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
The Prime Minister of Australia has announced that from 21 February, Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated tourists, business travellers and other visitors. The visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will be required to apply for a travel exemption to enter Australia and will be subject to quarantine requirements. To know more, click here.
Migration Amendment (Extension of Temporary Graduate and Skilled Regional Provisional Visas) Regulations 2022 [Regulations], dated 17 February amends the Migration Regulation 1994 to extend previously granted temporary graduate and skilled regional provisional visas whose holders have been impacted by COVID-19 related international travel restrictions. The amendment regulations provides additional time for the temporary graduate and skilled regional provisional visas holders who have been impacted by COVID-19 international travel restrictions since February 2020. Schedule 1 Extension of Certain Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas: The Department of Home Affairs announced the introduction of replacement subclass 485 visa for the subclass 485 visa holders who were outside of Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 15 December 2021. However, the replacement visa would be open for applications from mid-2022. Schedule 1 to the Amendment Regulations amends the Migration Regulations to provide for the extension of periods of certain subclass 485 visas until 30 September 2022, to allow subclass 485 visa holders to live, study and work in Australia, until they are able to apply for, and be granted, the replacement visa. The extension is also applicable for the secondary visa holders. Schedule 2 Skilled Regional Provisional Visas: Schedule 2 to the Amendment Regulations amends the Migration Regulations to extend the skilled regional provisional visas by three years from their original cessation date. This extension is applicable to all skilled regional provisional visa holders where the primary visa holder who holds or held a subclass 489, 491 or 494 visa, was outside Australia on any day during the travel restriction period (1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021). The extension is also applicable for the secondary visa holders. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 17 February 2022 and commenced on 18 February 2022. It is currently in force. To access the instrument, click here.
Invitation Round: 1 February 2022 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 04 invitations ACT 190 nominations: 01 invitation 190 minimum Matrix score: 85 ACT 491 nominations: 03 invitations 491 minimum Matrix score: 65 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 06 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 06 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 24 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 08 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 16 invitations Overseas Applicants Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 18 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 08 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 10 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 18 February 2022.
From 19 January 2022, the Australian Government has lifted the limitations of working 40 hours per fortnight for international students, across all sectors to provide immediate assistance to Australian businesses currently facing critical workforce shortages. This relaxation is applicable for all current student visa holders as well as new student arrivals. International students can work more than 40 hours per fortnight in any sector of the economy. Also, during these temporary arrangements are in force, student visa holders must maintain their course enrolment, attendance, and satisfactory progress, which otherwise may lead to a breach of their visa conditions. This temporary relaxation will be reviewed by the Australian Government in April 2022. To know more, click here.