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…
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Report on 457 Review
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…
Work and Holiday Visa for Spain
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.…
Changes to Significant Investor Visa
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…
Work and Holiday visa for Poland
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…
More countries can make online Subclass 600 applications
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…
Parent and Other Family Visa Grants for 2014-5
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…
Changes to policy for ENS/RSMS nomination
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…
Changes to SOL and CSOL
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…
Skills Assessment to expire in 3 years
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.…
Increase in Visa Evidence Charge
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…
Trade occupations to be added to SOL
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…
Closure of Parent, Remaining Relative, Aged Dependent Relative & Carer visas: 2 June 2014
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.
Work and Holiday visa arrangement with Greece
Australian and Greece have signed a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement today. ‘This arrangement, when brought into effect, will enable up to 500 young adults from Greece and 500 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each…
Migration Program 2014-15
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.
DIBP and Customs become single agency
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.
New occupations added to South Australian State Nominated Occuaption Lists
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.
Australia and Poland sign Work and Holiday agreement
Australia and Poland signed a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement during a ceremony in Warsaw over the weekend. The arrangement will enable 200 young people from Poland and 200 young adults from Australia to holiday and engage in short-term…
Introduction of Credit Card Surcharge Delayed
The proposed introduction credit card charges has been delayed until 19 April 2014.
Surcharge on Credit Card Payment
As of 22 March 2014, DIBP will impose a surcharge on credit card payments of visa application charge.
SkillSelect Changes from 1 March 2014
The following changes to SkillSelect will be effective from 1 March 2014: There will be a minimum ceiling of 1000 invitations for each occupational group. There will be no occupational ceilings for State and Territory nominated visas An occupation ceiling is a…
457 Nomination Ceilings Removed
Prior to 14 February 2014, approved Standard Business Sponsorships were subject to a nomination ceiling and will cease when that ceiling is reached. All Standard Business Sponsorships approved on or after 14 February 2014 will not end if the number of…
Singapore added to SmartGate list
SmartGate is an automated border processing system used by the Australian and New Zealand customs service. The system gives eligible travellers the option to self-process through passport control. SmartGate uses the data in ePassport and face recognition technology to perform…
Australian Capital Territory Occupations List Update
The updated ACT Occupations List will come into effect on 24 February 2014. Applications for nominations lodged prior to 24 February 2014 will be assessed against the old occupations list. Those occupations verified before 24 February 2014 will have 30…
Multiple Entry Visas for Chinese Business Visitors
The Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb and the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection have jointly announced the introduction of a new three-year multiple entry visitor visa for Chinese business visitors. Source: Minister for Trade and Investment website…
Western Australia Skilled Migration Occupation List Update
The Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development announced that the following occupations on the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) are now restricted. These occupations are now under review and invitations will not be issued until the…
Labour Market Testing Requirements for 457 visas
From 23 November 2013, Standard Business Sponsors must undertake labour market testing (LMT) prior to lodging a nomination. The LMT requirement does not apply to nominations lodged by parties to a labour agreement. Standard Business Sponsors must provide with their…
Labour Market Testing To Start Soon
The requirement for employers to undertake labour market testing to search for local candidates first will commence on 23 November 2013.
DIAC Fee Increase From 1 September 2013
From 1 September 2013, there will be a 15 % rise in all visa application charges, except for certain Student visas and Tourist visas. The following table lists the current and new visa application charge (VAC) for a selection of…
More on Subclass 457 Program Changes
English Language Requirement From 1 August 2013, some of the retrospective aspects of the legislation introduced on 1 July 2013 has been removed. It means that applicants who lodged a Subclass 457 visa application prior to 1 July 2013 and…