There are a number of legislative changes that came
into effect on 1 July 2015 affecting the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass
186 Visa) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187 Visa).
Ministers of Religion occupation
From 1 July 2015, the occupation of Minister of Religion
(ANZSCO 272211) will be ineligible for both the Direct Entry Stream and the
Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Subclass 186 Visa and Subclass 187
Visa, or the Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 Visa.
Religious...
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Monday, 29 June 2015
Amalgamation of key Commonwealth merits review tribunals (migration)
Legislation passed Parliament on 13 May 2015 enabling the
amalgamation on 1 July 2015 of key Commonwealth merits review tribunals:
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (‘AAT’); Migration Review Tribunal
(‘MRT’); Refugee Review Tribunal (‘RRT’); and Social Security Appeals
Tribunal (‘SSAT’).
The amalgamated tribunal, known as the AAT, will undertake
the same functions as the MRT and RRT, with administrative and corporate
provisions harmonised where possible. Provisions specific to management
of the migration...
New $15m 'Premium Investor Visa' (Australia)
Select
Legislative Instrument - F2015L00963 - Migration Amendment (Investor Visas)
Regulation 2015 amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to create a new Premium
Investor stream visa, that:
Requires an investment of
$15,000,000 and provides access to permanent residence after 12 months
Amends what types of
investments are acceptable for the various investment visa streams,
Specifies additional or changes
in investment requirements as Austrade monitors the market
Also amends the existing
Significant Investor,...
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Significant changes to the definition of 'refugee' (Australia)
The new Immigration Assessment Authority (IAA) is expected to
shortly start receiving refused protection visa cases for its review and
assessment.
The IAA will only be assessing visa refusals made by 'fast track'
applicants. These are applicants that arrived by boat and without a valid
visa between 13 August 2013 and 1 January 2014 and have made a protection
visa application onshore. There are also a small number of fast track
applicants who arrived on Christmas Island between July 2013 and December 2013.
These number around...
Skills Assessment Changes for Accountants
Changes
to the skills requirements for skills assessment of accountants are due to come
into effect from 1 July.
All of
the Accounting Professional Bodies namely, Chartered Accountants Australia and
New Zealand, CPA Australia, and Institute of Public Accountants, are involved
in the changes to how applications will be assessed. It is generally accepted
that the changes will make it more difficult to qualify for assessment as an
accounting professional.
All of
the occupations currently assessed by the accounting professional bodies will
be...
Accounting authorities - Changes to skills assessments
Minor changes are occurring to the skills assessment requirements
for accounting professionals. The total number of core knowledge areas
will be consolidated from the current 12 down to 9 core areas.
Applicants will need to meet at least seven (7) competency areas
for all occupations, with the exception of External Auditors and Taxation
Accountants, who will need to meet at least eight (8...
Common English language standards for health professions
From 1 July 2015, new English language standards for registration
will come into effect for all health professions, except Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
health practice.
The new standards introduce additional pathways for applicants to
demonstrate evidence of their English language skills.
These new standards apply to all applicants for initial
registration, regardless of whether they qualified in Australia or overseas,
except for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners.
The new standards...
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015
The Australian
Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015
(Bill) has been introduced and undergone its first reading today in the House
of Representatives.
The Bill includes measures that:
provide the Minister for
Immigration and Border Protection with the power to revoke the citizenship
of dual nationals
allow individuals who have not
been convicted of terrorist activities to lose their citizenship
allow the intelligence services
and Government to declare that it is not 'in the public interest'...
Monday, 22 June 2015
Immigration South Australia - New state occupation list
New State Occupation List
Immigration SA will be publishing a revised South Australian State Occupation
List on 1 July 2015.
Occupations that are not available on the State Occupation
List will be listed on the Supplementary Skilled List and are available to
applicants who meet additional requirements. The Supplementary Skilled List
reflects all occupations available on the Commonwealth’s Consolidated Sponsored
Occupations List (CSOL) that are not listed on South Australia’s State
Occupation List.
190/489...
Saturday, 20 June 2015
U.S. Visa System is Still Experiencing Technical Difficulties, Stranding Thousands of Travelers Around the World
Delays could stretch out over the next week. Appointment scheduling is also delayed at the
beginning of the busy summer travel season.
http://rt.com/usa/267937-downed-us-visa-thousands-strande...
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
New ten year visitor visa for Chinese visitors announced by Australian government
A new pilot ten year visitor visa for Chinese visitors has
been announced by the Australian government. The visa is expected to provide a great boost for the tourism
and the economy generall...
Business and Investment migration visa changes announced
Changes have been announced to the Business Innovation and
Investment Programme (BIIP).
The Premium Investor Visa (PIV)
The PIV will be available from 1 July 2015, with
Austrade the sole nominator for this visa.
Significant Investor Visas (SIV)
The Complying Investment Framework was announced on 15 May
2015. Under these arrangements the following investments are required:
At least $500,000 in eligible
Australian venture capital or growth private equity fund(s) investing in
start-up...
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) Update
From 1 July 2015 the Migration Review Tribunal, Refugee
Review Tribunal (MRT- RRT) and Social Securities Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) will
amalgamate with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and the MRT-RRT will
become the Migration and Refugee Division of the AAT.
Very little change should be expected in the way
the tribunal operates, however, fees payable when lodging an application for review of all visa
refusals and cancellations, except protection visas, will increase to $1,673....
Simplified international student visa framework (SSVF)
A simplified international student visa framework (SSVF) has been
announced jointly today by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and
Border Protection Senator Cash and the Minister for Education and Training
Senator Pyne. The new system will come into place after June 2016.
The SSVF will replace
both the Streamlined
Visa Processing (SVP) arrangements and the current Assessment Level Framework
and will apply to all international students.
It will lay out a student’s financial and English language
evidentiary requirements based on...
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Delays Continue for U.S. Passport and Visas issued Abroad
If you are experiencing delays in getting a new US Passport
or Visa this issue is worldwide, read the update below. The
State Department has not given a timeline on when the problem may be fixed.
http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/news/technological-systems-issue.html
...
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
Entertainment Visa (Subclass 420) - Australia
Entertainment visa (Subclass 420)
The Temporary Work (Entertainment) (Subclass 420) visa allows you to
come to Australia to work in film, television (including documentaries and
commercials) or live productions in either a performance or behind-the scenes
role, such as, directors, producers or other production personnel.
The
Temporary Work (Entertainment) (Subclass 420) visa allow for the inclusion of
television or film crew, including actors, production and support staff and
still-photographers, who are involved in the production of...
Changes to filing and other fees in the Federal Court from 1 July 2015
As a result of amendments to the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court Regulation 2012 made by the Federal Courts Legislation Amendment (Fees) Regulation 2015 some significant changes to filing and other fees in the Federal Court will take effect from 1 July 2015.
Almost all fees have increased by 10% but, other than for some bankruptcy fees, fee categories have been restructured to remove the higher fee tier for publicly listed companies and to reduce fees for public authorities from the corporations rate to that for "in any other case".
An...
Monday, 1 June 2015
The Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) - Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) is amalgamating with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on 1 July 2015
On 1 July 2015, the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) - Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT), along with the
Social Security Appeals Tribunal, will be amalgamating with the Administrative
Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
It will become known as the Migration and Refugee Division of
the AA...
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