News Centre
July 16, 2024 · Echo
Relationship Breakdown During an Australian Partner Visa: A Guide
If your relationship ends during a Partner visa process, notify Home Affairs and submit Form 1022. Family violence evidence may be judicial or non-judicial; the latter requires at least two items and a statutory declaration. If the relevant permanent visa circumstances do not apply, staying in Australia requires an alternative visa application.
July 10, 2024 · Echo
A Look at Marriage in Australia: Binding Financial Agreements
A Binding Financial Agreement can set out property arrangements during a marriage or de facto relationship and after it ends. Both parties must obtain independent legal advice, sign with a lawyer witnessing, and comply with the Family Law Act; the agreement must involve no fraud, coercion or unfairness.
July 8, 2024 · Echo
Exploring Australian Parent Migration: Current Challenges and Potential Solutions
With limited Parent visa places and long queues, Australian permanent residents can apply for a Subclass 600 visa for their parents to visit temporarily, then consider a Subclass 870 visa allowing a three-to-five-year stay for family reunion. Applicants must be outside Australia when lodging the Subclass 870 application.
July 3, 2024 · Echo
Things to Know When You First Arrive in Australia — Tax Returns
New to Australia? Bank interest may attract tax even if you do not work. Without a tax file number, income may be taxed at the highest rate. Work expenses and eligible charitable donations are deductible, but introductory training courses and commuting are excluded.
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!
The 2023 Subclass 482 reform proposals would give all occupations on the 482 lists a pathway to permanent residency, reduce work for an employer from three years to two and remove onshore application limits for short-term 482 visas. More than 200 short-list occupations would benefit.
December 7, 2023 · Mingqiang
Can a Trust Protect Your Property from Being Divided by Your Spouse in a Divorce?
Setting up a family trust does not guarantee its assets will escape division on divorce. A spouse’s interests and control affect whether the trust falls within the property pool. Even if excluded, the court considers possible distributions when assessing future needs.
November 16, 2023 · Nick
My Husband/Wife Refuses to Pay Child Support! What Can I Do?
After divorce, if your former partner refuses to pay assessed child support and debt accumulates, notify the Child Support Agency immediately. It can require an employer to deduct wages or use tax refunds. If other enforcement methods fail, it can bring court proceedings.
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?
Bridging visas have no fixed validity period and usually cease when the substantive visa applied for is granted. Whether departure ends a bridging visa depends on whether it has taken effect. Leaving and returning to Australia before Bridging visa B travel rights expire does not end that visa.
September 15, 2023 · Mingqiang
I Discovered My Spouse Is Transferring Assets During the Marriage — What Can I Do?
If your spouse transfers assets before divorce, consider transaction disclosure and where the sale proceeds went. If you can prove assets were disposed of for nothing or below market value, the court may consider the shortfall and exercise its discretion to allocate more property to the other party.
September 6, 2023 · Mingqiang
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer When Buying Property in Australia?
If you only need standard property transfer procedures, you can hire a conveyancer. If you are unfamiliar with the process, struggle to understand the contract, face a complex purchase or may encounter legal issues, a property lawyer is the safer choice. A lawyer can also review the contract and help negotiate with the seller.