You’re not alone. Waves of pandemic sea-changers and ex-pats returning to Australia have a Queensland expert on-side and ready to help. 

Pandemic sea-changers or Ex-pats returning to QUEENSLAND? The pandemic has definitely accelerated sea-change and repatriation trends, but Phoenix law & Associates are well versed in helping newcomers with conveyancing law, commercial law, contracts, property and leasing,  as well as Immigration Law assistance.

Phoenix Law is your one-stop shop – we can ease the stress of your move, and provide friendly assistance at every turn.

As evidence of moves away from major cities continues to translate to the property market. A mass exodus from capital cities have pushed prices upwards, and there are fewer properties available for sale. Particularly on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, it may be more affordable to buy than rent.

When you’re bidding for in-demand sunshine-state properties, you’ll need an expert on your side now, rather than later.  Have all your ducks in a row, well ahead of deadlines, with the Queensland Conveyancing specialists. Call or email us today 1800GETHELP  | info@phoenix-law.com.au/.

Sydney and Melbourne sea-changers are major players in the SEQ property market. With expats the next wave to come…

Rent is now more expensive on the Gold Coast than in Sydney, as a mass exodus from capital cities drives prices through the roof. Rent prices for houses outside of major cities skyrocketed in the first quarter of 2021, with higher average rents recorded in coastal cities like the Gold and Sunshine Coast than in Sydney and Canberra.

Data from the ABS shows the exodus from capital cities has sustained well into 2021, as rent increases become more widespread across regional and coastal hubs. “The rents now on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are comparable to the expensive parts of the ACT and Sydney,” Domain senior research analyst Nicola Powell said of the report’s findings.

Domain senior research analyst Nicola Powell said the unprecedented rent swell is the result of the ongoing trend towards sea and tree changes by capital city-dwellers, sparked by the shift towards remote working post-pandemic.

The figures align with data that shows the pandemic has accelerated sea-change trends, as evidence of moves away from major cities continues to translate to the property market. ABS data from February showed Australia’s capital cities had a net loss of 11,200 people in the last quarter of 2020, coinciding with the end of Australia’s first lockdown and the largest quarterly loss on record.

Interstate migration & expats return

Melbourne and Sydney sea-changers were major players in the market, seeking a similar lifestyle outside of the city. “In a normal market, once we get over summer and into winter, it dies off massively … but we’ve been waiting for things to slow down, and they haven’t,” Kernot said. She said she thinks this will only accelerate if and when Australia’s borders reopen.

“And the next thing is when overseas borders open, and those expats come back – that will be the next wave.”

When you’re bidding for in-demand sunshine-state properties, you’ll need an expert on your side now, rather than later.  Phoenix Law knows Brisbane and SEQ.  Have all your ducks in a row, well ahead of deadlines. Call +61 (07) 3180 0908 or email us info@phoenix-law.com.au today, or see here for a free quote. https://conveyancinghome.com.au/instant-quotes/

Lunar New Year is on Friday 12 February this year and it’s the lucky Year of the Ox.

It’s called the Lunar New Year because it marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars which are regulated by the cycles of the moon and sun. The Lunar New Year (often called Chinese New Year) is celebrated by many East Asian countries.

The zodiac sign of the Ox occupies the second position in the Chinese Zodiac. Those born under the influence of the Ox are fortunate to be stable and persevering.

The typical Ox is a tolerant person with a strong character.

Oxen are the hard workers in the background, intelligent and reliable, but never demanding praise. Years of the Ox are: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021. Were you born in the “Year of the Ox”?

Members of our team born in the year of the Ox are your best advocates, intelligent, reliable, guiding you in your legal and life decisions.   At Phoenix Law & Associates, we have a multilingual team to help you rise from the ashes.

