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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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 creature of COVID, the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was abolished last week and replaced with more back-to-business processing priorities except for healthcare and teaching occupations which now take the highest priority.
Read MoreThe Federal Budget handed down last night came with a number of surprises to Australia’s permanent migration programs. Of note is the prioritisation of certain skilled visas and onshore applicants and a one-off boost to partner visa processing numbers. Partner visa applicants and some sponsors will need to meet English language requirements along with an increase in requirements to be a sponsor.
Read MoreA review of Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment Program is ongoing, however, Significant Investor visas, which is a passive investment stream under the Subclass 188/888 – Business Innovation and Investment visa has come under fire with recent reports of integrity concerns and an alleged Ponzi scheme run through the current complying investment framework. The review suggests the $5 million minimum may be increased.
Read MoreNew 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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