Changes in subclass 491 and 494 regional visas has now been released, including details on age and skill exemptions, occupation lists, English language requirements, and the pas mark on the points test. This will take effect on 16 November 2019. New Scheme Will introduce two new temporary visas on 16 November, which both have a validity period of up to 5 years: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass  494) visa Replacing the Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) and Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa respectfully. Changes being made:  Priority processing for regional visa applications Expansion of regional areas More skilled migration points available to 491 visa applications Greater range of occupations for non-regional pathways Can apply for permanent residence without a second nomination stage through the 192 visa Only one Skilled Australians Fund Levy means lower cost for employers for 494 nomination Designated areas: Any part of Australia excluding Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne, and Newcastle, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast. New Points System  New points system increases total number of points available for 491 visa, as well as all skilled migration visas, which provide new ways for applicants to earn points towards their score. They will receive: 15 points for nomination by eligible family member or by regional state or territory. 10 additional points for Masters or PhD in specific areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – STEM). 10 partner points, if applicant has a skilled partner who is: Under 45 years of age at time of application, Obtains a positive skill assessment in an occupation on the same eligible list of occupations, and Has ‘competent’ English. Alternatively, 10 points, if: Single and have no dependent applicants, or Have a partner who is a permanent resident or citizen. 5 points if they have a partner who: Is over 45 years of age, not working in a skilled occupation but can demonstrate Competent English.

Before applying for Australian Capital Territory (ACT) nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, you must complete the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) SKILLSELECT and meet the Home Affairs points test for a subclass 190 visa. You may express your interest in applying for ACT 190 nomination by completing the Canberra Matrix. If your Matrix score is ranked, and you are invited to apply for ACT 190 nomination you must provide supporting documents to evidence your eligibility and any Matrix score claimed at date of Matrix submission. The latest round results are as follows : Invitation date: 2 September 2019 Number of Invitations Issued: 111 Matrix score range: All Matrix submitted with 130 to 70 points

Just over 160,300 individuals were given a permanent visa in 2018-19, slightly down on last year when 162,417 were granted permanent residency. The annual migration cap is 190,000 but this year the Australian government processed around 162,417 applications, almost 30,000 fewer. Migration agents are of the view that the main reason for the decline is the long processing times, rather than lack of demand for the unallocated visas. The bulk of the places were filled by skilled workers, with 109,713 granted under the skilled stream, or about 70 per cent of the total intake. About 51,000 family and child visas were also granted – less than the number of parent and family visa applications waiting for assessment as of April. The government’s reduced cap on annual permanent migration to 160,000 comes into effect this financial year, as it tries to address concerns about traffic congestion and rising house prices in cities. At the same time as the number of permanent migrants fall, there’s been an increase in temporary skilled workers and international students.

Asylum seeker support services are hoping that other state governments will follow Victoria’s lead and allocate extra funding for people on temporary visas who have been affected by federal cuts. An amount of $3 million funding commitment has been made by the Victorian government for people on bridging visas. Thousands of asylum seekers who arrived by boat before 2014 lost access to federal income support payments after the government tightened eligibility requirements in 2017. Community services say the dismantling of the status resolution support service program – worth about $35 a day – has pushed asylum seekers into poverty and increased demand for their help.   JRS Australia director Carolina Gottardo hoped other states, including NSW, would follow the Victorian government’s decision to provide “life-saving” support to the vulnerable group.  “There are thousands of people seeking asylum in other states, including NSW, who are facing abject poverty, sleeping rough or insecure housing, and struggling with serious mental and physical health issues without adequate support,” she said. “These include single mothers and those who have experienced domestic/family violence.” More than 8,000 asylum seekers who arrived by boat before 2014 are living on bridging visas while they wait for their claim to be finalised.  Asylum Seekers Centre CEO Frances Rush said the Victorian Government’s decision was a “humane response to a very real crisis”.

  Dujuana strong and motivated kid who wants to change the education system for aboriginal kids wants to bring focus to his plight. He recently visited UN to make a speech and is now hoping to sit with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to share his story.    Dujuansaid the threat of jail was a very real concern among Indigenous children in his community. Close to 100 per cent of the youths in jail in the Northern Territory are Indigenous Australians.Nationally, nearly 600 children are detained in jails each year with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids over-represented. He is hoping that Mr Morrison watches the film and says he would like to sit down with the Prime Minister personally to share his story. He has yet receive a response, but in the meantime is working with his grandmothers through the group Children’s Ground to promote an Indigenous-education model.

