Australian Immigration Daily News

For those readers who wish to know more about the joint Fairfax Media/ABC investigation into allegations concerning "pay for visa" schemes, here is a link to a follow up story that appeared in this morning's newspapers:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/visa-scammer-captured-in-hidden-camera-sting-20160627-gpsrpg.html

The article includes "undercover video" that was also broadcast yesterday evening on the ABC's 7:30 report which shows an alleged "fixer" claiming talking about creating phantom sponsorships for potential visa applicants, with the cost for such an arrangement from India being said to be $50,000.

This is precisely the tip of "pay for visa scheme" that was intended to be addressed by the recent amendments to the Migration Act that prohibit charging for a migration outcome.

How will the Department respond to these reports? Will the new enforcement powers that enable this type of conduct to be addressed through criminal prosecutions and civil penalties be exercised?

Stay tuned!