Australian Immigration Daily News

The following email was received from the Department of Home Affairs this afternoon:

The Migration (Arrangements for Resident Return visa applications) Instrument LIN22/019 came into effect on 2 April 2022 and replaced IMMI17/031. The instrument provides that applications for Class BB visa must be made using an internet form through ImmiAccount unless a person has received a written notice from the Department that they can make an application via Form 1085 to the Residents Return visa team in Sydney. The Form 1085 will be provided with that written notice. Paper RRV applications received on or after 2 April 2022 will be invalidated if they do not meet the validity requirements outlined in LIN22/019.

Persons who attempt to lodge online but encounter a technical issue, should access technical support in ImmiAccount. If technical support does not resolve the issue, the Department will consider allowing a non-internet application by way of a written notice which contains details about the process to be followed. An additional non-internet application charge may apply, even with departmental authorisation.

Form 1085 has been removed from the Department’s website and LEGEND.com. Registered Migration Agents and legal practitioners should not use or provide Form 1085 to their clients.

Overview

The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia for short term tourism or business visits for eligible passport holders. The ETA is a temporary visa (subclass 601) that enables the visa holder to travel to, and enter Australia on multiple occasions within twelve months from the date of grant of the visa or until the expiry date of the visa holder’s passport, whichever is earlier. The ETA visa holder can stay in Australia for up to three months after each entry for the purposes of visiting Australia temporarily as a tourist or to engage in a limited business visitor activity, such as participating in a conference or a trade fair.

Passport holders from over 30 countries and jurisdictions are eligible to apply for an ETA visa. In addition, European Union and United Kingdom passport holders who are eligible for the ETA also have access to the eVisitor visa (subclass 651). Applications for the eVisitor visa are made online, and, similarly to the ETA visa, there is no visa application charge VAC and streamlined processing arrangements apply.

An application for an ETA visa is usually made while the applicant is outside Australia but can be made while an applicant is in immigration clearance in Australia. Traditionally, most applicants have applied for an ETA visa through a travel agent, however other methods, such as applying in person, may be available depending on the person’s circumstances.

Source: Migration-Amendment-2022-measures-No-2-Regulations-2022.pdf  and Migration-Amendment-2022-measures-No-2-Regulations-2022-Explanatory-Statement.pdf

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, said he had been working closely with the migration advice industry to ensure it can support the integrity of Australia’s migration program.

“The establishment of the Code provides better oversight of registered migration agents without increasing regulatory burden,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

“We will also implement a range of regulatory measures, including improving the registration process to become an agent, strengthening the powers available to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) when assessing registration applications, and enhancing penalties for illegal operators providing unlawful advice.”

Source: Reform-measures-in-the-migration-advice-industry.pdf

Minister for the Pacific and International Development, Senator the Hon Zed Seselja said with close to 23,000 Pacific and Timor-Leste workers now in Australia, labour mobility has been a lifeline for Australian businesses and for labour sending countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The improvements that come into effect today will make it easier for employers to continue accessing the labour they need while enhancing benefits and protections for workers,” Minister Seselja said.

“Workers are the backbone of the PALM scheme, and their wellbeing is of central importance to Australia and participating Pacific and Timor-Leste governments,” said Minister Seselja.

“A review into worker welfare and the chance to consult widely on a revised Deed of Agreement will help to improve conditions and protections for workers, while identifying opportunities to reduce red tape for employers.”

Source: New-era-for-Pacific-Labour-starts-today.pdf

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said the Australian Government is committed to the success of Townsville and the North Queensland region. “This agreement responds to regional economic challenges by opening the door to attract and settle more skilled workers into the region,” Minister Hawke said.

The Townsville DAMA covers 195 occupations across a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, health care and social assistance, transport, and professional, scientific and technical services. Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said with the Townsville DAMA now in place, the diverse range of industries covered would be able to grow even more, making Townsville a key regional destination.

Source: Townsville-economic-prosperity----DAMA.pdf