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"Non-citizens involved in criminal or serious conduct are expected to be refused entry or have their visas cancelled "

Key Elements of Direction No. 110:

Objective: The main aim is to manage the entry and presence of non-citizens in Australia based on their character, with a strong emphasis on national interest and community safety.

Decision-Making Framework: Decision-makers are required to assess each case individually, prioritising the protection of the Australian community from criminal and other serious behaviour by non-citizens

migrationalliance.com.au

MIGRATION NEWS! Restricting onshore visa hopping to the Student visa program Effective 1 July 2024

Migration Update - New Exemptions for UK Citizens on Working Holiday Visas

NEW MIGRATION CHANGES

STUDENT (SC 500) AND STUDENT GUARDIAN (SC 590) VISAS MINIMUM FINANCIAL CAPACITY REQUIREMENT INCREASE

amendments to financial capacity requirements based on a new methodology linked to the Australian National Minimum Wage.
The adjusted figures show a significant increase of approximately 21% compared to the previous financial capacity requirements.
The updated financial capacity requirements apply from 10 May 2024 onwards.

The specific figures and details regarding the financial capacity requirements before and after 10 May 2024 are provided in the table below the article. These adjustments aim to ensure that visa applicants meet enhanced financial criteria aligned with the Australian National Minimum Wage.
This change underscores the Australian government's efforts to maintain robust financial standards for visa applicants, reflecting economic considerations and ensuring migrants can support themselves adequately during their stay in Australia.

Financial capacity requirement after 10 May 2024
1) primary applicant $ 29,710
2) Spouse or de facto partner of Sc 500 primary applicant (this does not apply to Sc 590) $10,394
3) Dependent child $4,449
4) Annual school costs $13,502
5)nPersonal annual income if there is no member of the family unit $87,856
6) Personal annual income where there is a member of the family unit $102,500
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2019L01366/latest/text

https://youtu.be/V0QMTdznrOg?si=WfJUV586niKSPxcr

A workforce shortage has led to a new Filipino community in a tiny Australian town | 7.30 Locals in the small town of Gilgandra in New South Wales live by the motto “anything is possible”. For the town's newest residents - 16 Filipino aged care wo...

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-publications/submissions-and-discussion-papers/review-of-the-points-test-discussion-paper

SKILLED VISA POINTS TEST UNDER REVIEW
1) One of the significant areas of focus within this strategy is the reform of the points test used for assessing potential migrants.
2) The aim is to refine the points test to align with Australia's economic and social objectives, ensuring that the migration system supports the country's long-term prosperity.

Department of Home Affairs Website Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, working together to keep Australia safe.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA

The Australian Government has implemented changes to English Language Requirements affecting Student and Temporary Graduate visas, with an effective date of 23 March 2024 for new visa applications. These changes are part of the government's Migration Strategy, aimed at enhancing international students' educational experiences and preparing them for the skilled workforce post-graduation.

Key Areas of Change:

Temporary Graduate Visa

1) Minimum IELTS test score requirement increased from 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent).
2) A minimum score of 5.5 is required for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
3) The validity window for the English language test is reduced from 3 years to 1 year before the visa application date.

Student Visa:
1) The minimum IELTS test score requirement increased from 5.5 to 6 (or equivalent).
2) The minimum score required for undertaking a packaged ELICOS increased from 4.5 to 5.0.

3) No change for students solely studying English through ELICOS.

4) Students in university foundation or pathway programs delivering reputable English language training require a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 (or equivalent).

5) Packaged ELICOS courses aligned with VET and higher education courses now require higher English language scores to ensure a successful transition into main courses.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1188 #:~:text=The%20minimum%20score%20required%20for%20a%20Student%20visa%20from%20an,there%20will%20be%20no%20change.

VETASSESS SKILLS ASSESSMENT NEWS:
1.Occupations Reopening for New Applications:
Cook (ANZSCO Code 351411)
Diesel Motor Mechanic (ANZSCO Code 321212)
Motor Mechanic (General) (ANZSCO Code 321211)
Applications for these occupations will resume on April 23, 2024.
Reason for Pause and Reopening:

2.New applications for these occupations were paused in September 2023 to prioritize processing of existing cases.
The decision to reopen these occupations follows discussions with Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), indicating improved capacity to handle new applications.

