A bill has been introduced to
parliament which if passed,
will mean that there will be substantial changes to
the family visa application process. Below is an extract from the Explanatory
Memorandum:
To address the integrity issues
currently experienced in the sponsored family visa program (the program), the
Bill will extend relevant aspects of this sponsorship framework to apply to
family sponsored visas with a view to:
- separate sponsorship assessment from the visa application process for family sponsored visas;
- require the approval of persons as family sponsors before any relevant visa applications are made;
- impose statutory obligations on persons who are or were approved as family sponsors;
- provide for sanctions if such obligations are not satisfied; facilitate the sharing of personal information between a range of parties associated with the program;
- improve the management of family violence in the delivery of the program by allowing the refusal of a sponsorship application; and
- cancellation and / or barring of a family sponsor where inappropriate use of the program or serious offences are detected – especially those involving family violence
