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The new instrument increases the maximum age for certain applicants for a Subclass 417 visa from 30 to 35 years

"The purpose of the instrument is to undertake a biannual update of the places and corresponding currencies in which the payment of a fee...

6 occupations moved from STSOL to MLTSSL; 16 moved from STSOL to ROL; 5 removed from STSOL; 2 occupations added to ROL

"This instrument is made under the definition of ‘designated APEC economy’ in regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations. Regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations defines the term ‘designated APEC economy’ to mean an APEC economy specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister for the purposes of that definition"

The new instruments expands the list of courses for which student visa applicants need to obtain a lower IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent

"The Bill amends the Migration Act to protect disclosure of confidential information provided by gazetted intelligence and law enforcement agencies where the information is used for decisions made to refuse or cancel a visa on character grounds, or revoke or set aside such decisions (Protected Information)... The Bill also amends the Citizenship Act to introduce provisions (which are substantially similar to the provisions in the Migration Act described above)..."

"it was identified that further amendments were required to address gaps in the legislative scheme, to ensure that all intended eligible persons are covered..."

The Bill "amends the Migration Act 1958 (the Migration Act) to allow the Minister to determine that a thing is a prohibited thing in relation to immigration detention facilities and detainees (whether or not they are in an immigration detention facility), if the Minister is satisfied that possession or use of that thing might be a risk to the health, safety or security of persons in the facility, or to the order of the facility"

"I will also say a very clear message to those backpackers who may not be adhering to the social distancing rules... [Y]ou will be breaching your visa condition and if we find that out, we will be kicking you out of the country". We discuss whether non-compliance with social distancing rules can in fact lead to a breach of a visa condition and ultimately the cancellation of a working holiday, work and holiday or other visas.

"Under the new program, highly skilled migrants in selected industries will receive a fasttracked process to permanent residency in Australia. Applicants will have a dedicated Home Affairs contact to guide them through the process, and applications will receive the highest priority processing. Applicants will be eligible for permanent residency if they are likely to earn more than ..."