Legislative Updates

"The instrument also amends IMMI 18/003 to reflect the fact that the Capstone Assessment examination must be passed before 1 January 2021. This is required because The College of Law Limited ceased to be a provider of the Capstone Assessment on 31 December 2020. However, as candidates have ..."

"The main purpose of the instrument is to specify the approved form (see the third column of the table in Schedule 1) for making a valid application for the following visa classes..."

"The purpose of the instrument is to specify circumstances under these provisions to allow refunds of the first instalment of visa application charge.  Refunds are being made available in respect of visa holders and former visa holders who have been impacted due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions introduced on 20 March 2020 and hold, or have held, the following visas"

"The purpose of the instrument is to specify an Australian Government endorsed event and a class of persons in relation to that event for the purpose of clause 408.229 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations"

"Former holders of a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa (Subclass 482 visa) or Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa (Subclass 457 visa) will be able to apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage (Class GK) visa (Class GK visa) with a nil visa application charge (VAC) where they are within the circumstances specified in the instrument"

"The purpose of the instrument is to update the following requirements in relation to applications for Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visas (Class US visas): the list of countries where an applicant is exempt from providing evidence of home government support; the education requirements for applicants from various countries; and the place and manner for making an application".

"The purpose of the instrument is to specify that certain former Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa (Subclass 600 visa) holders can apply for a new Subclass 600 visa with a nil visa application charge (VAC) where their travel to or stay in Australia (or both) has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic"

This instrument makes various amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), including to assist certain visa applicants and holders adversely affected by covid-19

On 15 Feb 2020, the Labour Party introduced a Bill in the House of Reps that seeks to suspend the requirements under the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) that some visa applicants be in Australia or overseas at the time of decision for applications decided within a certain time period 

The instrument specifies: a part of Australia to be a designated city or major regional centre for the purposes of reg 1.15M(1) of the Regulations; a part of Australia to be a regional centre or other regional area for the purposes of reg 1.15M(2); a part of Australia as regional Australia for the purposes of reg 5.19(16); an area for the purposes of cl 892.213(3)(b) of Schedule 2; an area for the purposes of cl 888.226(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2. It also provides access to a second Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa in the Post-Study Work stream in certain circumstances.