Australian Immigration Daily News

One of the key recommendations from the Enquiry into the Migration Agent Profession is that all new migration agents be required to complete a period of supervised practice.

Education Agents and Registered Migration Agents grouped together

The committee acknowledge in their report that the majority of agents [migration agents] are professional and provide an outstanding service but evidence of misconduct and fraudulent action by registered migration agents and education agents was apparent and the impact on their victims was significant.  

China overtook New Zealand as the leading source of visitors to Australia in 2018, according to new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In 2018, people from China made 1.43 million short-term visits to Australia, up 6 per cent on 2017. ABS Director of Migration Statistics, Myles Burleigh, said Australia was an increasingly popular destination for Chinese residents.

“We have seen extremely strong growth in visits from China in recent times. In 2008, there were 353,000 visitors from China, so the number has more than tripled in the last 10 years", Mr Burleigh said.

This instrument specifies the requirements of making an application for a Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa. This instrument expands the online lodgement channel to additional countries for applicants applying for their first Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa.

This instrument repeals the Migration (IMMI 18/102: Arrangements for Work and Holiday and Working Holiday Visa Applications) Instrument 2018. 

Item was amended
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L01576

The instrument repeals LIN 18/090 (F2018101194) (the old law) in accordance with subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (the AIA).

The purpose of the instrument is to provide the approved place and manner for making a Medical Treatment visa application. From 2 March 2019, the approved form can be lodged using the online Form 48ME form or by the paper Form 48ME method that existed under the old law. The lodgement of the non-internet application by submitting a paper form 48ME will be in accordance with the directions provided by the Department of Home Affairs either verbally or through email.

The instrument commences on 2 March 2019.

The report, prepared by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in partnership with the Walk Free Foundation, revealed there were between 1,300 and 1,900 victims from 2015-16 to 2016-17.

The Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, who carried the Modern Slavery Bill through the Senate, said the findings from the Estimating the dark figure of human trafficking and slavery victimisation in Australia report will enable better targeted responses to these crimes, and improve identification and support for victims.

“The exploitation of vulnerable people is a lucrative business. Slavery alone generates more than $190 billion annually,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

“The Australian Government recognises this is a global problem, and is continuing to show firm action on abolishing human trafficking and slavery within our communities,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said. “In a historic step, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 came into force on 1 January 2019, which sets a clear standard for action. “Importantly, it underscores Australia’s commitment to being a regional leader in countering modern slavery, and a determined partner in effective and enduring efforts to counter modern slavery in all its forms.”