Nil VAC for certain subclass 417 & 462 applications
"The purpose of the instrument is to specify the class of persons for whom the base application charge (payable at the time a visa application is made) for a subclass 417 visa or subclass 462 visa is nil, for subparagraph 1224A(2)(a)(i) and 1225(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations"
Maximum number of parent & other family visas
"The purpose of the instrument is to determine the maximum number of visas that may be granted for certain classes of visas in the 2021‑2022 financial year between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022 (inclusive)"
Citizenship: special residence requirement
"The purpose of the instrument is to specify: activities for subparagraph 22A(1)(a)(i) of the Act, organisations for paragraph 22A(1)(b) of the Act, and kinds of work for paragraph 22B(1)(a) of the [Citizenship] Act."
Nil VAC for some visitor visas
The purpose of the new instrument is to specify the class of persons for whom the amount of the first instalment of the VAC is nil, if they "seek to be granted of a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa in either the Tourist stream of Business Visitor stream as set out in Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations; and ..."
Instrument for the MATES scheme
The purpose of the new instrument is to "specify the requirements for making an application for a MATES stream visa" for Indian nationals under visa subclass 403
Arrangements for special category visa applications
"The purpose of the instrument is to update the approved form, place and manner (the arrangements) for making an application for a Special Category (Temporary) (Subclass 444) (Class TY) visa (SCV)"
Facilitating onshore/offshore grant of parent visas
"The proposed amendments enable visa grants to some Parent visa applicants who are located in Australia, but who would be otherwise required to be outside Australia at the time of visa grant... The proposed amendments also enable visa grants to some Parent visa applicants who are located outside Australia, but who would otherwise be required to be in Australia at the time of visa grant".
Strengthening the character test
The new Bill seeks to amend the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) to strengthen the character test in section 501 by "providing a new specific and objective ground to consider visa refusal or cancellation where a non-citizen has been convicted of certain serious offences against Australian or foreign laws involving violence against a person (including murder, kidnapping and aggravated burglary), non-consensual sexual acts, breaching of an apprehended violence order (or similar) or weapons"
Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019
The amendments expand the character test from a sentence-based approach to a test that also involves convictions, whether or not they are followed by sentences.
“Fake migration agents sentenced”
ABF: "Investigations revealed that although neither of the women were registered migration agents they had advertised migration assistance and charged a fee whilst not being registered, and provided immigration assistance to at least three travellers who were found to be in possession of fraudulently obtained identity documents".



















