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"The instrument, made for the purposes of subparagraph 1237(2)(a)(i) and subparagraph 1236(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations, specifies that certain applicants for...

"The purpose of the instrument is to amend the approved form, place and manner (the arrangements) for making an application for a Visitor (Class FA) visa in the Tourist stream (Tourist stream visa) in Australia"

Although this announcement dates 20 March 2019, it was only released today: 'Businesses will need to demonstrate that they are operating and located in South Australia, are a viable business, ... and that they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens, by providing evidence of their local recruitment efforts'

"The instrument determines controlled drugs and controlled precursors as prohibited things under paragraph 251A(2)(a) of the Migration Act. The instrument also determines the following things as prohibited things under paragraph 251A(2)(b) of the Migration Act..."

The Work and Holiday arrangement with a particular country has just increased from 500 to 1,500 annual places

The new regulations "insert a new Australian Agriculture Worker stream in the Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa, to provide for the entry and temporary stay of workers across primary industry sectors including horticulture, meat processing, dairy, wool, grains, fisheries (including aquaculture) and forestry in response to identified labour market gaps and workforce needs in primary industry sectors now and in the future"

"The Regulations provide for the calculation of refunds by determining the difference between relevant amounts set out in..."

Common mistake: "If incorrect information is provided as part of visa application X and that visa is granted, visa X can be cancelled under s 109 of the Migration Act 1958, but if the same applicant applies for visa Y without providing incorrect information and that visa is granted, visa Y cannot be cancelled under s 109".

The new instrument commences on 5 Mar 2020: "One of the purposes of the instrument is to specify... areas of Australia affected by bushfires occurring after 31 July 2019 and before 1 March 2020 as areas of Australia. Another purpose is to specify bushfire recovery work as work undertaken, including work undertaken on a volunteer basis, carried out after 31 July 2019 in an area specified ... as a kind of work. Bushfire recovery work is defined in ... the instrument... The last purpose is to specify construction work as a kind of work for areas specified in [the instrument], in alignment with specified work for Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa".

Sponsors' obligations and liabilities are a serious matter and practitioners should ensure that clients are made aware of them. For instance, sponsors are required to notify Immigration (not via email) when certain events occur, such as a change to any information provided in the sponsorship application. Lack of notification can result in the following sanctions against the sponsor: a bar; sponsorship cancellation; civil penalty order; and others. Further, the visa's expiry date is brought forward if the sponsorship is cancelled.