Chinese Zodiac Calendar
While you may have heard of the 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar, represented by 12 different animals, it’s actually far more complicated. A year isn’t just categorized by its zodiac animal. There’s also a complex sexagenary cycle — a combination of one of 10 heavenly stems and one of 12 earthly branches.
For example, February 12 marks the beginning of the xin chou year, according to the sexagenary cycle. “Xin” represents the heavenly stem for the element metal, while “chou” is the earthly branch symbol for ox, making it the Year of the Metal Ox.
Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based feng shui master
“The year of xin chou will have a strong emphasis on the yin metal element,” she says. “The metal element represents anything sparkly from jewelry to the needle of a syringe. So we can see a bigger emphasis on industries related to metal in 2021.
“The ox, in Chinese culture, is a hardworking zodiac sign. It usually signifies movements so, hopefully, the world will be less static than last year and get moving again in the second half of the year.”
Many people take the 60-year calendar very seriously and believe each person’s own birth sign will be affected differently by the year’s heavenly stems and earthly branches. So the calendar plays an important role in making huge life decisions for the year ahead, such as whether they should get married or start a business.

Lunar New Year 2021 The Year of the Ox

February 12 marks the start of the Year of the Metal Ox.
Normally, Lunar New Year fairs will be set up during the last days of the lunar year, most selling trinkets and flowers for the new year. But because of the pandemic, many cities have downsized or cancelled their festivities.
The year usually wraps up with a big family reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve, which falls on February 11 this year.
The Menu
The menu is carefully chosen to include dishes associated with luck, including fish (the Chinese word for it sounds like the word for “surplus”), puddings (symbolizes advancement) and foods that look like gold ingots (like dumplings).
Do wear red, don’t wash your hair. or buy shoes.
Families tend to have different sets of rules and traditions, but most will bless each other with auspicious words like “san tai gin hong” or “shen ti jian kang” (wish you good health).
There are plenty of other rules and superstitions attached to the Lunar New Year. For instance, don’t wash or cut your hair on the first day of the new year. The Chinese character for hair is the first character in the word for prosper. Therefore washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away.
You’ll also want to avoid purchasing footwear for the entire lunar month, as the term for shoes (haai) sounds like losing and sighing in Cantonese. Do, however, wear red. It’s associated with luck and prosperity.
All year round,  Phoenix Law & Associates work hard to help you with your prosperity, business decisions and legal needs. 

 

Aussie Road Etiquette Guide

Your blinker is your best mate. Always let others know you’re changing lanes, snapping a park or turning into a driveway.

A smile and wave goes a long way. It’s nice to be nice, so give thanks to fellow drivers.

Don’t be a tailgater, hater. People like their personal space. So do cars.

Want to be seen? Dim your high beam. No one likes a blinding light heading their way.

You go, I go. When merging, let other cars in and they’ll return the favour.  It’s all in the karma.

Park as if you’re passing your Ps. Be careful, precise and give other cars their space.

It’s wrong to be right. Unless you’re overtaking, stay in the left lane.

Turn the other cheek, resist the beep. Take a breath before hitting that horn. It can stress out other drivers and we don’t want that.

No one likes a backseat driver. Not driving? No worries, sit back and relax.

Everyone’s on their own journey. Literally. Remember we’re all trying to get to where we’re going in the safest possible way. ( With thanks , ING Insurance)

Our Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here for You  When you have suffered losses due to the actions of someone else, it’s important to know what you’re entitled to in terms of compensation. If you’re not sure what to do in this frustrating time, the Brisbane personal injury lawyers at Phoenix Law are here to help.

Whether you were injured in a car accident, at work, or on private or public property, our knowledgeable and compassionate lawyers can help you understand and uphold your rights.

Get In touch anytime – info@phoenix-law.com.au 1800GETHELP
or +61 (07) 3180 0908 . #phoenixlaw #accidentinjury #roadetiquette #roadsafety

Our Pick of the Week comes from the beautiful Redcliffe Jetty. When you find a great fresh food and artisan market you want to visit again and again, especially on the water at Redcliffe on a Sunday morning. These markets are filled with farm-fresh produce, meats, trawler-direct seafood, aroma appetising baked goods, gourmet food and provisions, artisan goods, homewares and much more. The market organisers are extremely passionate about supporting and showcasing the best growers, makers, builders and bakers in the Moreton Bay and surrounds. Read More at (website link … )

Redcliffe Peninsula – have fun, save money !!

