On 13 January 2022, the Prime Minister has announced that the Commonwealth has lifted the limitation on the international students regarding the work permit of 40 hours every 2-week period. However, legislative changes must be made, to implement the changes regarding the removal of the 40-hour-a-fortnight cap on student visa-holder workers.
Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Digital Passenger Declaration) Regulations 2021, dated 9 December 2021, amend the Customs Regulation 2015 and the Migration Regulations 1994 to introduce digital passenger declaration for use by travellers voluntarily. Schedule 1 amends the Migration regulations stating that a traveller providing a DPD will not be required to complete a passenger card or crew declaration for the purposes of immigration and customs clearance unless the DPD has been withdrawn. It has also laid down grounds to provide discretion to cancel a visa in case incorrect information is provided in relation to DPD. Schedule 2 amends the Customs Regulations to remove the requirement to use the passenger card or crew declaration to provide information to a Collector about accompanied or unaccompanied personal or household effects of a traveller if the traveller completes a DPD, provides a Collector with the code relating to the goods that are provided by the departmental system that processes the DPD, and updates or provides any further information if required, which can be done orally or in writing. In addition, it allows a Collector to require the completion of the passenger card or crew declaration if the Collector reasonably suspects that the DPD in relation to the personal effects is inaccurate or incomplete. Implementation of the DPD has commenced from December 2021. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 13 December 2021 and commenced on 14 December 2021. To access the Instrument, click here.
The Australian Government has added occupation in the health, aged care, childcare, and mariculture sectors with pathways to permanent residency to the Great South Coast DAMA to support Victoria’s Great South Coast region. The Great South Coast DAMA provides an opportunity to address labour shortages in the region by hiring overseas workers for jobs that cannot be filled by Australian residents. The Expanded agreement which includes the permanent residency pathways will attract an experienced workforce to the region, providing mentorship to the Australians, who can later fill in these positions. For more information, click here.
The Department of Home Affairs ensures faster processing of Partner visa applications if it contains all the necessary information. The applicants can log into their ImmiAccount to ensure that all the document-related requirements are complied with. The Department can contact the applicant, in case additional information is needed for the Partner visa application. However, the Department warns the applicants of scammers who impersonate the Department of Home Affairs and advises to verify the call by confirming the applicant’s file number or application lodgement date with the caller. Also, the Department pointed out that it never ask the applicants to share: Banking details Credit card information ImmiAccount password To check the requirements of a visa, click here.
Invitation Round: 20 December 2021 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 02 invitations • ACT 190 nominations: 0 invitations • 190 minimum Matrix score: • ACT 491 nominations: 02 invitations • 491 minimum Matrix score: 80 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 06 invitations • ACT 190 nomination: 06 invitations • ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 89 invitations • ACT 190 nomination: 38invitations • 190 minimum Matrix score: 100 (Accountants: 110) • ACT 491 nomination: 51 invitations • 491 minimum Matrix score: 70 (Accountants: 95) Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nominations. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held before 10 January 2022.
Migration (Places and currencies for paying of fees) Instrument (LIN 22/002) 2022, dated 14 December 2021, specifies the countries and corresponding currencies in which payment of visa fees and charges may be made. It also repeals the Migration (Places and Currencies for Paying of Fees) Instrument (LIN 21/004) 2021 (No. 2). Item Place Currency 1 Australia Australian Dollar 2 Bahrain Bahraini Dinar 3 Bangladesh Bangladeshi Taka 4 Bhutan (a) Bhutanese Ngultrum; or (b) Indian Rupee 5 Brazil Brazilian Real 6 Brunei Brunei Dollar 7 Cambodia US Dollar 8 Canada Canadian Dollar 9 Chile (a) Chilean Peso; or (b) US Dollar 10 China Chinese Renminbi Yuan 11 Colombia Colombian Peso 12 Cyprus Euro 13 Egypt (a) Egyptian Pound; or (b) US Dollar 14 Fiji Fiji Dollar 15 Germany Euro 16 Greece Euro 17 Hong Kong Hong Kong Dollar 18 India Indian Rupee 19 Indonesia Indonesian Rupiah 20 Iraq (a) Jordanian Dinar; or (b) US Dollar 21 Israel Israeli New Shekel 22 Japan Japanese Yen 23 Jordan Jordanian Dinar 24 Kenya Kenyan Shilling 25 Kiribati Australian Dollar 