Hi Guys. Please let me take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the new year! 
At time of typing, 2013 has nearly come to an end and by Australian Migration standards, 2013 has I think, been a relatively quiet year.
We’ve had three changes in Australian Immigration ministers in the last 12 months which has probably contributed to this. At time of typing, Scott Morrison heads up the department whilst early 2013 saw special guests appearances in the role from Brendon O’Connor and Tony Burke.
In July 2013, the Australian 457 Visa regulations were changed in an apparent measure to protect local jobs. They were then changed again in November 2013 to exempt ‘highly skilled’ occupations after companies struggled to find the resources they needed locally!
The big news for 2013 (or at least it would seem, from an Australian media perspective) was the Australian Federal election.
The whole thing seemed to go on forever and resulted in Julia Gillard being shown the door after a challenge for the labor leadership by then previous Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. This then culminated in a close (ish) election campaign with Tony Abbott coming out tops as the new Australian Prime Minister. Illegal immigrants and ‘boat people’ were a key focus of the electoral campaigns which seemed to distract quite heavily from the more traditional migration related matters effecting those folks looking to emigrate to Australia via more legal means.
In the meantime, the mining boom continued during 2013 although not as much as it did during its peak in 2012. Average salaries in the Australian mining industry increased to a crazy $163,000 whilst the high wages started to had a knock on effect on rental prices with both Perth and Darwin rental prices hitting new highs.
With all this being said, whatever happened during 2013 is of course now old news. 
Nobody knows what will be around the corner for wannabe Aussies as we venture into 2014. One thing I do know however is that 2014 will prove to be a very exciting time for many of you!
As we venture into this new year, I’d ask you all to take time to reflect on what you have to gain by making those early steps to a new life down under.
I know that the beginning of a new year is often the time when many people decide to make those first tentative steps to a new life down under. Please be rest assured that as we venture into 2014 we’ll be here to help you on this new journey, every step of the way!
With best wishes for a safe, happy and hopefully life changing 2014!!
The post Happy New Year 2014 appeared first on Getting Down Under. Since early 2006 Getting Down Under has been providing free Australian Immigration advice. Looking to Emigrate to Australia? Then visit Getting Down Under today!