Australian Immigration Daily News

I am not going to give up the fight to have unregistered immigration practitioners removed from lodging Australian visa applications for and on behalf of unwitting clients.  The fresh new Form 956 goes part of the way there on this journey, but we need to keep moving forward.

Unregistered migration practitioners who engage in the lodgement of Australian visa applications on behalf of vulnerable persons are exploitative, predatory and unethical.  They do not have a demonstrated level of sound knowledge.  If they were registered, the level of incompetency shown in their work would likely result in a decision by the Office of the MARA to cancel their registration, and the removal of their right to practise.

Sometimes unregistered practitioners commit offences under a number of different laws over an extended period.  Use the examples of Abel Kalpinand Prasad, or Eddy Kang.  These two individuals were operating onshore, on our own Australian soil.  Look how hard it has been for the authorities to bring them to justice.  If only they had been banned from lodging visa applications in the first place.  If only the system prevented their access.

The committee recommends that the Senate pass the bill, subject to resolution of the motion to disallow the Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019.

The committee called for submissions, publishing details of the inquiry on its website and contacting a range of relevant organisations. Interested parties were invited to make a submission by 23 September 2019.

Migration Alliance made a submission, as can be seen on page 7, Chapter 2 "Key Issues":

Regional businesses across a quarter of New South Wales, who are struggling to fill skilled positions, can now apply to be part of the newly launched Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

The DAMA, which covers towns from Mudgee and Dubbo all the way to Bourke, Walgett and Cobar, allows employers to bring in skilled workers, to help fill critical shortages. Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the Orana agreement is one of seven DAMAs helping regional communities attract skilled migrants.

"The Morrison Government is committed to supporting the skills needs of regional Australia and has been working on tailored solutions to attract skilled migrants where Australian workers are not available to fill those jobs," Mr Coleman said. "Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps and grow local economies.”

The Department of Home Affairs has released its September update:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/skilled-migration-program/skilled-visa-newsletters/september-2019

For as long as I can remember MA has been agitating for the removal of the "overseas agent" as an authorised person on the form 956 along with a prohibition on non registered agents acting for applicants in matters before immigration.

Following representations made directly to the relevant Minister by Liana Allan for and on behalf of MA it looks like there is finally movement on this front.

Yesterday I received an email which states as follows: