Australian Immigration Daily News

This week marks a significant development in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, with the introduction of a family accompaniment pilot by the Albanese Government. This innovative initiative will allow 200 PALM scheme workers, starting with those from Kiribati and Timor-Leste, the opportunity to bring their family members to Australia.

Understanding the challenges of family separation for workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste who reside in Australia for prolonged periods, the government is taking proactive steps to support these individuals. This initiative is focused not only on reuniting families but also on strengthening the bonds between Australia and these Pacific regions.

The pilot program recognizes the significant contributions made by PALM scheme workers across various sectors and communities in Australia, emphasizing their vital role in the national economy.

The Australian Government has introduced a new rule, known as the Migration (COVID-19 Pandemic event for Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) Visa) Repeal Instrument (LIN 24/003), which will take effect on February 1, 2024. This rule repeals the previous regulation, LIN 22/046, which had classified the COVID-19 pandemic as an 'Australian Government endorsed event' (AGEE). This classification was important because it allowed certain individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to be eligible for a Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) Visa.

Under the old rule, to qualify for this visa, applicants needed to be involved in work related to the AGEE. The repeal means that, from February 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be recognized as an AGEE for visa purposes.

The decision to repeal this regulation comes after the government's announcement on August 31, 2023, stating that the Pandemic event visa would be closed to all applicants from February 2024. This move is part of an effort to better regulate Australia’s visa system now that the conditions that necessitated the Pandemic event visa have changed.

Summary of the Monthly Update on Onshore Protection (Subclass 866) Visa Processing - December 2023

• Total Lodgements: 1,942 protection visas were lodged onshore in December 2023.
• Country of Origin: Top countries for visa lodgements included Vietnam (371), China (203), India (157), Vanuatu (86), and the Philippines (82).
• Demographics: Applicants varied in age and gender, with the largest groups being 25-34 (515) and 35-44 (533) years old.
• Refugee Status Determinations: 1,002 determinations were made during this period.
• Visa Grants: 271 individuals were granted a Final Protection Visa, with the highest grant rates for applicants from Myanmar (96.30%) and Libya (100%).
• Not Granted: Many applicants, particularly from China (136) and India (118), were not granted a Final Protection Visa.
• Deportations: Fewer than five individuals were involuntarily deported, with 14 voluntary deportations.
• Pending Decisions: There were 32,404 refugee status determinations and 76,574 individuals awaiting deportation decisions at the end of the period.

This report was issued by The Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, and covers all aspects of subclass 866 visa processing, excluding temporary protection or safe haven enterprise visas. It provides a comprehensive overview of lodgements, decisions, and outcomes for the specified period.

Source: Monthly-Update---Onshore-Protection-Subclass-866-Visa-Processing---GILES.pdf

A 37-year-old Sudanese-born individual is set to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this evening (January 15, 2024) following allegations of non-compliance with the mandated curfew outlined in his visa conditions. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested and charged the man on January 15, 2024, in Melbourne’s CBD.

The charges stem from an alleged breach of his Commonwealth visa conditions on January 12, 2024, specifically related to the failure to adhere to residential curfew obligations. The individual is facing one count of violating curfew conditions under section 76C(1) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).

If convicted, the offense carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $93,900.

Important news regarding sanctions for Zimbabwe! The Australian Government is making changes through the Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Zimbabwe) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2023.

Background: Autonomous sanctions are non-military measures imposed by a government in response to global concerns. In this case, it's about situations in Zimbabwe affecting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

What's Changing: The Australian Government has regulations, and this change focuses on proscribing people or entities for financial sanctions or travel bans related to Zimbabwe. The Minister for Foreign Affairs can designate or declare someone if they've seriously undermined democracy, human rights, or the rule of law in Zimbabwe.