Supporting innovation in SA: instrument removed

The revoked instrument "specified, for paragraphs 408.229(b) and (c) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the event known as Supporting Innovation in South Australia as an ‘Australian Government endorsed event’ (AGEE) and classes of persons in relation to the event who may be eligible for a Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa"

Closure of subclass 189 for new primary applicants in NZ stream

The new Regulations "permanently close the Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) visa in the New Zealand Stream to new primary applications. Partners and dependants of primary applicants ..."

Payment of Visa Application Charges and Fees in Foreign Currencies

The new instrument is made under paragraphs 5.36(1)(a) and (b), and 5.36(1A)(a) of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth). "Paragraph 5.36(1)(a) of the Regulations states that the payment of a fee, other than a visa application charge mentioned in regulation 5.36(3A) of the Regulations must be made in a place, being Australia or a foreign country, that is specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument". Another instrument also published today amends the above new instrument.

New instrument on how to make valid application for subclass 494

"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".

New person able to receive pledge of commitment

The new instrument adds a person to the list of persons who are able to receive the Pledge of Commitment for Australian citizenship

New instrument on values statement

'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'

Partial commencement: Regulation of RMAs

Just announced: 3 schedules of the Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Act 2020 will commence in just a few days...

Changes to bridging visas

"The purpose of the instrument is to ... reflect changes to the manner in which a Bridging E (Class WE) application on paper forms 1005 and 1008 is lodged... In addition, the instrument amends the approved forms for bridging visa applications under the Migration Regulations to include references to..."

“Deregulation” Bill (not just deregulation) introduced in the Senate

The "Deregulation" Bill passed the House of Reps on 12 Feb 2020 and was introduced and read a first time in the Senate on 13 Feb 2020. On 28 November 2019, the Senate referred the provisions of the Bill to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 18 March 2020. As a result, it is unlikely that the Senate will debate the Bill before 23 March 2020, which is the first sitting day following the report's deadline. We discuss in this article that the Deregulation Bill is not just about the deregulation of lawyers, but also includes other important changes.

Partner visa: COVID-19 concessions

The new regulations amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) to "enable the ‘COVID-19 concession’ cohort to access the ... as part of meeting the criteria for grant of a Subclass 100 Partner visa or a Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa"