COVID-19: Fact sheets, visa cancellations on health grounds and reapplying student and visitor visa applicants

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COVID-19: Fact sheets, visa cancellations on health grounds and reapplying student and visitor visa applicants

The coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has wreaked havoc on world travel and stock markets and will no doubt have a negative impact on Australia’s education and tourism industries. The Department of Home Affairs have provided several fact sheets for those that may be affected by travel restrictions and created a pathway for those in Australia who have had their visitor or student visas cancelled under specific provisions because of not meeting tougher border control measures to reapply for these visas.

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491 and 494 visas: 2,000 more regional visas; regional areas defined; extra year for graduates clarified

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491 and 494 visas: 2,000 more regional visas; regional areas defined; extra year for graduates clarified

Today, the Government announced there will be an increase of 2,000 regional visas due to the high demand and a rise in visa grants in the first quarter of the program year. The regional/non-regional dichotomy will be split into three categories: Major cities, Cities and major regional centres, and Regional centres and all other locations. This will impact the new Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa and Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. Incentives for these areas are also explained, including the potential for an additional 2 years for international students who study at a regional university for a Subclass 485 - Temporary Graduate visa under the Post-Study Work stream.

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491/190 visas: WA adds VET course to Graduate Occupation List, job offer and employment experience reduced

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491/190 visas: WA adds VET course to Graduate Occupation List, job offer and employment experience reduced

Last week the Premier of Western Australia announced that the requirements for international student graduates to be nominated for a Subclass 190 – Skilled - Nominated visa or a Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa would be reduced along with adding trade occupation to their Graduate Occupation List so local graduates of vocational education (VET) courses can also apply.

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Student visas: Financial capacity increase on 24 October 2019

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Student visas: Financial capacity increase on 24 October 2019

The annual living costs, annual school costs, and minimum personal annual income for Subclass 500 – Student visa or Subclass 590 – Student Guardian visa will increase from tomorrow after a new instrument was registered today. This year has seen rumblings in changes to student visa Assessment Levels and accusations that some students have had their Certificates of Enrolment cancelled after they have been issued.

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