Legislative Updates

The new instrument increases the maximum age for certain applicants for a Subclass 417 visa from 30 to 35 years

The new Regulations "permanently close the Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) visa in the New Zealand Stream to new primary applications. Partners and dependants of primary applicants ..."

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"

The purpose of the new Regulations is to increase VACs for the majority of visas

"The Government is taking action to strengthen the legislative framework in the Migration Act to improve employer compliance and protect temporary migrant workers from exploitation. The ... amendments ... seek to ensure employers do not misuse migration rules to exploit temporary migrant workers ..."

"Fees for Australian citizenship will be increased to keep pace with the cost of processing applications for Australian citizenship and delivering the Australian citizenship program"

"The purpose of amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) is to give effect to the Government’s commitment to: a) allow certain Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa holders an additional duration of stay in Australia; and b) increase permitted work hours for Subclass 500 (Student) visa holders, and holders of associated bridging visas, from 40 hours to ..."

"... the purpose of the instrument is to specify, for paragraphs 5.36(1)(a) and (b) of the Regulations, that payment of a fee in ..."

"As a result of the bi-annual AC&FCER review, it was identified that there were very few transactions to support the continued specification of additional currencies and foreign currency exchange rates..."

"The purpose of the instrument is to determine New Zealand citizens who hold or have held a special category visa (SCV) and have satisfied specific requirements to be permanent residents for the purposes of the Act. The instrument removes the requirement for an SCV holder to also be ..."