Redcliffe Farmers and Artisan Markets occurs every Sunday from 8.00am through to 2.00pm on the Redcliffe Jetty. Every time we find something totally different from the time before, and the regulars will be back with a restock. Although the markets are free, due to COVID-19, you must register through Eventbrite to attend. This way you and others will be safe. It is advisable to wear a mask, take hand sanitiser, a hat for sunny days, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.

While you are there, stay for lunch or morning tea at one of the local cafes or bring your bathers and towel for beach fun. A visit to the Redcliffe Markets is a perfect day out to enjoy these two special places in close proximity of each other. Do not worry about parking as there is plenty of spaces in front of the market and in the surrounding streets. Why not suggest a family or friends meet up for a fun day out. If you wish to know more about these markets, please telephone 0466 649 132 or email mail@redcliffemarkets.com.au Otherwise, meet up at Redcliffe Parade and enjoy your day.

For your HOME CONVEYANCING NEEDS in the REDCLIFFE PENSINULA, or anywhere in SEQ – see https://conveyancinghome.com.au/ or call us Phone: 07 3236 2852 or Email: info@conveyancinghome.com.au

At Phoenix Law, We Speak Your Language, and we understand your customs.  

“In Japan, the New Year is the biggest celebration of the year. We have a proverb in Japan, “the total for the year is on New Year’s Day”. In other words, we symbolise the first of January of each year as being your new year coming. So most Japanese people will visit their local temples and shrines to pay respects to their ancestors and gods and pray for the prosperous year.

Traditionally the New Year dish In Japan is called “Osechi”. Osechi are traditional foods which are the variety of Japanese traditional foods packed together in “Jubako” which is special box that resembles bento boxes. It is prepared before the New Year so that the kitchen would not be used to give “the Kitchen God” rest during the new year festive period.

All of the ingredients in Osechi are meant for good health, fortune and prosperity for a year. For example, “Black beans” are eaten to encourage work and academic achievement. Prawns have long hair with bended backs, so that it symbolises old people and you eat them to pray for longevity.

Salted Herring Roe is eaten to pray for the prosperity of descendants. Mashed sweet potato with chestnuts is believed to raise money luck and fortune, and  Sweet Omelet is eaten to improve your knowledge. ” Hideki Shimizu,  Legal Practice Director, Lawyer , Registered Migration Agent (MARN 9900985)

Japanese Lawyers plus thirteen other languages 

In today’s transnational world, finding advisors and Japanese lawyers that can communicate with you about your legal needs in the language you’re most comfortable speaking is a must. At Phoenix Law, we are proud to be a multilingual law firm that celebrates diversity. We strive to assist you with your domestic and international affairs in the language you prefer speaking. At Phoenix Law, we speak thirteen languages in addition to English.  CALL US anytime at 1800GETHELP –  or read more at https://www.phoenix-law.com.au/

 

The Baseball nuts at Phoenix Law & Associates support and sponsor The BRISBANE BANDITS for the 2020-21 ABL Season. The Brisbane Bandits are proud to announce Phoenix Law and Associates is a Platinum Partner with the Brisbane Bandits for the next 3 years.

The Brisbane Bandits are also delighted to announce the signing of NPB veteran pitcher Masaru Nakamura for the 2020/21 season. The tall right handed Nakamura has spent 10 years pitching with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the north of Japan, achieving a career ERA of 3.89 in the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Born and raised in Saitama near Tokyo, Masaru travelled to Brisbane in March to study English and prepare himself for the upcoming season.
It is time for the Dragon to enter the arena in the fight to return the Claxton Shield to the North. Nakamura says “I’m excited to be playing for Brisbane, looking at the ABL from Japan there is no other place or team in Australia I could have hoped to play for. I am ready to fight to be bring more honour to the North.”

Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/brisbanebandits/#lawyersplaybaseballtoo #TeamPhoenix #lovebaseball

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Start your 2020 business year with zest and creativity!  You are invited to a Free aFile workshop with Phoenix Law at  8am -10am this Friday 7th February at Level 4, 300 Adelaide Street,  Brisbane CBD .

