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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482/TSS update: major investor accreditation for standard business sponsors; aged care labour agreements; religions get assistants

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482/TSS update: major investor accreditation for standard business sponsors; aged care labour agreements; religions get assistants

A flurry of announcements at the end of last week regarding the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa program included adding another category for business to become accredited standard business sponsors, accepting applications for labour agreements for aged carers, and adding religious assistants to Minister of Religion labour agreements.

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New character direction has domestic violence perpetrators in sight…and maybe a few more

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New character direction has domestic violence perpetrators in sight…and maybe a few more

A new direction made by the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs for assessing a non-citizen who does not satisfy the character test in certain circumstances came into force at the end of last month. The minister heralded this as being aimed at domestic violence perpetrators committing violence against women and children. The terminology, however, may be interpreted a little differently.

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