Australian Immigration Daily News

Purpose

4 The Minister is required to refund the first instalment of a visa application charge (VAC) paid in relation to an application for a visa if, relevantly, a circumstance specified by the Minister by legislative instrument under subparagraph 2.12F(1)(a)(ii) of the Regulations exists. LIN 21/007, before commencement of the instrument, specified a number of different circumstances where the VAC may be refunded for different temporary visa subclasses where visa holders have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 The instrument amends LIN 21/007 to specify an additional circumstance where the first instalment of VAC may be refunded, to encourage visa holders in nominated subclasses to travel to Australia and participate in the Australian economy.

6 The instrument provides that Student visa holders who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022 will be refunded the visa application charge they paid when they applied for their Student visa. The current visa application charge for a Student visa is $630. Dependent visa applicants will also have their visa application charges refunded if they travel to Australia during this period.

7 Working holiday makers who travel to Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will be refunded the visa application charge they paid when they applied for their Working Holiday Maker program visa. The current visa application charge for a Working Holiday Maker program visa is $495.

8 The instrument specifies that this measures will apply to students and working holiday makers who already have visas, as well as those who are granted new visas, and travel to Australia within this timeframe. Primary and secondary visa holders will be eligible for a refund.

9 There are currently approximately 150,000 Student and 23,500 Working Holiday Maker visa holders offshore who may be able to utilise these measures, as well as new visa applicants who are granted a visa and travel to Australia during the specified period.

Source: LIN22027.pdf and LIN2207-Explanatory-Statement.pdf

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said the signing of the Goulburn Valley DAMA further demonstrates the Government fs commitment to supporting regional Australia through the economic recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With over 74,000 vacancies in regional Australia, regional migration initiatives, such as DAMA arrangements, are particularly timely as we look forward to the return of skilled migrants to Australia," Minister Hawke said.

"Although the preference is always to employ Australian workers where possible, skill shortages remain and this agreement will help to provide the staff employers have been struggling to find."

Source: Goulburn-Valley-DAMA.pdfGoulburn-Valley-DAMA.pdf

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke said these measures recognise the contribution of skilled migrants who remained here during the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage them to stay in Australia.

“Eligible skilled workers, already in Australia, will continue to support local businesses facing critical shortages, particularly in health, hospitality and our regions,” Minister Hawke said.

“This recognises the economic value-add of these critical workers, and retaining them will greatly assist in Australia’s economic recovery.”

“The changes compliment the Government’s recent announcement that fully vaccinated eligible temporary and provisional visa holders may enter Australia without a travel exemption from 1 December 2021,” he said.

Source: Visa-changes-to-support-the-reopening-of-Australia-and-our-economic-recovery.pdf

Purpose
The instrument specifies requirements to make a request for the Minister to prioritise the consideration of a valid application for a visa. On a request made in accordance with regulation 2.12M of the Regulations, in relation to a valid application for a visa, the Minister may prioritise the consideration of the application.

LIN21074.pdf and LIN21074-Explanatory-Statement.pdf

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the announcement would accelerate the COVID-19 recovery process for the 2022 academic year.

“This will help ensure the rapid return of international students,” Minister Tudge said.

“It provides clear incentives for institutions and students and ensures students are not disadvantaged from being prevented from coming to Australia earlier.

“The extension of the Innovation Grants will help English language providers who have been hit particularly hard by COVID.”

 Source: Further-support-for-international-education-sector-and-international-students.pdf