The Department of Home Affairs to support ‘Australia’s response to the escalating crisis in Ukraine’ is prioritizing the processing of outstanding visa applications from Ukrainian citizens, across all visa categories. The Prime Minister has announced automatic visa extensions for 6 months for Ukrainian citizens in Australia, who have a visa that is due to expire before 30 June 2022. To receive the extension, the visa holders are not required to take any steps, the Department of Home Affairs is contacting the visa holders to make arrangements for them if they want to stay in Australia. Also, close family members can apply on behalf of their family members in Ukraine. Enquiries regarding Ukraine conflict visa arrangements can be directed to: Global Service Centre (In Australia) Phone: 131 881 Enquiry form for Ukraine conflict visa arrangement
Invitation Round: 25 February 2022 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 0 invitations ACT 190 nominations: 0 invitations ACT 491 nominations: 0 invitations 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 01 invitation ACT 190 nomination: 01 invitation ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 59 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 13 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 46 invitations Overseas Applicants Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 62 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 06 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 56 invitations Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nomination. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held before 10 March 2022.
South Australia has obtained a range of new occupations under the Damas with a major focus on agribusiness, forestry, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and motor trade occupations. Also, the South Australian Government will continue to act as skills assessing authority for occupations that currently have no alternative skills assessing authority, to allow previously ineligible occupations available for skilled migration. To access the DAMA occupation list, click here
Migration (Arrangements for Special Category Visa applications) Instrument (LIN 22/020) 2022, dated 21 February 2022, repeals the Migration (LIN 19/058: Arrangements for special category visa applications) Instrument 2019 and updates the requirements that an applicant for a Special Category (Temporary) (Subclass 444) (Class TY) visa (SCV) must meet to make a valid visa application. The instrument updates the approved form, place and manner for making an application for a SCV. According to the instrument, if an applicant is in Australia in immigration clearance, the application must be made by presenting Form 15 to a clearance officer or by using an authorised system. However, if the applicant is in Australia after having been immigration cleared or is in Australia but not in immigration clearance, then the application: must be made by submitting Form 444 (Web) via the online portal at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/special-category-visa; or if an application cannot be made as specified in paragraph (a), it may be made by posting Form 15 with sufficient prepaid postage to: Special Category Visa Processing Unit Department of Home Affairs GPO Box 9984 SYDNEY NSW 2001. The instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 22 February 2022 and commenced on 27 February 2022. It is currently in force. To access the instrument, click here.
Migration (Specification of ETA-eligible Passports) Amendment Instrument (LIN 22/040) 2022, dated 19 February 2022, amends the Migration (IMMI 18/084: Specification of ETA-Eligible Passports) Instrument 2018 to specify a new condition for a passport issued by the authorities of Taiwan to be an ETA-eligible passport. The instrument specifies that a passport issued by the authorities of Taiwan must not be a ‘Taiwanese compatriot document’ to be an ETA-eligible passport. A Taiwanese compatriot document is not recognised by Australia as a valid travel document. Therefore, the passport issued by the authorities of Taiwan will not be regarded as an eligible ETA passport, if it purports to be: an official passport or a diplomatic passport or a Taiwanese “compatriot” document. The instrument is registered on the Federal register of Legislation on 19 February 2022.
Invitation Round: 18 February 2022 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 03 invitations ACT 190 nominations: 02 invitations 190 minimum Matrix score: 85 ACT 491 nominations: 01 invitations 491 minimum Matrix score: 75 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 03 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 03 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 52 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 04 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 48 invitations Overseas Applicants Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 58 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 05 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 53 invitations Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nomination. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held before 01 March 2022.
The Department of Home Affairs vide their email dated 14 February 2022, with subject line “Trades Recognition Australia Assessment Standards available” has informed all the Registered Migration Agents that the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Assessment Standards are now available on the TRA website. To access the TRA Assessment Standards, visit TRA Website at Forms & Policy | Trade Recognition Australia or click here.
South Australia has opened Registrations of Interest (RoIs) to applicants currently residing offshore in a further 259 occupations on the State’s Skilled Occupation List from Wednesday, 16 February 2022. The requirements for state nomination, will vary depending on the occupation. To access the full requirements and the South Australia’s Occupation list, click here. For South Australian state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the following: The Department of Home Affairs requirements, State-specific occupation requirements and Have skills in an occupation that is available on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List. Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements can lodge RoI. To know more, click here.
The Prime Minister has confirmed that the condition of removal of the 6 months limitation of working for the same employer or organization for Working Holiday Maker visa holders and removal of the limitation of working 40 hours per fortnight for the international students are also applicable for the BVA holders. The BVA holder is able to work unlimited hours, if the last visa held by Bridging Visa holder was a student visa with conditions 8104 & 8105 (work restriction of 40 Hours per fortnight) imposed on it. The WHM-associated BV holders, also are eligible for the relaxation of the 6 month work limitation of working for the same employer or organization.
Invitation Round: 21 January 2022 The number of invitations issued: Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa: 200 invitations Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 visa-Family sponsored: 200 invitations Minimum points score: Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa: 90 Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 visa –Family sponsored: 80