Australian Immigration Daily News

On 1 March 2019, Minister Coleman announced that applications to sponsor a parent for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa will be open from 17 April 2019.

We previously ran the announcement of this story on this blog here.

The legislation tied to this new visa which allows sponsors to bring their parents to Australia for longer periods was passed in November last year.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $65,438 in penalties in Court against the former franchisee of two Subway outlets in Sydney for underpaying a Chinese worker more than $16,000.

The Federal Circuit Court penalised Danmin Zhang $9,255 - who formerly operated Subway franchise outlets at Artarmon and Stanmore. The company Ms Zhang and her husband operate, G & Z United Pty Ltd, has been penalised a further $56,183.

Fair Work Inspectors found the worker, a Chinese national, had been underpaid a total of $16,345 for work performed across both stores, after she was paid unlawful flat rates of $14 to $14.50 per hour.
Under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010, she was entitled to receive minimum rates of more than $18, plus casual loading, for ordinary hours, and penalty rates of up to $52.22 on public holidays.

The MIA have released a YouTube video to the public about the Northern Territory's DAMA Mk II.  The presentation by the Northern Territory Government is very helpful and comes complete with a detailed powerpoint presentation on the NT's DAMA Mk II.

The video can be found by clicking below:

UPDATE 4 MARCH 2019 12:30PM: The MIA removed this free video from YouTube shortly after this article was released. 

The following information applies from today:

• Rewarding international students that have been long-term residents of South Australia
• Expansion of the high performing graduate category for South Australian graduates
• Removal of the minimum bachelor’s degree requirement under the Chain Migration category

• Is a current or former international student residing in South Australia; AND
• Has resided continually in South Australia since March 2012 or earlier and continues to reside in South Australia; AND
• Is currently:
  • working in South Australia in any occupation (does not have to be at a skilled level) for at least the last 3 months (minimum of 40 hours per fortnight); OR
  • studying a course with a minimum duration of one academic year in South Australia.

• This policy is being introduced as a pilot initially. Immigration SA reserves the right to change its nomination requirements, whilst Commonwealth requirements may also change.
• Applicants will need to show evidence that they have remained in South Australia continuously since March 2012. This includes confirmation of the various courses enrolled in, visa subclasses held and residency over time.  
• Applicants who have lived, studied or worked in another Australian jurisdiction for any period of time since 2012 will not be eligible. Verification checks will apply.
• Short visits home or holidays will not break the SA residency requirement, provided that evidence of continued connection to South Australia is provided (i.e. continued enrolment and/or employment and relevant visa held).
• To be considered a former international graduate of South Australia, you must have completed a CRICOS registered course with a minimum duration of 46 weeks. 
• If currently studying, this course must also be CRICOS registered for a minimum of 46 weeks.
• The applicant must meet all other state nomination and Department of Home Affairs’ requirements. As per any application for state nomination, a valid Skills Assessment and English language test result is required. For the latter, only the minimum Department of Home Affairs requirement of ‘Competent’ English is necessary (unless a higher level is required for registration purposes - see 6.5 and 9.10).

Expansion of the high performing graduate category for South Australian graduates 

Minor change to Chain Migration Policy (removal of bachelor’s degree requirement)

The instrument repeals IMMI 13/037 (F2013L00727) (the old law) in accordance with subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which states where an Act confers a power to make, grant or issue any instrument of a legislative or administrative character, the power shall be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions (if any) to repeal, rescind, revoke, amend, or vary any such instrument.

The instrument operates to specify, for the purposes of subregulation 5.40(1) of the Regulations: · the fees payable to an Assessing Authority for an application of assessment of a person’s occupational qualifications or experience (or both) and educational qualifications; and · the fees payable for an application for internal review of an assessment.

The purpose of the instrument is to update the assessment types and fees payable to Trades Recognition Australia for an assessment under subparagraph 40(1)(a) and (b) of the Regulations.