Legislative Updates

The new instrument amends Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), to extend certain Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) visas so that, instead of ceasing 9 months after the visa is granted, the visas cease on ... The Regulations commence retrospectively on...

"The instrument operates to specify the requirements for making an application for a Subclass 494 visa. For the purposes of subitem 1242(1) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations, the instrument specifies the approved form for making a valid application. For the purposes of paragraph 1242(3)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations, the instrument also specifies the manner in which an application must be made".

"The purpose of the instrument is to determine Australia’s obligations under international trade agreements under subsection 140GBA(2) of the Act, to give domestic effect to...

The new Regulations "allow for the power to certify an applicant for a Subclass 200 (Refugee) visa or a Subclass 201 (In-country Special Humanitarian) visa as being a member of a class of persons specified by the Minister and as being at risk of harm as a result of the person’s membership of that class to be delegated by ‘relevant Ministers’ to senior executive-level staff within ..."

'The purpose of the instrument is to update the language of the values statement for all visa subclasses specified to better reflect the values that are important to Australian society'

If sponsors fail to satisfy their sponsorship obligations, their information could be published, potentially leading to significant reputational damage. Practitioners should frequently (and accurately) remind their corporate clients of those obligations, bearing in mind that the changes will operate retrospectively from 18 March 2015.

Direction No. 83 - Order for considering and disposing of visa applications under s91 of the Migration Act 1958

"The purpose of the instrument is to clarify the types of former Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa (Subclass 600 visa) holders who can apply for a new Subclass 600 visa with a nil visa application charge (VAC) where their travel to Australia has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic"

The new Regulations allow applicants for two visa subclasses to be either in or outside Australia at the time of visa grant and amend who can apply for merits review for one of those subclasses