Thank your subscribing to our mailing list. Our communication channels www.csa-oceania.org, Facebook CSA Oceania and this Newsletter have been created to improve information exchange and facilitate contact between the delegates and the Swiss in our region.
If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Your opinion and experience is important to us and our community.
Carmen Trochsler, SA / Roland Isler, VIC / Beat Knoblauch, NSW / Peter Ehrler, NZ
+Australia+ Every registered Swiss can vote
Supporting strongly an electoral reform, the current delegates agreed to support an e-voting pilotprogram in Australia. The aim is to conduct the elections in a more democratic way by giving all eligible Swiss in Australia the opportunity to elect their representatives. To vote, you must be over 18 and have registered your personal email address by end of May with the Consulate General in Sydney. Voting codes will be emailed to all eligible Swiss in Australia by 12 June and voters will have until 27 June to cast their vote.
A photo and summary profile of the candidates is available in the current issue of the Swiss Review (2017/3). A full profile can be viewed on the CSA Oceania website and soon on the OSA website and the e-voting platform.
+New Zealand+Elections at the AGM of the Swiss Society
The two representatives on the Council of the Swiss Abroad representing New Zealand will be chosen from among members of the four regional Swiss Clubs – Auckland, Hamilton, Taranaki and Wellington. They will be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Swiss Society of New Zealand, held on 4 June 2017.
Swiss Banks - Another intervention rejected by the National Council
It has become increasingly difficult for Swiss Abroad to open or maintain a bank account in Switzerland within reasonable conditions. The OSA has undertaken several interventions in order to find a solution to this problem. Unfortunately, on 4 May 2017, the National Council has narrowly rejected a motion by Roland Rino Büchel (SVP/SG). The move demanded that all Swiss Abroad be allowed to open a bank account with a Swiss system-relevant bank. Read more...
The CSA Oceania delegates have been busy behind the scenes to analyse the result in the National Council in order to determine the next appropriate steps. The OSA directorate is asking for our support for further negotiations and public realtions.
If you are a Swiss citizen in our region of Oceania and you are affected by the banking problem, please share your experience with us, so that we can be a strong voice in Bern.
Swiss Old Age Pension
+Australia+ Claiming a tax deduction from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
As a Swiss in Australia you may be entitled to claim a tax deduction in Australia for personal contributions paid into the Swiss Social Insurance (AHV/AVS or IV/AI). You can request a statement from the Swiss Compensation Office in Geneva (Switzerland), certifying the total amount of your personal contribution. This will allow the ATO to determine your eligibility. The necessary application forms and more information are available on the website of the Consulate General and in the May issue of the Swiss Review Regional Edition 3/17.
+New Zealand+ Latest efforts to resolve the AHV / NZ Pension issue
The Swiss AHV/AVS and NZ Pension has been a long standing issue in need for a solution, as New Zealand automatically deducts the Swiss Pension from the NZ Pension. In the context of the federal consulation process to a new automatic information exchange treaty between Switzerland and New Zealand, the Swiss Society of New Zealand voiced their opinion. They are urging the Swiss Government to not to sign anything with New Zealand until the AHV/Pension issue is resolved. More information is available in the latest issue of the 'Helvetia' magazine of the Swiss Society of New Zealand or via Peter Ehrler, CSA Delegate for NZ.
Camps, Courses and Vocational- and Study Councelling for Young Swiss
In association with its partner organisations, the OSA offers a variety of programs and services for Swiss children and young people living abroad. The holiday and training stays in Switzerland provide an exciting experience and opportunity to get to know the country and people and make friends with other young Swiss of their own age from all over the world.
The Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad has very popular camps for children up to 14 years. For Young Swiss 14 years and older camps and courses are available . Parter for training offers is educationsuisse which provides also vocational- and study counselling sessions in cooperation with the career guidance center BIZ Bern-Mittelland.
+Helpful Services of the Departement of Foreign Affairs+
New online desk eVERA for consular services
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs introduced a new virtual desk to access consular services online in October. Benefit: You can view online personal data about you held by the consulate general. Changes of civil status, changes of address etc. can be notified online. More information and registration here.
Helpline EDA for Swiss Abroad
The EDA Helpline is a service provided by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to Swiss Abroad. Benefit: Staff in Bern can be contacted 365 days a year, 24/7 via email, phone or skype. Services include advice relating emigration and consular services.
Contact details: Phone: +41 800 24-7-365 or +41 58 465 33 33 / Email: helpline@eda.admin.ch. For more information click here.
The faces behind CSA Oceania -
passionate about what they are doing and committed to continue their work for another four years! www.csa-oceania.org/About
