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.
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.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is postponing the initiation of Australia’s first pilot program to offer International students a safe passage into the country ‘until there is a clearer picture around the COVID-19 trajectory’. According to sources, around 120,000 students are currently refrained from entering the country due to the border closure in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Paddy Nixon, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra said, “Given the ever-evolving circumstance of this global pandemic, we think it best to press pause on our plans to return a small number of our valued continuing international students who contribute so much to the vibrancy of our city and our campus”.
The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia has advised that an update on the economic and fiscal outlook will be provided on 23 July 2020. Earlier, in a joint media release with Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance on 20 March 2020, he had announced the Government’s decision to defer the 2020-21 Budget until 06 October 2020 in light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The industry is expecting changes to the Migration Program planning levels due to the impact of COVID-19. Further, the updates to the skilled migration occupation lists for March 2020 as suggested by the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business on 13 December 2019, have also been delayed. For the time being, the 2019-20 Migration Program continues to remain in place.