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'International students will be able to apply for an additional year on a second post-study work visa if they complete a higher education or postgraduate qualification in a regional area, and live in a regional area while holding a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa'

The new instrument makes several changes to the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) and the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 (Cth). Part of the changes commences on 14 Nov 2020.

"The Bill strengthens the integrity of the migration system by requiring non-citizens who are on a removal pathway and have exhausted all avenues to remain in Australia to cooperate in efforts to ensure their prompt and lawful removal..."

The new Regulations allow applicants for two visa subclasses to be either in or outside Australia at the time of visa grant and amend who can apply for merits review for one of those subclasses

The new Regulations "allow for the power to certify an applicant for a Subclass 200 (Refugee) visa or a Subclass 201 (In-country Special Humanitarian) visa as being a member of a class of persons specified by the Minister and as being at risk of harm as a result of the person’s membership of that class to be delegated by ‘relevant Ministers’ to senior executive-level staff within ..."

The new Regulations "amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to expand access to the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa (Subclass 186 visa). The changes also apply to the TRT stream of the Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa (Subclass 187 visa)."

"The Bill strengthens the BVR framework for the NZYQ-affected cohort and targets those with a serious history of offending in relation to the most vulnerable people in our society, including children..."

It is commonly said that a subclass 870 visa holder who is overseas must stay overseas for 90 days before they can make a further 870 visa application. With respect, that is wrong.

"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..."

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.