The population pressure in the major cities have motivated The Morrison Government to put focus on the Migration Program which will regional areas looking for growth to secure their economic future. 160,323 visas were granted in 2018-19 under the Permanent Migration Program, the lowest number in a decade.The program also delivered 8987 places under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, up from 6,221 places in 2017-18 – a 44 per cent increase. Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the Government will continue to increase its focus on regional migration. “Our population plan will ease the pressure on the big capitals while supporting the growth of those smaller cities and regions that want more people,” Mr Coleman said. “This year, we’ve reduced the cap for the Migration Program from 190,000 to 160,000. “We’re also dedicating 23,000 places for regional skilled migrants and have announced two new regional visas to help fill some of the tens of thousands of job vacancies in regional Australia. “We’re directing migration to those smaller cities and regional areas that are crying out for more people and those regional economies that simply cannot fill jobs with local workers.” The migration program also continues to focus on growing the Australian economy and filling skills gaps, with 109,713 visas granted under the Skill stream of the 2018-19 program – about 70 per cent of the program. “Skilled migrants have high employment participation rates, low unemployment rates and good annual earnings,” Mr Coleman said. “We’ll continue to back those migrants who bring critical skills into the country – those who work hard, pay taxes and contribute to funding essential services for Australians.” 47,247 family visas were also delivered in the 2018-19 Migration Program. 2018-19 Migration Program – Outcome as at 30 June 2019 Skill Stream Category Stream Outcome Employer Sponsored 42,012 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 8,987 Employer Nomination Scheme 33,025 General Skilled Migration Skilled Independent 34,247 State/Territory Nominated 25,993 Distinguished Talent 200 Business Innovation and Investment 7261 Total   109,713 Family Stream Category Stream Outcome Partner 39,918 Parent 6,805 Other Family 524 Family Total 47,247 Special Eligibility 115 Child 3,248 Total   160,323

Please be advised that the following websites will be unavailable between 2pm Saturday 14 September and 9am Sunday 15 September 2019:

Australian Citizenship Day is approaching soon that will fall on 17 th September. It is a day to welcome new citizens to our community at ceremonies across the country. Australian citizenship officially became a law 70 years ago. More than 5 million people have become Australians at citizenship ceremonies in the last 70 years. This Australian Citizenship Day, more than 8,000 people are expected to become Australian citizens. This year a large number of citizens will confer for Australian Citizenship Day. This is due to the efforts of the Government to reduce citizenship application processing times. Australia is a thriving multicultural country. There are people from various backgrounds and cultures. Australian citizenship is a shared identity amongst people. It is a common bond that unites all Australians.  

Australia remains the most exciting destination for visitors. Overseas arrivals have increased since the previous months. Overseas arrivals and departures statistics are international travel movements of persons arriving in, and departing from Australia with a focus on short term trips (less than 1 year). It is the number of international border crossings rather than the number of people. July 2019 trend estimates for short-term trips: Overseas visitor arrivals to Australia increased 0.5% since the previous month to 797,900 trips. Australian resident returns from overseas increased 0.3% since the previous month to 948,800 trips. Visitor arrivals – short-term trips.  

It is expected that more travellers on the Outback Way expected to stop over in Laverton. The McGowan Government will invest $1.3 million to upgrade the Great Beyond Visitor Centre at Laverton and capitalise on an expected boost in outback travellers. It is expected that more travellers on the Outback Way expected to stop over in Laverton. The McGowan Government will invest to upgrade the Great Beyond Visitor Centre at Laverton and capitalise on an expected boost in outback travellers. The Shire of Laverton will contribute $1.3 million to the project which aims to provide significant economic and social benefits to the town. The Visitor Centre has been operating at near capacity to service current visitor numbers and an expanded centre will greatly improve visitor experiences and customer service. “Up to 32,000 additional visitors per year are projected to visit Laverton through the Western Australian section of the Outback Way road network.