3.Occupations Remaining Paused for New Applications:

Chef (ANZSCO Code 351311)
Fitter (General) (ANZSCO Code 323211)
Electrician (General) (ANZSCO Code 341111)
Metal Machinist (First Class) (ANZSCO Code 323214)
New applications for these occupations continue to be paused, with updates expected next month.
Applicable Programs:

4. The reopening of applications applies specifically to Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 under the OSAP (Overseas Skills Assessment Program) and TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) programs.
Timeline and Expectations:

5.Applicants interested in Cook, Diesel Motor Mechanic, and Motor Mechanic (General) occupations can submit new applications starting from April 23, 2024.
Updates on the remaining paused occupations are anticipated to be provided in the following month.

6. Overall, this news highlights the resumption of new application intake for selected trade occupations, with a focus on enhancing processing capacity while managing the demand within the migration programs under OSAP and TSS pathways. Applicants are encouraged to stay updated for further developments and announcements regarding other paused occupations.

STUDENT VISA NEWS

Direction No. 106 - Assessing the Genuine Entry and Stay Requirements for Student Visa and Student Guardian Visa Applications

KEY POINTS of the DIRECTION consist of:

1. SCOPE: This pertains to applications for Student Guardian visas and Subclass 500 (Student) visas submitted on or after March 23, 2024, including those that are redirected from tribunals or courts.

2. CRITERIA: evaluates applications for Subclass 500 (Student) visas by looking at the genuine student criterion, the genuine student dependant criterion, and the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student Guardian visas.

3. CONSIDERATIONS:
The applicant's circumstances both in their home country and in Australia, the importance of the proposed course to the applicant's future, the applicant's immigration history, and, for minors, the intentions of a parent, legal guardian, or spouse are just a few of the aspects that decision-makers are advised to take into account.

4. Making Decisions: MUST BE BALANCED AND REASONABLE

https://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2024-03-direction-no-106.html

PARTNER VISA NEWS:

Key points
These changes make it possible to grant Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)) and Subclass 100 (Partner) visas to a particular group of secondary applicants who no longer meet the age requirement as members of the family unit (MoFU) because of longer processing times brought on by the now-revoked Ministerial Direction 80.

"These amendments facilitate the grant of Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)) and Subclass 100 (Partner) visas to a specific cohort of secondary applicants who, due to extended processing times caused by the now-revoked Ministerial Direction 80, no longer meet the age requirement as a member of the family unit (MoFU)."

Migration Amendment (Dependent Secondary Partner Visa Applicants) Regulations 2024 The Migration Amendment (Dependent Secondary Partner Visa Applicants) Regulations 2024, issued under the authority of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs, introduces significant amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994. These amendments facilitat...

STUDENT VISA NEWS

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1188

This change was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 and applies to all Student and Temporary Graduate visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
The Migration Strategy outlined how the English language reforms for student visas will support international students to have a positive educational experience in Australia, and prepare them for the skilled workforce should they wish to apply for a graduate visa post study.

Temporary Graduate visa (TGV)
The minimum score required for a TGV from IELTS test score increases from 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

The test validity window for a TGV decreases from 3 years to 1 year. TGV applicants now need to provide evidence that they have completed an English Language test within 1 year immediately before the date of the visa application.

Student visa
The minimum score required for a Student visa from an IELTS test score increases from 5.5 to 6 (or its equivalent).
The minimum score required to undertake a packaged ELICOS from IELTS increases from 4.5 to 5.0.
For students studying English only through ELICOS, there will be no change.

The test score required for students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs that deliver reputable English language training will be IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent).

Immigration and citizenship Website Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

STUDENT VISA NEWS 18 MAR 2024
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) has been replaced with Genuine Student (GS) for student visas (sc 500).

