The AIIA met with Home Affairs to discuss the Global Talent Scheme Pilot. The AIIA are assisting the Department as part of its Industry Advisory Group which brings together Government and Industry to inform the design of the Pilot
The Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa replacing the 457 visa provides skilled migrants a route to enter the Australian workforce. However, there are certain occupations specifically within the ICT sector and high technology which are not covered by the TSS visa class. The Global Talent Scheme and the initial pilot is an opportunity to compliment the TSS by targeting these in-demand skill sets from the highly competitive global talent pool.
The AIIA are participating on an Industry Advisory Group with the Department, which brings together Government and private enterprise in order to guide and design the pilot phase of the scheme. AIIA are working with Home Affairs to hone specifics of the program which relate to the schemes management and evaluation components, how a business can meet entry criteria, how reporting of the scheme will work, amongst a raft of other measures.
Home Affairs will officially launch their pilot on July 1 2018 and it will run for 1 year. If the program is successful it will officially form part of the skilled migration program in to Australia. The AIIA will continue consultations with the Department through the design phase. If you would like further information on this process please contact Kim Hicks or Damien Lewis.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) New Pilot Project for SMEs
The World Information Technology Services Alliance has a close relationship with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) through a new Memorandum of Understanding.
Engagement with the SME community has become a top priority for ITU this year, culminating at the ITU Telecom World in Durban, September 10-13, WITSA would like to inform you of their new SME pilot project, which aims to foster global SME success and leverage the expertise of SMEs, especially from emerging markets, to contribute to the work of the ITU. Every year at ITU Telecom World, ITU helps to scale the success of SMEs by giving them a platform for visibility and networking opportunities. The goal is to increase SME participation in select ITU Study Groups and to strengthen the technical knowledge of SMEs, with special attention to those from developing countries, and to offer tangible benefits for participating SMEs.
AIIA Members, further information on the pilot is available here. Additionally, if members would like to get involved in the work of Study Groups in the new ITU Pilot Project, please email ITU.
The AIIA have released a document highlighting case studies and business success stories on why the R&D Tax Incentive is critical to the Australian economy and to the business community
The AIIA have pulled together a range of business case studies which showcase the benefits of the R&D Tax Incentive for Australian businesses and their operations. The case studies highlight the importance of access to funding and capital relief through the incentive and the significance of the incentive to the domestic economy, you can read the case studies here.
The AIIA are concerned that continued budget cuts to the program is undermining the ability for local early-stage businesses to develop. Without a tax incentive or subsidy program, companies advise that the domestic market is difficult to operate in. The concern then is that these companies will move their operations offshore if further cuts are made. Which will ultimately shrink the sector and mean these innovations and businesses will not be Australian but develop and prosper in jurisdictions that can provide the necessary capital relief through the businesses crucial growth phases.
Members, the AIIA have been working closely with the ATO on updating the guidance material as relates to the R&D Tax Incentive. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact Kim Hicks.
The AIIA met with the DTA for a quarterly checkpoint discussion on progress of the MoU co-signed earlier this year
As part of the AIIA’s MoU with the DTA, the AIIA General Manager – Kim Hicks and DTA Chief Communications Officer – Genine Johnson met to discuss the previous quarter and roadmap ahead for 2018. Item’s discussed include:
- AIIA / DTA Cadence Meeting
- CEO Meeting between AIIA and DTA
- AIIA / DTA Meeting on Procurement
Members, the AIIA continue to collaborate closely with the DTA across a range of policy initiatives including the Trusted Digital Identity Framework. We are working with the DTA to ensure that the MoU and our continued relationship remains prosperous for both the Association and the Agency. If you have any recommendations or suggestions on areas of focus you would like to see prioritised, please reach out to Kim Hicks.
DFAT have requested AIIA comment on Chinese Draft Legislation on Internet Security
DFAT requested AIIA member comment on Chinese draft regulations on Internet Supervision Law. The proposed laws, if implemented, will affect Australian businesses that provide or use Internet based services in China. Member comments will aid DFAT in compiling an Australian Government and Industry submission that will be provided to the Chinese Government. The overarching aim of the submission is to encourage China to adopt international standards and Internet governance practices that do not act as barriers to trade, competition or innovation.
AIIA canvassed members of its Security SIG and have provided comment to DFAT relating to the protection of intellectual property and trade secrets, the supervision of ‘public security organs’ as relates to inspections and audits of foreign enterprise business operations. The AIIA welcome DFAT’s continued efforts to push back against laws that could impede foreign business operations within mainland China.
Members, if you would like further background on these proposed laws, the Chinese Government through the Ministry of Public Security released these draft regulations which can be found on their website. If you have further inquiries, please reach out to Kim Hicks..