New Ministerial Direction for student visas

"This Direction provides an order of priorities for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa​ applications in an orderly fashion that aligns with the national interest"

Temporary Sponsored Parent visa: minimum income

It is expected that applications for the new Temporary Sponsored Parent visa subclass will be available on 17 April 2019; sponsors will need to have a taxable income of at least $83,454.80

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"

New instrument on former resident visas

The purpose of the new instrument is "to reflect changes to the approved form, place and manner for making an application for a Special Eligibility (Class CB) visa application. Specifically, the instrument amends the..."

Refund of second VAC

"Subregulation 2.12H(1) of the Regulations provides that the Minister must refund the amount paid by way of the second instalment of the visa application charge (VAC) in relation to an application for a visa if any of the circumstances mentioned in subregulation 2.12H(2) exists and the Minister has received a written request for a refund."

Clarifying international obligations for removal

The Bill that passed both houses on 13 May 2021 to amend the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) to "modify the effect of section 197C to ensure it does not require or authorise the removal of an unlawful non-citizen who has been found to engage protection obligations through the protection visa process unless" has received the Royal Assent and will commence on...

Subclass 408: class of persons for nil VAC

"The purpose of this instrument is to specify the ... as an AGEE under clause 408.229 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations"

Several migration amendments

Schedule 1 extends subclass 476 (Skilled – Recognised Graduate) visas whose holders were outside Australia during the COVID-19 related travel restrictions. "Schedule 2 facilitates the ability to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority visa using a recently launched ... Schedule 3 facilitates short-term skilled visa holders accessing a pathway to permanent residence (currently generally only available to longer-term visa holders), by enabling them to apply for..."

Protecting migrant workers

The new Bill seeks to amend the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) to "introduce new offences and related civil penalty provisions for employers, labour hire intermediaries and other persons in the employment chain who coerce or exert undue influence or undue pressure on a non-citizen to accept or agree to an arrangement in relation to work"

Sub 461: form, place & manner of application

"The purpose of the instrument is to update the approved form, place and manner (the arrangements) ... for making an application for a New Zealand Citizen (Family Relationship) (Temporary) (Class UP) visa (Class UP visa)..."