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"The purpose of the Instrument is to specify institutions for the purposes of paragraph 476.212(b) and disciplines for the purposes of clause 476.212 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations. The Instrument operates to enable recent engineering graduates to live, work or study in Australia for up to 18 months, subject to satisfying the criteria for grant of a subclass 476 visa. Graduates must have completed a degree or higher qualification from a specified institution."

The new regulations "insert family violence provisions into Schedule 2 criteria for certain Skilled visas. This allows for the grant of a visa to a secondary applicant (and members of their family unit) for certain Skilled visas where the secondary applicant’s spouse or de facto relationship with a primary applicant has ended, and there was family violence committed by the primary applicant"

The new Regulations "implement a new workplace justice visa that enables a temporary migrant to remain in Australia for a period of time to undertake a workplace justice activity... The Workplace Justice Visa is one component of a range of measures that the Government is introducing to address migrant worker exploitation..."

From 16 November 2019, there will be 3 geographical categories: Major Cities; Cities and major regional centres; and Regional centres and other regional areas. Major cities are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Perth and the Gold Coast will no longer be classified as major cities. Those studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional year on a post-study work visa.

The new instrument creates an additional caveat related to the hospitality, retail and services sector

"The instrument specifies five English language tests: the Cambridge English: Advanced test (the CAE), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); the Occupational English Test (the OET); the Pearson Test of English Academic (the PTE); and the test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (the TOEFL iBT). The instrument also specifies the required test scores for each of the specified tests..."

Obviously, "time of application" (TOA) provisions set out the criteria applicants must meet with reference to the time of application. However, can TOA provisions change after an application is made in a way that impacts the applicant's eligibility? Readers might be surprised with the answer.

The purpose of this instrument is to specify eVisitor eligible passports for visa subclass 651 and any conditions that must be satisfied

"The instrument specifies bodies as Regional Certifying Bodies, who can give advice to the Minister about the matters set out in subregulation 2.72C(18) of the Regulations, in relation to applications for approval of an nomination for a subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa".

The new instrument specifies an industry association and the categories of membership of that association for the purposes of cl 132.232(3)(a) and (b) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth)