Managing the Global Mobility Function 2012: Now Available
Australia
Australia: Government Unveils 2013/14 Budget with Few Measures for Individuals
On 14 May 2013, the Commonwealth Treasurer, the Honourable Wayne Swan MP, delivered the Australian Federal Budget 2013-14.1 In addition, on 13 May 2013, the Treasurer and the Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, released draft legislation to enact the proposed increase of the Medicare Levy to fund DisabilityCare Australia, the government’s National Disability... »
Australia: Tips for Employers in Light of New Data Matching Program
This Flash International Executive Alert discusses the recent release of details on a “data matching” program, which allows the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to acquire temporary working visa data from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).1 Temporary Working Visas Data Matching Program The program allows the ATO to obtain temporary working visa data... »
Australia: Simplification of Visitor Visas
From 23 March 2013, the current visitor visa stream is to be “simplified.” This is in line with the Australian government’s commitment to reduce the total number of visa subclasses by 50 percent by 2015.1 As part of these changes, a “short activity work” visa will be introduced known as: Temporary work (short... »
Australia: 457 Visa Changes; Migration Amendment Bill Awaits Royal Assent
Changes to Subclass 457 Visa Program On 23 February 2013, Australia’s new Minister for Immigration, Brendan O’Connor MP, announced a raft of changes around the Temporary (work) Skilled subclass 457 visa (‘subclass 457 visa’).1 These changes are seen as building further on the major reforms that were undertaken on the program in 2009. The... »
Australia – Visa Fee Increases, New Significant Investor Program
Visa Fees and Evidence Charge Increases Effective 1 January 2013 The Australian government’s release of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook in October 2012 included an announcement that there will be an increase in some visa application charges. Specifically, the government has targeted many of the highly-used visa categories for a substantial increase based... »
Australia: Changes Planned for FBT Treatment of In-House Benefits
On 29 November 2012, Australia’s Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 6) Bill 2012 (the Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives. 1 The Bill contains changes to the fringe benefits tax (FBT) treatment of in-house fringe benefits provided under salary packaging arrangements. The Bill follows the government’s release of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2012-2013 on 22... »
Australia: Parliamentary Committee Recommends Changes to LAFH Reform
On 15 August 2012, the House Standing Committee on Economics presented its “Advisory report” following its inquiry into Schedule 1 of Australia’s Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 4) Bill 2012, which relates to changes to the taxation treatment of living-away-from-home (LAFH) allowances and benefits.1 The legislation was introduced to the House of Representatives... »
Australia: Legislation Tabled on Reform of Living-Away-from-Home Regime
On 28 June 2012, Australia’s federal government introduced the Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No.4) Bill 2012 to the Parliament and released the accompanying explanatory memorandum (EM) outlining the legislative changes to the living-away-from-home (LAFH) regime. One key difference is that the legislation states the changes will now apply from 1 October and not... »
Australia: Living Away from Home to Become More Expensive for Expatriate Employees
On 8 May 2012, as part of the 2012/2013 Federal Budget1 announcements, the government provided further details about the reform of Australia’s living-away-from-home (LAFH) regime. The changes will significantly limit the availability of LAFH benefit tax concessions for foreign nationals who are working on temporary assignments in Australia. The changes to the LAFH regime... »
Australia: Plans for Living-Away-from-Home Benefit
The Australian government proposes1 to introduce the following measures to address the use of the tax exemption for living-away-from-home (“LAFH”) allowances and benefits: • access to the tax exemption for temporary residents (foreign nationals on a temporary visa) will be limited to those who maintain a residence for their own use in Australia, in... »