State and territory governments have the capability to nominate applicants under the subclass 190 and 491 programs based on expressions of interest lodged through Skillselect.  Each state and territory are provided with a particular allocation of the number of nominati...

It is common for application fees to increase on 1 July each year.  The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has announced that its application fee will increase to $1,826 for migration decisions other than protection visa application reviews.

It is generally good practice t...

With face to face citizenship ceremonies having been cancelled due to COVID-19, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced online citizenship ceremonies through a secure video link.  Ceremonies held online are one-on-one with the presiding officer from the Departmen...

The Red Cross has announced that it will be receiving funding from the Australian Government for the next six months to deliver emergency relief and casework support to temporary visa holders.

The funds have not yet been received and the Red Cross will work as quickly a...

The Australian Government have announced a new stream for a subclass 408 visa which is referred to as the COVID-19 Pandemic stream.  

There is no application fee for the sc408 visa application under this stream.  To be eligible you must be:

- in Australia and u...

Many visa applicants have facing lengthy delays and potential visa issues due to an inability to complete required English language tests during the current pandemic.  The good news is that TOEFL iBT are now offering a home based English test which may assist you. See...

Some relief will be provided for temporary workers.  The measures that will be introduced in response to COVID-19 for temporary visa holders include:

• Ability of employers to reduce the working hours for sponsored employees

• Ability of temporary visa holders to a...

From 25 March 2020 the AAT has suspended in person hearings indefinitely.  Where suitable, hearings will be conducted by telephone, including taking evidence from witnesses and using an interpreter where required.  The AAT will also be prioritising appeals where a posi...

In a further attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19 the Government has imposed a travel ban on Australians.  From midday yesterday Australian citizens and permanent residents are not permitted to travel outside Australia unless granted an exemption (eg where travel is...

The government has announced a relaxing of certain student visa conditions in light of the current COVID-19 crisis.  Normally a student visa holder is restricted to 40 hours work per fortnight but the government is allowing work in limited areas above these hours.  The...