The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 15 October 2020 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on Subclass 186 Employer Sponsored Scheme (ENS) Visa applications by occupation for the period between 01 August 2020 and 30 September 2020. According to the information, the following number of 186 visa applications were granted during the above period: Status August 2020 September 2020 Total Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 608 441 1049 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 18 24 42 Some of the occupations for which the visa was granted to applicants outside Australia include: Engineering Manager, Mechanical Engineer, University Lecturer, Registered Nurse, Software Engineer, and Metal Fabricator. For more information on the occupations, click here.
The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 16 October 2020 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa applications by occupation on hand as at 30 September 2020 and the number of visas granted for the period from 01 September 2020 to 30 September 2020. According to the information, the following number of 189 visa applications on hand where client location is inside and outside of Australia, and visa granted during the above period: Status Total Visas Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 2,201 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 1,066 Visa Applications Granted 92 Some of the occupations for which the visa was granted include: Accountant, Civil Engineer, Food technologist, Physiotherapist, Midwife, Registered Nurse, Software Engineer, and Social Worker. For more information on the occupations, click here.
On 17 October 2020, the Government announced its plans to prepare Australia for safe reopening of global travel to the world by introducing a digital system to replace the Incoming Passenger Card and support quick and secure collection of incoming passenger information. As per the announcement, Australia-bound travellers will be required to new Digital Passenger Declaration on their electronic devices to enable faster contact tracing as part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs said, “Today’s announcement is a major step forward in delivering that vision, whilst having the benefit of building a strategic, foundational platform for our whole of government ICT architecture…Our goal is for people and businesses to access government services as easily as they can and with as little intervention as possible, just like when you do online shopping or banking. The new Digital Passenger Declaration will do just that and help us re-open borders in a safe and responsible way.” To know more about the Permissions Capability, visit the Department’s website here.
Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 887) allows people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia to live anywhere in Australia permanently. To provide assistance to temporary and provisional visa holders, who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to travel restrictions, the Migration Amendment (COVID-19 Concessions) Regulations 2020 dated 17 September 2020 [“the Instrument”] was passed to amend the Migration Regulations 1994 and accordingly, Part 2 of the Instrument amended provisions regarding Subclass 887 visa. COVID-19 concessions From 19 September 2020, COVID-19 concessions apply to lodgement and eligibility requirements for eligible prospective applicants for Subclass 887 visa. The following changes are applicable: Visa holders and former visa holders (Subclass 489, Subclass 475, Subclass 487, Subclass 495 or Subclass 496), whose visas expired during the Concession Period, may apply for Subclass 887 visa while outside Australia Grant of Subclass 887 visa to applicants outside Australia Concession for visa holders and former visa holders, whose visas expired during the Concession Period, from the requirement to live in a specified regional area for two years Full-time work requirement in a specified regional area reduced from 12 months to 9 months For this purpose, the Instrument defines Concession Period as ‘the initial concession period’ commencing from 01 February 2020, being the date when first travel restriction was announced in response to COVID-19 by the Australian Government. Eligibility for Subclass 887 Visa You must: Have a previous eligible visa Have complied with conditions of your eligible visa Meet residence requirement Meet work requirement Meet health and character requirements Meet English Language requirements Not have had visa cancellation or a previous visa application refusal Currently, the Department is assessing applications submitted before 19 September 2020. If you lodged your visa application before 19 September 2020, you must be in Australia when the visa is granted. However, if your application was lodged on or after 19 September 2020, you can be in or outside Australia when the Department makes a decision on your application. Advantages of Subclass 887 Visa Live, work and study in Australia Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible Enrol in Medicare Bring eligible relatives to Australia permanently If you want to know more about this visa or are seeking assistance for migrating to Australia, Contact Us or call us on (+61) (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents in Sydney to discuss your options.
Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) has prepared its Annual Report for the financial year ending 30 June 2020, in accordance with the Department of Finance’s Resource Management Guide No. 135 —Annual report for non-corporate Commonwealth entities, and published it on its website. Under Section 46(1) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, the Department is required to prepare an annual report. The Report consists of 7 Parts including an overview, annual performance statements, report on financial performance, financial statements, management and accountability, appendices and reference material. To access the full Report, click here.
