Industry Updates

Number of invitations reduced drastically from 1,500 to 110; invitation threshold raised from to 75 to 80 points for visa subclass 189 and threshold for visa subclass 489 remained the same at 80 points

The 21 recommendations include the following: that TSMIT be increased to $62k; that a more stringent Labour Market Testing (LMT) be adopted; that future free trade agreements do not include an LMT waiver; that is be unlawful for some visa holders (including students) to hold an ABN; that unions be given standing to commence civil actions for breaches of the Fair Work Act and the Migration Act

With respect, we have identified 8 issues in the sponsorship application form, which does not accurately reflect the new legislation in some aspects and might lead to unwarranted sponsorship refusals; given the success of our webinars on this new parent visa, we will be running those CPD webinars again

Several Department of Home Affairs' systems will be unavailable from 2pm Saturday 20 April to 9am Sunday 21 April 2019 (AEST)

'BSMQ has received additional quota for the skilled program and is re- opening the ‘Working in Queensland, ‘Masters’ and ‘PhD’ Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists from Thursday, 18 April 2019'; the lists of occupations have changed

'The Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) enquiry line will be unavailable during the following periods...'

Department's announcement: 'We will be doing systems maintenance on some of our online systems between 4am and 8am on Wednesday 17 April 2019 (AEST)'

The latest AAT Bulletin contains references to several citizenship & migration review decisions

'The BPAY Request payment option will be unavailable from 11:59pm (AEST) Tuesday 10th April 2019 until 8:00am (AEST) Wednesday 17th April 2019; A new electronic application form will be introduced for the Working Holiday visa on 17 April 2019'

'There is currently a known technical issue with the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system and its ability to clearly provide details of conditions connected with Bridging Visas (example: [BVA or BVB])'