Budget Special: VACs increase 5.4% from 1 July 2019; GSM single applicants to be awarded points, partners may become a disadvantage

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Budget Special: VACs increase 5.4% from 1 July 2019; GSM single applicants to be awarded points, partners may become a disadvantage

The Federal Budget handed down last night announced a 5.4 per cent visa application charge increase from 1 July 2019, and a change to the requirements for partner skills to be awarded for General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas. While the need for a skill assessment for the spouse or de facto partner of a visa applicant will be dropped, it may end up being a disadvantage as prospective visa applicants without partners will be awarded points for simply being single.

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The Greeks Are Coming…up to 500 of them from 1 July 2019 and on Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday visas

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The Greeks Are Coming…up to 500 of them from 1 July 2019 and on Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday visas

Greece will be the 43rd nation to join Australia’s working holiday visa and cultural exchange program from 1 July 2019 with up to 500 places per year for Greek nationals with functional English and who have completed or are studying towards a tertiary qualification.

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DAMA Day: Designated Area Migration Agreements - Two for SA, One for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in WA

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DAMA Day: Designated Area Migration Agreements - Two for SA, One for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in WA

Three new Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) of five years in duration were confirmed yesterday: two for South Australia and one for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia. These agreements were made to arrest population decline and fill critical skill shortages not covered by the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa program under a standard business sponsorship.

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Permanent migration slashed to 160,000; 186/187 visa numbers increasing; two new regional visas announced

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Permanent migration slashed to 160,000; 186/187 visa numbers increasing; two new regional visas announced

The much-rumoured new population policy and cut to Australia’s permanent migration was announced by the prime minister today. Permanent visa numbers will be cut from 190,000 to 160,000, however, for employer sponsored permanent visas, Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visas and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visas, they will actually increase. Two new regional visas have been revealed along with a bonus year for Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visas for international students who study at a regional university.

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