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A new instrument has just been registered. It commences on 16 November 2019 and will treat holders of new regional visas as "eligible persons" under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth).

"The purpose of the instrument is to specify the minimum amount of taxable income for the income year 2018-2019".

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 time of making an application has implications for visas and other matters. We discuss what the time of application when using ImmiAccount is, given that the applicant might be making the application from any time zone.

The new instruments raises the financial capacity requirements for students visas from 24 October 2019.

Under s 48(3) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth), a person who leaves and re-enters Australia while holding a BVB is taken to have been continuously in the MZ for the purposes of s 48. Thus, if a person leaves Australia, re-enters and applies for a visa, they are still s 48 barred. But does s 48(3) also apply to a person who leaves Australia on a BVB, applies for a visa and then re-enters Australia?

Federal Court: This decision is extremely important to subclass 482 (TSS) visa applicants. Although it concerned a subclass 457 visa application, it involved the interpretation of a critical provision that is identical to cl 482.212(3). According to this decision, ANZSCO was not the only guide that could be used to determine the "skills, qualifications and employment background" that were necessary for the applicant to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation. We explain how practitioners can use this decision to their clients' advantage.

It is commonly said that s 347 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) prescribes the deadline for application for merits review of decisions that are reviewable under s 338. Actually, the deadline is found somewhere else.

What happens if a passenger card contains incorrect answers or even if some questions are not answered? Are there any visa implications? If there is any implication, does it make any difference if the passenger card was filled out by someone else?

A summary of the changes to the points test that will come into effect on 16 November 2019 for subclasses 189, 190 and 491.