Australian Immigration Daily News

erms of Reference for the Inquiry:
To inquire into and report on:

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration shall inquire into and report on the Working Holiday Maker program, with reference to:
- The purpose of the program including history, size, composition, eligibility, and reciprocal access for Australians and recent changes;
- The value of the program to Australia's economy, including tourism, health care and agriculture sectors;
- The ongoing impact of COVID-19 nationally and internationally on the program;
- The potential economic impacts on regional economies due to the disruptions of access to Working Holiday Makers relied upon especially for the agricultural and tourism sectors; and the capacity, if any, for Australians made unemployed by COVID-19 to fill the labour shortage;
- The extent to which existing visa criteria and conditions related to Working Holiday Makers are still adequate and appropriate to address the purpose of this program, including cultural exchange and creating job opportunities for Australians;
- The extent to which the program can support economic recovery in regional Australia; and
- Any other related matters.

 Source: Working-Holiday-Maker-program.pdfWorking-Holiday-Maker-program.pdf

A member of Migration Alliance, and Registered Migration Agent, John Young, received the following email from the Department of Home Affairs today:

"Due to COVID-19 and the global travel bans, no Bridging Visa B’s for travel are being granted. 

The applicant can depart on their current Bridging Visa A but would need to apply for a new visa to enter Australia if their intention is to return, bearing in mind the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. 

With Coronavirus starting to spike in Victoria, and new cases picking up again in NSW, now is probably not a good time for CPD providers to begin scheduling face-to-face CPD events.  This is especially the case for all-day events like 10 point blitzes which have RMAs sitting in close quarters for ten hours or more.  Social distancing would be particularly difficult for a workshop of up to thirty agents.

It makes sense to us that no face-to-face CPD events are scheduled for the Registered Migration Agent profession over the next few months.   

The current state-by-state rules and restrictions are clearly explained here by the Guardian:

The Deputy President and Division Head of the AAT- MRD has requested we distribute this information:

I am writing to let you know that the AAT is taking steps to resume some in-person hearings from 3 August 2020, at all AAT registries except for Melbourne. 

The AAT has, to date, been able to minimise the impact on our services through the provision of online registry support and by hearing matters remotely. However, we are mindful that there are some circumstances in which a remote hearing may not be practicable and where the matter may not be deferred. 

A media release by the Hon Alan Tudge MP, Minister for Education states as follows:

The Morrison Government is making a number of changes to student visa arrangements to ensure Australia remains a priority destination for international students as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. International students are extremely important to Australia and our economy, contributing $40 billion annually and supporting 250,000 jobs.

Many also go on to become great Australian citizens. While the closure of our international borders has been critical to our success in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and Australia has been a leader in this regard, it has presented challenges to the education sector and students, both here and offshore. These five visa changes will ensure international students are not worse off due to the coronavirus pandemic and that Australia remains competitive with other countries.