Australian Immigration Daily News

Purpose

The purpose of the instrument is to update the approved form, place and manner (“the arrangements”) requirements for making an application for a Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa (Class GD visa) in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility stream (PALM stream). The Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa (subclass 403 visa) is the only subclass for the Class GD visa and now has six streams: the Australian Agricultural Worker stream, Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream, Foreign Government Agency stream, Government Agreement stream, PALM stream and Privileges and Immunities stream.

As announced by the Government on 14 September 2021, the PALM stream opens to new applications on 4 April 2022. This stream serves as a combination of and replacement of the Pacific Labour Scheme stream and Seasonal Worker Program stream, previously under the subclass 403 visa. As a result, visa applicants for the PALM stream will be able to apply using a single streamlined application, which offers more flexibility and less red tape.

Other than removal of the Pacific Labour Scheme stream and Seasonal Worker Program stream, there is no change to the arrangements specified in LIN 22/009 for other streams of subclass 403 visas.

Further information about the enabling provisions is provided in the explanatory statement to LIN 22/009.

Source: LIN22036.pdf and LIN22036-Explanatory-Statement.pdf

The instrument repeals Migration (IMMI 17/031 Arrangements for Resident Return Visa Applications) Instrument 2017 (IMMI 17/031) (F2017L00324) in accordance with subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

That subsection provides that a power to make a legislative instrument includes a power to amend or repeal that instrument in the same manner, and subject to the same conditions, as the power to make the instrument. This means that subregulation 2.07(5) of the Regulations also includes a power to amend or repeal an instrument made under that provision.

Source: LIN22019.pdf and LIN22019-Explanatory-Statement.pdf

The Australian Government today took a key step towards further strengthening the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (the Act) by announcing a statutory review of the landmark legislation. The review will consider the operation of the Act over its first three years and whether further measures to improve the Act and improve compliance are necessary.

Professor John McMillan, AO, will lead the review, which will be completed within 12 months before a final report is tabled in Parliament. Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP, said Australia has set the benchmark internationally for transparency frameworks of this kind.

“This review provides an opportunity to further improve this landmark piece of legislation,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

East Kimberley businesses will have access to additional workers across more than 100 occupations following the signing of the East Kimberley Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said attracting workers to relocate to regional areas is a priority for the Australian Government.

“The provisions afforded under the agreement, including permanent residency pathways, provide a significant incentive for overseas skilled workers to consider making the East Kimberley region their home,”Minister Hawke said.

The Australian Government is making key changes to ensure the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) remains fit for purpose as the regional labour market has evolved throughout the pandemic. Changes to the Far North Queensland DAMA include updating the range of occupations across which businesses can source workers.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said these changes come at a critical point, as the region experiences an increase in vaccinated overseas visitors. “The positive economic impact on a number of sectors, such as tourism and hospitality, has been strongly felt across Far North Queensland,” Minister Hawke said.

Source: Joint-media-release-FNQ-DAMA.pdf