Canberra updates “Skills in Demand” (SDL) List

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has updated its Skills in Demand List. This change will impact business analysts, advertising professionals, and some teachers wishing to immigrate to Australia under the state/territory sponsored program.
The SDL is split into 2 sections, the baseline and the Quota lists. People applying for state or territory sponsorship under a Baseline Occupation may lodge their Australian visa application as long as intake for that occupation is open.
With the Quota list, visa applicants must send a CV and positive skills assessment to the ACT Government, who will then invite suitable applicants to apply formally for sponsorship.
Occupations that have been closed include business and organisational analysts, marketing and advertising professionals, designers and illustrators. Other occupations have also been removed and added to the Quota list, including accountants, a number of programming & IT occupations, and hairdressers. For further information and help with obtaining a visa to live in Australia contact the experts at Montfort International plc on 01483 202072 or info@miplc.co.uk.

Gordon Brown wins election – tens of thousands more Brits plan to migrate!

If May 6th voters return the current government to power, that’s not an unlikely headline according to migration experts Montfort International plc.

The UK economy is in a dire state and unlikely to improve quickly. Another five years under the dour Chancellor / Prime Minister who, according to an Oxford academic on Radio 4 last weekend, even in the good times spent more on public services than his governments received in revenues is not a prospect that appeals to seemingly an increasing number of people.

In the meantime Australia with its affluent energy sectors and long-term economic prospects has a certain lure tempting would be migrants seeking new opportunities..

Whilst Australia is not weathering the recession entirely unscathed, it has financial reserves put aside over the previous decade and more positive factors supporting its move away from economic crisis. In addition to the better employment landscape, the lifestyle, the climate and the prospects of a tax-free retirement are far better than those facing Britons remaining at home in the UK.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in June 2008 5½ million of those living in Australia had been born overseas, That’s a quarter of all Australians! Those born in the UK remain the largest group with 1.2 million Brits already calling Australia ‘home’, so new migrants have no reason to feel lonely pioneers.

For more information on the potential benefits of a life ‘down-under’ call Montfort International free on 0800 018 3571, email info@miplc.co.uk or visit their website www.miplc.co.uk. And for some Australia offers tax free opportunities in retirement using Australian Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pensions (QROPS).

Do you want a skilled visa to work in Australia?

In the UK are you a Contractor or an Employee?

Australia requires absolute clarity on this as it impacts on how you provide evidence for a skilled work visa.

The key differences include
1. Who has control over work?
Employers can direct and control employees work. The employee works in the business of the employer who manages their business as they wish.
A payer can specify how contracted services are to be performed. But control must be specified in the terms of the contract, otherwise the contractor is free to exercise their own discretion.
2. Who decides how the job is done?
An employee performs work according to his or her employment contract.
A contractor performs services as specified in the payer’s contract and only provides additional services by agreement.
3. Who pays how?
Payment is often based on time worked or on ‘piece rates’ or commission.
Payment is dependent on performance of the contract.
4. Who takes the commercial risks?
An employee generally bears no legal risks in respect of the work; since the employee works in the employers business, employers are usually legally responsible for the employees work.
A contractor bears legal risk for his or her work. They can make a profit or loss, and must correct at their own expense any unsatisfactory work.
5. Who does the work?
An employee performs the work personally with right to delegate but not to subcontract.
Unless otherwise specified in the contract, a contractor can subcontract or delegate the work.
6. Whose tools and equipment are used?
Employers usually provide tools and equipment unless otherwise agreed..
Generally, a contractor provides his own tools and equipment.

For more information contact the experts in migration to Australia - Montfort International plc on info@miplc.co.uk or 01483 202072

The Gaines-Cooper case impacts on thousands of migrants

On 16th February 2010 the UK Court of Appeal ruled that Robert Gaines-Cooper was liable to pay UK tax despite living based in the Seychelles.
Mr Gaines-Cooper, 72, bought a French-style plantation house in the Seychelles in 1976. He renovated it at a cost of £1.6 million and it has long been his chief residence. He had kept to HMRC’s rules by spending no more than 91 days a year in Britain.
However he also has a house in Henley-on-Thames, where he keeps his collections of paintings, guns and classic cars, and where his second wife and son lived for some time. Mr Gaines-Cooper’s son went to an English school in 2002 and his will was drawn up under English law.
Although the three Court of Appeal judges expressed “some sympathy” for Mr Gaines-Cooper, they ruled that he had never qualified for exemption from British taxes as a non-resident. They said that England had remained the “centre of gravity of his life and interests”. Lord Justice Moses felt Mr Gaines-Cooper had failed to show “a distinct break” from his social and family ties in the UK. Now he may be pursued for tax bills dating back to 1993, estimated at about £30 million.
The ruling is a serious blow for Brits who are based overseas but visit Britain frequently. After the court’s decision Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs vowed to increase its efforts to catch similar people.
Clearly the Gaines-Cooper case means financial planners need to brush up on their international tax expertise, so where do you go for advice? We believe the advice offering at Montfort International plc stands head and shoulders over others. Montfort has 15 years experience in the field of international migration and pension transfers, so contact them now on 01483 202072 or info@miplc.co.uk.

Currency expert says "Pound could strengthen in coming months"

It is likely the pound will perform increasingly well against other currencies in the coming months, according to Marc Cogliatti, a currency strategist at exchange specialist HiFX, reported by expatriatehealthcare.com on 20 August 2009.

Mr Cogliatti explained that his opinion that the pound should "appreciate against the vast majority of its counterparts" is based on the UK being well prepared for the end of recession.

This would have a hugely beneficial impact on those planning to migrate and to British expatriates who have kept their funds in sterling, as the same number of pounds would buy more of the currency of their destination state.

Geraint Davies, MD of migration experts Montfort International plc warned that anyone emigrating should ensure they seek proper, professional advice before transferring their assets abroad to avoid adverse tax as well as foreign exchange rate implications.