries with qualifications and relevant work experience which address specific skill shortages in Australia.

There are also benefits for Australia in attracting experienced overseas business people to establish or join businesses in Australia, bringing with them investments, new ideas and the prospect of creating new jobs.

Mr Ruddock said that skilled and business entry programs had proven successful in attracting migrants equipped with skills and capital that provide significant benefits to the Australian economy.

Attracting skilled migrants

A number of categories exist in the Skilled stream to enable successful business people and highly skilled and qualified personnel to migrate to Australia. These include:

Independent migrants - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability. See Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) Fact Sheet 24.

State/Territory Nominated Independent Scheme - this scheme enables State/Territory Governments to nominate skilled migrants for entry on the basis of identified skill needs. State/Territory Governments which choose to take part in the scheme carry out an audit to establish what skills are in short supply and in what locations. Based on this audit, States/Territories aim to select applicants who have a sound chance of gaining employment in that State/Territory or region within a short time of their arrival. See DIMA Fact Sheet 26.

Business Skills - encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new business opportunities. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 27.

Employer Nomination - people nominated or "sponsored" by employers through schemes such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and negotiated Labour or Regional Headquarters Agreements. See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 26.

Skilled-Australian Linked - people selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship (they must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia). See DIMA Fact Sheets 24 and 25.

Visa services

The Department has also established a range of services providing streamlined entry to Australia of business people applying for short or long-term temporary stay:

• Temporary stay - short-term visas

  • The Business (short stay) visa may be issued for single entry or for multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion. Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport, whichever is the longer. Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

  • The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible by travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many Asian and European countries. See DIMA Fact Sheet 55.

The Australian Business Access (ABA) card for business people who have been issued with either the multiple entry visa or the ETA now automatically receive an ABA card. Among other benefits, there are plans to offer priority immigration processing for ABA holders at airport arrival and departure points.

• The APEC Business Travel Card will be granted to business people for simplified entry to countries that are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be citizens of one of the participating countries. It is being introduced to assist in promoting the mobility of business people throughout the APEC region, and is currently on trial in Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Chile and Hong Kong.

• Temporary stay - long-term visas

  • Labour Agreements are special arrangements for the overseas recruitment of a specified number of workers, to a defined set of vacancies and criteria. Agreements are negotiated between the Government, employers (and other interested parties including unions and professional associations). They usually run for three years, with the majority negotiated for temporary entry only. Entrants under labour agreements receive priority processing.

  • Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Agreements are for overseas companies choosing Australia as their company headquarters for operations throughout the region. The benefits for the companies include streamlined entry processing, and access to Australia's highly educated and skilled workforce with a multiplicity of language skills and familiarity with a wide range of overseas cultures and business environments.

  • Employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of an overseas employee apply as either:

    • a Pre-Qualified Business Sponsor (PQBS) seeking approval to fill an unspecified number of vacancies over an initial period of two years; or

    • a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) seeking approval to fill a set number of known or anticipated vacancies. Sponsors must satisfy the Department about their business standing and the benefit to Australia that will result from the sponsorships.

Business services

DIMA is aware of the need to provide superior client service to business clients to ensure the Australian commercial environment continues to benefit from the entry of business migrants.

The 1998-99 Budget allocation will enable DIMA to continue to operate effective services for business clients, such as:

• a Business Branch in its Canberra headquarters to ensure that the needs of business are taken into account in developing DIMA's business entry policies and procedures;

• Business Centres in each of its State and Territory offices which offer a comprehensive and streamlined service for business people.

• the Business Advisory Panel, which is a group of senior Australian business people, representative of the Department's major client groups. The Panel provides advice on ways in which the international movement of business people to Australia can be facilitated without sacrificing border integrity.