Australian Immigration Daily News

The Office of the MARA have written to Migration Alliance today as a key and valued stakeholder in the Australian Migration Advice Industry.     The following information was provided in the email:

The function of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has transferred to the Immigration Integrity and Community Protection Division in the Department of Home Affairs.   

This transfer aligns closely with the aims of the Division to protect the Australian community and help maintain the integrity of, and public confidence in, the broader migration program. The direction and focus of the OMARA in protecting consumers and addressing emerging risks associated with the migration advice profession has a direct impact on the integrity of visa program caseloads.

Home Affairs released new guidelines for those who are planning to leave Australia on or after June 10 2020)

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, including state and territory border restrictions, business closures and social distancing requirements, international visitors are encouraged to return home when possible to do so.

Temporary visa holders should be aware that if they wish to return to Australia while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, they will generally need a travel exemption.

From 11 June 2020, TRA is streamlining the way applications and documents are submitted to Trades Recognition Service (TRA)for all steps of the JRP.

Step 1: Provisional Skills Assessment

The following email has been received from NSW Treasury this afternoon:

NSW Treasury will begin accepting for NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) on Monday 15 June 2020. 

Announcement--NSW-nomination-for-Skilled-Work-Regional-visa-subclass-491.pdf

On 3 June 2020, the Australian Government has prohibited the export relating to equipment that could be used in the efforts to stop the spread of COVID19, this includes the following items:

• disposable face masks
• disposable gloves
• disposable gowns
• goggles, glasses or eye visors
• alcohol wipes
• hand sanitizer

In certain circumstances, exemptions to the abovementioned items may apply if:

• a person departing Australia takes a reasonable quantity of the items for personal use
• This exemption also applies to goods loaded as ship’s stores where the quantity is reasonable for personal or crew use
• the items are exported to a relative of the person for the relative’s personal use, and the export is not by international mail
• the items are exported by a humanitarian organisation, and the export is not by international mail
• the items are manufactured by the exporter, and the export is not by international mail
• export of the items is in line with the exporter’s normal business activities (and the exporter has an ABN and is registered under the GST Act) and the export is not by international mail. For example:
• they traded in these items (or similar forms of personal protective equipment or hygiene products) before 30 March 2020. This applies to companies that have regularly exported these types of goods or distributed them within Australia
• they export these items to a company they regularly export to or to a related entity (such as an Australian company exporting to an overseas branch or office of that company)
• they entered into a contract to export these goods prior to 30 March 2020
• the items are imported into Australia solely for the purpose of export to another country (transhipment) and remain in customs control while in Australia

Exporters who are eligible for an exemption should provide, or be willing to provide, evidence of their eligibility to their customs broker for assessment by the Australian Border Force, if required.