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The new regulations "clarify and enhance the statutory framework for the Minister to prescribe alternative requirements to the standard skilled nomination and visa criteria, in labour agreements"

Section 278A of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) provides that a restricted legal practitioner can apply for an extension of the period of 2 years within which to be an RMA. The MARA can give an extension if it considers it reasonable to do so in the circumstances, including (but not limited to) the ones to be set out in an instrument. The instrument has now been registered.

It is very common for clients to ask us questions such as: "would visa X give me access to Medicare and if so, would I have full benefits, or would there be some limitation?"; "would visa X allow my children to study in public schools?"; "would visa X give me access to welfare benefits?". And the list goes on. We discuss some of the implications of giving advice on matters in which we do not have the required knowledge and/or licence/registration.

"The purpose of the instrument is to specify circumstances, for subregulation 3.03AB(2) of the Regulations, in which a clearance officer may require a person to provide a completed passenger card"

'The instrument differs from the repealed instrument by clarifying that the form for applying for approval as a family sponsor, Form 1501, is an internet form; and by including a specification of the form and fee for making an application for variation of approval of terms as a parent sponsor'

8 occupations have been added to the MLTSSL, the only list that applies to visa subclass 186 (ENS); changes to caveats

The new regulations amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) to "to cease certain bridging visas, held by a non-citizen if they have been determined by the Foreign Minister or their delegate, as a person whose presence in Australia may be directly or indirectly associated with ..."

The Pandemic event visa will close to all applicants from...

"The purpose of the instrument is to set out the eligibility requirements for registration and other rules that apply to the conduct of a visa pre-application process for a Pacific Engagement visa..."

Among other things, the new instrument "amends regulation 2.12 to prescribe three skilled visa classes as visas for which an application may be made in Australia by applicants who have been refused a visa or had a visa cancelled while in Australia and are prevented by section 48 of the Migration Act from applying for a visa other than a prescribed visa while remaining in Australia"