The latest news on Australian immigration, including changes to regulations, government policy announcements, and analysis of media releases affecting current and future applications.
For Australian immigration news and important announcements. To receive notifications as they are posted, make sure you follow Peak Migration's Linkedin page or subscribe to our RSS feed.
Disclaimer: Any posted material is not intended to be immigration advice and does not purport to represent all requirements for a successful application or applications. No person should act on the basis of the material contained in any post without obtaining advice relevant to their situation, and without considering and taking professional advice where necessary. All opinion expressed is that of the author and nobody else.
A number of recent articles reported on visa cancellations based on failing the character test. What wasn’t reported was that the number was lower than previous years. This has not stopped the Minister for Home Affairs wanting to strengthen the character test further despite the Government of New Zealand not approving.
Read MoreA very interesting requested made to the Department of Home Affairs asked whether there was a points system in assessing partner visa applications, potentially alluding to a certain risk tiering tool.
Information on refusals of Subclass 300 – Prospective Marriage visas, the offshore Subclass 309/100 – Partner visa and the onshore Subclass 820/801 – Partner visa were fraud was recorded, or where the applicant fails to meet public interest criterion 4020 are analysed.
Read MoreUpcoming change to labour market testing (LMT) exemptions for Subclass 457 – Temporary Work (Skilled) and Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas are due to come into effect on 30 December 2018. This will add signatory nations of the TPP-11 who have also ratified the agreement to the list of countries exempt under international trade obligations.
Also, the character test is set to toughen (pending the passage of legislation). The new provisions will add a category of designated offences to the definition of what is a substantial criminal record. If passed, visa refusals and cancellations based on character will most likely increase.
Read MoreThe anticipated pathway to a permanent visa for Subclass 405 – Investor Retirement visa and Subclass 410 – Retirement visa holders have been released. A permanent visa will only be eligible to those who held a retirement visa on 8 May 2018 and who have not held another substantive visa since that date other than a retirement visa. Instead of creating a new subclass, existing Subclass 103 – Parent visa and Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent visa subclasses will be amended to accommodate.
Read More