26 Korea, Republic of Korean Won 27 Kuwait Kuwaiti Dinar 28 Lao People’s Democratic Republic US Dollar 29 Lebanon US Dollar 30 Malaysia Malaysian Ringgit 31 Mauritius Mauritius Rupee 32 Mongolia Mongolian Tugrik 33 Myanmar US Dollar 34 Nauru Australian Dollar 35 Nepal (a) Nepalese Rupee; or (b) Indian Rupee 36 New Caledonia Central Pacific Franc 37 New Zealand New Zealand Dollar 38 Oman Omani Riyal 39 Pakistan Pakistan Rupee 40 Palestinian Authority Israeli New Shekel 41 Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Kina 42 Philippines Philippine Peso 43 Qatar Qatari Riyal 44 Russian Federation (a) Euro; or (b) Australian Dollar 45 Samoa Samoan Tala 46 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Riyal 47 Serbia (a) Euro; or (b) Australian Dollar 48 Singapore Singapore Dollar 49 Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Dollar 50 South Africa South African Rand 51 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Rupee 52 The Syrian Arab Republic Jordanian Dinar 53 Thailand Thai Baht 54 Timor Leste US Dollar 55 Tonga Tongan Pa’anga 56 Turkey Turkish Lira 57 United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Dirham 58 United Kingdom British Pound 59 United States Australian Dollar 60 Vanuatu Vanuatu Vatu 61 Vietnam Vietnamese Dong 62 Zimbabwe US Dollar The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 17 December 2021 and will commence on 1 January 2022. To access the Instrument, click here.
Migration (Payment of visa application charges and fees in foreign currencies) Instrument (LIN 22/001) 2022, dated 14 December 2021, specifies the foreign currency exchange rates of 46 countries in relation to the Australian dollar for the payment of certain visa fees. The Instrument reflects changes in foreign currencies exchange rates since the previous update to ensure that the Department collects the correct amount of visa charges. This Instrument is also applicable to applications made under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. The Instrument also repeals Migration (Payment of Visa Application Charges and Fees in Foreign Currencies) Instrument (LIN 21/003) 2021 (No. 2). The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 17 December 2021 and will commence on 1 January 2022. To access the Instrument, click here.
Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 21/085) 2021, dated 13 December 2021, amends the Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 21/019) 2021 to update the requirements to make an application for, and be granted, a Work and Holiday Subclass 462 visa. The Instrument omits the references to ‘authorizing email’ and inserts ‘written notice’ in its place, allowing an applicant to make an application for a subclass 462 visa in accordance with the instructions in the written notice. Also, the instrument has made the following changes for the passport holders of Switzerland, Greece, Ecuador, and Uruguay: Switzerland: If a person holds a valid passport issued by Switzerland, aged at least 18 and no more than 30 years old at the time of application, has completed two years of study following compulsory schooling in Switzerland, they may make an application for a subclass 462 visa. Such persons are also exempt from providing evidence of home government support. Uruguay: Applicants who hold a valid passport issued by Uruguay are exempt from providing evidence of home government support. Ecuador & Greece: Applicants who hold a passport issued by Ecuador or Greece will be required to provide evidence of home government support. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 17 December 2021 and commences on 1 January 2022. To access the Instrument, click here.
The transitional grandfathering provisions for eligible Temporary Work (Skilled) visa holders/Temporary Skill Shortage visa holders will cease on 18 March 2022.
The Department of Home Affairs vides their email dated 22 December 2021 with the subject line ‘DSS update on Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period changes’ has informed all the Registered Migration Agents about the postponement of the start date, for the proposed policy changes to the Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period (NARWP) to 1 July 2022. The proposed changes to the NARWP for carer and family payments will be in effect from 1 July 2022 which was previously 1 January 2022. The delay is due to the fact that the legislation has not yet passed. The NARWP for carer and family payments will increase to four years from 1 July 2022. This is applicable for the migrants granted a relevant temporary or permanent visa on or after 1 July 2022. The changes will affect: Carer Payment Carer Allowance Family Tax Benefit Part A Parental Leave Pay Dad and Partner Pay. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Low Income Health Care Card All the existing exemptions will remain intact for Humanitarian migrants and their families, including those who have experienced substantial changes in their circumstances, or who are facing financial hardship. To know more, click here.