ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

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ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount and other major online services provided by the Department of Home Affairs will be down for scheduled maintenance from 7 pm (AEST) 30 June 2020 until 9 am (AEST) 1 July 2020. While there has been no news on any changes to visa application charges or other migration- and citizenship-related fees, the surcharge for Visa and Mastercard payments and PayPal will increase, with an important warning for any applicant seeking to avoid surcharges altogether by using BPAY.

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482 visas: Australia-UK free trade agreement negotiations commencing; international visitors likely in 2021

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482 visas: Australia-UK free trade agreement negotiations commencing; international visitors likely in 2021

With as much fanfare as Boris Johnson could muster, both the UK and Australia announced formal negotiations towards a free trade agreement between these two historically close countries. Visa benefits are likely to include international trade obligation exempting labour market testing for UK nationals when being nominated for a Subclass 482 – Skill Shortage visa, and perhaps the lifting of the age cap from 30 to 35 for Subclass 417 – Working Holiday visas. Also, the likelihood of Australia welcoming international visitors for holiday purposes seems to have been pushed back to 2021.

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International students inbound on pilot programs, business travellers floated, all only once state borders open

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International students inbound on pilot programs, business travellers floated, all only once state borders open

Late last week, firm words from the prime minister were directed towards his state and territory counterparts to open their borders as this would be a precondition before international borders are opened. The initial stages, likely in July 2020, will see international students enter Australia on pilot programs with select institutions and with the possibility of international business travellers allowed to enter too (or shortly after) according to the health minister.

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States and territories set to giving more input in Australia’s migration policy

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States and territories set to giving more input in Australia’s migration policy

States and territories will provide input into Australia’s migration policy after the prime minister announced that the National Cabinet will become permanent and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will cease meeting. One of the committees under the National Cabinet is population and migration.

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