Migrant workers centre – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

Wait time for key Australian Work Visa more than doubles

October 3, 2022 by Ethnic Council

Processing times for an important skilled worker visa have more than doubled and the number of migrants languishing on bridging visas has increased six-fold, a new report warns.

The Migrant Workers Centre on Friday released a report documenting the deterioration in Australia’s visa processing system, which found processing times for the 887 skilled regional visa has more than doubled since 2018.

It is now taking at least 24 months for the government to process an application for an 887 visa, which rewards people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia, providing a pathway to permanent residency.

Invitation to Join the Migrant Worker’s Regional Advisory Group

September 30, 2022 by Ethnic Council

The Migrant Workers Centre invite you to be part of the Migrant Workers Centre’s first ever Regional Advisory Group. We’re putting together a group of key community members leading initiatives to support CALD and bicultural communities in regional Victoria.

Australia has become a ‘guest worker state’ exploiting temporary visa holders

December 2, 2021 by Ethnic Council

The growth of temporary migration visas since the 1990s has turned Australia into a “guest worker state” creating an underclass of young, vulnerable and often exploited employees, a new report suggests.

The Migrant Workers Centre’s Lives in Limbo report found 65% of temporary visa holders had experienced wage theft.

Based on interviews with 700 temporary visa holders in Australia, the report – released this week – found a clear link between workplace exploitation and temporary visa status, with 91% of workers who experienced wage theft arriving on a visa with no pathway to permanent residency.

Coronavirus hardship payment for temporary migrants, refugees in Victoria doubled

October 2, 2020 by Ethnic Council

Temporary visa holders, refugees and undocumented migrants in Victoria who are ineligible for federal government support can now access an emergency payment of $800 to assist with financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement on Thursday doubles the original $400 per-person hardship payment introduced earlier this year. People who have already accessed the original payment will also be eligible for the additional funds.

Australia’s temporary visa holders remain locked out of JobKeeper and JobSeeker

July 24, 2020July 22, 2020 by Ethnic Council

The Australian government has announced changes to its coronavirus support measures but those on temporary visas still won’t qualify, with advocates warning many are facing destitution.

	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.