Changes to subclasses 500, 445, 155 and 157

"Schedule 1 amends visa conditions 8104 and 8105 to allow student visa holders and their dependants to work full-time before the student’s course of study commences, where they...". Changes are also made to subclasses 445, 155 and 157.

Bill for cessation of bridging visas, and more

Among other things, the Bill "amends the Migration Act 1958 (the Migration Act) to strengthen the legislative framework relating to the removal from Australia of certain non-citizens who are on a removal pathway. The Bill amends the Migration Act to support ongoing effective management of holders of a Subclass 070 (Bridging (Removal Pending)) visa (BVR) in the community and facilitate arrangements for their removal to receiving countries"

Changes to subclass 482 and other visas

The new regulations "give effect to key commitments made by the Government in the Migration Strategy, released on 11 December 2023, that concern Australia’s temporary skilled migration system. In particular, the Amendment Regulations: implement the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa, which replaces the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa as ..."

Places and currencies for paying of fees

The new instrument "repeals the Migration (LIN 21/002: Places and Currencies for Paying of Fees) Instrument 2021 as in force on 1 January 2021 and operates to specify the place in which a fee (excluding visa application charges mentioned in subregulation 5.36(3A) of the Regulations) must be paid and to specify the currency in which a fee must be paid in that place, being Australia or a foreign country, for the purpose of paragraphs 5.36(1)(a) and (b) of the Regulations as at 1 July 2021"

Personal Identifiers Regulations

The new regulations "amend the Migration Regulations 1994 to enable the Department of Home Affairs (the Department), including the Australian Border Force, to collect facial images from..."

Visa pre-application process charge

"The Regulations prescribe an amount of AUD... as the charge for registration as a registered participant in a ballot for the new Pacific Engagement visa. The charge must be paid at the time of ..."

TSS: ANZSCO not always necessary?

Federal Court: This decision is extremely important to subclass 482 (TSS) visa applicants. Although it concerned a subclass 457 visa application, it involved the interpretation of a critical provision that is identical to cl 482.212(3). According to this decision, ANZSCO was not the only guide that could be used to determine the "skills, qualifications and employment background" that were necessary for the applicant to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation. We explain how practitioners can use this decision to their clients' advantage.

Working Holiday & Work and Holiday: work and areas

The new instrument expands "the areas of Australia where recovery work can be undertaken for the purposes of satisfying ‘specified work’ requirements for a Working Holiday (Subclass 417) visa or Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa"

Visa pre‑application process for MATES scheme

The new regulations "prescribe a charge of ... for each registration for the visa pre-application process for the newly established Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) (International Relations)) visa in the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme stream (the MATES stream visa)" for Indian nationals

Places and currencies for paying of fees

"... the purpose of the instrument is to specify, for paragraphs 5.36(1)(a) and (b) of the Regulations, that payment of a fee in ..."