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.

Suppose you are contacted by a potential client who seeks your help. 

The client has become an unlawful non-citizen due to the fact that his substantive visa has ceased, and he holds no bridging visa. 

Would a Medical Treatment (Visitor) visa be a possible option for enabling the client to restore lawful status? 

This is the case of a 457 nomination application for the position of Real Estate Agent at an Australian Real Estate Agency.

The Registered Migration Agent representing the company has repeatedly been asked by the case officer to provide 'genuineness' evidence for the position.

The first issue here is that the evidence being requested has already been provided by the Registered Migration Agent.

What is worse though, is the lack of professionalism shown in the request letter from the DIBP case officer.

The letter literally doesn't make sense in parts.  

A news article this morning reports the results of a joint ABC/Fairfax Media investigation into alleged widespread "rorting" of Australia's migration programs. It is "must reading": for RMAs and others who are interested in migration issues, and can be found at this link: 

http://www.theage.com.au/national/corruption-and-crime-syndicates-threaten-australias-border-security-20160622-gpp72z.html

The article reports that Joseph Petyanski, who jointly headed the Department's investigation office between 2007 and 2013, has claimed that the Department "ignored tens of thousands of cases of rorting perpetrated by migration agents and dodgy employers who game the student and work visas systems to allow foreigners to pay for entry" to Australia. 

Is it possible to overcome the refusal of a visa on character grounds? 

What if the visa applicant has been caught by the police while “crop-sitting” – being paid to live in a house and to water and feed marijuana plants that are being grown there? 

In such a circumstance, are the client’s prospects of obtaining a further visa to remain in Australia doomed to failure?