The latest news on Australian immigration, including changes to regulations, government policy announcements, and analysis of media releases affecting current and future applications.
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The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) has released an FAQ to confirm among other things that the number of permanent migration places allocated for this program year (2020-21) is the same as for the last program year. This is not set in stone and is likely to change when the Federal Budget is handed down in October.
Read MoreThe prime minister has set out a plan for certain Hong Kong passport holders who hold Australian visas to extend their stay in Australia for up to 5 years. Additionally, new student graduates and temporary work visa applicants will also have access to a 5-year visa, with a pathway to a permanent visa available. The government has also set its sights on attracting Hong Kong’s best a brightest workers and businesses.
But perhaps the biggest announcement may be that revisions to the skilled occupation lists are coming sooner rather than later.
Read MoreImmiAccount 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.
Read MoreWith 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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