Direction No 81: order of consideration of skilled visas
New Direction No 81 (Order of Consideration – Certain Skilled Migration Visas): replaces Direction No 74; sets the order of processing of applications for visa subclasses 189, 190, 489, 186 and 187; sets the order of processing of nomination applications for visa subclasses 186 and 187
Postcodes specified for regional areas
The new legislative instrument specifies the postcodes that constitute "regional areas" for the purposes of the new regional visas and subclasses 189, 190, 888 and 892
Places and currencies for paying fees
"The purpose of the instrument is to undertake a biannual update of the places and corresponding currencies in which the payment of a fee...
Sub 189 NZ stream: income threshold
"The purpose of the instrument is to specify the minimum amount of taxable income for the income year 2019-2020. The amount is... "
The Migration...
AAT fees: sharp increase
The new instrument significantly increases the fees for applications to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for the review of decisions relating to non-protection visas
New Code of Conduct for RMAs
The new Code of Conduct for RMAs takes effect from 1 March 2022 and includes provisions on: duty to disclose to the department the existence of false or misleading documents or information in some circumstances; duty not to evade a requirement of the migration law; duty to take all reasonable steps to verify the identity of the client; duties relating to work or services performed by persons other than RMAs; etc
Costs excluded from consideration under PIC 4005 & 4007
"By making a legislative instrument under subclauses 4005(3) and 4007(1B), the Minister can exclude the cost of specified ... from the consideration of costs under...
Citizenship: instrument on pledge of commitment
The purpose of the new instrument is to authorise classes of authorised persons to receive a pledge of commitment by persons who want to become Australian citizens
Changes to required medical assessments
The purpose of the new instrument is to "amend IMMI 15/144 by: updating the country list under Column A of Schedule 1 and Column A of Schedule 2 based on low and high Tuberculosis risk countries; and introducing an express requirement for a ... test for the classes of person specified in IMMI 15/144 pursuant to paragraphs 4005(1)(aa) and 4007(1)(aa) of the Migration Regulations"
Consequential Bill for new Tribunal
Among other things, the Bill: "Abolishes the Immigration Assessment Authority and harmonises provisions relating to reviews of migration and refugee decisions (providing a broader suite of tools for the efficient and effective resolution of these matters). Adjusts the exhaustive statement of the natural justice hearing rule for migration and protection matters..."