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This instrument updates the arrangements for lodging visa applications for these three visa classes: Protection (Class XA) visa; Temporary Protection (Class XD) visa; Safe Haven Enterprise (Class XE) visa

The new instrument commenced on 29 Feb 2020 and specifies the requirements for making a valid application for the following visa classes: Business Skills Business Talent (Permanent) (Class EA); Business Skills (Permanent) (Class EC); Business Skills (Provisional) (Class EB); Business Skills (Residence) (Class DF); Distinguished Talent (Migrant) (Class AL); Distinguished Talent (Residence) (Class BX); Business Skills (Provisional) (Class UR).

The ATO will acquire visa data from the Department of Home Affairs for 2020-21 through to 2022-23.  The data items include...

The new instrument specifies "an additional circumstance where the first instalment of VAC may be refunded, to encourage visa holders in nominated subclasses to travel to Australia and participate in the Australian economy"

A new instrument that commences on 25 Feb 2020: "The Instrument operates for the Minister to specify the approved forms, and the place and manner for making a valid application for an Item 1222 Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa... As a response to the cancellation of visas as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the instrument creates arrangements for applicants who are in Australia and who are former Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa holders and whose visas were cancelled due to the risk of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern designated by the World Health Organisation, to the health, safety or good order the Australian community, or a segment of that community".

The new Regulations "allow the Minister to impose a number of existing visa conditions, relating to the safety and security of the Australian community, on Subclass 050 (Bridging (General)) visas and Subclass 070 (Bridging (Removal Pending)) visas. The conditions may be imposed if the visa is granted by the Minister exercising his or her personal power under section 195A of the Migration Act to grant a visa to a detainee".

The new Certificate defers the sunsetting date of a legislative instrument "to enable the Department to evaluate the need for amendments to the family violence provisions, evaluate the need for any changes relating to the independent expert, and draft a new instrument, while avoiding having to remake the instrument twice in a short period of time"

"The purpose of the instrument is to determine the maximum number of visas for [parent and other family] visas for the financial year commencing 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020".

"The amendments of the Migration Regulations provide for the ART’s ability to make decisions ‘on the papers’ in relation to certain applications for decisions to refuse grant of a student visa, without conducting an oral hearing, in appropriate cases..."

The new instrument introduces a mandatory hepatitis B testing requirement for certain classes of persons