NEWS
Oz Labour Solutions Golf Day in Aid of the Irish Support Agency 2023
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our fundraising Golf Day on Friday 3rd February 2023 in Moore Park which was organised by Paddy McTigue of Oz Labour Solutions.
We had 31 teams out in force, with plenty of healthy competition and great craic on the course.
Cormac McAnnallens GAC - First Place
Congratulations to the guys from Cormac McAnallens GAA - Sydney who took home first place and Patrick Saint Phadraigh GAC who narrowly missed out on the top spot, coming in second place.
Congratulations to Alan Duggan who got a hole in one on the 5th hole and took home the prize for closest to the pin.
Thank you also to our massive 31 hole sponsors, without who, the day would not have been such a huge success.
Lastly, we are entirely grateful to the tireless efforts of Paddy McTigue who brought the entire day together, raised a huge amount of money on our behalf and made the day what is was.
February 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our February issue of the newsletter, our first of 2023!
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
Important update for WHV holders
Visa condition 8547 - 6-month work limitation
On 19 January 2022, the 6-month work limitation was temporarily relaxed. The relaxation of this condition was initially in effect until 31 December 2022, and it has now been extended until 30 June 2023.
This change allows Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) to work with any one employer for the duration of their visa without requesting permission, and any work that is carried out before 1 July 2023 will not be counted towards the 6-month limitation period. This means that from 1 July 2023 onwards, WHMs may work for any employer for up to an additional 6 months even if they worked for that same employer before 1 July 2023.
This applies to anyone in Australia who either holds any kind of WHM visa, regardless of when they arrive, or holds a Bridging visa with condition 8547 imposed.
Read release: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/6-month-work-limitation
Service NSW Savings Finder
With the cost of living continuously on the rise, there might be some ways in which you could be saving money.
The NSW Government is helping reduce the cost of living with more than 70 rebates and vouchers.
Click below to get started and find out if you are eligible for some of the savings.
December Newsletter 2022
We hope you enjoy reading our December issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
AGM 2022
The Annual General Meeting of the Irish Support Agency NSW Inc. will be held on Monday 12th December in the Green/Ulster Room of the Gaelic Club, 64 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills commencing at 6.30pm.
AGM Agenda
Record Attendance and Voting Rights
Record Apologies
Approve Minutes of 26th Annual General Meeting held on 15th Dec 2021
Financial Report
President’s Report
Special Resolution 1 - 7
General Business
Election of Council
All financial members are invited to be present at this Meeting, when an election of Office Bearers will be held.
Yours faithfully,
Alan Humphreys | Secretary
Returning to Ireland with Children - Crosscare Migrant Project Webinar
Our friends in Ireland, Crosscare Migrant Project are hosting a webinar targeting parents who are returning to Ireland with children over Christmas and thinking about making the move back for good.
When: Monday 5th December, 9pm (AEST)
Where: Online via zoom
Registration and full details are available below.
Featuring James Parnell, a returned emigrant from Australia, who will be discussing ways to help children adjust to life back in Ireland. They will also have a speaker from Citizens Information who will provide practical information on things like PPS numbers, healthcare entitlements, the education system, social welfare payments like child benefit, and much more.
People are encouraged to register and join the event live as there will be an opportunity to pose questions on the day.
October Newsletter 2022
We hope you enjoy reading our October issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
Update on postal parcel services to Ireland
From Wednesday 2 March 2022. Economy, Standard and Express parcel services resumed to Ireland for Post Office consumer and My Post Business customers only.
In September 2021, parcel services to Ireland were suspended due to the requirement by Irish customers for a 10-digit tariff or Taric code to be included on all customs declarations and captured in the Electronic Advance Data (EAD).
Articles sent to Ireland must have a 10-digit tariff or Taric code or they may be delayed or returned to sender. Customers will be able to search for the appropriate 10-digit tariff code when completing the online form and can access the Irish Post website at http://www.anpost.com/.../Int.../Find-a-TARIC-Commodity-code for the correct tariff code.
Please see below our international post guide to help you send packages back home!
For further information please see: https://auspost.com.au/.../international.../results/ireland
For queries please contact Australia Post (00 61 3 8847 9045) or An Post (353 (1) 705 7600)
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO ALERT PEOPLE ADOPTED FROM IRELAND OF NEW LEGAL RIGHT TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR BIRTH INFORMATION.
Please find as follows key points about this new legislation, including links to the new website established for those seeking their birth information and a copy of the press release issued by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI)- see attached; and a link to the Government issued press release
A global campaign has been launched by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) to raise awareness of landmark legislation which means that people who were adopted in, or from, Ireland are now entitled to know about their birth information.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, which took effect on 1 July, provides legal entitlement to full and unrestricted access to birth and early life information for any Irish person who was adopted, boarded out or had their birth information illegally registered, or who otherwise has questions in relation to their origins. This includes their birth certificate, care information, early life information, and medical information. It means that they will be able to find out their name, birthplace, and date, as well as their parents’ names, dates of birth, and other details.
This information service will be available from October this year.
The law also establishes a tracing service from October this year to facilitate contact between adoptees and birth parents and other birth relatives according to the preferences they register on the new Contact Preference Register (CPR).
The Register, which is operated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland, is now open for applications. Please register at www.birthinfo.ie
People can register at any time but are encouraged to register in the first three months, especially those who wish to record a preference of no contact.
The tracing service can be used by relevant persons – parents, adoptive parents, birth relatives, other genetic relatives, or those who were carers in relation to a relevant person – to enable contact or the sharing or requesting of contemporaneous information.
Where the relevant person has died, their son or daughter will have the same right to information that relates to their parent, if the relevant person’s parents (i.e. the applicant’s grandparents) are also deceased. A next of kin can also apply for access if the relevant person died while resident as a child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution.
In cases where a birth mother chooses to have no contact, this will not prevent her identity from being shared, but her desire not to be contacted will be respected.
In cases where a birth mother chooses to have no contact, this will not stop adopted persons meeting or engaging with other family members, such as siblings or half siblings.
August Newsletter 2022
We hope you enjoy reading our August issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
June Newsletter 2022
We hope you enjoy reading our June issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
Claiming an Irish Pension whilst living in Australia
by Sarah Owen, Crosscare Migrant Project (18th May 2022)
Living in Australia, but previously worked in Ireland? You might be able to combine your Irish and Australian social insurance contributions to help you qualify for an Irish pension. You can even apply whilst living in Australia. Read on to find out more!