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.
Victorian Skilled and Business Migration Program vide their email dated 21 December 2021 with the subject line“Improvements to the Live in Melbourne Portal” has informed the Migration Agents about the changes to the Live in Melbourne portal which will include the introduction of a summary page across all forms, availability of PDF versions for subclass 190 and 491 application forms and using online enquiry system. It has emphasized using an online enquiry system to submit an initial enquiry via the online enquiry system (liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/contact-us) introduced in 2020, as from 1 February 2022, enquiries that are emailed directly to Skilled, Business Migration, or Webmaster email addresses, will not be entertained. The introduction of summary page across all forms showing all the questions and answers will help in the verification of answers on a single screen before submitting. Also, from 21 December 2021, after submitting a nomination application, for subclass 190 and 491 visas, a PDF of all questions and answers can be downloaded and will be included with the application confirmation email in the future.
Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021, dated 16 December 2021, has introduced a new Migration Agents code of conduct commencing on 1 March 2022. Migration Agents Regulations 1998 has been amended by Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Consequential Amendments Regulations 2021 to repeal the previous Migration Agents Code of Conduct from 1 March 2022, and for the introduction of a new code. The new Code of Conduct implements a recommendation of the Independent Review of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (the Independent Review) in September 2014, stating that the Code of Conduct be revised as it was “verbose, unclear and as a result problematic”. Hence, the new code of conduct aims to remove the ambiguity of the previous code, to improve the code’s uptake and provide for increased consumer protection by: Organising the code by removing duplication and outdated clauses. Updating fee-related provisions and record-keeping with consumer expectations and modern trends. Clarifymigration agent’s obligations, including obligations relating to notification requirements, initial consultation sessions, assessment-ready applications, record-keeping, document return, and representations to a decision-maker. Assembling provisions dealing with similar subject matter together in the same parts of the code to improve ease of navigation. Enabling migration agents to more clearly understand their obligations and implement best business practices, including duties relating to advertising, managing clients’ accounts, managing conflicts of interest, and working in a business with others who may not be registered migration agents. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 20 December 2021 and will commence on 1 March 2022. To access the Code Regulations, click here.
Invitation Round: 13 December 2021 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 0 invitations ACT 190 nominations: 0 invitations 190 minimum Matrix score: ACT 491 nominations: 0 invitations 491 minimum Matrix score: 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 0 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 0 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 35 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 02 invitations 190 minimum Matrix score: 120 ACT 491 nomination: 33 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 22 December 2021.
From 15 December 2021, the borders of Australia have been reopened for the fully vaccinated travelers, which was earlier paused due to the emergence of the Omicron variant. Fully vaccinated international students and skilled cohorts, as well as humanitarian, temporary, and provisional family visa holders, will be able to travel to Australia without an exemption from 15 December 2021. In addition, international safe travel zones with Japan and Korea has started on 15 December 2021. Also, international safe zones have been introduced for Singapore and New Zealand.