Australian Immigration Daily News

I have raised the issue of 'no SAF Levy refunds' today with the government.  I have made the submission in writing by way of email but cannot put the contents of that email on this blog, as the communication has been marked as 'FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY".

I will report back on here when I receive an update.

Liana Allan

Dear Colleagues,

My spies are telling me that the SAF payments are going into consolidated revenue and are not being held aside to skill Australians.

Quite apart from the "no refund" "policy" this programme is clearly out of control.

More overseas nationals are enjoying the expansion of the working holiday visa programme.  Over the last month a number of changes took place to allow more individuals to migrate to Australia under the working holiday visa scheme as well as increase of cut off age for certain nationals.

Subclass 417 Woking Holiday and Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visas are designed to allow people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) - except for Canadian and Irish citizens up to 35 (inclusive) - have their first extended holiday in Australia and work here to help fund their trip.

As the programme continues to expand, several legislative instruments were introduced to streamline the process.

Welcome to our Brave new World..

The Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016 was passed yesterday and is awaiting Royal Assent.

That ACT when assented to, paves the way for regulations to require, amongst other things, a prior approval of a Sponsor BEFORE a valid application is lodged.

The NARWP aims to ensure that migrants make provision to support themselves and their families when they first settle in Australia.

The Social Services Legislation Amendment (Encouraging Self-Sufficiency for Newly Arrived Migrants) Bill 2018 (bill) seeks to increase the existing newly arrived resident's waiting period (NARWP) from 104 weeks to 156 weeks (two years to three years) for various social security payments, concession cards and farm household support allowances. 

In addition, the bill seeks to introduce a NARWP of 156 weeks for family tax benefit, paid parental leave, dad and partner pay, parenting payment, carer allowance, bereavement allowance and widow allowance.