New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

A ministerial direction for skilled visas prioritising regional areas and a ministerial direction for student visas prioritising offshore applications came into effect recently. The number of 476 visas to be granted this financial year will be 3,735 and this may be the last time this visa will be available.

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PMSOL abolished: healthcare and teaching occupations take over

PMSOL abolished: healthcare and teaching occupations take over

A creature of COVID, the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was abolished last week and replaced with more back-to-business processing priorities except for healthcare and teaching occupations which now take the highest priority.

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COVID: 485 visas extended to 30 September 2022; 489 visas for 7 years; 494/491 visas for 8 years

COVID: 485 visas extended to 30 September 2022; 489 visas for 7 years; 494/491 visas for 8 years

The regulation amendments for the promised extensions or reinstatements for international graduate 485 visa and regional 489, 494, or 491 visa holders or (former holders) come into effect from today.

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2020-21 program year exceeds planning level, 72,376 partner visas granted

2020-21 program year exceeds planning level, 72,376 partner visas granted

The report for the 202-21 migration program year was released with the not unsurprising result of over 70,000 partner visas granted, leaving under 65,000 still to be processed. Other outcomes also surprised.

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