Australian Immigration Daily News

The Government is ensuring Australia remains an attractive destination for tourists, and temporary visa holders who often fill critical skills shortages, by offering refunds or waivers of Visa Application Charges (VAC). Tourists, working holiday makers, seasonal and pacific workers, prospective partners and temporary skilled workers whose travel has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible.

Source: Supporting-Tourism-and-Ag-through-visa-application-charge-changes.pdf

The purpose of the instrument is to:
a. repeal the previous instrument, IMMI 14/027; and
b. provide that the registration status charge imposed under section 10 of the MARAC Act becomes due and payable on the earlier time of either:
i. the registered migration agent notifying the Migration Agents Registration Authority that the agent has begun to give immigration assistance otherwise than on a non-commercial basis; or
ii. the day after 14 days of the agent giving immigration assistance otherwise than on a non-commercial basis; and
c. make formatting changes and to improve readability for users of the instrument.

Source: LIN20225.pdf and LIN20225-Explanatory-Statement.pdf

The following is from the Prime Minister’s Multicultural media briefing this morning. For a recording of the briefing, please see link below (download). 

Recording:

Multicultural Press Conference Recording  - Prime Minister (download)

In a media release today the following was stated:

THE HON ALAN TUDGE MP

MINISTER FOR POPULATION, CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Legislation and legalities can change quickly in the migration field and with the additional disruptions that have been caused by COVID-19, keeping yourself covered with the right insurance is one of the best cost-cutting strategies you can take.

Even though you might not be practicing at the moment, you could still be liable for any mistakes you made in work you have completed months or even years ago.

Purchasing continuous cover for your business is a great option for protecting against unintentional mistakes from past work. After all, imagine getting through the COVID-19 restrictions only to lose your business to an uninsured claim or lawsuit due to a mistake from years ago.