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Rebecca Macmillan

LLB, MMigrationLaw

Practice Director – Migration - Cairns

Areas of Expertise

Immigration Law, Workplace Relations & Safety

Expertise

Rebecca is the Practice Director of our national Migration team. Rebecca has more than 15 years’ experience providing migration advice and assistance to a broad range of clients. 

Rebecca focuses on developing effective migration strategies. Working closely with Australian and international businesses to obtain Australian work visas for skilled professionals, she provides guidance and support to businesses to ensure positive outcomes are delivered and matters of compliance and record keeping are met. 

Key areas that Rebecca assists client with include permanent residency, addressing skills shortages within businesses, employer sponsorship, intra-company transfers, Global Talent visas, and labour Agreements. 

Rebecca’s experience ranges across a range of industry sectors, including information technology, mining and energy, food and beverage manufacturing and agriculture. She also works with small family owned businesses as well as large international corporations. 

In addition to her work with the business and corporate community, Rebecca also assists individuals wishing to migrate to Australia under the skilled migration program, or family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents. She also assists with complex health and character matters. 

Rebecca has been recognised in the 2023 and 2024 editions of Doyles Guide as a leading lawyer in Immigration in Queensland

Experience

Rebecca has assisted clients in the following areas:

  • identifying and developing migration strategies
  • sponsorship and labour agreement applications
  • temporary and permanent employer sponsorship 
  • skilled independent and skilled nominated visas
  • business and investment visas
  • visas for family 
  • resident return visas
  • Australian citizenship
  • health waivers
  • character submissions
  • Administrative Appeal Tribunal review applications.

Membership

Queensland Law Society 

Migration Institute of Australia 

Migration Alliance

Cairns Chamber of Commerce

FNQ Law Association

Publications

14 August 2024 - Knowledge

The importance of correctly completing incoming passenger cards

#Immigration Law

The Incoming Passenger Card is a crucial component of Australia’s border security and immigration framework. Completing this correctly is important as errors can lead to serious consequences.

26 July 2024 - Knowledge

Recent migration changes impacting employers

#Immigration Law

Earlier this month, the Australian Government introduced a Workplace Justice Visa, updated sponsored visa conditions and proposed new legislation to amend the Migration Act. What impact will these changes have on your business?

29 May 2024 - Knowledge

2024-25 Federal Budget: Key migration changes for employers

#Immigration Law

The recent Federal Budget introduces significant reforms to Australia’s migration system, including a cap on student visas and over 7,000 additional places for employer sponsored visas in the coming year. How will these changes impact employers?

28 April 2024 - Knowledge

Australia’s core skills occupations list under review

#Immigration Law

Jobs and Skills Australia is currently reviewing a list of occupations eligible for the Core Skills Pathway under a new Skills in Demand visa, and businesses can have their say until 31 May 2024.

25 March 2024 - Knowledge

Key updates in migration law – March 2024

#Immigration Law

We highlight some of government’s key announcements this month, including a new permanent resident visa program for Pacific Island countries and extended stays for Temporary Skill Shortage visa holders from the UK.

27 February 2024 - Knowledge

Migration changes in 2024: Updates for employers and foreign workers

#Immigration Law

A summary of recent announcements, including new legislation to better protect temporary migrant workers and a Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme to allow young Indians to live and work in Australia.

20 December 2023 - Knowledge

End-of-year migration update

#Immigration Law

We share an update on the latest developments in the employer sponsored space and insights into what the government’s migration strategy has in store for you.

21 June 2023 - Knowledge

Work restriction changes for student visa holders from July 2023

#Immigration Law, #Workplace Relations & Safety

Starting 1 July 2023, new work restrictions will be placed on student visa holders in Australia. We explain the changes and what employers should be aware of to ensure they are compliant.

14 June 2023 - Knowledge

‘A crisis of exploitation’: Measures to protect Australia’s migrant workforce

#Workplace Relations & Safety, #Immigration Law

Following revelations of systemic underpayment and mistreatment of the nation’s migrant workforce, the Albanese Government has flagged reforms aimed at protecting visa holders.

02 May 2023 - Knowledge

Major changes proposed to improve Australia’s migration system

#Immigration Law

The Australian Government is taking steps to improve its migration system with the release of a draft Migration Strategy and plans to increase the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold and offer skilled temporary workers a path to permanent residency.

02 May 2023 - Knowledge

New pathway to Australian citizenship for eligible New Zealanders

#Immigration Law

From 1 July 2023, eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia may be able to apply for Australian citizenship without first applying for permanent residence.

28 February 2023 - Knowledge

Important changes to Australian student visas from 1 July 2023

#Immigration Law

We look at the re-introduction of student visa work restrictions and extended post-study work rights for graduate visa holders from 1 July 2023.

13 December 2022 - Knowledge

Migration update – December 2022

#Immigration Law

We look at recent news regarding the temporary closure of the New Zealand Stream visa to new applicants, the recommencement of the six-month work limitation for working holiday makers, and Australia’s new trade agreement with India.