Permanent migration slashed to 160,000; 186/187 visa numbers increasing; two new regional visas announced

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Permanent migration slashed to 160,000; 186/187 visa numbers increasing; two new regional visas announced

The much-rumoured new population policy and cut to Australia’s permanent migration was announced by the prime minister today. Permanent visa numbers will be cut from 190,000 to 160,000, however, for employer sponsored permanent visas, Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visas and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visas, they will actually increase. Two new regional visas have been revealed along with a bonus year for Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visas for international students who study at a regional university.

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Occupation list shuffle: 36 more GSM occupations; GPs sent to the country, new caveats

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Occupation list shuffle: 36 more GSM occupations; GPs sent to the country, new caveats

Major changes to the occupations lists for GSM visas and temporary and permanent employer sponsored visas come into effect today. This includes 36 occupations now eligible to compete for an invitation for a Subclass 189 – Skilled—Independent visa or a Subclass 489 – Skilled—Regional (Provisional) visa sponsored by an eligible relative. New caveats have been added to the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas, Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa, and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa occupation lists, including that General Practitioners will require a certificate to be nominated, which will see many required to work in regional or rural areas.

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Business sponsor shame list to begin 13 December 2018; Powers to request tax file numbers; Clarity on review rights for refused sponsored visas

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Business sponsor shame list to begin 13 December 2018; Powers to request tax file numbers; Clarity on review rights for refused sponsored visas

New regulations will come into force on 13 December 2018 that will see the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs publish a list of sanctioned business sponsors, what obligation they breached, and the sanction they received.

The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs will be able to request from visa applicants, sponsors, and nominators, tax file numbers of visa holders and former visa holders for many temporary and permanent skilled visas. The ramifications of this may see more visas refused and cancelled.

Lastly, amendments have been made to give more certainty to sponsored or nominated workers whose visa applications are refused to seek review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

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The regional visa debate

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The regional visa debate

This week saw debate by federal and state politicians on Australia’s population and immigration, with an emphasis on migration to regional areas. Current regulations, however, does not lend itself to this policy aim, except for General Skilled Migration visas, which already has one visa subclass requiring holders to live, study and work in a regional area. Could we see greater scrutiny on this suite of visas?

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