On May 6, 2016, Australia and Singapore announced a new package of initiatives to advance Australia's economic and defensive partnership with Singapore.

The wide-ranging initiatives include greater certainty for Australians entering and working temporarily in Singapore, with reduced barriers to labor mobility. Singapore will provide new guaranteed access for Australians to stay and work in Singapore in the following categories: (i) Australian independent executives and contractual service suppliers, up from three months to two years; (ii) Australian intra-corporate transferees, up from two years to three years (with a new maximum stay of 15 years); (iii) Australians offering services relating to installation and servicing of machinery and equipment for up to three months; and (iv) spouses and dependants of Australians granted entry as intra-corporate transferees, independent executives, and contractual service suppliers.

Singapore will also establish a help desk and streamlined processes for Australian businesspeople seeking to enter and work in Singapore.

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