Legislative Updates

"The instrument operates to specify exemptions in relation to age, skills, employment history or English language requirements for the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa (Subclass 186), Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa (Subclass 187) and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa (Subclass 494)".

A new instrument has just been registered. It commences on 16 November 2019 and will treat holders of new regional visas as "eligible persons" under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth).

The new instruments raises the financial capacity requirements for students visas from 24 October 2019.

"The purpose of the instrument is to remake the instrument defining a superyacht under regulation 1.15G of the Regulations as the instrument IMMI 09/019 is scheduled to sunset on 1 October 2019. The instrument replicates the definition of superyacht in the previous instrument IMMI 09/019. The new instrument, LIN [19/084] continues to provide the necessary framework for applicants to meet criteria in relation to the superyacht stream of the Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa".

The Instrument specifies the approved forms for making a valid application for the following visa subclasses: 188 (temporary business innovation and investment); 888 (permanent business innovation and investment); 132 (business talent); 124/858 (distinguished talent)

According to the explanatory memorandum to the Bill introduced on 19 September 2019, "a person who is a national or citizen of a country other than Australia ceases to be an Australian citizen if the person acts inconsistently with their allegiance to Australia by" engaging in certain type of conduct. Is this Bill a further erosion of the "sacred" concept of citizenship? Could it become a "slippery slope" towards citizenship cancellation on less serious, more subjective grounds?

"The purpose of the instrument is to remove the reference to special purpose visas (SPVs) granted to a person on the grounds that they are a crew member, or a spouse, de-facto partner or dependant of a crew member, of a non-military ship. These grounds have no longer been available for the granting of SPVs since 1 January 2008. The reference is therefore redundant".

"The purpose of the instrument is to remove the reference to special purpose visas (SPVs) granted to a person on the grounds that they are a crew member, or a spouse, de-facto partner or dependant of a crew member, of a non-military ship. These grounds have no longer been available for the granting of SPVs since 1 January 2008. The reference is therefore redundant".

This further new instrument amends a drafting error contained in the new legislative instrument about visitor visas which commenced on 24 August 2019

"The instrument operates for the Minister to... specify the approved forms, place and manner for making a valid visa application for a visitor ... visa and specify ..."