Invitation Round: 26 February 2021 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 16 invitations ACT 190 nomination: nil invitations ACT 491 nomination: nil invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 102 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 58 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 44 invitations Invitations were not issued for an occupation if the monthly cap was met. The cap will reset in March 2021. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held on or before 05 March 2021.
Migration (Class of persons for Visitor (Class FA) visa nil VAC) Instrument (LIN 21/021) 2021 dated 24 February 2021[“the Instrument”] amends Schedule 1 criteria for Subclass 600 visitor visa applicants and specifies class of persons to whom nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) is applicable. The Instrument specifies the following conditions for nil VAC for purpose of subparagraph 1236(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994: the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application; and the application is made between 27 February 2021 and 31 December 2022; and the applicant was previously granted a Subclass 600 visa, while outside Australia before 21 March 2020 (except Frequent Traveller stream); and that visa expired, or is expiring between 20 March 2020 and 31 December 2021; and that visa was a multiple entry visa or a single entry visa not used to enter Australia; and if the applicant has made a previous application that is pending decision, after the commencement of this Instrument. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 25 February 2021, commenced on 27 February 2021 and is currently in force. To access the full Instrument, click here.
Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 21/019) 2021 dated 24 February 2021 [“the Instrument”] amends Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 criteria for Subclass 462 visa applicants. The Instrument provides for arrangements for Work and Holiday visas and revises the list of countries for the purpose of paragraph 1224A(3)(a) and subparagraph 1224A(3)(b)(iii) of Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994. It also amends the approved form, place and manner for making a valid visa application. It also specifies educational qualifications for applicants from various countries for the purpose of paragraph 462.221(c) of Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 25 February 2021, commenced on 1 March 2021 and is currently in force. To access the full Instrument, click here.
Migration Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021 dated 18 February 2021 [“the Regulation”] amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to provide assistance to applicants and holders of specified visa categories who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Regulation contains five Schedules, including facilitating onshore grants of certain offshore visa applications; Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) visas; Temporary Skill Shortage (Class GK) visas; Distinguished Talent (Class BX) visas; and application and transitional provisions. It also includes provisions for endorsement by the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for global business and talent attraction to Australia. The Regulation is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 22 February 2021, commenced on 27 February 2021 and is currently in force. To access the full amendment, click here.
Invitation Round: 27 January 2021 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 16 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 7 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 9 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 194 invitations. ACT 190 nomination: 83 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 111 invitations Invitations were not issued for an occupation if the monthly cap was met. The cap will reset in February 2021. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held on or before 9 February 2021.
The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 21 January 2021 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) – Significant Investor stream (Subclass 188) visa applications lodged, granted and refused for the period from July 2018 to November 2020. According to the information, the following number of Subclass 188 visa applications were lodged, granted and refused during the above period: Activity Month Lodged Granted Refused July 2018 34 40 5 August 2018 30 16 – September 2018 31 18 – October 2018 38 21 – November 2018 38 13
The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 21 January 2021 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa applications on hand as on 31 December 2020. According to the information, the following number of skilled visa applications were on hand till the above period, with on hand age between 6 and 24 months: Status 6 -9 months 9 -12 months 12 -18 months 18 -24 months Total 189 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 2,714 1,897 929 400 5,940 189 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 296 381 428 769 1,874 190 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 1,571 1,490 1,368 351 4,780 190 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 950 1,569 1,930 597 5,046 491 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 1,604 419 13 – 2,036 491 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 1,218 1,183 9 – 2,410
Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 as amended by Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020 dated 12 November 2020 provides concessions to Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa (Subclass 417 and Subclass 462) applicants, to restructure Distinguished Talent visas (Subclass 124 and Subclass 858), and to make updates in relation to payment of citizenship application fees, has been complied and registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 03 February 2021. The Instrument outlines changes regarding Subclass 417 visas, Subclass 124 and 858 visas, including amendments relating to Subclass 773 visas, payment of citizenship fees, application of Migration Amendment (COVID‑19 Concessions) Regulations 2020, and other application and transitional provisions. The compilation is in effect from 01 January 2021 and thus, is currently in force. To access the full compilation, click here.
Migration (Arrangements for Certain Skilled and Temporary Graduate Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 20/162) 2020 as amended by Migration (Arrangements for Certain Skilled and Temporary Graduate Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 20/297) 2020 dated 18 December 2020 to correct a drafting error and citation, has been complied and registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 25 January 2021. The amendment specifies the arrangement for making an application for a Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) (Subclass 485) visa and provides that visa application must be made using Form 1276 (internet) as an internet application. The compilation is in effect from 24 December 2020 and thus, is currently in force. To access the full compilation, click here.
Invitation Round: 15 January 2021 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 27 invitations. ACT 190 nomination: 27 invitations ACT 491 nomination: nil Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 251 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 128 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 123 invitations Invitations were not issued for an occupation if the monthly cap was met. The cap will reset in February 2021. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held on or before 29 January 2021.