New instrument: nil VAC for some students

"The purpose of the instrument is to update LIN 20/099 to specify an additional class of persons applying for a Subclass 500 visa to whom the nil VAC amount applies. As a result of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 and the consequential pandemic, some Subclass 500 visa holders will be unable to complete their studies within the validity period of their Subclass 500 visa..."

Sub 417: COVID-19 work in healthcare & medical sectors

The purpose of the instrument is to specify critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors carried out after after a certain date for the definition of specified work in subitem 1225(5) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations.

Status of forces

The new regulations prescribe two armed forces, civilian component personnel and their dependants, coming under the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Australia and two countries The...

Specified work & areas for subclass 462 visas

"The purpose of the instrument is to specify, under regulation 1.15FA of the Regulations, areas of Australia and kinds of work for the definition of specified Subclass 462 work in regulation 1.03 of the Regulations"

Extension of temporary graduate and skilled regional provisional visas

The new instrument amends the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) to "extend previously granted temporary graduate and skilled regional provisional visas whose holders have been impacted by COVID-19 related international travel restrictions in place from..." and to "extend certain Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional)), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visas for three years"

Global Talent Program launched

"Under the new program, highly skilled migrants in selected industries will receive a fasttracked process to permanent residency in Australia. Applicants will have a dedicated Home Affairs contact to guide them through the process, and applications will receive the highest priority processing. Applicants will be eligible for permanent residency if they are likely to earn more than ..."

Income threshold & exemptions for subclass 189

The new instrument specifies: the minimum amount of taxable income for an income year that a primary applicant for a subclass 189 visa in the New Zealand stream must meet; the circumstances under which an applicant for a subclass 189 visa is a member of a class of applicants exempt from the minimum amount of taxable income specified and the evidence required for the class.

Subclass 309: changes to review rights

The purpose of the new instrument is to change the eligibility requirements for merits review at the AAT for subclass 309 (partner) visa applicants

English requirements for new Skills in Demand visa

The new instrument specifies the language test requirements for an applicant to the Specialist Skills stream and Core Skills stream of the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa

Subclass 491: health waiver available?

The new Class PS, Subclass 491 visa will "replace" visa subclass 489 (regional points-tested GSM) on 16 November 2019. But will the health waiver, which is available for some subclass 489 applicants, be available for subclass 491?