The latest news on Australian immigration, including changes to regulations, government policy announcements, and analysis of media releases affecting current and future applications.
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The coronavirus pandemic did not stop the administration of more Australian citizenship tests in 2019-20 than 2018-19. The fail rate for the citizenship test was over 3 per cent higher in 2019-20 at 15.6 per cent. Last year also saw a record number of people conferred citizenship with more than 200,000 people becoming Australian citizens by conferral.
Read MoreThe much-anticipated May 2020 and June 2020 invitation rounds have finally been published by the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs). While there has been an increase in invitations issued from the dismal April 2020 round, the goalposts have been moved from highest points first to a “targeted” invitation system due to COVID-19.
Read MoreThe Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) has released an FAQ to confirm among other things that the number of permanent migration places allocated for this program year (2020-21) is the same as for the last program year. This is not set in stone and is likely to change when the Federal Budget is handed down in October.
Read MoreImmiAccount and other major online services provided by the Department of Home Affairs will be down for scheduled maintenance from 7 pm (AEST) 30 June 2020 until 9 am (AEST) 1 July 2020. While there has been no news on any changes to visa application charges or other migration- and citizenship-related fees, the surcharge for Visa and Mastercard payments and PayPal will increase, with an important warning for any applicant seeking to avoid surcharges altogether by using BPAY.
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