In addition to indicating introduction of new requirement to learn English language for partner visa applicants and their sponsors from late 2021, the Government has also indicated some changes to the Partner visa framework to protect the visa applicants against family violence. These changes are aimed at countering family violence by assessing Partner visa sponsor against character and sponsorship obligations, which would need to have been approved before a Partner visa application can be made. In addition, the sponsors will be required to agree to their character checks, including information on charges and convictions of a violent nature, being shared with their partner before the visa application can be lodged. The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, said, “The changes build on existing provisions in Australia’s migration laws to allow provisional Partner visa or Prospective Marriage visa holders who experience family violence to continue with their permanent visa application even if their relationship breaks down.” The new English language requirements, where partner visa applicants and their sponsors will be required to meet functional English requirements or demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to learn English, also aim to support women and migrant families in Australia.
As part of the Federal Budget 2020-2021 delivered on 06 October 2020, the Morrison Government announced support in form of refunding Visa Application Charge (VAC) or granting waivers to International tourists and temporary visa holders to meet critical skills shortage in Australia. Visa holders who are eligible for this support include prospective marriage visa holders, temporary skilled workers, Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme visa holders, visitor visa holders, and working holiday makers, who have been unable to travel to Australia due travel restriction in place due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs said, “Australia’s success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and our economy, will continue to make Australia an attractive destination for tourists and temporary workers. These measures will reinforce that when our borders open up, Australia will remain a nation that welcomes and values our international visitors.”
Migration (LIN 20/166: Australian Values Statement for Public Interest Criterion 4019) Instrument 2020 dated 24 September 2020 [“the Instrument”] amends provision regarding values statement for specified subclasses of visas by repealing and replacing the Australian Values Statement for Public Criterion 4019 – 2016/113 (IMMI 16/113) dated 16 November 2016. The Instrument specifies 29 subclasses of visas in Table 1 of Schedule 1 for which Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Instrument is approved as the values statement. Similarly, it specifies 37 subclasses of visas in Table 2 of Schedule 1 for which Part 1 combined with Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Instrument is approved as the values statement. The changes are aimed at updating the language of the values statement to better reflect the values that are important to Australian community. The updated Part 2 of Schedule 2 provides, “I undertake to make reasonable efforts to learn the English language, if it is not my native language. I understand that, if in the future I meet the legal qualifications for becoming an Australian citizen and my application is approved, I will need to pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people.” According to Section 2 of the Instrument, it commences on 30 October 2020. To access the full Instrument, click here.
Migration (Collection of Registration Status Charge) Instrument (LIN 20/225) 2020 dated 06 October 2020 [“the Instrument”] amends provision for collection of registration status charge by repealing and replacing the Determination of the Collection of the Registration Status Charge (IMMI 14/027) dated 22 April 2014. Registration status charge is imposed upon a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) under Section 10 of the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997, when the agent changes from providing immigration assistance on a non-commercial basis to a commercial basis. The Instrument determines when such charge becomes due and payable. According to Section 2 of the Instrument, it commences on 15 October 2020 and is applicable to registration application made by an agent on or after 15 October 2020. To access the full Instrument, click here.
Australia has put in place strict international border measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 within Australian community. While non-citizens, international visitors and other temporary visa holders may still be able to leave Australia where possible to do so, the Government has imposed overseas travel restrictions on Australian citizens and permanent residents. Accordingly, temporary visa holders do not need an exemption from the Commissioner of Australian Border Force (ABF) to depart Australia, if there are no border restrictions in their home country and flights are available. Automatic outbound travel exemptions also apply in certain cases and no prior travel exemption is needed for persons who are: Ordinarily resident in another country Airline, maritime crew or associated safety workers New Zealand citizens holding a Subclass 444 visa Engaged in the day-to-day conduct of outbound freight Associated with essential work at Australian offshore facilities Travelling on official Government business Further, Australian citizens and permanent residents may be allowed to leave Australia only if they obtain an exemption from the ABF Commissioner for travel falling under below mentioned categories: Responding to the COVID-19 outbreak; To conducting business; To receive urgent medical treatment (not available in Australia); To travel outside Australia for three months or longer; To serve the national interest; For compassionate or humanitarian grounds. You should apply for an exemption at least at least two weeks, but not more than three months before your planned travel. Without the exemption, you will not be allowed to travel and thus, you must take evidence of the exemption to the airport. If you are seeking assistance for travel exemption or are facing any migration issues, call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents.