Australian Immigration Daily News

The Department of Home Affairs updated their information in relation to travel exemptions for APEC card holders.

Travellers are exempt from travel restrictions, and can leave Australia without applying for an exemption if they are:

• ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia
• an airline, maritime crew or associated safety worker
• a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa
• engaged in the day-to-day conduct of outbound freight
• associated with essential work at Australian offshore facilities
• travelling on official government business, including members of the Australian Defence Force.

If a traveller holds an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) they are not automatically exempt. Such individuals can apply for an exemption and provide evidence to support any relevant claims to travel claims.

About Business and Investor Visas

Business Innovation and Investor Program subclass 188/888 visa

This visa is designed for individuals to establish a business in Tasmania, manage a new or existing business, or invest in Tasmania, this visa allows applicants to apply for a Business Innovation and Investor program visa, subclass 188. This is a two-stage visa program which provides a pathway to permanent residency on a subclass 888 visa.

Ahpra is responsible for registration requirements for a number of medical fields. 

Unfortunately COVID19 has placed a number of practical restrictions on registration especially for those who are about to graduate.

Ahpra cannot finalise the application until the receive the graduate results from the education provider.

Casting my memory back to September 2019, it is beyond my wildest imagination to think that I (just like you) would get cautious if a person stands too close to me whilst using public transport.  I would be cautious to meet a friend or a colleague in a social gathering.  I would need to “Scan” myself in, each and every time I visit a venue.  I would go through so much hand sanitiser and last but not the least, face masks and active wear would become the Met Gala of 2020!

Alas, we are here.  The world is still spinning, the sun is still rising and our work as migration practitioners continues. Although, the way we interact with our fellow colleagues and clients has changed (most likely on a permanent basis).

Where to from here?

From 15 November 2020, the Australian citizenship test will be updated.  This will be considered one of the major updates to the test in over a decade.

The updated test includes revised citizenship test questions and new test questions on Australian values.

Alan Tudge, the acting minister for immigration, citizenship, migrant services and multicultural affairs, announced the changes via press release, stating: “Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens.”