Australian Immigration Daily News

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it will be delivering online citizenship ceremonies via secure video-link to enable those applicants who are already approved to continue to become Australian citizens.

Online citizenship ceremonies will be with the presiding officer and generally a single conferee, or a household group if they reside at the same location, and are shorter than traditional in-person ceremonies while still ensuring legal requirements are met. Ceremonies performed online continue to include integrity measures, such as identity checks.

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across a number of jurisdictions, small in-person citizenship ceremonies are also being reintroduced from June 2020. The exact date is yet to be confirmed. These ceremonies must comply with current state or territory directives on the limits on small gatherings, and meet COVIDcSafe requirements.

If you have graduated from a tertiary institution in Tasmania after studying in the state for at least one academic year (40 weeks at a CRICOS registered institution) you may be considered for a state nominated visa.

Courses to Study

Tasmanian education providers offer a variety of course and are most interested in those students who can make a positive contribution to the state. The likelihood of Tasmanian nomination will be increased if the Tasmanian studies, or other experiences in Tasmania benefit the state. A good starting point is to review the Tasmanian Skilled Occupations List (TSOL)

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa (NSW State Sponsored Stream) opens on Monday 15^th June and will close at 5pm 23 June 2020.  The goal is to have these applications assessed by the end of financial year, being Tuesday 30^th June 2020.  The visa was initially introduced as part of the wider regional reforms with the aim to provide:

• Priority processing of regional applications
• Incentives for migrants to stay in regional areas longer term as they build ties through workforce and community participation
• Can apply for permanent residence without a second nomination stage, if eligible, through the subclass 191 visa (commences 16 November 2022)
• Lower cost to employers with only one SAF levy stage for the subclass 494 nomination (compared to the two stages for the current subclass 482 to ENS subclass 186 permanent resident pathway)
• More points available to subclass 491 visa applicants
• Broader range of occupations available than non-regional pathways
• Expanded and consistent classification of regional areas
• The minimum taxable income for the subclass 494 and 191 visa will be set at the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) unless concessions are agreed (such as in relation to a DAMA). TSMIT is currently $53,900.

NSW State nomination criteria includes:

The Office of the MARA have written to Migration Alliance today as a key and valued stakeholder in the Australian Migration Advice Industry.     The following information was provided in the email:

The function of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has transferred to the Immigration Integrity and Community Protection Division in the Department of Home Affairs.   

This transfer aligns closely with the aims of the Division to protect the Australian community and help maintain the integrity of, and public confidence in, the broader migration program. The direction and focus of the OMARA in protecting consumers and addressing emerging risks associated with the migration advice profession has a direct impact on the integrity of visa program caseloads.

Home Affairs released new guidelines for those who are planning to leave Australia on or after June 10 2020)

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, including state and territory border restrictions, business closures and social distancing requirements, international visitors are encouraged to return home when possible to do so.

Temporary visa holders should be aware that if they wish to return to Australia while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, they will generally need a travel exemption.