News

3
Nov

Expanding Employer Sponsored Pathways to Permanent Residence

Expanding Employer Sponsored Pathways to Permanent Residence – Fact sheet   We have received update from the Migration Institute of Australia that The Department of Home Affairs has provided the Fact Sheet below for the benefit of MIA members, ahead of the Employer Sponsored Pathways changes expected to commence around 25 November 2023.   Get in touch with us to

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14
Jun

Migration Queensland Opens Priority Processing Again

Migration Queensland has opened up priority processing again for the last time this Migration Year. The opportunity to lodge your request for priority assessment and be considered for the General skilled migration subclass 190 visa is only available for a very short window of timeframe. The registration of request is proposed to open for four days, from today (14/06/2023) until

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10
May

Federal Budget 2023-24 and Migration

Last night, the Government had handed down its first full Budget in 2022. The following announcements were included in the Budget and associated papers.   Migration Planning Levels The 2023-24 migration planning level will increase to 190,000 places, with 137,100 allocated to the skilled migration stream.   Increase in Fees and Charges Visa Application Charges (VACs) will be raised by the government by between

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29
Mar

2022 – 2023 Migration program numbers

The MIA has provided a summary of  the Federal Budget 2022-23 in relation to the Migration Program. The Budget papers and Portfolio Statements are published at budget.gov.au This information is  is indicative of Government policy and implications on the visa program, therefore helpful for those who are making plans for any Australian visas.   The Government will reinstate Migration Program planning

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8
Feb

Australia Opens Borders to Visa Holders

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has recently announced that the Australian borders will be opened to fully vaccinated travelers without the need for an exemption on 21 February 2022. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be required to apply for a travel exemption as well as follow quarantine directions. The Australian governments borders have been closed to non-citizens and residents

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14
Jan

Student Work Limitation Lifted

The Prime Minister announces changes for international students The Prime Minister announced on 13 January 2022 that the Commonwealth had lifted the 40 hour per fortnight work limitation placed on international students. The only information available at this time is through media reports and Ministerial media releases. Further details on how this arrangement will operate are currently not available. You

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26
Nov

International student and Temporary Graduate Visa Changes Announced

On 25 November 2021 the Morrison Government  announced encouraging news to further support international students and graduates visa holders. Subclass 485 holders who were unable to return to Australia will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement visa.  This will allow previous and current visa holders whose visas expired on or after 1 February 2020 to reapply for the

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23
Nov

Australian Borders Opening 1 December 2021

From 1 December vaccinated eligible temporary visa holders can travel to Australia without applying for a travel exemption.  This includes student visa holders and skilled workers. The relaxation of the borders has been welcomed news and will allow greater freedom to travel and return to Australia. From 1 December 2021, Australia will also  allow fully vaccinated citizens from Japan and

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2
Nov

Partner Visa changes Commences Soon

Partner Visa changes: When will the changes commence? This has been the question since the Family Violence Bill was passed in 2018. We discussed in an earlier post regarding how the changes would affect those who intends to apply for an onshore partner visa.  The Australian Government announced that reforms were going to be implemented to strengthen the integration outcomes

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27
Oct

Queensland Skilled Migration Program Opens (2021-22)

The Queensland Skilled Migration Program is currently open for those within Australia.  This is welcomed news for those interested in being sponsored by the State for various skilled visas, including the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa, while the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

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