On Friday afternoon, the Department of Home Affairs sent an email to education providers outlining revisions to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria for student visas (sc 500).
As revealed in the Migration Strategy presented on December 11, 2023, the GTE requirement for student visas (sc 500) would be replaced with a Genuine Student (GS) criterion.

The new GS requirement will include targeted questions that will give decision-makers an insight into the applicant and their motivations for choosing to study in Australia.

"The intended questions will cover:
details of their current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances;
an explanation for the choice of course and reasons for choosing Australia as a study destination;
what benefits the course provides to the applicant;
for applicants with a study history in Australia, details of their study history;
for applicants holding a visa other than a Student visa, their reasons for applying for a student visa; and
any other relevant information the applicant wishes to provide
The GS requirement is planned to commence for student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. Student visa applications lodged before 23 March 2024 will be assessed according to existing arrangements."

Visa update: International student visa rules have changed this year but what's ahead? The Australian government has consistently bolstered the international education sector through a series of modifications to student visas. Here is a list of significant visa changes announced this year that impacted international students, along with a preview of what lies ahead for the cohort…

The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, enacted today, February 22, 2024,

New Employer Sanctions: Implements actions against employers who coerce or improperly influence both lawful and unlawful non-citizens into accepting employment arrangements that violate visa conditions or negatively impact their immigration status, with penalties including jail time and fines.

Prohibited Employers: Sets up a system to designate individuals or organizations as prohibited employers for failing to adhere to migration laws, especially regarding migrant worker sanctions. Criteria for these designations include previous violations and the extent of non-compliance, with prohibited employers facing restrictions on hiring certain non-citizens and substantial penalties for breaches.

Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024 The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, enacted today, February 22, 2024, modifies the Migration Act 1958 to bolster mechanisms for ensuring employer adherence. This legislation introduces several key features:New Employer Sanctions: Implements actions against employers...

New migration strategy aims to reduce Australian arrivals to 'sustainable level'
Key points:
Net overseas migration is estimated to be about 500,000 over the year to September
As part of the new strategy, the intake of foreign students entering low-quality courses will be cut
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says migration levels will be "brought to a sustainable level"

'Bringing migration to a sustainable level': New strategy aims to cut Australian arrivals The federal government is set to unveil a major new migration strategy that aims to dramatically cut Australia's intake after a surge of arrivals after the COVID-19 pandemic.

STUDENT VISA NEWS

Termination of the two-year post-study work rights extension

On their website, the Department of Education has announced that starting in mid-2024, international graduates holding certain degrees will no longer be eligible for the extended post-study employment rights, which granted them an extra two years on their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

End of extended post-study work rights for international graduates - Department of Education, Australian Government From mid-2024, the two-year extension of post-study work rights will no longer be available.

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SC 408 PANDEMIC VISA CLOSURE "As you are aware, the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa (commonly referred to as the Pandemic Event visa) will close to all applicants from 1 February 2024."

Ministers for the of Home Affairs Website Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Emergency Management.​​​

PARTNER VISA NEWS: Change to Partner (subclass 309 and 820) visas

On 25 November 2023 changes were made to Partner (subclass 309) and Partner (subclass 820) visas.

Partner (subclass 309) visa can be granted to applicants in or outside Australia.

For more information see Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa Partner (subclass 820) visa can be granted to applicants in or outside Australia. For more information see Subclass 820 Partner visa (temporary).

See below:
https://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2024-01-change-to-partner-subclass-309-and-820-visas.html
Change-to-Partner-subclass-309-and-820-visas.pdf

Change to Partner (subclass 309 and 820) visas On 25 November 2023 changes were made to Partner (subclass 309) and Partner (subclass 820) visas. Partner (subclass 309) visa can be granted to applicants in or outside Australia.For more information see Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa Partner (subclass 820) visa can be granted to applicants...

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Merry Christmas to each and everyone!!

New migration strategy aims to reduce Australian arrivals to 'sustainable level'

'Bringing migration to a sustainable level': New strategy aims to cut Australian arrivals The federal government is set to unveil a major new migration strategy that aims to dramatically cut Australia's intake after a surge of arrivals after the COVID-19 pandemic.