Australian Immigration Daily News

1: New TSMIT and highly paid position for 457 and ENS: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00569

The purpose of the Instrument is to specify that the annual earnings threshold for the purposes of subregulation 2.72(10AB) and paragraph 2.79(1A)(b) is AUD 180,000. In addition, the Instrument retains the temporary skilled migration income threshold, specified in paragraph 2.72(10)(cc) under the previous Instrument, at AUD 53,900.

The Instrument is made following an independent review of the Subclass 457 Programme, the 457 Integrity Review, which recommended amending the threshold annual earnings amount to improve the flexibility with which businesses can employ skilled and desirable employees.

2. Lowered English requirements for subclass 457 visa application : http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00563

The purpose of the Instrument is to change the minimum English language proficiency requirements for applicants of the Subclass 457 visa. The change amends the requirements applicants must meet to satisfy the English language criteria while continuing to ensure that applicants have a sufficient level of English language ability to perform effectively in their nominated occupations. The amendment gives effect to a recommendation from an independent review conducted in 2014, the 457 Integrity Review.

3: Specification of Disclosure of Information to Prescribed Bodies 2015: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00567

The purpose of this Instrument is to include the Fair Work Ombudsman as a prescribed body under regulation 5.34D. The prescribed bodies remain the same as those specified in the previous Instrument. The Instrument gives effect to a recommendation made by the 457 Integrity Review, an independent review conducted in 2014. The panel recommended that the Department provide to the Fair Work Ombudsman, real time information relevant to the 457 Programme.

4. English language test scores for subclass 476 and 485 applications: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00564

New English language requirements:  

Minor changes on approved forms and place of lodgement:

1. Subclass 461 application approved forms and the location for lodgement: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00568

The purpose of the Instrument is to specify the form numbers of the approved form or forms and the location for lodgement of applications for New Zealand (Family Relationship) (Temporary)(Class UP) visas. The Instrument operates to specify approved forms for making valid applications and location for making valid applications for the relevant visa classes.

2. Specification of Arrangements for Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) Visa Applications: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00565

The purpose of the Instrument is to specify the form numbers of the approved form or forms, the manner of lodgement and the addresses to which an application must be made for applications for a Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa, as well as to specify which passport holders are eligible to make a Subclass 400 visa application via the Internet using form 1400 (Internet).

3: Specification of Arrangements for Applications for Bridging Visas: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00561

The purpose of the Instrument is specify the form numbers of the approved forms on which an application must be made for applications for Bridging A (Class WA) subclass 010, Bridging B (Class WB) subclass 020, Bridging C (Class WC) subclass 030, Bridging D (Class WD) subclasses 040 and 041, Bridging E (Class WE) subclasses 050 and 051 and Bridging F (Class WF) subclass 060 visas.

4. Specification of Arrangements for Special Category Visa Applications: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00560

The Instrument operates to specify the approved form for making valid applications for lodgement and where applications must be made for making valid applications for a Special Category visa

5. Specification of Arrangements for Skilled and Temporary Graduate Visa Applications: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00556

The purpose of the Instrument is to specify the form numbers of the approved form or forms, the manner of lodgement and the addresses to which an application must be made for applications for Skilled (Residence) (Class VB) Subclass 887 (Skilled – Regional), Skilled – Independent (Permanent) (Class SI) Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent), Skilled – Nominated (Permanent)(Class SN) Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated), Skilled (Provisional) (Class VF) Subclass 476 (Skilled – Recognised Graduate), Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate), and Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional)(Class SP) Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visas.

6. Specification of Arrangements for Employer Nomination and Regional Employer Nomination Skilled Visas: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00549

The purpose of the Instrument is to specify the form number of the approved form and the manner of lodgement for applications forEmployer Nomination (Permanent) (Class EN) and Regional Employer Nomination (Permanent) (Class RN) visas

7.  Specification of Arrangements for Protection, Humanitarian and Refugee Visas: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00562

The purpose of the Instrument is to specify the form numbers of the approved form or forms, the manner of lodgement and the addresses to which an application must be made for applications for Protection (Class XA) Subclass 866 (Protection) visa, Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) Subclasses 200 (Refugee), 201 (In-country Special Humanitarian), 202 (Global Special Humanitarian), 203 (Emergency Rescue) and 204 (Woman at Risk), Temporary Protection (Class XD) Subclass 785 (Temporary Protection) visas, and Safe Haven Enterprise (Class XE) Subclass 790 visas