News Centre
July 3, 2024 · Echo
Things to Know When You First Arrive in Australia — Tax Returns
In the blink of an eye, we are already halfway through 2024, and the Australian financial year is about to end. The annual tax season is upon us again. When it comes to lodging a tax return in Australia, especially for those who have only just arrived in Australia during this financial year, there are many things to keep in mind!
May 8, 2024 · Qiqi
200+ Occupations in Marketing, IT, Finance and More Get a Direct Pathway to PR! Transition to Permanent Residency Cut by One-Third! The Biggest Boost to Employer Sponsorship in Years!
Encouragingly, last Friday the Department of Home Affairs website officially announced the new policy for subclass 482 visa holders, which can fairly be described as throwing the door wide open. Take note: this announcement is not merely an idea or a proposal. Since it has been issued through the Department of Home Affairs website, it means the framework for changes to employer sponsorship over the short-to-medium term has essentially been confirmed. The exact timing of each step is expected to be updated before long.
December 7, 2023 · Mingqiang
Can a Trust Protect Your Property from Being Divided by Your Spouse in a Divorce?
Many people hold the misconception that a family trust can protect assets from divorce and property settlement proceedings. This article explains the following: What is a family trust? In the event of a divorce, can a family trust protect property from being divided by the other spouse?
November 16, 2023 · Nick
My Husband/Wife Refuses to Pay Child Support! What Can I Do?
For parents with children, one of the most important issues that usually cannot be avoided in a divorce is child support. After a divorce in Australia, what should you do if your former partner refuses to pay child support payment?
October 4, 2023 · Qiqi
The validity period of a Bridging Visa is tricky! Isn’t it valid until the new visa is granted? Under what circumstances or when does it expire?
Regarding when a Bridging Visa takes effect, please refer to my earlier article “Can a Bridging Visa Take Effect Immediately After Lodgement? A Detailed Explanation of Priority Between Different Visas”. Today we will discuss when a Bridging Visa ceases to be in effect. In most cases, the validity period of a Bridging Visa does not need to be discussed. Normally, once the substantive visa being applied for is granted, the Bridging Visa automatically ceases. So what we are discussing today is actually some special circumstances.
September 15, 2023 · Mingqiang
I Discovered My Spouse Is Transferring Assets During the Marriage — What Can I Do?
In a divorce property settlement, one scenario that frequently arises is this: one party may sell assets before the divorce in order to reduce the shared property held within the asset pool. Moreover, the transfer of assets during the marriage is usually carried out without consulting or notifying the other party in advance, which can tilt the overall property settlement in favour of the party who transferred the assets.
September 6, 2023 · Mingqiang
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer When Buying Property in Australia?
Buying property is a relatively complex matter that requires caution. Because the purchase process involves many procedures, even a slight oversight can easily lead to losses. For example, in our earlier article “The Pros and Cons of Buying Off-the-Plan Property in Australia,” we mentioned that purchase contracts typically include a 5% area-variance clause for off-the-plan properties, meaning the final area of the property is permitted to differ by up to 5% from the area shown in the pre-contract provided to the buyer. There was once a case where someone bought an off-the-plan property and, after completion, discovered that the actual area of one of the rooms was reduced by about 4.5% compared with the area agreed in the purchase contract. It was precisely this discrepancy that affected the natural light and the usable space of the room. Traps and problems encountered during the purchase process occur time and again — some people silently endure them, while others become entangled in disputes, with many suffering property disagreements that drain their energy and finances. Therefore, when buying property in Australia, it is very important to have someone knowledgeable about property matters oversee the process. But who should that person be? Should you hire a property lawyer or a conveyancer? The following discussion will address this topic step by step.
August 29, 2023 · Mingqiang
Company Insolvency: What Should Shareholders and Creditors Do?
Construction companies across Australian states are currently facing an unprecedented wave of insolvencies. According to ASIC statistics, in the 2022-2023 financial year, 2,213 construction companies entered external administration. When a company becomes insolvent, are shareholders required to use their personal assets to repay debts? And how can creditors protect their rights?
August 22, 2023 · Mingqiang
A Mother, Four Infant Deaths, and Australia’s Greatest Miscarriage of Justice
Australia is a country that places great emphasis on the rule of law and human rights, and the thresholds for establishing murder and manslaughter are extremely strict. Yet even within such a rigorous judicial system, miscarriages of justice still occur.
August 17, 2023 · Mingqiang
Do You Need a Lawyer for Divorce? What Can an Australian Divorce Lawyer Do?
As most people know, Australia applies the no-fault divorce principle. A couple seeking a divorce is not required to provide the court with evidence of the other party’s fault; they only need to show that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and that they have been separated for at least 12 months before applying for divorce. But does this mean getting divorced in Australia is simple and that you don’t need to engage a divorce lawyer? Today we’ll walk you through whether you need a divorce lawyer and the benefits of doing so.