1/10/14 Due to the large volume of applications received, applications for State nomination for ICT occupations will not be accepted from 1 October 2014 to 5 January 2015. The temporary closure will allow for the processing of all outstanding applications, with the assistance of industry assessment panels, and will reduce delays for future applicants. The occupations […]
25/9/14 The successful passage of a Greens’ disallowance motion has overturned the government’s attempts to scrap a range of essential, affordable family and carer visas. “The Senate has voted to keep families living together and looking after each other in Australia,” the Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said. “The success of this disallowance motion […]
1/8/14 From 1 August 2014, electronic lodgement of the Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa has been extended to 66 additional countries and territories. The 66 additional countries and territories are: Angola, Anguilla, Armenia, Benin, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Cayman Islands, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic […]
1/7/14 The following changes will apply to applications made for the above visas on or after 1 July 2014. The following occupations will be added to the SOL: Chef (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) 351311) Bricklayer (ANZSCO 331111) Wall and Floor Tiler (ANZSCO 333411) Occupations added to the CSOL: The following […]
30/5/14 The cessation of new applications under the Other Family and Non-Contributory Parent visas will take place from 30 May 2014. The visa subclasses affected are: Parent (subclass 103) Aged Parent (subclass 804) Aged Dependent Relative (114) Remaining Relative (115) Carer (116) Remaining Relative (835) Carer (836) Aged Dependent Relative (838)
14/5/14 Minister Morrison has announced the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa agreement between Greece and Australia. Each country will eventually grant 500 visas per year. Both countries are working to implement the necessary legal and administrative processes to allow the visas to come into effect. The one-year work and holiday visa differs from a working […]
5/3/14 Amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations), which will take effect from 22 March 2014, seek to prevent identity fraud in Australia’s visa and citizenship programs, by expanding the application of Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 – so that a relevant visa is not granted unless the Minister is satisfied of the identity of the […]
3/3/14 The Department has announced Bupa as the successful tender applicant for provision of comprehensive health services from 25 May 2014 to 24 May 2017. Bupa will replace Medibank Health Solutions in providing: visa medical examinations and assessments onshore; provision of Fitness to Travel, Fitness to Depart and Carer visa assessments; and Health Status Assessments. […]
19/2/14 Access to SmartGate automatic border processing has been extended to Singaporean passport holders adding to the eligibility of Australian, New Zealand, Swiss, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and US citizens aged 16 years and older, who are holders of an ePassport of that nationality, at Australian international airports. Read more about […]
2/4/15 Overseas applications for ACT State sponsored 190 applications will recommence on 1 July 2015.
18/2/14 The 2014 ACT Occupations List has been updated and comes into effect on 24 February 2014. Applications for ACT nomination submitted before 24/02/14 will be assessed against the old August 2013 Occupation List. Occupations verified before 24/02/14 will still have 30 days to lodge the application for ACT nomination. Employability in the ACT is the main focus […]
12/2/14 The only appointments DIBP have in place are for post lodgement biometrics for onshore protection applicants and for Citizenship testing. As many applications are now able to be lodged online, this is the Department’s preferred lodgement channel. Mailing applications or couriering directly to the processing centre is also another option. The Department also no longer […]