In a recent joint media release, the Government acknowledges that International students are important to Australia and to the Australian economy. In response to the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic, the Government announces changes to the student visa arrangements to ensure that ‘international students are not worse off due to the coronavirus pandemic’ and Australia remains a priority study destination. The five key changes include: Recommencing the grant of student visas lodged outside Australia to enable students to make travel arrangements as soon as the border reopens. Waiving off a further student visa application fee for International students who were unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19. Counting online study undertaken by current student visa holders outside Australia due to COVID-19 towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa. Making the graduates holding a student visa eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return to Australia due to COVID-19. Giving additional time to the applicants for providing English language results where access to these services has been disrupted due to COVID-19. The Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Alan Tudge MP, said, “These measures back the international education sector – our fourth largest export sector – and will assist its recovery.” These changes will come into force upon making relevant legislative changes and are currently not applicable.
The Arrangements for Child Visa Applications 2016/051 was amended vide the Migration (LIN 20/179: Arrangements for child visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2020 dated 15 July 2020. Accordingly, a compilation of the Arrangements for Child Visa Applications 2016/051 incorporates the amended text of the law and is in force from 17 July 2020, registered on 22 July 2020. The compilation incorporates the amendment to a drafting error, where the option for an application for visa Subclass 445, for a dependent child outside Australia to be made outside Australia, was removed vide the Migration (LIN 20/049: Arrangements for child visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2020. After the amendment, an application by a dependent child of a visa holder of Subclass 309, 310, 445, 820 or 826 visa outside Australia can be made through Form 918. To access the compilation of the Arrangements for Child Visa Applications 2016/051, click here.
The Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 made under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth) was amended to incorporate the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Credit Card and PayPal Surcharge) Regulations 2020 dated 11 June 2020 and the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2020 dated 19 March 2020. Accordingly, a compilation of the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 incorporates the amended text of the law and is in force from 01 July 2020, registered on 22 July 2020. The Government vide the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Credit Card and PayPal Surcharge) Regulations 2020 dated 11 June 2020 increased the surcharge for payments by credit cards and PayPal for certain fees and charges collected under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth), the Customs Act 1901 (Cth), and the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). Accordingly, payments by credit cards and PayPal for fees and charges, including visa application charges (VAC), sponsorship and nomination fees, and citizenship-related fees will be charged at 1.4% for payments by credit cards, an increase from previous 1.32%, and 1.01% for payment by PayPal, a slight increase from previous 1%. To access the compilation of the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016, click here.
According to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA), more than 5 million people have become Australian citizens since the introduction of concept citizenship in Australia in 1949 vide the erstwhile Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 (Cth). There is no doubt that the idea of citizenship remains ‘fundamental to [one’s] national identity’ as the Department continued to conduct online citizenship ceremonies even while the face-to-face ceremonies were temporarily suspended due to the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The Hon Alan Tudge MP, the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs has recently stated that, “The Morrison Government recognises the importance of Australian citizenship for migrants and for the wider Australia community. Already in 2019-20, more than 157,000 people have been conferred Australia citizenship, up 70% on the same period in 2018-19”. The table below shows the former nationality and the number of people who were conferred Australian citizenship in 2018-19 (01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019). NATIONALITY NO. OF PEOPLE India 28,470 United Kingdom 13,364 Philippines 9,267 China (mainland China only) 7,974 Sri Lanka 4,861 Vietnam 3,501 Pakistan 3,360 Nepal 3,294 Iraq 3,087 South Korea 3,062 Other 47,434 Total 127,674 During this period, the Department conferred citizenship to nationals from at least 200 different countries. If you have any questions or are seeking migration related advice on this issue, Discuss Your Situation with us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents who can help you.
Recently, in Victoria, the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood met with representatives from various cultural backgrounds, and heard of the challenges faced by multicultural communities and their resilience during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Wood said, “At this time it’s vital to understand the concerns of multicultural community leaders, particularly about the ongoing impact of the coronavirus on migrants and visa holders.” He also said, “The cooperation and resilience displayed by communities during this challenging times is inspiring and a testament to Australia’s multicultural success story…I look forward to ongoing engagement and collaboration with multicultural communities to safely navigate and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In addition to existing occupations for skills assessment, VETASSES is now assessing skills for the following three trade occupations for migration: Fitter and Turner (ANZSCO Code – 323212) Fitter-Welder (ANZSCO Code – 323213) Toolmaker (ANZSCO Code – 323412) To know more about the skills assessment for migration, click here.
On 14 July 2020, NSW announced support for temporary visa during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government will fund AUD $4 million to provide temporary visa holders with access to food and supplies, medical support, telecommunications, transport and essential housing, and support specialist migrant and settlement services, including culturally appropriate case and support workers, transportation and outreach services to connect with isolated communities, and interpreting and translation services. This funding is in addition to the previous grants distributed as emergency relief to asylum seekers. Acting Minister for Multiculturalism, Geoff Lee said, “We know that specialist migrant and settlement organisations have had to really step up in extremely challenging times to support some of the most vulnerable in our society with their most basic necessities”. Temporary visa holders seeking support must apply by 4pm, Monday 27 July 2020. To find more information and check eligibility information, click here.
On 15 July 2020, NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd) announced the addition of Telugu language in the Credentialed Community Language (CCL) testing. The applications are open from 22 July 2020 for undertaking tests in late August 2020. NAATI is the national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters in Australia offering CCL tests to assess the applicant’s language abilities at a community level. It is generally undertaken by the applicants who are looking to lodge a point-based visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. On successfully passing the test, the applicants are awarded 5 points. To see the full announcement, click here.
On 13 July 2020, Victoria announced closure of the skilled visa nomination program, for both the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491), for the 2019-20 program year as the State’s allocated quota has been exhausted. For 2020-21 program, Victoria is currently closed for accepting any nominations under the Skilled Migration program and the Business Migration Program until the nomination quotas are allocated by the Commonwealth Government. However, the applicants are able to lodge Expression of Interest (EOI) for State nomination under the Skilled Migration program and the State will continue to assess these applications.
The Arrangements for Child Visa Applications 2016/051 is amended vide the Migration (LIN 20/179: Arrangements for child visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2020 dated 15 July 2020 (“the Instrument”) registered on 16 July 2020. The Instrument amends a drafting error, where the option for an application for visa Subclass 445, for a dependent child outside Australia to be made outside Australia, was removed vide the Migration (LIN 20/049: Arrangements for child visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2020. Accordingly, an application by a dependent child of a visa holder of Subclass 309, 310, 445, 820 or 826 visa outside Australia can be made through Form 918. The Instrument has commenced from the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation and is now in effect. To access the full Instrument, click here.