Join us for –   8am Food & Coffee Orders;  8.15am Kevin Zhang – Doing business with China – and  8.45 am John Hale – Business Creativity and Brain Health -a must-attend FREE event for anyone exploring business opportunities with the Chinese market. RSVP ASAP by calling +61 (07) 3180 0908 or emailing info@phoenix-law.com.au

Tiffany from The Henderson Gallery will be there to take your coffee and food orders at around 8:00 am. Here is the link to their menu ;  https://mcusercontent.com/fffa0d88dc8678b7b5bf2cbe7/files/9496b4ac-d202-4ec3-ab69-87f006dae7e2/Spring_Menu_2_3_.pdf

Below is the agenda for our first aFile meeting for 2020:

8.00 am – Meeting commences with the introduction of each member

8.15 am – Kevin Zhang – Lawyer, Phoenix Law & Associates

“Myths of the Dragon – the truth behind engaging with Chinese?”

“China is in its own category – too big to ignore, too repressive to embrace, difficult to influence, and very, very proud.”(Madeleine Albright – the first female Secretary of the State in the US)

Chinese influence is everywhere in modern society often without us being aware of it. It can present with mystifying elements which bring some misconceptions to the people who deal with it.  In this presentation, Mr Kevin Zhang, who has been acting for a number of prominent Chinese clients locally and internationally,  will give us the insight of doing business with China and myth-busting talks about dealing with Chinese.

This is a must-attend event for anyone who is considering to explore business opportunities with the Chinese market.

8.45 am – John Hale – Business Creativity and Brain Health with Strategic Futurist John Hale

John Hale is a Strategic Futurist, founder of Hale Consulting Group and author of The Strategy Book.

John has worked as an early-stage investor and advisor for over twenty years. He has worked with leaders from Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies to start-ups and public sector organisations.

John has been a Visiting and Adjunct Professor teaching strategy, entrepreneurship, project management and ethics at Singapore Management University, Bond University and Melbourne Business School.

The brightest executives are also health practitioners. As leaders, they concern themselves with the health of their business and their own mental and physical health.

In the current resource-constrained business environment, with an ageing population, the need for good strategy and clever innovation has never been more pressing. Also, thanks to the exploding human footprint and the third era of computing (ubiquitous AI), there are mounting levels of learned helplessness, psychological stress, EMF exposure, pollution and obesity.

Busy executives need ways to ward off dementia risks and keep their brains healthy.  John will share:

– Why traditional group brainstorming is not that creative.
– Ways to be creative and capture future value.
– Risk factors that contribute to Dementia. 
– Four ways to improve brain function and enjoy peak health.

9.45 am – 10.00am aFile marketing update with Faisal and Q&A

Small Firm Culture, Big Firm Talent

When you’re hiring a solicitor, you want to feel confident and comfortable.
At Phoenix Law & Associates, you can expect us to treat your case as if it were our own. We know that happy clients make for happy solicitors.
If you need legal help, call 1800 GET HELP for an obligation-free chat about your individual needs.

#phoenixlaw #businesschina #chinesebusiness #creativebusiness #brainhealth #businessleaders #afile

Are you trying to bring your parent to Australia?

 

Last week, the Australian government officially announced a new parent visa subclass: The 870 Sponsored Parent Visa.

The 870 visa gives the opportunity for parents of all ages to spend up to five years in Australia with their children. And, to make this visa more appealing, the government has dropped some of the major restrictions other parent visa categories carry.

So, what is the 870 Sponsored Parent visa and who is eligible to apply for it?

 

What makes this visa different?

Unlike other parent visas, the 870 visa doesn’t require the parent to meet the “Balance of Family” rule. Instead, the sponsored parent just needs to have a child (biological, adopted or step-child) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who has been living in Australia for four years.

This is good news for children who have been living in Australia for many years but still have the majority of their brothers and sisters living overseas.

Another important difference between the 870 visa and other parent visas is this visa doesn’t put minimum or maximum age restrictions on the parents – a rule that has previously prevented many migrant’s parents from coming to Australia.

And, while this visa does not lead to permanent residency, eligible parents can stay for the full 5 years, leave the country, then apply for another 5-year visa, meaning they can enjoy a maximum period of 10 years with their children and grandchildren in Australia.

 

What is the application process?

The first step towards obtaining an 870 Sponsored Parent visa is getting the child approved as a sponsor. This will require the child to:

  • Undergo police checks and;
  • Prove they are earning a taxable income of $83,454.80 or more (this can be joint family income).

Then, once the child has been approved as a sponsor, the second step is to lodge the parent’s application within six months of their sponsor’s approval.

When lodging an 870 Sponsored Parent visa application, the parents must be able to prove they:

  • Have sufficient income to provide for themselves while living in Australia, as the 870 visa doesn’t grant the parents any right to work in Australia
  • Meet the government’s health requirements and get private health insurance
  • Meet the government’s character requirements.
  • Have no debt owing to the Australian government (exemptions can be made if repayment arrangements are in place).

 

When can I apply?

While sponsor applications are open now, visa applications can only be lodged after 1st of July.

If you are considering applying for an 870 Sponsored Parent visa, it’s important you take steps to submit your application as early as possible because only 15,000 of these visas will be granted this year.

 

How much does an 870 Parental Visa application cost?

There are two main application fees for this visa:

  • Sponsorship application fee: $470
  • Visa application fee: $5000 for a three-year visa or $10,000 for a five-year visa (this fee is paid in two parts, one upon application and the second prior to being granted).

With such substantial sums of money on the line, many applicants prefer not to risk preparing their own application and use a migration agent instead.

 

How long does it take to be approved for an 870 Sponsored Parent Visa?

As this is a new subclass of visa, there is currently no information available about processing times. It is expected that applicants will receive more information about wait times at least three months after the applications open.

 

How do I get started?

To find out more about this visa type, or to explore other visas that might be better suited to your needs, get in touch with a migration agent at Phoenix Law & Associates.

We’ve helped thousands of people live, work, study and holiday in Australia, and we specialise in helping people who don’t speak English as their first language apply for visas.

Our team includes:

  • Mandarin speaking lawyers
  • Cantonese speaking lawyers
  • Japanese speaking lawyers
  • Farsi speaking lawyers
  • Dari speaking lawyers
  • Hindi speaking lawyers
  • Urdu speaking lawyers
  • Kurdish speaking lawyers
  • Bosnian speaking lawyers
  • Croatian speaking lawyers
  • Serbian speaking lawyers
  • Slovenian speaking lawyers
  • Macedonian speaking lawyers
  • Montenegrian speaking lawyers

Call 07 3607 3274 or email info@phoenix-law.com.au to request an obligation-free consultation. We’re here to help YOU!

 

Are you looking for a way to stay in Australia?

 

This month, the Australian government announced two new special visa agreements that can help skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers with lower english fluency to attain permanent residency… provided they are willing to live and work in designated regional Australian towns.

 

These special work visas  are sponsored by employers through labour agreements officially known as the Designation Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)s under one or both of the existing visa programs [(Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)].

 

They will allow migrants who have hospitality or farming skills to get jobs in areas that have severe labour and population shortages. Currently these areas include south-west Victoria’s Warrnambool region and certain parts of the Northern Territory (where the DAMA is not new, but the offer of permanent residency is).

 

Those who take the government up their offer will need to commit to spending three to four years in the same isolated region before they can access a pathway to permanent residency – a promise that may prove challenging to keep in the Northern Territory’s intense tropical weather!

 

The announcement of the new visa agreements comes as welcome news to many migrants who are facing an uphill battle to stay in the country.

 

In recent years, the requirements for other work visas have become much stricter than they have been in the past. In particular, changes to jobs on the skilled occupation lists have left many migrants no longer eligible to apply for or extend their work visas.

 

A full list of the 117 jobs on the Northern Territory DAMA occupation list can be found here. The list includes lesser-skilled roles such as baristas, delivery drivers, and landscapers – all of which are also eligible for low-english concessions.

 

The Warrnambool DAMA is designed to attract workers to the area’s meat-processing, dairy and agricultural industries – making it a good fit for those who can’t stand the Northern Territory heat, but not ideal for vegans or office workers. The detailed requirements for this region’s new visa will be finalised next year.

 

 

To chat to a migration solicitor about how you can stay in Australia, get in touch with us! We specialise in helping people who don’t speak English as their first language apply for visas.

 

Our team includes:

  • Mandarin speaking lawyers
  • Cantonese speaking lawyers
  • Japanese speaking lawyers
  • Farsi speaking lawyers
  • Dari speaking lawyers
  • Hindi speaking lawyers
  • Urdu speaking lawyers
  • Kurdish speaking lawyers
  • Bosnian speaking lawyers
  • Croatian speaking lawyers
  • Serbian speaking lawyers
  • Slovenian speaking lawyers
  • Macedonian speaking lawyers
  • Montenegrian speaking lawyers

Call (07) 3180 0908 or email info@phoenix-law.com.au for an friendly, obligation-free consultation. We’re here to help YOU!

partner visa application

 

Have you fallen in love with an Aussie?

 

If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you plan to submit a partner visa application so you can remain together, this article is for you.

Here are three easy ways to increase your likelihood of a successful application:

 

1. Join the queue ASAP

Trying to navigate the deadlines and documents the Department of Home Affairs requires can be a nightmare. Sure, all the information is online, but it’s usually sprinkled across so many different web pages and forms that it’s hard to put all the pieces together.

Once you know you want to stay in Australia, the first thing you should do is ask a migration agent which documents you need, how to submit them, and when they’re due.

Make sure you do this well before your current visa expires because partner visa processing is notoriously slow, usually taking 13-18 months per application.

There’s rarely a way to fast track this process: The sooner you pay your visa fee, the sooner you join the queue. So, find out what you need to do to and take action ASAP.


2. Find out which rules are more flexible than others

If you’re concerned that you or your partner don’t meet the visa requirements listed online, there can still be a way to make that visa happen.

Here are two common situations that, at first glance, don’t meet the visa criteria, but can be worked to your favour by a smart solicitor:

  • Short relationships: To obtain a partner visa you generally must have been in a relationship and cohabiting with your Aussie partner for at least 12 months prior to lodging your application. However, if the duration of your relationship/cohabitation is less than 12 months, it’s still possible to obtain a partnership visa. This can be done by registering your defacto partner status with an Australian state or territory, obtaining a relationship certificate, then making a successful submission to waive the 12 months relationship requirement. 
  • Criminal records: You may be disappointed to discover your partner is unlikely to pass the Australian government’s character checks. The Department of Home Affairs has a specific requirement that the visa applicant’s partner doesn’t have a significant criminal record (a term of imprisonment up to 12 months or more). What you might not know, however, is that there are some exemptions which can be granted (such as compelling circumstances), but this takes time and needs to be dealt with early in the process.

With the right advice, you can overcome potential roadblocks that would otherwise delay, or sink or visa approval.  

 

3. Don’t assume the Department of Home Affairs will chase you

When it comes to providing supporting documentation and evidence, the onus is on you to do everything.

Don’t assume that if you’ve left something important out, the Department of Home Affairs will chase you down to ask for additional paperwork. If you don’t have enough evidence, chances are they will just reject your application, leaving you out of pocket for your application fee, and at the back of the queue again.

 

If you need help applying for your partnership visa…

Consider getting in touch with Phoenix Law.

We have solicitors that speak your language, including:

  • Mandarin speaking lawyers
  • Cantonese speaking lawyers
  • Japanese speaking lawyers
  • Farsi speaking lawyers
  • Dari speaking lawyers
  • Hindi speaking lawyers
  • Urdu speaking lawyers
  • Kurdish speaking lawyers
  • Bosnian speaking lawyers
  • Croatian speaking lawyers
  • Serbian speaking lawyers
  • French speaking lawyers
  • Italian speaking lawyers
  • Polish speaking lawyers
  • Russian speaking lawyers
  • Slovenian speaking lawyers
  • Macedonian speaking lawyers
  • Montenegrian speaking lawyers

Call (07) 3180 0908 or email info@phoenix-law.com.au for an obligation-free consultation. We’ll help you any way we can!