November 2020 All citizenship applicants who sit the test on or after 15 November 2020 will sit the updated Australian citizenship test. Changes to the citizenship test include: revised questions new questions on Australian values a new requirement for all applicants that all 5 questions on Australian values must be answered correctly, with a mark of at least 75 per […]
19 September 2020 On 19 September 2020 Immigration introduced a new Migration Amendment allowing concessions for certain visa holders and applicants. The Amendment changes some of the standard requirements for 485, 887, 188, 888, and 790 visas, giving options for those who have been affected by COVID-19. These changes apply to visa applications made on or […]
4 September 2020 Temporary skilled visa applicants or current visa holders, who are working in a PMSOL occupation, will be eligible to request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions. Individuals do not need to hold a current visa to lodge a travel exemption request. To apply for a travel exemption, applicants need to apply via […]
2 September 2020 Changes to Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements introduced today, now require all nomination applications for a Subclass 457 Temporary Work, Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas, lodged after 30 September 2020 to advertise on the Australian Government’s employment service Jobactive website for at least 28 days. […]
2 September 2020 A new priority skills list and strengthened labour market testing will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers to return to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, helping to create Australian jobs and rebuild Australia’s economy. Sponsored workers in the following occupations will be given priority and are exempt […]
18 August 2020 The instrument enables relevant applicants who have carried out critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors after 31 January 2020 in any place in Australia to count this work towards eligibility for a second or third Subclass 417 visa. Work includes but not limited to:a) medical treatment, nursing, contact tracing, […]
20 July 2020 Announcements made by Hon Alan Tudge MP The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel. International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of […]
1 July 2020 The General Skilled Migration (GSM) and Business migration program for the 2019/20 financial year has now closed. The State & Territory nomination program will remain temporarily CLOSED until the Commonwealth Government s allocation of state nomination places for 2020-21 takes place. The GSM 2020/21 program year is scheduled to re-open from early August however, changes to […]
4 April 2020 Reduction in work The Minister for Immigration announced on 4 April that subclass 457 and 482 visa holders will be able to reduce their working hours without being in breach of their visa conditions. However, the below following four policy criteria should continue to be met: the pro-rata hourly rate of your […]
14 May 2020 Subclass 417 and 462 visa holders currently employed in critical sectors will be able to work beyond their 6 month limitation without needing to make a formal request for permission. Critical sectors include: Health care, Aged care, and Disability care Agriculture (plant and animal cultivation) Food processing (including fruit-picking) Childcare Existing 417 […]
4 April 2020 In early April the Federal Government announced plans to introduce a new visa stream to enable temporary residents to remain during the Covid-19 pandemic and work in critical areas of the economy. The visa will only be available in limited circumstances, including where no alternative visa is available to perform the intended […]
4 April 2020 International students working in supermarkets will have their working hours return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight on 1 May as more Australians are being recruited into these roles International students working in aged care and as nurses continue to have their hours extended to support these critical sectors The Government will also be flexible […]