The new visa application charges for Partner visa from 1 January 2015 will be as follows: Provisional and permanent partner visas – currently $3085 increased to $4630 Prospective marriage visa – currently $3085 increased to $4630 Temporary and permanent partner visas – currently…

From 23 November 2014, the department will accept English language test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) across the Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former…

From 23 November 2014, passport holders from the following countries are eligible to make Subclass 600 Visitor visa applications online in the Tourist, Sponsored Family and Business Visitor streams. The following countries are also added to the existing list: Bhutan…

The Western Australian Government has announced that public school fees will be waived for families on 457 visa to take into account lower incomes and other hardships. These include: Families earning $75,000 a year or less will not pay the…

As of 23 November 2014, the list of eligible countries for Work and Holiday visa include Spain and Portugal.  The full list includes  Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America and Uruguay.

From 23 November 2014, the entry period (the period between the grant of the visa and entry into Australia) and maximum period of stay (the period between entry into Australia and exit out of Australia) for a Subclass 400 (Temporary Work…

The Government has signed a new Work and Holiday arrangement with Israel today. Minister Cash said the agreement will enable up to 500 young adults from Israel and 500 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each other’s…

The Government has announced the endorsement of the key findings in the Significant Investor Visa review, which include: the creation of a Premium Investor visa (PIV) with Austrade as the nominator the involvement of Austrade in determining complying investment policy enabling Austrade to…

Senator Hanson-Young has successfully disallowed the motion against the Migration Amendment (Repeal of Certain Visa Classes) Regulation 2014, as contained in Select Legislative Instrument 2014 No. 65 [F2014L00622], made under the Migration Act 1958. This means that  non-contributory parent and…

Senator Michaela Cash announced the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between Australia and Portugal today. The arrangement will  give 200 young people from each country a unique experience to share knowledge, culture and experiences. The work and holiday visa…

The report of the 4-month independent review into integrity in the 457 programme was published today. There are 22 recommendations aimed at strengthening integrity of the programme and ensuring that business sponsors for 457 visa holders do not discriminate against…

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Scott Morrison, and the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, announced the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between Australia and Spain.…

The NSW Government announced today a change to its Significant Investor Visa (SIV) requirements to make it easier for applicants to seek NSW nomination and invest in a broader range of investments. From 1 September 2014 visa holders are no…

As of 1 August 2014, Poland will be added to the list of countries eligible for the Work and Holiday visa. The list includes Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America and Uruguay. Polish…

From 1 August 2014, passport holders of the countries listed below will be eligible to make online applications for Subclass 600 (Visitor) visas in the Tourist, Sponsored Family or Business visitor stream. The additional countries able to make online applications…

For the 2014/15 financial year: A maximum number of 1550 visas will be granted for: Parent (Migrant) (Class AX) visas; and Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP) visas.​ These figures include grants to New Zealand citizens that are not included in…

There will be changes to the interpretation of the ENS/RSMS nomination legislation from 1 July 2014. The new policy will allow certain applications for Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream where the nominator has not been the sole standard business sponsor…

From 1 July 2014, the following changes are applicable: Occupations added to the SOL The following occupations will be added to the SOL: Chef (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) 351311) Bricklayer (ANZSCO 331111) Wall and Floor…

From 1 July 2014, skills assessments issued by assessing authorities for the purpose of visa applications are only valid for a period of three years, or if a shorter validity period is specified in the assessment, for that shorter period.…

From 1 July 2014, the Visa Evidence Charge (VEC) will increase from $70.00 to $150.00. The VEC is a charge payable if a person requests a visa label affixed to their passport as evidence of their visa grant. In accordance…

Senators Michaelia Cash and Andrew Robb have announced that Chefs, tilers and bricklayers will be added the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) from 1 July 2014, as recommended by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA). The SOL currently lists 188…

Following the announcement of the closure of Parent, Remaining Relative, Aged Dependent Relative and Carer visas, the DIBP gave notice today that no further applications will be accepted from 2 June 2014.

The 2014 -15 Migration Programme size will remain the same at 190,000 places, including 128,550 Skilled Stream places, 60,885 Family Stream places and 565 Special Eligibility Stream places.

From 1 July 2015, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection will become a single agency called Australian Border Force.

There are 18 new occupations including Cooks and Hairdresser introduced to the new South Australian State Nominated Occupation lists – State Occupation List and South Australian Graduates List.